Neil Diamond

Greatest Hits 1966-92

Needs the disclosure: LIVE versions of classic hits.

Review Score:

(6/10)
Don't get me wrong: I dig Diamond. I love his earlier work. Seeing him perform live was a great treat, and like some others, I don't think he can be overdone.

Much of the great A.M. radio songs of the 1960's and early 1970's were from his pen and voice. "I Got the Feelin", "Girl You'll be a Woman Soon", "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show" (more on that later) established his bona fides for a place in the Hall of Fame. Be forewarned though. In this album, I thought I had found the treasure I was looking for: Most of the stuff I grew up with in one place. However, I was abjectly disappointed to find too many of the songs I wanted were not the original versions I had come to love, but instead were live versions.

I wanted the versions of the songs "Brooklyn Roads", "I Am I Said", "B.L.T.S.S." and "Sweet Caroline" like I remember them. Unfortunately, the versions here were all live. According to one of the critics, a full third of the album is. Some of these are just fine, but if you want originals, this is going to leave you searching elsewhere.

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