Tap Root Manuscript

Tap Root Manuscript
Studio album by Neil Diamond
Released	November 21, 1970
Recorded	1970
Genre	Rock
Length	35:35
Label	Uni Records (MCA Records)
Producer	Tom Catalano, Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond chronology
Touching You, Touching Me (1969) Tap Root Manuscript (1970) Stones (1971)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Rolling Stone	(mixed)
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Tap Root Manuscript is an album by Neil Diamond, released in 1970. It was one of the most experimental albums he ever recorded, featuring prominent African sounds and instruments. The album ended up being a commercial success, with a string of top 40 hits. This album pre dates many Western artists interest in world music by more than a decade, from Peter Gabriel's 1980's solo albums, to My Life in the Bush of Ghosts (David Byrne with Brian Eno) in 1981, to the Graceland album recorded by Paul Simon in 1986. It was one of the most novel experimental recording projects of its time, and the UNI label initially was not sure if it would be commercially viable or not. It turned out to be one of Diamond's most successful albums up to that point in his career, including one of his three #1 hits in his career, "Cracklin' Rosie".

Track listing

All songs composed by Neil Diamond except "He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother".

A side

1. "Cracklin' Rosie" (3:00)
2. "Free Life" (3:11)
3. "Cold Water Morning" (3:20)
4. "Done Too Soon" (2:45)
5. "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (3:59) (Bob Russell, Bobby Scott)

B side

The African Trilogy (A Folk Ballet) (19:20)

1. "Child Song" (2:10)
2. "I Am the Lion" (2:07)
3. "Madrigál" (1:53)
4. "Soolaimón" (4:32)
5. "Missa" (2:05)
6. "African Suite" (4:28)
7. "Child Song (Reprise)" (2:00)

Personnel

• Instruments: Alvin Casey, Andrea Kostelas, Anthony Terran, Armand Kaproff, Arthur Butler, Assa Drori, Benjiman Barrett, A.D. Brisbois, David Burk, David Cohen, Dick Hyde, Donald Menza, Don Peake, Don Randi, Earl C. Palmer Sr., Emil Radocchia, Erno Neufeld, Gareth Nuttycombe, Gary Coleman, Gene Estes, George C. Poole, George Roberts, Hal Blaine, Harry Betts, Harry Bluestone, Harvey J. Newmark, Henry Roth, Henry Sigismonti, Israel Baker, Jack Shulman, Jim Arkatov, James Getzoff, Jan R. Kelley, Jay Migliori, Jesse Ehrlich, Joe Osborn, Joseph Estren, Joseph Saxon, Larry Bunker, Lawrence W. Knechtel, Larry Muhoberac, Lee Holdridge, Lee Shamburger, Lou Klaes, Louie Shelton, Martin Paich, Myron Sandler, Nathan Ross, Nathaniel Rosen, Neil Levang, Oliver Mitchell, Paul Bergstrom, Paul Hubinon, Paul Shure, Randy Cierley, Raymond J. Kelley, M.R. Pohlman, Orville Rhodes, Roger Bobo, Ronald Langinger, Roy V. Caton, Sandra Crouch, Shirley Marcus, Sidney Sharp, Thomas Scott
• Vocals: Alexander Hale, Aubrey Porter, Bill Lee, Billie Barnum, Christopher Hale, Clydie King, Dean Porter, Donald Wyatt, Douglas Schwartz, Dwayne Moody, Ed Wallace, Ekundayo Paris, Evelyn Meyer, Fred Burton, George Bledsoe, Graynston Hale, Gwen Johnson, H.B. Barnum Jr., Jean Sewell, Jessie Kirkland, Joe Greene, John Woodson, Kevin Parker, Lewis Johnson, Mabel Bishop, Marjorie Cranford, Matthews Muhoberac, Merry Clayton, Molly Halloran, Nancy Adams, Oma Drake, Phillip Whigham, Ricky Porter, Sean Engerman, Sherlie Matthews, Sherill Atwood, Stacey Johnson

External links

• Neil Diamond's Official Website
• Record Label