a solitary man - the early songs of neil diamond

Thanks to a pair of albums produced by Rick Rubin (2005's "12 Songs" and the 2008 chart-topper "Home Before Dark") the credibility of Neil Diamond stands at its highest ever - a great achievement, especially when one considers that his first recordings were made some 48 years ago. "

"

Neil Diamond is the latest great American songsmith of the 1960s to be featured in our fast-expanding series of writer-based compilations, where he joins Goffin & King, Leiber & Stoller, Jackie DeShannon, Pomus & Shuman, Chip Taylor and other legendary songwriters."

"

Prior to Diamond's breakthrough as a recording artist he spent several years paying his dues by writing songs for other performers, honing his talent in the process. "

"

Pride of place on "A Solitary Man" goes to the Monkees, Cliff Richard, Sadina, Jan Tanzy, the Solitaires, Jay & the Americans, Jimmy Clanton, Billy Fury, Marcie Blane, Ronnie Dove and the Rocky Fellers, all of whom were the recipients of early Diamond numbers he himself never recorded. "

"

The rest of the songs date from the latter half of the 60s, most of which are from his spectacular two-year spell at Bang Records. Few artists ever recorded better versions of Neil Diamond's compositions than Arthur Alexander, Lulu, BJ Thomas, the Wanderer's Rest or Bobby Womack. "

"

As we go to press, compilers Mick Patrick and Tony Rounce are putting the finishing touches to what promises to be another of their stylish and informative booklets. "

"

Track listing"

1. LOOK OUT, HERE COMES TOMORROW - The Monkees""

2. THE BOAT THAT I ROW - Lulu""

3. RED RED WINE - Tony Tribe""

4. KENTUCKY WOMAN - Deep Purple""

5. JUST ANOTHER GUY - Cliff Richard""

6. SUNDAY AND ME - Jay & The Americans""

7. IT COMES AND GOES - Sadina""

8. THAT NEW BOY IN TOWN - Jan Tanzy""

9. MY BABE - Ronnie Dove""

10.I CARE ENOUGH (TO GIVE THE VERY BEST) - Jimmy Clanton""

11.WE GOT LOVE - The Rocky Fellers""

12.BOBBY DID - Marcie Blane""

13.WHERE DO YOU RUN - Billy Fury""

14.FOOL THAT I AM - The Solitaires""

15.GLORY ROAD - Arthur Alexander""

16.LOVE TO LOVE - Billie Davis""

17.YOU'LL FORGET - The Wanderer's Rest""

18.AIN'T NO WAY - The Box Tops""

19.SOLITARY MAN - B.J. Thomas""

20.I'M A BELIEVER - Four Tops""

21.GIRL, YOU'LL BE A WOMAN SOON - Jackie Edwards""

22.CHERRY, CHERRY - The Music Machine""

23.HOLLY HOLY - Junior Walker & The All Stars""

24.SWEET CAROLINE (GOOD TIMES NEVER SEEMED SO GOOD) - Bobby Womack""