Neil Diamond: Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings...Plus - Disc 1 of 3 CD Track Listing

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Neil Diamond Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings...Plus - Disc 1 of 3 (2002)
Released March 26, 2002\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: Neil Diamond was a Uni artist in the late '60s and early '70s, the period that coincided with his greatest commercial success and most consistently popular singles. This three-CD, 74-track set is just what it says it is: every last song from all six of his 1968-1972 Uni studio albums, plus seven cuts from his live Gold and Hot August Night records (also originally released on Uni). It shouldn't be taken as the total summary of Diamond's early career, as it's missing all of the hits for Bang Records that were recorded before he joined Uni (though the seven live songs do include versions of most of those big Bang hits). For all his talents as a major pop singer/songwriter, Diamond was really not a good album artist, and hearing six albums at once is going to test the limits of all but his devoted fans. If you do take the plunge, though, it's rather interesting to hear that Diamond was certainly a more eclectic stylist than he's usually given credit for, even if some of his odder ventures were rather lousy. There's some country, some near-gospel, and quite a few covers of other major singer/songwriters. Still, there's no getting around it: Only the hit singles (of which there are quite a few, to be fair) really reach out and grab you. Much of the rest sounds like the AM pop of the hit singles, but not nearly as good. There are some obscure above-average songs to be heard here, like the small 1968 hit "Two-Bit Manchild," the Dion-like bluesy "Dig In," and "Coldwater Morning." But these are balanced by some real turkey goofball experimentation, like the raps on "The Pot Smoker's Song," the country satire "You're So Sweet Horseflies Keep Hangin' Round Your Face," the kiddie tune "I Am the Lion" (where it almost sounds like he's trying to dilute Arthur Brown's "I am the god of hellfire!" shtick for the little ones when he sings the title!), "Crunchy Granola Suite," and the weird art-cum-mainstream pop of "African Suite." In addition, as an interpreter of other people's songs, Diamond is not too interesting, though you'll hear plenty of that on this set, including covers of "Chelsea Morning," "Both Sides Now," Randy Newman's "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," "Until It's Time for You to Go," "Mr. Bojangles," and "Everybody's Talkin'." Not to harp too much on the absence of Bang material, but it should also be noted that the version of "Shilo" (from his 1968 album Velvet Gloves & Spit) is not the same as the one on the hit Bang 45. -- Richie Unterberger\n\nAmazon.com Editorial Review\nThe seven studio albums Neil Diamond recorded for Uni Records between 1968 and 1972 are all collected on the three-disc collection Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings. And it's quite a revelation to listen to them front to back in succession like this, as these records highlight the most dramatic artistic evolution in Diamond's career. Diamond was no neophyte when he signed with Uni in '68; he'd already penned million-sellers like "I'm a Believer" and "Cherry Cherry." But he was still coming into his own as a solo artist, and albums like Velvet Gloves and Spit and Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show are wildly erratic, even for an artist renown for producing uneven albums. That said, there are countless life-affirming, goose-bump-inducing, campy, and brilliant songs on this collection. And one could easily make the argument that they're somehow made more likable--more human, in a way--when heard in their original context, bookended by unsuccessful experiments such as "The Pot Smoker's Song" and "I Am the Lion." This may not be the single Neil Diamond collection to get, but it surely should be the second or third one you buy. --Mike McGonigal \n\nAmazon.com Customer Review\nThe set to own, June 7, 2002 \nReviewer: Chuck S. from New Jersey \nRecently, there have been various Neil Diamond collections released from his UNI/MCA years, that it's gotten to the point of confusion for many fans - which one should one buy? That question has now been answered - with this 3 CD set. All six of Neil Diamond's studio albums from MCA - every song. And the price is a bargain. If you were to buy all 6 separately, you'd probably spend twice as much, and not get every song that is here. Plus, the sound quality is much better here. \n\nIf you've followed Neil at all during this period, then you know the hits. I won't go into them, except rest assured you are getting the actual studio hits as you remember them, not some inferior live version that somehow seems to find its way onto these greatest hits compilations. You may also find some Diamond gems (no pun intended) here that's you'll call your favorites. Some of my favorites include "Sunday Sun", "Walk On Water", "New York Boy", "Memphis Streets" and "Free Life". Also, hear the many styles that Neil had performed at that time. Hear the rock & pop songs, the gospel side, the jazzy & bluesy side, the African rhythms, a few humorous songs, and even a hint of country. It's amazing when you think of how many different types of songs he recorded - and they're all here in this one package. You also get seven live "bonus" tracks, taken from either the Gold or Hot August Night album. One track, "Lordy", had never appeared on any studio album. \n\nIf you enjoy Neil Diamond's music, especially from the earlier time periods, then I strongly recommend this 3 CD set - even if you already own some of the original albums that make up this set. Neil Diamond - in my book, he's the greatest! \n\nHalf.com Album Credits\nArmin Steiner, Engineer\n\nAlbum Notes\nFull title: Play Me: The Complete UNI Studio Recordings Plus.\n\nRecorded between 1968 and 1972. Includes liner notes by Robyn Flans.
This misc cd contains 26 tracks and runs 79min 58sec.
Freedb: 8d12bc1a
Buy: from Amazon.com

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