The Essential Neil Diamond

by

Neil Diamond

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The Essential Neil Diamond is an excellent two CD set that is attractively priced--what a value! These two CDs have many, many wonderful hits and ballads performed by the great Neil Diamond; and the sound quality couldn't be better. The artwork is nicely done as well. I do need to warn you that some of these songs are recorded from live concerts and that may or may not bother you. I think the live recordings are pretty decent but to each his own!

"Cherry, Cherry" really rocks with Neil Diamond doing a smash-up job on this tune! Neil sounds great and this is absolutely a wonderful number that's very strong as well. "I Got The Feelin' (Oh No, No)" has a bit of a country flavor to it that enhances the natural beauty of this ballad; and I like that very much. Neil's excellent diction bolsters his performance and the backup singers never fail him either! "Kentucky Woman" was a huge hit for Neil Diamond and that's great for all of us--it's a wonderful number that Neil shared with us! "Kentucky Woman" has incredible sounds that Neil handles with panache and it's truly a major highlight of this two CD set. There's also "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon;" this tender love ballad never escapes my mind and it's very pretty. The melody is very well done and Neil sings this with lots of passion to make "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" yet another highlight of this two CD set.

"I'm A Believer" rocks well as Neil does this cover song; the backup singers work wonders for this tune as well. Listen also for "Sweet Caroline;" this classic signature song for Neil proves his talents beyond a doubt--wowzer! "Song Sung Blue" stuns me with its beauty and Neil Diamond sings this with all his heart and soul.

Now there are some live tracks that you're going to love or hate. "Morningside" is well done and the sound quality is actually better than some reviewers led me to expect. Neil clearly enjoys a good rapport with his fans and that's great. "Brooklyn Roads" is another live track that I think works very well.

"Hello Again" from the second CD is a marvelous number that I really like; the piano arrangement is very nicely done. "Love On The Rocks" was never one of my favorite tunes but I can still recognize that it has quality. There's also a great live track of "He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother." This number features Neil singing so well in concert--he needed no mixing in the studio to make his voice sound special! In addition, Neil does a wonderful duet with Barbra Streisand on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers;" this touching and moving ballad tugs at my heartstrings--it's all THAT good.

"September Morn" is another major highlight of this two CD set with Neil singing this flawlessly alongside a lush musical arrangement; and there's also "Yesterday's Songs;" "Yesterday's Songs" has that `70s flavor to it that still sounds great today! We also get Neil Diamond doing a great job on "Heartlight;" and the two CD set ends with Neil Diamond performing "You Are The Best Part Of Me." "You Are The Best Part Of Me" is a very touching ballad that makes a great ending for this two CD set.

Neil Diamond has enriched our lives by sharing his talents with us. This two CD set is a strong one and I heartily encourage this for his fans--as long as they don't mind the live tracks. Newcomers to Neil Diamond would do well to start with this two CD set.

I own just about every Neil Diamond album prior to 1995 (mostly LP's). I have been a serious fan since high school (late 60's).

If you are thinking that this would be a good "Greatest Hits" album to have, think again.

About half of these tracks are recorded from live concert performances, and many of those are of low musical quality. "Remastering" does no good when you are starting with junk to begin with.

If you like "live" recordings (and we are NOT talking about "Hot August Night" quality here), then you may like this CD.

If what you want is what your heard on the radio way back when, then half of this collection is going to seriously disappoint you.