Track Listing

1. Prologue
2. Be
3. Flight Of The Gull
4. Dear Father
5. Skybird
6. Lonely Looking Sky
7. Odyssey, The
8. Anthem
9. Be
10. Skybird
11. Dear Father
12. Be

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #983 in Music
• Released on: 1992-06-29
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Soundtrack, Import

Customer Reviews

A Diamond Constantly Above the Crowd
It's good to see the renewed interest in Neil Diamond's work. Although most people know him via his hits during the 60s, 70s and early 80s, this album is completely different from most of his other recordings.

I heard this album the first time a few years after its release and despite a young age got hooked on it. It has a majestic feel all over, as if it flew over the musical landscape of its period, and probably would do the same even if being released today. One could claim that it gave signals of the new age sound that later developed. In other words, it has aged remarkably well.

Anyone who has any of his compilations and actually listens to them should not let this Jonathan Livingston pass them by. Even those who do not have any interest in Diamond's other work may enjoy this album. It is timeless and a constant pleasure.

Flying High
Is it any coincidence that the exquisite album that preceded this one, ("Moods") was produced by Tom Catalano, Arranged & Conducted by Lee Holdridge and Engineered by Armin Steiner? Why you may ask. Well, the same trio did exactly the same on this album and turned out yet another masterful production.

As concept albums go, this had a head start with Richard Bach's excellent book. (Shame about the film) I say concept rather than soundtrack because the film doesn't warrant such recognition.

The music here is sumptuous, and for that, Lee Holdridge deserves a lot of credit for his involvement. How such a magnificent piece of work can be attributed to just one man seems unjustified.

However, as for the music, it captures you from the opening note to the final fade. It is a complete piece that is best judged by listening to it in its entirety. There aren't a lot of songs to list as in a conventional album, but those on offer are superb. Be, Lonely Looking Sky and the almost hymn like Dear Father, are offerings of the highest calibre. The jaunty Skybird offers something refreshing and different. All fit in nicely with the sum of the whole.

This is definitely one for the headphones where you immerse yourself in its beauty. Swooping and soaring as the mood and tempo takes you off on a flight way above the clouds and into the sun.

Love the book but...
Must admit I am a bit disappointed. Love the book, love the lyrics but ... maybe Neil's voice is just not the one I imagined. Pity!