September Morn (album)

September Morn is the thirteenth studio album by the American singer-songwriter Neil Diamond. Released in 1979, the album includes a disco version of the Motown song "Dancing in the Street" and a remake of "I'm a Believer".

September Morn
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1, 1979
Recorded1979
Studio
GenreRock, pop
Length37:45[1]
LabelColumbia
ProducerBob Gaudio
Neil Diamond chronology
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
(1978)
September Morn
(1979)
The Jazz Singer
(1980)

The title track was an international chart hit, and became Diamond's 30th Top 40 hit in the U.S. The song peaked at number 17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, number 14 on the Cash Box Top 100,[2] and number 7 on Record World. In Canada, it peaked at number 15.[3] The song was a much bigger hit on the Adult Contemporary charts, reaching number two in the U.S. and spending two weeks at number one in Canada.[4] "September Morn'" ranks as the 90th biggest U.S. charting single of 1980.[5]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The Rolling Stone Album Guide [6]

Cash Box called "September Morn" a "lushly orchestrated ballad [that] builds from a simple piano line to a full-blown chorus."[7] Record World praised Diamond's "awesome vocal talent."[8] The Boston Globe concluded that "the usual fire-and-brimstone Diamond seems a bit too subdued here."[9]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."September Morn"Gilbert Bécaud, Neil Diamond3:51
2."Mama Don't Know"Bécaud, Diamond3:55
3."That Kind"Carole Bayer Sager, Diamond3:18
4."Jazz Time"Diamond, Tom Hensley3:30
5."The Good Lord Loves You"Richard Fagan4:42

Personnel

  • Neil Diamond – vocals, guitar
  • Tom Hensley – piano, keyboards
  • Bob Gaudio – piano
  • Alan Lindgren – piano, synthesizers
  • Reinie Press – bass guitar
  • Doug Rhone, Richard Bennett – guitar
  • Dennis St. John – drums
  • King Errisson, Vince Charles – percussion
  • Lou McCreary, Arthur Maebe, Dennis Smith, Graham Young, Henry Sigismonte, Jerry Hey, Lloyd Ulyate, Tommy Johnson, Vincent DeRosa, Warren Luning, Chuck Findley, Dick Hyde, Ernie Watts, Pete Christlieb, Steve Madaio – horns
  • Sid Sharp – concertmaster
  • Linda Press, Becky Lopez Lewis, Julia Tillman Waters, Maxine Willard Waters, Sherlie Matthews, Venetta Fields – background vocals

Charts

Chart (1979-1980)Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[10]3
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[11]13
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[12]13
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13]17
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[14]28
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[15]3
UK Albums (OCC)[16]14
US Billboard 200[17]10

Certifications

RegionCertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[18]Platinum50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[19]Gold7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[20]Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA)[21]Platinum1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References