Neil Diamond Gold (2-CD)

Liner Note Author: Robyn Flans.

Universal's GOLD series is a superb line of comprehensive, well-selected, two-disc compilations by popular artists. The Neil Diamond installment is no exception, bringing together the best of the singer/songwriter's material from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Diamond's distinctive, passionate baritone and his knack for memorable songcraft are evident on each of these 41 tracks. The heavy-hitters--"Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," and "Song Sung Blue," among them--are all here, as are lesser-known gems like the amusing rocker "Crunchy Granola Suite" and plaintive, acoustic live version of "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon."

What impresses on the collection is the range of styles Diamond is able to draw from, including Latin ("Two-Bit Manchild"), gospel ("Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show"), tribal campfire music ("Soolaimon"), music-hall novelty ("Porcupine Pie"), and songs by fellow singer/songwriters Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, and Randy Newman. Given its focus on late-'60s and early-'70s material, the set does not include '80s hits like "Love on the Rocks" and "Hello Again," but the wealth of fine tunes here makes the absence of those songs easy to accept. GOLD is the definitive collection of this popular artist's finest period.