Classics: The Early Years (1966-67)

Performer: Neil Diamond
Engineer: Brooks Arthur; Phil Ramone
Producer: Jeff Barry; Ellie Greenwich
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Also available in a 3-pack with THE JAZZ SINGER and BEAUTIFUL NOISE. Neil Diamond first achieved international success in the 1970s and '80s with his splashy, big-budget productions. But in the mid-'60s, Diamond was just another respected journeyman songwriter who, like Paul Simon, Lou Reed, and many others, had cut his teeth cranking out tunes at New York's celebrated Brill Building, a center for post-World War Two American songwriting. During this time, Diamond wrote a flurry of excellent songs that have taken on a life of their own. CLASSICS: THE EARLY YEARS captures the singer at what some consider his creative apex. The mid-1960s' "Red, Red Wine," known by many listeners from the chirpy UB40 reggae version, is sung with stunning dolor, while the moody "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon," featured in Quentin Tarrantino's film PULP FICTION in a version by Chicago's Urge Overkill, still sounds fresh after more than a few decades. In addition to the other American pop classics "Kentucky Woman," "Cherry, Cherry," and "I'm a Believer," the latter successfully covered by the Monkees, CLASSICS: THE EARLY YEARS features some lesser-known Diamond gems, including "Shilo" and the positively terrific "Solitary Man." It's a must for any fan of Neil Diamond or first-rate Brill Building songwriting.

With a career as a hitmaker stretching across the decades, Neil Diamond has purveyed catchy, three-chord pop/rock, progressive singer/songwriter material, middle-of-the-road balladry, and even traditional country. He started out as a Brill Building hitmaker; a songwriter for hire, he worked alongside the likes of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and penned hits for the Monkees and Jay & the Americans. His solo career took off in the mid 1960s and made him one of America's most successful recording artists and concert attractions for a long time to come. Even decades down the road, younger groups such as UB40 in the '80s, Urge Overkill in the '90s, and Smash Mouth in the 2000's were still scoring hits with Diamond's evergreen compositions.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25