The Feel of Neil Diamond

The Feel of Neil Diamond is Neil Diamond's debut album, released on Bang Records in the US, London Records in the UK, and Stateside Records in Australia. It includes his first three big hits, "Solitary Man" (#55), "Cherry, Cherry" (#6), and "Oh No No" (#16). Artie Butler was the arranger and conductor; Leonard Linton was the photographer; and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, continuing to work together although they had divorced the previous year, were the producers.

The Feel of Neil Diamond
Studio album by Neil Diamond
Released	August 12, 1966
Recorded	1965–66
Genre	Pop rock
Length	29:51
Label	Bang
Producer	Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
Neil Diamond chronology
The Feel of Neil Diamond (1966) Just for You (1967)
Singles from The Feel of Neil Diamond
"Solitary Man" Released: April 4, 1966 "Cherry, Cherry" Released: July 1966 "Oh No, No" Released: 1966

The photo for this album cover was taken under the Brooklyn Bridge by Diamond's first cousin Len Rapoport, who was only 17 years old when these photos were taken. The photo credit on this album shows photo by Leonard Linton, which was Rapoport's middle name. He wasn't sure if he should take a professional name at that time, but later photo credits reverted to his name Leonard Rapoport. His photo credits can be found on many of the Diamond Program Books, albums and other Diamond publications.

This album has never been released on CD, but the CD The Bang Years includes all the tracks from this album and from Diamond's second album, Just for You.

The Australian version has two additional tracks- "The Boat that I Row" and "Thank the Lord for the Night Time".

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	link

Track listing

All songs written by Neil Diamond, except where noted.

Side one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Solitary Man"		2:32
2.	"Red Rubber Ball"	Bruce Woodley, Paul Simon	2:18
3.	"La Bamba"	Ritchie Valens	2:07
4.	"Do It"		2:24
5.	"Hanky Panky"	Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich	2:44
6.	"Monday, Monday"	John Phillips	2:56

Side two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"New Orleans"	Frank Guida, Joseph Royster	2:24
2.	"Someday Baby"		2:18
3.	"Oh No No"		2:13
4.	"I'll Come Running"		2:55
5.	"Love to Love"		2:18
6.	"Cherry, Cherry"		2:42

Charts

Chart (1966)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[1]	137

References

1. "Neil Diamond Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 4, 2023.