There have been many Best-Of Neil Diamond Compilation albums

released by MCA.But this is the first,and by far the best.Every track fits the track before and after it.The studio versions instead of live recordings.All his MCA hits are here,and they still sound great.

Many of MCA's other compilation have lacked the simple focus of this album.These are Neil's big MCA Hits soon after they were hits.The compilations from later years have been more about non-singles that became concert favorites.

The late 60's/early 70's was the best period of Neil's career:Powerful songs with personal lyrics and soaring arrangements.And great rockers with a distinctive honey-and-toast flavour.

To The Previous Reviewer:

There isn't a cover song on this album, professor, Mr. Diamond wrote all of these tunes. Furthermore, many of his originals have been hits for others, such as "Red Red Wine" (UB40), "I'm A Believer" (The Monkees), "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (The Hollies) and "Solitary Man" (Chris Isaak). I'm not one of those people that think Neil Diamond was the greatest artist that ever came down the pike - I believe his musical legacy would have enjoyed much higher critical, and possibly, public acclaim if he had foregone the heavy-handed horns & strings, but his finely-honed melodies from the late 60's & early 70's are among the finest examples of the singer-songwriter genre.

Beware! This CD is a classic example of false advertising as perpetrated by the stellar individuals who run the music industry. While there is no indication whatsoever on the outside or inside packaging, two of these "greatest hits" are in fact live versions: i.e., "Sweet Caroline" and "Holly Holy." This is ridiculous, and both the record company (MCA) and artist (Neil Diamond) should be chastised for such blatant misinformation. Having said that, the rest of the CD is fair. Typically, it features its share of Neil Diamond schlock (e.g., "I Am ... I Said"), while "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Shilo" remain shining examples of his long-forgotten pop-songwriting capabilities.

I have heard this album ever since I was a kid and the more I listen the better the songs sound. For a die hard fan of Neil I can only say that you have to hear this album to know the genious of Neil.

Neil Dimomd may have not had the melodic magic of the Beatles or the classical grandure of Jim Webb or Burt Bacharach. But Neil's edge was that he sounded like no one else, and no one else has ever sounded like Neil.

"Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," "Holly Holy," all these were fantastic songs made for late 1960s AM radio. But Neil had a sense of phrasing in his chords that made his music uniquely, almost eccentrically, his. Even songs like he handed off to the Monkee's, "I'm A Beliver," had a different sense to them then most top 40 of the era.

And Neil was a master at getting the exact arrangements for the nuances he wanted, and then getting the best session people to execute his vision. Listen to the chior on "Brother Love's Travalin' Salvation Show" or the rainy horns on "Brooklyn Roads." Weird songs about wierd subjects, but Dimond brings it off with complete sinceraty. You were not going to hear pop like this on a Gary Pucket album.

Or any other. Becuase no one sounds like Neil Diamond, and Neil Diamond will never sound like anyone else.