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NEIL DIAMOND
Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings (MCA)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson
If you're rolling your eyes you probably have the wrong Neil Diamond pictured. Erase the image of the guy in the black sequined stretch pants and let's talk about this collection of 74 tracks from early in his career, focussing heavily on the period from 1968 through 1972, just after he left Bang records. Diamond was one fine pop writer, as evidenced by "Cherry, Cherry," "Brooklyn Roads," "Holly Holy," "I Am I Said," "Song Sung Blue," "Cracklin' Rosie," "Play Me," "Kentucky Woman," "Solitary Man" and so many others that are right here in this 3-CD set.
This is the classic period. This is the material that artists generally considered to be so much hipper than Diamond like to cover (Deep Purple did "Kentucky Woman," Chris Isaak did "Solitary Man"... there's a long list), and they are great little pop songs. I can't think of a single Diamond song I feel a need to hear that isn't on this collection, with the exception of the entire live album, Hot August Night, and there are even a few tracks from that here. Hot August Night marked the end of this period, in my opinion, and soon he began a very slow slide into schlocky music custom made for Vegas. But there were definite signs of that coming slide from the git-go, and they, too, are in this collection. Because this is his entire output (6 albums worth) for Uni, there's filler, and Diamond didn't always write particularly acceptable filler. Don't get me wrong, but "The Pot Smoker's Song" is just plain embarrassing, and there are others here and there that deserve a quick punch of the SKIP button. The good heavily outweighs the bad, however.
My recommendation: This collection and Hot August Night side by side on your shelf and you've got what you need. You probably want The Best Of The Monkees, too, so you can have the Diamond-penned "I'm A Believer" and "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" to round it out. Lots of great pop music and not a sequin in sight. (Quick note to those who thought Diamond's duet with that Barbara person, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers, was the highlight of his career: keep looking. There are other collections that sparkle and smell like perfume. You want one of those.)
Track List - Disc One:
Two-Bit Manchild * A Modern Day Version of Love * Honey-Drippin' Times * The Pot Smoker's Song * Brooklyn Roads * Shilo * Sunday Sun * Holiday Inn Blues * Practically Newborn * Knackelflerg * Merry-Go-Round * Broad Old Woman (6 A.M. Insanity) * Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show * Dig In * River Runs, New Grown Plums * Juliet * Long Gone * And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind * Glory Road * Deep in the Morning * If I Never Knew Your Name * Memphis Streets * You're So Sweet Horseflies Keep Hangin' Around Your Face * Hurtin' You Don't Come Easy * Sweet Caroline * Everybody's Talkin'
Disc Two:
Mr. Bojangles * Smokey Lady * Holly Holy * Both Sides Now * And the Singer Sings His Songs * Ain't No Way * New York Boy * Until It's Time for You to Go * Cracklin' Rosie * Free Life * Coldwater Morning * Done Too Soon * He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother * Childsong * I Am the Lion * Madrigál * Soolaimón * Missa * African Suite * Childsong * I Am...I Said * The Last Thing on My Mind * Husbands and Wives * Chelsea Morning
Disc Three:
Crunchy Granola Suite * Stones * If You Go Away * Suzanne * I Think It's Gonna Rain Today * I Am...I Said * Song Sung Blue * Porcupine Pie * High Rolling Man * Canta Libre * Captain Sunshine * Play Me * Gitchy Goomy * Walk on Water * Theme * Prelude in E Major * Morningside * Lordy * Kentucky Woman * Thank the Lord for the Night Time * Solitary Man * Cherry, Cherry * Red, Red Wine * Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon
© 2002 - DJ Johnson