Extremely disappointing

Review Score: (2/10)
While I love Diamond's early work, I was very disappointed to find that almost all of the early songs were live versions that don't hold up as well as the original studio versions. What's worse, this fact wasn't clearly marked on the CD, and I didn't find out until long after I bought it and was finally able to play it (I was traveling at the time). A couple of other reviewers have hit the nail on the head--these aren't the songs that we came to know and love as they played on the radio. Diamond is a great performer, but recordings of his performances aren't as strong as the performances themselves. And when we're talking about extremely strong studio recordings that stuck in your head--every note--the live versions sound like poor copies by some Neil Diamond wannabe. This album is a travesty, and it's NOT a greatest hits album.

More Reviews:

• Be warned... this consists mostly of LIVE VERSIONS of hits!
• Neil Diamond's greatest Hits
• Pretty good, but way overloaded by the concert performances
• I AGREE THE LIVE VERSIONS ARE NOT THAT GOOD
• Oh, no, no, no ...
• All the classic hits
• not deceived, just not thinking.....
• Don't get tricked like I did
• Misleading, but good
• Absolute Perfection
• Buy the box set
• Know What is in Store!
• Greatest Hits...NOT!!
• Don't buy this CD unless you LIKE LIVE recordings!
• Great package
• Dont waste your money !
• Only In America
• Needs the disclaimer: "LIVE versions of classic hits"
• Extremely disappointed
• You Go Neil!
• Too Many Live Songs Not Identified by Amazon.com
• Give credit where credit is due
• Too many live songs
• Basically, should have been advertised as a "Live" CD
• Save Your Money
• Caveat Emptor
• This is not the real thing.
• Experience the "live" concert again, excellent live versions
• Just the greatest!
• Live performances of favorites dissapointing
• Die hard fan
• Neil Diamond at his best with a guitar and some strings
• Can't Live Without It
• Great Collection
• Neil's Mood Getter!!
• Has all the greats...but still
• I LOVE THIS ALBUM!
• Version is everything!
• Neil Diamond--One poetic voice of the 60s
• A Collection of Disappointment
• Excellent collection spoilt by mediocre live versions
• A Superb Collection of Great Hits
• 5 stars for the songs, less one for the lame live recordings
• Buyer beware! (read on)
• Some dubious live acts, unfortunately...
• Too many live tracks
• Disappointing
• Diamond shines, but doesn't dazzle!
• A REAL TREAT FOR THE EARS! THIS WORK DESERVES MORE STARS!
• Neil Diamond Rocks on this Greatest Hits
• BEWARE! LIVE RECORDINGS!
• Yikes!
• Live versions of his great music are poor
• Needs the disclosure: LIVE versions of classic hits.
• brooklyn roads
• To coin a phrase...
• Snow doesn't know
• The Greatest Hits 1966-1992
• I am...I said
• Many tracks live, but cd still worth buying
• For All Of You Kenny G Fans
• I expected to hear familiar tunes but most of album is live.
• The truly greatest hits by a fantastic singer
• Too Many (Cheesy) Live Cuts
• Don't waste your money on bad live recordings.
• If you love his old hits It's GREAT
• The music is great, it makes me feel good.
• worst song ever
• My Favorite!!
• Bill Murray Covers Neil Diamond
• Neil Diamond's Wayne Newton impression
• Great selections, but 2 disappointments:
• Only one disappointment!
• brilliant ,as usual with The Diamond