Gold - NEIL DIAMOND****

Lordy/Both Sides Now/Solitary Man/Holly Holy/Cherry Cherry/Kentucky Woman/Sweet Caroline/Thank The Lord For The Night Time/And The Singer Sings His Songs/Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show

Gold is misleadingly not a greatest hits collection but Neil Diamond's first live album. Recorded during the summer of 1970 in the intimate setting of The Troubadour in Hollywood. (US:10 UK:23)

"Neil's first recorded live set manages to capture his audience with nice sparse arrangements of some of his early and best material. I can't help but notice how much higher early Diamond vocals are. Even the narrative reflects his youth."

"This is the record that got me into Neil Diamond. Something about the vibe of this concert (sparse orchestration, rag-tag background vocals, the intimacy of the venue) elevates the music to a point above much of his studio work."

"This is a collection of Neil's best songs played with terrific energy. If you want a pleasant alternative to the songs you've heard a million times this is the one."

"Recorded live at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Gold is an electrical-acoustical delight to the ears, performed in an intimate atmosphere. It's such a real treat to hear Neil perform some of his early Bang material live, and he really breathes life into these numbers to boot."

"This is a great live album, easily my favourite of the myriad of live Diamond releases out there. Neil really lets loose, and is clearly enjoying himself just as much as his small, but appreciative audience."

"It sounds fresh, uncomplicated and direct. The sparse arrangements and limited production allow us to hear each instrument distinctly. Neil sounds like he is having a ball. If you are only familiar with the cabaret style Neil Diamond of the past thirty years - this is what the fuss was all about."

"There is something about this recording that presents a younger Neil stripped down to where the music, lyrics and performance themselves are the highlight. Great example of earlier live Neil."

"Caught between the Bacharach pop stylings and emerging singer/songwriter Neil seems comfortable, earnest and uncalculating as he rethinks his arrangements for a more intimate (and yes, hipper), venue."