His 12 Greatest Hits - Diamond, Neil (CD 1996)

I consider myself a modern music fan. I listen to classic rock, alternative, industrial, electronic, some hip hop, and occasionally some pop. Neil Diamond is my dirty secret.

I love this guy, and not there is anything to be ashamed of, but when most of my peers discover my passion for this legend, they look at me kind of strangely, saying, 'huh'? Neil Diamond's voice is ageless, that deep voice that penetrates your soul and makes you literally feel his music.

I can't admit I know his library from song to song, or album to album, but I know the classics, and they stand out as pop music gems. In 'Kentucky Woman', Neil sings about his love for a simple woman from the south. You can't help but believe he is head over heels for this young woman. 'Solitary Man' has Neil singing about what it's like to be away from the crowd, alone in one's thoughts. "Shilo" recounts the story of boy remembering his friend, Shilo.

Ok, ok, yes these titles pretty much some up what Neil is singing about, but that's not his draw. With Neil, it's not so much the content, as it is the delivery. His songs are straight-forward, and his delivery is from the heart. How about the emotional hit, 'Girl, you'll be a woman soon', which carries the weight of a first love. This song was expertly covered by the band Urge Overkill for the Pulp fiction soundtrack, by the way. Neil Diamond not only influenced people over 30 years ago, he has influenced music until this very day. Did you know that Neil actually wrote and recorded the UB40 hit, 'Red, Red Wine'?

If you are young, and into music, don't forget the bands and singer/songwriters who paved the way for what we listen to and enjoy now. You just may surprise yourself when you start singing along, 'Hands....holding hands....touching me...touching you....SWEET CAROLINE....BUM, BUM, BUM....good times never seemed so close.....'