From the Vault...

05/19/2002
#786

info
Neil Diamond
"The Greatest Hits 1966-1992"


© Columbia Records

Year of Release: 1992
Rating:

track listing
  • Solitary Man
  • Cherry Cherry
  • I Got The Feelin'
    (Oh No No)
  • Thank The Lord For
    The Night Time
  • Girl You'll Be
    A Woman Soon
  • Kentucky Woman
  • Shilo
  • You Got To Me
  • Brooklyn Roads
  • Red Red Wine
  • I'm A Believer
  • Sweet Caroline
  • Sodlaimon
  • Cracklin' Rosie
  • Song Sung Blue
  • Play Me
  • Holly Holy
  • Morningside
  • Crunchy Granola Suite
    Disc Two:
  • Brother Love's
    Traveling
    Salvation Show
  • I Am...I Said
  • Be
  • Longfellow Serenade
  • Beautiful Noise
  • If You Know
    What I Mean
  • Desiree
  • September Morn
  • You Don't Bring
    Me Flowers
  • Forever In Blue Jeans
  • Hello Again
  • America
  • Love On The Rocks
  • Yesterday's Songs
  • Heartlight
  • Headed For The Future
  • Heartbreak Hotel
  • All I Really Need
    Is You

  • WSVNRadio Archives
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M
    N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

    Neil Diamond related sites:
    Neil Diamond Website
    Wikipedia
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    Krom--Krom
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    Various Artists--Battle Of The Bands
    Neil Diamond
    "The Greatest Hits 1966-1992"



    Neil Diamond maybe considered one of the many unsung heroes of popular music. His songs have been famous for himself, likewise for other artists. In the 1960s, as an upcoming songwriter, Diamond had written songs popular by the likes of Deep Purple ("Kentucky Woman") and the #1 Monkees hit, ("I'm A Believer"). Later in years, the group UB40 would remake his "Red Red Wine" and accomplish a #1 hit record. Diamond himself has only had 3 #1's: "Cracklin' Rosie," "Song Sung Blue," and a duet with Barbra Streisand, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." Arguably so, he should have had more, yet he never had a #1 album. Today, Diamond is still recording, he had just released Three Penny Opera, an album of new material. Columbia's The Greatest Hits 1966-1992) captures the glory of Diamond's career in a 2-Disc anthology, and for those who enjoy Diamond's music, it's a great retrospective of songs and memories for all. Capturing his hits from 3 record labels, Diamond began his career with Bang Records from 1966 to 1970; Uni Records from 1969-1973, then Columbia from 1973 to 1992.


    The first 6 songs were from the Bang period, songs such as "Thank The Lord For The Night Time," and "Cherry Cherry" will always bring back a memory or more for those who remember them, and it's interesting to compare his version of "Kentucky Woman" to that of Deep Purple. The Bang recordings were the originals, as they were released as singles.


    There are live tracks (of course some would argue that original versions was from a Los Angeles 1986 concert, and he mentions at the beginning of "Red Red Wine" (from a 1989 Dublin, Ireland concert) that his song went to #1 "Song Sung yellow" (Los Angeles, 1991), "Morningside" (Los Angeles, 1983).

    (For the original Uni recordings for most of these songs, His 12 Greatest Hits is a good choice.)


    The reason for the live recordings: These songs were originally recorded on Uni Records, which MCA Records owned the rights. In 1973, Diamond changed labels to Columbia, therefore songs released on Columbia were from their original masters.


    "Be" was Diamond's first hit on Columbia, and it would begin another great era for Diamond's career. Such favorites as "Longfellow Serenade, "September Morn," "Forever In Blue Jeans," "Yesterday's Songs" and "Heartlight" are all here, and are all superb. Likewise, his #1 duet (which wasn't really recorded as a duet) "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," a song in which both Diamond and Streisand recorded separately, and the recording as a duet was done through the use of recording studio technology. It would be interesting to hear both songs in their original, separate form.


    "Hello Again," "America," and "Love On The Rocks" were from the movie remake of Al Jolson's The Jazz Singer. The soundtrack was originally released on Capitol Records, and the original Capitol recordings are included here.


    The Greatest Hits 1966-1992 of Neil Diamond is a great retrospective; it mostly concerns his Columbia recordings. Neil Diamond has been known to perform in excellent form live, as well as in the studio. This release does that, as Neil Diamond fans can enjoy his live performances and studio recordings, in top-shape form.


    © WSVNRadio.net. All rights reserved. Review or any portion may not be reproduced without written permission. Cover art is the intellectual property of Columbia Records and is used for reference purposes only.


    Previous Review: #785
    Krom--Krom
    Next Review: #787
    Various Artists--Battle Of The Bands