“Suffice it to say that Neil Diamond… has also seemingly hit another career high. One of his new songs in particular is so good it could make one weep, as indeed it did.” – Q Magazine

“Diamond has found a young and hip new audience… (and his) recent US tours have ranked with U2 and the Rolling Stones.” – London Daily Mail

To the delight of his millions of fans, legendary singer, songwriter and performer NEIL DIAMOND will return to concert stages this summer for a 37-city North American tour, scheduled to kick off July 19 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The 2008 summer tour will deliver a familiar yet unique experience – amazing production, innovative stage design and, of course, an unparalleled catalogue of hit songs spanning the singer’s long and prolific career. In addition to classic hits such as “Sweet Caroline,” “I’m a Believer,” and “Cherry, Cherry,” Diamond will perform songs from his highly anticipated album, HOME BEFORE DARK, his second collaboration with renowned producer Rick Rubin (Johnny Cash, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty), which has just been released on Columbia Records and is available for purchase in stores now.

Diamond announced the tour to US fans himself, in a surprise televised appearance at the Boston Red Sox season opener at Fenway Park on April 8. During the traditional eighth inning sing-along of Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline,” the singer showed up on the stadium’s big-screen TV, proclaiming to fans that that he will be performing live in concert at the historic Fenway on Saturday, August 23. With a four-decade career that has seen 125 million records sold worldwide, 36 Top 40 hits, a Grammy, a Golden Globe and thousands of sold-out shows all over the globe, Neil Diamond remains a vital and innovative force in modern music.

Diamond’s body of work includes “You Don't Bring Me Flowers” (the powerful duet with Barbra Streisand), “I Am, I Said” and “Cracklin’ Rosie,” as well as hits from his album and movie The Jazz Singer (“America,” “Love on the Rocks”) and from his acclaimed 2005 album 12 Songs. The album marked his first project with Rubin, which entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 4 – marking Diamond’s highest-charting debut to date – and offered a stripped-down, emotionally honest and passionately compelling approach that continues on Home Before Dark.

Like all great Neil Diamond albums, Home Before Dark is a powerful work, crossing generational lines with an extraordinary range and level of songcraft. Imbued with the same style of inspired melodies that has made his music so enduring, the album’s highlights include the stunning lead single “Pretty Amazing Grace” and a striking duet with the Dixie Chicks’ Natalie Maines entitled “Another Day (That Time Forgot).” The new collection was written by Diamond and recorded in Los Angeles with guitarist Mike Campbell, keyboardist Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), bassist / acoustic guitarist Smokey Hormel and guitarist Matt Sweeney. The album will also be available as a deluxe version that includes two bonus tracks and a DVD with rare footage of Diamond in the studio. Home Before Dark is available in stores now.