Neil Diamond Classics: The Early Years (1966-67) CD

Also available in a 3-pack with THE JAZZ SINGER and BEAUTIFUL NOISE.
Audio Mixer: Neil Brody.
Photographer: Leonard Rapoport.
Unknown Contributor Roles: Jeff Barry; Neil Diamond.
Classics: The Early Years rounds up 12 highlights from Neil Diamond's recordings for Bang Records. These, of course, were Diamond's earliest recordings, and for many fans they remain among his very best work, and it's easy to see why -- not only are these terrific songs, but the productions don't oversell the songs. Even when strings grace the productions, there's a dark, brooding vibe to the ballads, and a crisp feeling to the pop songs. And while some of the songs won't be instantly recognizable, most of them will, because these are the tunes that made Diamond's reputation as a songwriter and performer: "Kentucky Woman," "Cherry, Cherry," "Solitary Man," "Thank the Lord for the Night Time," "I"m a Believer," "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," "Shilo," and "Red, Red Wine." Diamond occasionally matched these peaks later in his career, but never again did he deliver so many great songs at such a frequency -- and Classics conveniently collects them all in one place. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Neil Diamond first achieved international success in the 1970s and '80s with his splashy, big-budget productions. But in the mid-'60s, Diamond was just another respected journeyman songwriter who, like Paul Simon, Lou Reed, and many others, had cut his teeth cranking out tunes at New York's celebrated Brill Building, a center for post-World War Two American songwriting. During this time, Diamond wrote a flurry of excellent songs that have taken on a life of their own. CLASSICS: THE EARLY YEARS captures the singer at what some consider his creative apex.
The mid-1960s' "Red, Red Wine," known by many listeners from the chirpy UB40 reggae version, is sung with stunning dolor, while the moody "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," featured in Quentin Tarrantino's film PULP FICTION in a version by Chicago's Urge Overkill, still sounds fresh after more than a few decades. In addition to the other American pop classics "Kentucky Woman," "Cherry, Cherry," and "I'm a Believer," the latter successfully covered by the Monkees, CLASSICS: THE EARLY YEARS features some lesser-known Diamond gems, including "Shilo" and the positively terrific "Solitary Man." It's a must for any fan of Neil Diamond or first-rate Brill Building songwriting.