One of the more prolific artists for many years is Neil Diamond. With the several labels that he has been signed to, he was a goldmine. Over the years, there has been a wealth of collections to celebrate the periods of his productivity. His first widely received and sold collection came from MCA Records. That collection is His 12 Greatest Hits, still his best-selling collection to date. Capitol Records, which is his current home for ALL of his albums, hopes to change that with a new career-spanning collection.
On March 31, watch for a 3CD set called 50th Anniversary Collection. It will bring together all of the remastered hits and well-played deep cuts produced by Neil Diamond over the course of his strong 50 years as a recording artist. The 3CD will contain 50 tracks (see track-list below), all selected by Neil Diamond himself for this collection.
50th Anniversary Collection begins with Neil’s first charting hit, “Solitary Man”, and closes with a track off his latest album, “The Art of Love” (from Melody Road).
This 3CD 50th Anniversary Collection may not be for everyone, Certainly, it isn’t for me. I had little to no love for much beyond 1977’s I’m Glad You’re Here With Me Tonight. That was the first production by Bob Gaudio, which led to a different Neil Diamond, song-wise. Even with that album, I had to adapt. Of course, I obviously do not speak for the tons of fans that DID enjoy that prolific period. And this collection is for them.
While there are many compilations of Neil’s music out there, this one loosely addresses the whole spectrum. If you’re a fan of Neil Diamond throughout, enjoy!
50th Anniversary Collection – Neil Diamond
CD1:
01. Solitary Man
02. Cherry, Cherry
03. I’ve Got The Feeling (Oh No No)
04. You Got To Me
05. Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
06. I’m A Believer
07. Thank The Lord For The Night Time
08. Red, Red Wine
09. Sunday Sun
10. Shilo
11. Kentucky Woman
12. Brooklyn Roads
13. Glory Road
14. Holly Holy
15. And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind
16. Sweet Caroline
17. Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
CD2:
01. Done Too Soon
02. Soolaimon
03. Cracklin’ Rosie
04. Crunchy Granola Suite
05. I Am…I Said
06. Stones
07. Morningside
08. Song Sung Blue
09. Play Me
10. Be – Recapitulation And Farewell To Fletcher
11. Skybird
12. Lonely Looking Sky
13. I’ve Been This Way Before
14. Longfellow Serenade
15. Beautiful Noise
16. Street Life
17. If You Know What I Mean
CD3:
01. Desirée – Single Version
02. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
03. Forever In Blue Jeans
04. September Morn
05. The Story Of My Life
06. Yesterday’s Songs
07. I Believe In Happy Endings
08. Hello Again
09. Love On The Rocks (From “The Jazz Singer” Soundtrack)
10. Heartlight
11. Lady-Oh
12. Pretty Amazing Grace
13. Hell Yeah
14. We
15. The Art Of Love
16. America (From ‘The Jazz Singer’ Soundtrack)