The Essential Neil Diamond Reviews

• WARNING: LIVE RECORDINGS

  
  By A34FY20SJ8UBJK on 2002-01-19
  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.
  
  

• I've Got the Feelin' (Oh, no) another rip-off improved

  
  By A37P63VA9MPXA5 on 2001-12-04
  Neil's catalog is split across two labels (Columbia & UNI). The last Columbia 2-CD Anthology presented his original Bang material and his post MCA material, but since it couldn't license the rest, Sweet Caroline, I Am...I Said, Holly Holy and others were presented as live versions. No notation was given on the outside of the jewel case.

  This latest offering improves on that release somewhat (5 of his UNI material are studio versions), but it still presents live material from that ill fated predecessor.

  Which begs another question: Why is Shilo, live? Columbia owns the Bang studio version.

  The import Ultimate Collection remains the best bet. It contains most of the Bang material (save for Shilo), most of the UNI material (except for Crunchy Granola Suite), and all the essential post UNI material (Longfellow Serenade, Love on The Rocks, etc).

  Columbia, here is a suggestion: There is a comprehensive UNI collection remastered by MCA, why not give us a remastered Bang collection instead of this rip-off?
  
  

• If you're curious about this cd, read this...

  
  By on 2002-01-13
  Ok, so you're probably thinking to yourself, "What's the difference between this new greatest hits package and the others that are already out?" I already have all these songs on cd, but I'm a big fan of remastered cds and bought this primarily to see if the sound quality was better. I was happy to discover that this collection is the best sounding Neil Diamond recordings that you will find, even better than the "In My Lifetime" box set. On a side note, I highly recommend the MCA remastered "12 Greatest Hits" that came out awhile back. The sound quality on that disc is amazing. It also has much better studio recordings of "Shilo" and "Soolaimon" than the other versions that are out.

  Anyway, like I said, the songs have been remastered and restored beautifully. Here are the downsides of this collection. First, there are (yet again) more live cuts that are simply not very good. It seems odd to me that they can provide the studio recordings of "Cherry, Cherry" and "Sweet Caroline" but they choose to provide an older Neil singing live versions of "Play Me" and "Shilo" etc. Second, just like the "In My Lifetime" box set, "Hello Again" is not included in its entirety. The opening strings of the song (which I love) are cut out, which I find quite annoying. Lastly, there are some songs like "Be" that are not included but it's no biggie. Anyway, like I said, if you have most of these songs or just want to get a taste of Neil, buy this because the sound quality is the best so far.
  
  

• Super Collection with 3 Must-Haves for Diehards

  
  By A3IYNAOWN7AD2V on 2002-01-11
  Since most of the tracks on this collection have been released previously (numerous times for many of them), I will focus my review of this collection on the new live cuts, more specifically Captain Sunshine, He Ain't Heavy, and the medley of Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene.

  Before I focus on them however, let me say that the studio recordings of Neil's greatest songs are all on this collection. Listening to all of these tracks, one can gain an appreciation why Neil Diamond is not only revered as a songwriter but as a vocalist. These are timeless pieces of Americana and popular music.

  The three live cuts that are noteworthy in this collection are songs hitherto, unreleased as live recordings. In fact, they are songs that Neil has rarely performed live until this current 2001-2002 tour. For me, they represent two things, one the strong writing skills Neil Diamond has even in songs that never became 'greatest hits' and two, the enduring voice Neil Diamond has even after 60+ years.

  1. Captain Sunshine is a song from Neil Diamond's 1972 album called Moods. The song was put into the current tour as a tribute to a longtime band member, Vince Charles. The song is a beautiful tribute to the man. Neil Diamond's voice on this song sounds as youthful as it has since the early 1980's (listen to Play Me on this collection as a early 1990's comparison to see how his voice improved from the 90's to today).

  2. He Ain' Heavy, He's My Brother is in Neil's current show as a tribute to the heros and victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks and the troops that are currently fighting for the U.S. What is particularly interesting about this song is that Neil sang it before it ever became a hit. In essence, he discovered the song. Although sung differently than the way the hit goes (I believe by the Hollies), the song emulates a feeling of sincerity and love. Again, Neil's voice is solid in this song, although he does tend to talk/sing a bit in places.

  3. Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene was put on this album, in my opinion, in response to the diehard fans that continually have requested that Neil sing this live in concert. Many Neil Diamond fans consider these two songs as Neil's finest compositions, and I concur. These two songs represent a more mystical side of Neil with lyrics that aren't as straight-forward as most of his songs. Not only are the words incredible, but the music is awesome. Neil sings these songs almost as well as he did in the studio back in 1973/1974. Truly this and the other three tracks are totally worth buying another greatest hits collection of America's greatest singer/songwriter.

  A living legend? Neil Diamond is, and this collection proves it!
  
  

• fine assortment of hits and ballads even if you don't like all the live tracks

  
  By A2R6RA8FRBS608 on 2008-05-19
  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.
  
  
  
• A Missed Opportunity
  By A185GE281QF44M on 2005-08-13
  Trying to find a decent Neil Diamond compilation is a frustrating venture: there are label specific compilations, which focus on the three labels Diamond has recorded for; while MCA has found the most ways to compile Diamond records, Sony has issued very few. Sony's first attempt at a complete career overview, GREATEST HITS 1966-1992, had expert track selection and a logical sequence, but used live versions of the MCA recordings, which happened to include some of Diamond's best songs "Sweet Caroline," "I Am...I Said," "Cracklin' Rosie." THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND is Neil Diamond's entry into what has so far been an excellent compilation series, until now.
  
  Many of the Essential series editions do what their supposed to, they provide a relatively complete (definitive) compilation of the artist's best work, Bob Dylan, The Clash, Billy Joel. All compilations miss songs, most have one or two questionable judgement calls, but overall they work. For a serious compilation, THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND features some of the worst errors to be found (think K-Tel style problems): poor track selection, excessive live recording substitutions, and illogical track sequencing. Not only does this compilation fail as a Neil Diamond overview, it is largely an unlistenable collection.
  
  Diamond's early classic recordings for Bang, from 1966-1968, is the one part of THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND done properly. The sound is a major improvement over CLASSICS, particularly on "You Got To Me." There are some slight differences in the recordings on "Solitary Man" and "I Got The Feeling (Oh No, No)" from CLASSICS, but these are so minor that they don't pose much of a problem.
  
  The Uni era recordings, from 1968-1972, have always been, and will continue to be, a major obstacle in career-length Diamond collections. Some of Diamond's best work is controlled by MCA, "Sweet Caroline," "Holly Holy," "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," and it is a critcal part of any compilation. MCA has issued several different compilations that focus exclusively on these records, ranging from the 11-song 20TH CENTURY MASTERS, to PLAY ME, which covers every studio recording from these years. Sony made some progress here, they obtained the masters for his five Top 5 hits, "Sweet Caroline," "Song Sung Blue," "Holly Holy," "I Am...I Said,", and "Cracklin' Rosie." But there are other tracks from the Uni era of importance and these are featured in live versions from recent concerts, which is a cheap way of getting around licensing issues. For instance, "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" has evolved into a show-stopper, and the live version reflects this, but the original studio recording is tighter and boosts the fascinating sound Diamond was-then known for. The point of a career-spanning compilation is to be a one-collection purchase, to get the most important recordings in the same place. Instead if you want some of Diamond's most celebrated songs, you need to buy additional discs. Furthermore, the song selection for the live cuts is highly questionable, "Captain Sunshine" (which makes rarely is compiled, even on live albums) and "Morningside" don't really belong on the essential collection, and even if "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" did hit the Top 20, its importance in a career overview is negligable.
  
  The Columbia recordings are poorly represented. While there are exceptions, there's a sharper divide over these songs, which a good collection could have addressed. Here as well, the compilers excluded important songs, "Be" and "Longfellow Serenade," actual hits, unbelieveably substituted for a live medley of "Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene" and album track "I've Been This Way Before." The second disc's illogical sequencing really stands out as well. So rather than the listener appreciating "Desiree," "America," and "Heartlight," all thats gained from the second half is the rather jarring way the material is presented. The ending of the collection is also problematic, the four year gap between "Heartlight" and "Headed For The Future" is understandable, but "Headed For The Future" was released in 1986, and the disc jumps to 2001 for "You Are The Best Part Of Me," (which does sound out of place). It's understandable that compilers wanted to go for complete, but it simply does not work, they could have drafted in select songs from the surrounding fifteen years, or left off at "Headed For The Future."
  
  Career-spanning compilations work best chronologically, allowing the listener to trace artistic development, and avoiding questionable sequences. THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND, especially on the second disc, is very poorly sequenced. The second disc opens with "America" and runs through the hits from THE JAZZ SINGER, plows through five live tracks (three of which are unnecessary additions), and bouncing throught the Columbia era.
  
  Between the poor sequencing, questionable selection, and especially the live tracks, it is impossible to view THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND as anything other than a missed opportunity. This collection does a great disservice to both listeners and to the music of Neil Diamond. A one collection introduction is still a long way off.
  
  
• The Best One Out There, But...
  By on 2004-01-11
  The studio stuff on here is great. Early stuff is in mono, later stuff is in stereo. Yes, as others have pointed out, 9 of the 38 tracks are live, and we all agree, the originals of the 9 are by far superior. Sony doesn't own the masters to those songs, but Universal does. There are a few Universal Collections, Like "Neil Diamond - The Collection" and "20th Century Masters, The Millennium Collection" that will complete the set. Unfortunately, those compilations don't have all the stuff this one does. Want it all, you'll have to buy both this one and one of the two I listed above, but it will certainly be worth it! If you do like the live stuff, I recommend the remaster of Hot August Night!
  
  
• Give us a break
  By A1AMCR6ISCN2Z6 on 2005-10-25
  Why do the record companies continue to put out albums, with LIVE cuts on them?? If I wanted a LIVE album, I would buy a LIVE album. I was going to purchase this CD, but changed my mind because of the LIVE cuts.
  
  
• Who else but Neil could pull this off?
  By A3IGB1VAHFE36H on 2001-12-08
  I've been a huge fan of Neil Diamond since I was a young teen. I see him in concert every 15 years as well. I just saw him in Dallas,so I guess I'll see him next when he's 75. He's still got it, though.
  What other artist can come up with 2 studio albums followed by a new greatest hits and new live album... and have all sell? He's done that most of his career.
  I know why the live songs on here were selected. They are in his new tour and Shilo has always been one of my favorites. Seeing Neil sit at the piano playing Yes I will/ Lady Madelene was only surpassed by his Captain Sunshine sung in memory of a recently departed band member. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother has always been a favorite of mine and listening to him sing it live is thrilling. I own the import Ultimate Collection and I own ALL the live albums and even though I have all these songs on other CD's, this is the perfect complement to his new tour.Needless to say, I have this one, too.
  
  
• Best Diamond Collection
  By AQ2SRQCX77658 on 2002-03-05
  I spent some time researching the best available collections of Neil's work and the best available for the money. I think this is it. Out of 38 tracks, I only thought 3 did not belong (and there are at least as many shouldabeens) but no one will totally agree. 10 are live recordings, 8 of which are listenable given the tendency to ad lib on stage. Crunchy Granola Suite was done too loud and way too rough. Play Me had the crowd cheering through most of the song which was annoying. I think of this collection as Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2 with some live bonus tracks. It is going to allow me to retire a lot of vinyl.
  
  
• unhappy
  By on 2002-12-14
  Buyer beware. Most of these are poor remakes. His voice is not nearly as good as when he did the originals.
  
  
• Not what it could have been
  By A3MWJE21B34EYN on 2007-02-13
  When will record companies realize that people that are buying a "best of" album do not want live recordings to replace the original studio recordings? The track listing on this album is great, but many of the songs are live versions, not the version you hear on the radio and love so much. The album should have looked something like this (all studio versions) (I tried to put this in chronological order, but I may have missed on a few):
  Disc 1:
  Solitary Man
  Do It
  Cherry, Cherry
  I Got the Feelin'
  Kentucky Woman
  The Boat That I Row
  You Got to Me
  Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon
  Thank the Lord for the Night Time
  Red, Red Wine
  I'm a Believer
  Shilo (the original version)
  Brooklyn Roads
  Sweet Caroline
  Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show
  And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind
  Holly Holy
  Soolaimon
  Cracklin' Rosie
  He Ain't Heavy...He's My Brother
  I Am...I Said
  Done Too Soon
  Stones
  Crunchy Granola Suite
  
  Disc 2:
  Song Sung Blue
  Play Me
  Walk on Water
  Morningside
  Be
  Longfellow Seranade
  I've Been This Way Before
  If You Know What I Mean
  Beautiful Noise
  Desiree
  You Don't Bring Me Flowers
  Forever in Blue Jeans
  September Morn
  America
  Love on the Rocks
  Hello Again
  Yesterday's Songs
  Heartlight
  
  "Headed for the Future" is awful and should be ignored as much as possible. And "You Are the Best Part of Me" is good, but doesn't fit in here.
  
  Your best bet is to buy "Classics: The Early Years," "The Neil Diamond Collection," and "12 Greatest Hits Volume 2." That 3-disc collection covers most of the Essential Neil Diamond. You'd be missing a couple, but it would be better than live versions.
  
  
• C'mon guys!
  By A17DW2VHISNCEH on 2006-01-29
  -- the album has 38 songs... 9 of them are live cuts... what's the big deal to complain about an acceptable sampling of live materials for an "essential" collection? (ie, only one out five songs, is a live cut)... gimme a break!
  
  ... beware that this is not a "greatest hits" collection, if that's what you're expecting to get, there's these couple of volumes previously released as such...
  
  ... read the labels before you... write!
  
  
• Disappointed
  By AH6IK7361FRDN on 2005-12-07
  Don't repeat my mistake: I failed to read the reviews first, and am sorry I purchased this CD. This is the best song selection of Neil Diamond I have found, and "Remastered Original Recordings" was exciting. But, as some of the other reviews noted, these are definitely not the "Original Hits". A swath of these songs are from (much) later concerts, including one song where it sounds like he had a very bad cold and was only croaking along because he had to finish the performance to get off stage. "Call me a relic, call me what you will;" I like the hits better and will have to buy another CD to get them.
  
  
• A novice fan.
  By A46KC23NF7P4E on 2006-02-20
  While I am not the biggest N.D. fan, I do like his hits. So I figured this would be a good album to get. And I'd say it was for me. Disk one is great! It has almost all of his biggest hits on it. And would be close to perfect if it weren't for the live tracks! There are a lot of live tracks on this collection. I'd say only one of them is good. Most of them are down right terrible!
  
  Disk 2 I didn't care for as much. It starts with live tracks, and the studio tracks are more obscure songs that didn't really do it for me. However, on disk two you have 2 of his all time best songs; "Love on the Rocks" and "Forever in Bluejeans".
  All in all I'd say this is a pretty good collection for a novice fan like myself. But if you can find one without the live tracks but the same # of songs. I would suggest getting it instead!
  
  
• If you love Neil then....
  By A3OMYAH18MTR33 on 2002-03-09
  you will love this CD! His songs are so clear on this CD. Brings back LOADS OF MEMORIES from when Mom played them and you HAD to listen but secretly loved the songs. hehehehehe I LOVE THIS GIFT!
  
  
• Good but could have been better
  By on 2003-08-29
  This is an excellent cd with great sound. Unfortunately, there are too many live tracks when far superior studio versions are available (Shilo, Play Me) etc. While some of live work is good (mostly on disk 2) some of it is barely listenable. For instance, on Play Me, the crowd erupts into screaming cheers after almost every line Neil sings completely breaking the song up. The studio version would have been much better. As with any "best of" released in the lasst 10 years, many better tracks of this artist are left off while almost unknown tracks are included. This cd is valuable for tracks 1-14 on disk 1 and most of disc 2, and its excellent sound, so thats not bad.
  
  
• Songs sung blue.
  By A1J5KCZC8CMW9I on 2004-03-31
  This collection is very similar to his 2-disc "Greatest Hits 1966-1992", but I think this is the better one. For the casual fan, every song is here that matters, and with 38 hits, it really is essential. Included is "Solitary Man", "Sweet Caroline", "I Am...I Said", and "America", among many others. It also has my favorite "Heartlight", which wasn't a huge hit, but makes me feel good. It's true some of these tracks are live, but they're still nearly as enjoyable as the originals. Live "Neil" is pretty good after all. If you want just 1 disc, get the 18 track "Collection".
  
  
• Sex, Drugs, Rock N Roll get old
  By A3EXH6G561WK1U on 2004-05-04
  this album is just too hardcore for me, with thrashing guitars and banging drums, i got a headache, maybe i have a tumor! but this cd sucks. Metal at its worst
  
  
• Neil, you can't sing your music anymore...
  By A2O4U5QXQUYLM0 on 2001-12-21
  I have been a life long fan of Neil Diamond. The man has helped me through many a hard time in my life, but I must say that the "Essentials" CD disappoints me tremendously regarding his live cuts. He has certainly lost his voice...too many cigarettes I fear. His ballads are timeless and I will always enjoy them. It has been several years since I've seen him live and it was quite a shock to hear his broken voice on this CD. Neil, I will ALWAYS love your music, but it might be time to start thinking about retiring from your live performances. :-(

  The only reason I am giving this CD a rating of 3 is because I just can't bring myself to rate any of his material lower than that, although I should with this CD...I just can't. Forgive me Neil!
  
  

• Great but
  By on 2003-05-02
  Great collection, but the live recording of "Play me" is distracting to the point of comedy. Every time Neil sings, "play me" the crowd goes nuts. Sometimes it annoys me so much that I have to skip over this great song. And I skip over that duet with Barbra Steisand...her voice is painful to listen too.
  
  
• Finally a "Worthy" Collection
  By A2GLVZHA4IUF2M on 2004-09-06
  Finally, a quality Career Overview, covering the 3 different phases of Diamond's career, the 60's Bang years, the 70's Uni/MCA years and the 80's Columbia/Sony years, TOGETHER, in one collection. The early hits, Solitary Man, Cherry, Cherry, Kentucky Woman etc, The best of the Uni Years, Sweet Caroline, Cracklin Rosie, Song Sung Blue and the best of the Columbia Years, September Morn, Forever in Blue Jeans, The "Jazz Singer" selections, America, Love on the Rocks, Hello Again, all the hits are here. One gripe, though, Play Me is included as a live version, the only mistake in the collection. There are some other live songs on the collection, some unreleased versions of other songs during Diamond's career, they are ok but really is filler,but all the hits are here in their orginial versions. This is the most concise collection out there and by far the best
  
  
• Poor value
  By ALEOMEWKNFLWN on 2005-10-16
  I have almost all the recordings of Neil Diamond since the early 70's and to listen to this is does a poor service to the artist's career as a performer. The audio remastering is poor, the musical arrangements are even worse. Even though this is supposed to be live, make no mistake this is no "Live at the Greek" or "Hot August Night" this sounds more like elevator music. If you are an enthusiast of Neil Diamond's music and passionate performance don't dissapoint yourself with this recording.
  
  
• An "ESSENTIAL" must for Diamond fans!!
  By AOL829DNUB5OU on 2005-12-01
  A really great collection of vintage and recent live recordings of classis Neil Diamond music!! I am not generally a big fan of live recordings in general, but several live songs really stand out on this set. One is "Soolaimon" done as though on the African plain, and the styling of this song makes you feel you are there on the plain. Other very good notables include "Captain Sunshine","He Ain't Heavy" and ther ever popular "Shilo". This album also compiles original vintage recordings to make for a well rounded Diamond experience. A must have for the true Diamond fan!! 5 stars all the way!!
  
  
• Too Many Essential Songs Are Missing....
  By A2X2VHLNEB19VU on 2007-10-10
  Although This album does contain several of Neil Diamond's biggest hits,it misses a few,it also has its share of odd choices...
  
  "Headed For The Future" and "You Are The Best Part Of Me" should have been ommitted in favor of "Longfellow Serenade" and "Be" (actual hits!).I do enjoy the new live versions of "Captain Sunshine","He Ain't Heavy,He's My Brother" and especially "Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene"(the rare live version that surpasses its original).Whether or not these are truly essential is debatable,but at least it gives this collection something different.
  
  The original versions of "Shilo",Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" and "Soolaimon" would have been better choices,the live versions are decent,they just lack the power of the studio recordings,and besides,this is just too much live material for a "hits collection".The original versions were used on the "In My Lifetime" box set,but columbia wouldn't shell out the exta cash to use them here,strangely enough,columbia has the rights to the original version of "Shilo",but used a live one instead.Even the "Love At The Greek" version of "Brother Love" would've been acceptable,that album isn't represented here at all.The same goes for "Hot August Night 2".The original "Hot August Night" is on MCA,so Columbia can't use it,but they could've at least used something from 2."The Essential" is produced by Neil Diamond,himself,so it was his choice not to ,I guess.
  
  "Morningside" and "Brooklyn Roads" are the same versions found on "The Greatest Hits 1966-1992".No complaints here,these are my favorite versions of these songs."Play Me" and "Crunchy Granola Suite" are from "Live In America",possibly Neil's most ill-fated live recording,I've read several negative reviews for it,I like these versions,though.
  
  The liner notes state that "Solitary Man" is the original 1966 version,it isn't.It is the 1967 "Just For You" version,the one that became a hit in 1970.Columbia gained control of Neil's early Bang material in the early eighties,but have only ever used 12 songs from this period,it would be nice to see "The Long Way Home" and "New Orleans" included.
  
  Neil won his only grammy for "Jonathan Livingston Seagull",yet nothing from that album is included here."The Essential" actually skips 11 of Neil's Columbia albums,opting instead for live versions of his UNI period,there are already several great compilations available,dedicated to those years alone.It's up to Columbia to use what they have.
  
  Overall,this is a pretty good collection,despite all of its flaws,it still manages to give new fans enough to get them hooked,while giving longtime Diamondheads a few exclusives.
  
  
  The cd features a 12 page booklet with a few rare photos of Neil and a discography of his columbia years.sadly,the liner notes fall short,only 1 page,written by David Wild,who tends to talk more about himself,than Neil!
  
  
  This cd has been digitally remastered for the ultimate sound!
  
  
  
  ALBUM REPRESENTATION:
  
  The Feel Of Neil:2
  Just For You:6
  Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits:1
  Velvet Gloves And Spit:0
  Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show:1
  Touching You,Touching Me:1
  Gold:0
  Tap Root Manuscript:1
  Stones:1
  Moods:1
  Hot August Night:0
  Jonathan Livingston Seagull:0
  Serenade:1
  Beautiful Noise:2
  Love At The Greek:0
  I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight:1
  You Don't Bring Me Flowers:2
  September Morn:1
  The Jazz Singer:3
  On The Way To The Sky:1
  Heartlight:1
  Primitive:0
  Headed For The Future:1
  Hot August Night II:0
  The Best Years Of Our Lives:0
  Lovescape:0
  The Greatest Hits 1966-1992:2
  The Christmas Album:0
  Up On The Roof:0
  Live In America:2
  The Christmas Album Volume Two:0
  Tennessee Moon:0
  The Movie Album:0
  Three Chord Opera:1
  
  
  Recommended
  
  
• A good collection, but with a few shortcomings
  By A33C0K7KQC8FRI on 2008-04-02
  Overall, this is a good collection for the price paid. It has more than 35 songs and has all of Neil's best known ones. It is hard to find a complete compilation like this one in a single package at a decent price.
  
  The majority of the tracks are the originals as I remember them. I especially like Solitary Man, I Am, I Said, and, of course, America. There are a number of his lesser known songs included, like Beautiful Noise, which add a lot to the collection.
  
  There are two areas of concern, however. First, I am not sure why about a quarter of the tracks are live when the studio recordings are certainly available, and the live recordings are not, in my opinion, of the same quality. Brooklyn Roads, one of my favorites, sounds much better on the studio recording, and Brother Love's Show is not good - I am thankful my CD player has a "skip track" button for this one! The other concern is the packaging. I actually had to break the case to get to the second CD. Unless they want to sell jewel boxes on the side, they could do better here. Still, this is a good collection,especially for the number of songs and the price.
  
  
• Too many live cuts!
  By A2ISKO2MJUQ8DH on 2008-05-02
  Probably the best collection of his music. Why do we have to settle for cuts that were not what we heard on the radio? Who makes these crapola decisions? Pefect set if not for someone's idea of what we should hear.
  GLK
  
  
• I'm returning this CD today!
  By on 2002-11-02
  The first time I heard the vinyl album "His 12 Greatest Hits" the power of each and every performance knocked my socks off. I made a tape of the record and just played the tape for years. It crashed the other day and my old turntable wasn't working quite right so I ordered "The Essential Neil Diamond" figuring that I would get more tunes in a more permanent format. Bad choice! There other reviews that dis this CD. They are right. Some cuts are technically inept reworking of mono takes, and I don't think that any of the performances are the ones that you know and love. It's hard to believe that Neil Diamond could sound dead, but that's how he sounds on this CD. When I finish this review I'm going to order CDs of three or four of the old albums. Don't buy this one--from its sound it might even be by a Neil Diamond impersonator.
  
  
• Good Songs Never Seemed So Good!
  By A1TQ1G3P7UWHIY on 2002-11-26
  Without going into intricate comparisons with other compilations, re-issues, re-mastering etc. this latest compilation of tracks is good by any standard you can come up with.

  Comprising of most of the gems right through his career and including some recent live recordings of his latest concerts, this 2Cd set stands good for any collector of good music.

  A good purchase indeed for anyone and of course, a must for his fans, especially for the recent cuts.
  
  

• It's the newer "Live" ones that make this set unique!
  By on 2004-05-29
  There are at least four Neil Diamond's represented on this collection -- from the (1) very early "Bang" pieces (Cherry Cherry, You Got to Me) to the (2) classic studio hits (Sweet Caroline, I Am...I Said) to (3) mid-career MOR pop songs (You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Forever in Blue Jeans) to (4) newly recorded "live" versions of often-overlooked, but quite substantial, ND compositions (Soolaimon, Captain Sunshine, Yes I Will/Lady Magdalene).

  It's the later group (found only on this CD) which makes it especially worthwhile, because in recording them here ND has (finally) learned to sing into the microphone, instead of shouting over it to the last row of the arena. Much better engineering than on previous "live" collections, excepting the full-throttle (original) Hot August Night, and 1997's hard-to-find "ND Live in Concert" 3-CD collection, whose Missa/Soolaimon and re-mastered Jonathon Livingston Seagull suites are not to be matched. Enjoy!
  
  

• Home Before Dark (Deluxe Edition with DVD)
• Home Before Dark
• Ultimate Manilow
• Neil Diamond - The Greatest Hits (1966-1992)
• The Essential Billy Joel (2CD)