Neil Diamond - Classics: The Early Years

Originally recorded for legendary producer Bert Berns' Bang label, this collection documents the mid-'60s period when Neil Diamond was an emerging New York songwriter and apprentice pop star. Many of these hits have generated subsequent cover smashes--"I'm a Believer" (Monkees), "Kentucky Woman" (Deep Purple), "Red Red Wine" (UB40), "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" (Urge Overkill)--but the originals remain the greatest. Produced by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, sublime singles like "Solitary Man," "Cherry Cherry," and "Thank the Lord for the Night Time" kept Brill Building rock on the charts during the British Invasion. Diamond would go on to become a '70s megastar, but many believe he has never equaled these recordings. --Ben Edmonds Amazon.com

Classic Diamond.

In the early 80s, I was putting together a collection of classic rock 'n roll music, primarily from the 50s and 60s. Such music was being re-released on compact discs, a new technology of that time. I bought up a couple dozen discs and one of those was "Neil Diamond Classics" as released on Columbia Records.

This CD is excellent, one of the best compilation discs I obtained and I'm not at all surprised that it is still in print. To be truthful, I've never particularly been a Neil Diamond fan, yet I've always liked and appreciated his music. He's a really outstanding song writer and an excellent singer. He has had hit after hit on his own, and his songs were covered by a host of other artists, who also had hit recordings with them. I understand he still sells out concert after concert right down to today. Surely, this man must go down as one of the greatest pop artists of the past century.

The "Neil Diamond Classics" disc is excellent. I wish all compilation discs were so good. Personally, I think Diamond's early years were his best and this disc presents an excellent selection of songs from that era. There's not a poor song on the disc. The sound reproduction is excellent. The disc seems a little short and could have included a few more songs, but otherwise it is excellent. It has become a cherished part of my CD collection of materials from the 50s and 60s.

Gary Peterson December 14, 2008

Diamond in the rough

Neil Diamond is a rare gem in the solid gold oldies of Rock and Roll.
Neil gained superstardom in the '70s with his bombastic concerts and his determined top 40 hits. But there was a truer Neil before then

In the mid/late '60's, Neil wrote/ recorded songs that squeeked the edge of Pop and Punk. His early recordings on Bang records evoke a time and place. That time of a young man being a believer and the place of the new. Listen! a year period produced "Cherry Cherry" "Solitary Man" "You Got to Me" "I Got the Feelin'" "The Boat That I Row" "I'm a Believer" "Thank The Lord for the Nighttime" "Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon", "Red Red Wine", etc..

This is early Neil at his best, stereo and hard to find. Latter day Neil found him on UNI then Columbia, and with each new recording, a bigger head of hair. And less fun.

Stick with him with sideburns and no dye job September 14, 2008

great travel CD

Took it on vacation. It was campy and great! It had several tracks I did not know and fell in love with. June 30, 2008

Outstanding collection

Now this is the good old foot stomping Neil Diamond songs that I grew up listening to with my parents. I like his other more famous stuff too, but this is the one collection that I was hoping to find & now that I have, it is awesome! These are several of his recordings with the "Bang" label, which for some reason are hard to find on CD. Neil had a big impact on the early sound of the "Monkees" in the 60's & even wrote one of their biggest hits (I'm a believer) & you can tell by some of these songs (as well as his own version of the song). June 27, 2008

Love it, love it love it!!!

Classic Neil Diamond songs. Excellent. Enjoy listening to CD in the car on my way to work (an hour drive!) June 25, 2008

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