CD-Charts Position 1
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Home Before Dark

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date May 12, 2008
Another new release, another raft (?) of 5 star Amazon customer reviews.

Is it only me that feels that the majority of reviews on Amazon are given by die-hard fans who would give a 5 star review for a CD of their beloved artist breaking wind for 2 hours. The trouble is that this makes a mockery of the whole review process and ends up hindering rather than helping the average purchaser separating the Tom Waits CDs from the Robbie Williams CDs. The only solution I find is to look at all reviews by a given person before taking any notice of a given rating in an attempt to see if they have good taste, well, similar taste to yourself anyway.

Anyway, back to the new CD. I thought 12 Songs was a phenomenal album, a stark, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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The Best Of (1)

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date October 23, 2000
Having recently rediscovered Neil Diamond through his 12 Songs and Home Before Dark albums, I decided I wanted to replace a similar 'best of' album I bought years ago on vinyl. I searched all over Amazon, couldn't find anything well recommended so I bought Hot August Night. This was a mistake. The Greek concerts may have been something special but the recording is poor and the collection of songs not really what I was looking for. I then stumbled upon this Best Of in my local supermarket of all places. It is exactly what I wanted and exactly what you want if you're looking for a comprehensive collection of his early and so very well known hits. And at £2.98 it's such good value it would be almost rude not to buy it!

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Essential Neil Diamond

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date January 14, 2008
You've probably dismissed Diamond as music your mum listens to. You're wrong to think this because you'll be missing some great pompous rock songs. Some of it's cheesy, but a lot of what is on this best of is genuinely good stuff.

His name looks like an anomaly on my MP3 player's artist list. The thing is, I'm not ashamed as I love these big over the top (orchestra included on everything) songs. And you don't have to worry about good taste getting in the way of your listening experience.

Some of these songs even rock in their own way. Though it's best to skip the Streisand duet. And Brooklyn Road and Morningside don't stand up after a few listens. Otherwise it's great. And the live tracks are very energetic - ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Neil Diamond: The Greatest Hits 1966-1992

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date January 07, 2008
A Great album ,with a mix of live and studio tracks.
Personally I think the live tracks bring some great energy to the album and even though they are live they have good production.
Turn it up loud and enjoy!
Love it!!

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Jazz Singer: Original Soundtrack

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date January 07, 2008
Not as enduring or magical as the soundtrack for Jonathan Livingston Seagull, but then again this is a completely different type of film that he was composing for. JLS was more of a spiritual journey which was perfectly complimented in the music, whilst Jazz Singer is more of a commercial movie of a "Boy Done Good" scenario.

Personally, I preferred the songs on JLS, or should I say his genre of music, less anthemic, which probably isn't a word, and more beautifully crafted. However you can't argue with success, and there have been enough hits pulled off this album to back up any argument against it. Perhaps it's because I've heard "America" spouted from every radio station ever since that I probably should have written this review when I first ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Hot August Night

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date March 20, 1999
For anyone who has never heard this album before and is looking for something that will leave them spellbound and completely exhausted of all emotions, I really envy you. For you, unlike the millions who already own this, still have the joy of listening to something that is really unique, for the very first time. Rarely can a combination of songs, performer and audience have come together so comprehensively as one, in such an emotionally charged package. From classic love songs to fever pitched gospel, Diamond takes you on a rollercoaster of moods . The energy and sensitivity of his performance has never been equalled. You can't fake an audience response, the like of which I have never heard before or since after his stunning rendition of Holly Holy. Something ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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12 Songs

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date February 20, 2006
Let me say from the beginning that I am no Neil Diamond fan. Sure I love his voice and he has written some great music in the past but.. too often its all a little "Barry Manilow" for me.

This album is the exception and a total revelation. Raw, gritty and emotional, it has a depth and substance that we are not used to seeing from the artist.

A real slow burn.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Home Before Dark (CD & DVD)

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date May 12, 2008
To put it in 1 sentence - The CD notes are as boring as the songs.

Why is it "Cool" to dismiss Neil Diamonds work before his work with Rick Rubin?...Any one of his non Rubin produced albums are far better than this. YES....any one! Try "Lovescape" to start.....15 songs, mostly cowritten by members of his long standing band. Who agrees? REVIEW BY MR C WILLIAMS, NOT MRS J

CD-Charts Position 9
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The Best Of Neil Diamond

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date May 19, 2008
If I could make one wish this Christmas it would be as follows: Uni / MCA (whatever you're called these days) and Sony / Columbia - please, please, please stop bringing out endless 'best of' and 'greatest hits of' Neil Diamond. These wretched compilations are absolutely useless for the simply reason that it's just not possible to squeeze the best of Neil Diamond onto a single CD. The 'best of' list is just too long. If either of these two record labels wanted to do something really useful they could remaster and reissue Neil Diamond's original albums. If you really want 'the best of' you need to get hold of the following CDs: I'm a Believer (a reissue of Classics: The Early Years, which contains most of the hits from the 'Bang' era); Play Me (a triple CD set containing all ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Beautiful Noise

by: Neil Diamond

Release Date January 07, 2008
During the early to mid 70s, Diamond was at a peak when it came to writing and performing in concert. He had so many creative juices flowing through him at this time that some of his best original work began to pour out of him in an almost effortless stream.

He had stunned everybody with his "Hot August Night" concerts, already written an award winning soundtrack "JLS" and was about to have another stunning series of concerts filmed and recorded on "Love at the Greek".

Much of the new material for this show was to be taken from this CD...........an excellent package of songs that covers a wide range of musical areas.

The title track became a hit single and although not as successful in the charts, "If You Know What I Mean" was a massive radio hit.............still ... Read More: