The early years of a musical giant

Review Score: (8/10)
Neil Diamond is often thought of as a brilliant vocalist whose style lies somewhere between pop and easy listening. Considering the musical direction he turned in the late 70s and 80s, this is an easily justifiably conclusion.

However, Neil didn't start that way. His early years were mainstream rock, and this disc does an excellent job of portraying them. Highlights included the country-flavored Kentucky Woman, the powerful ballad Solitary Man, and the solid rockers You Got to Me and Thank the Lord for the Night Time.

Above all else, Neil Diamond is a superb songwriter, and this disc includes his original version of I'm a Believer, which became the number one song of 1966 for the Monkees.

There are some weaker cuts on the album, but they do nothing to detract from its overall excellence. Any fan of mid-60s rock/pop and particularly any fan of Neil Diamond should have this disc in his or her collection.

More Reviews:

• Thank the Lord for Neil Diamond
• Good material, but it's not enough
• Neil's best songs
• Classics: The Bang Records Years
• QUALITY POP
• Great Stuff
• Surprise-Surprise
• Neil Diamond
• Diamond's earliest pop gems
• I'LL BE WHAT I AM...SOLITARY MAN!
• Diamond's best period of music.
• The year was 1966....
• Neil Diamond at His Best
• Neil Diamond is the man.
• Neil's Classic Oldies