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.