That's a good sounding collection: [r13212481] I'm also happy with : Tap Root Manuscript (MCAD-37196) Japan for US Stones (MCAD-31049) Japan for US Moods (MCAD-37194)
This 3-CD collection has all of the Uni studio albums and a few bonus live tracks. Neil Diamond - Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings ... Plus!
If you like live albums, go with 'Hot August Night' FANTASTIC concert. IMHO, most of the songs are better than the studio counterparts One of the best live albums of all times.
Sorry, to avoid any slight confusion, 'Longfellow Serenade' was one of the tracks - the album I think you mean is just called 'Serenade'. It's quite a short album. Those early 70s albums started out on Uni/MCA Records and progressed through CBS/Columbia. Those three albums are all lush and well-orchestrated, well-produced efforts which delve a bit deeper beyond just the well-known hits. US editions of the CDs I also have found are great. My UK Serenade CD has gone a goldy colour but still plays well.
"Tap Root" is really an astonishing thing. Side one has five perfectly done "single"-type tracks, catchy, funny, and moving. And then comes side two, which will send several chills up your spine. And it's a Neil Diamond album.
A good compilation too is the 2- CD set ' Glory Road 1968-1972 ' which collects 38 tracks from his eight albums in that period including some deep cuts.
TRM is a tremendous album - Done Too Soon is a great song, as is Soolaimon. Great sound production - incorporating African elements on side 2 - it's an interesting journey for anyone thinking Diamond is boring, predictable and MOR.
Tap Root Manuscript arrived this week. Japanese CD. I'm really enjoying this album. A strong side one, even the cover, which I thought I might struggle with as The Hollies is definitive. Side 2 is a really interesting and creative diversion into African inspired music. I really like this album. Neil took some risks here and it pays off. The SQ of the CD is excellent to the point where I am not actively seeking a vinyl copy. I also purchased The Jazz Singer. Again an early Japanese CD. Bought more for my girlfriend as she has said she loves ND too and that was the album she remembered from her childhood. I am enjoying The Jazz Singer too. Some very good tracks, some filler. Love on the rocks is a bit of a favourite. I do remember the track, America, from my own childhood. Strangely did not know it was ND. I like the lyrics to it. Very positive and joyous.
the box set 'in my lifetime' is pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/My-Lifetime-...diamond+box+set&qid=1601039200&s=music&sr=1-5
I realize that the CD set that you recommend was mastered by the same guy (Erick Labson) who mastered the great single CD that I recommended back in post #7, but believe me as I own BOTH, but something happened between 1999 and 2002 of how Erick made his mastering decisions, as that 3-CD set (while complete), is horrible sounding compared to the single CD from 1999, in my opinion. I ONLY keep that 3-CD set for the songs that aren't on the 1999 single CD, as I don't own any of Neil's albums from the UNI/MCA years on CD, except "Hot August Night". One day I will search for those made in Japan CD's, as I know that those UNI/MCA albums are important for the most part.
i could be wrong on this, but almost all the hits are on here, correct? and if anything is missing, i'm not sure what it would be.
Hot August Nights numbers 2 and 3 are not so hot. Hot August Night number one is, of course, a classic. Accept no substitutes
Pretty much all the hits. Hot 100 singles not included: New Orleans Two-Bit Manchild Sunday Sun Until It's Time For You To Go Do It Stones Walk On Water Cherry, Cherry (Live) The Long Way Home The Last Thing On My Mind Don't Think...Feel Say Maybe The Good Lord Loves You On The Way To The Sky Be Mine Tonight Front Page Story Turn Around
