In My Lifetime (3CD) [BOX SET] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Neil Diamond

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 29, 1996)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 1996
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002AF7
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,079 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The three-CD box set In My Lifetime marks the first time songs from all phases (and all labels) of Neil Diamond's career have been gathered in one place. The 71 tracks include 5 unreleased songwriting demos from 1958-64, 3 flop singles from 1960-63 on Duel and Columbia, 11 of the Bang sides, 14 Uni cuts, 25 samples from the Columbia years, his contribution to "The Last Waltz," 11 unreleased outtakes, 1 new song, and a live version of the first song he ever wrote. It's all arranged chronologically to tell the story of his career from aspiring Brill Building songwriter to less interesting adult-contemporary superstar. --Geoffrey Himes

Product Description

Get the most comprehensive Neil Diamond collection! For decades, his songs have been written on the walls of our hearts. Enjoy 71 of his most dazzling hits!

Songs include: Solitary Man  America  Girl, Youll Be a Woman Soon  I Am, I Said  Heartlight  Jonathan Livingston Seagull Suite: Prologue  Love on the Rocks  You Dont Bring Me Flowers, with Barbra Streisand  Song Sung Blue  Sweet Caroline  Im a Believer  Cracklin Rosie  He Aint Heavy, Hes My Brother  Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show  Kentucky Woman  Cherry, Cherry  Holly Holy  Red, Red Wine Soolaimon  More!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Neil Diamond Gets the Royal Box-Treatment He Deserves, September 12, 2004

By	Paul Allaer (Cincinnati) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I can't say that I'm a huge Neil Diamond fan (I don't have a single album of his, in fact). But when I recently heard "Cracklin' Rose" and "Sweet Caroline" back-to-back on the radio, I realized the man has some truly great songs, which eventually lead me to this collection.

"In My Lifetime" (71 tracks, 227 min.) is thankfully organized chronolgically, so that one can follow and understand the musical evolution of Neil Diamond. Not surprisingly CD1 is the most interesting of the collection, with the early demos and songs, near-hits and finally, hits. Be aware, 20 of the 27 tracks on CD1 are in mono. If CD1 is the most interesting, then CD2 is the "greatest hits" of the greatest hits. Blockbuster song after blockbuster song rolls along. Fascinating is "Dry Your Eyes", Neil's contribution to "The Last Waltz" farewell concert of the Band. You didn't know that Neil was part of that show? Me neither. Included also is a 5 song suite from the "Jonathan Livingstone Seagul" concept album, wich I owned and loved in the good ol' vinyl days. CD3 starts with the hits from "The Jazz Singer" remake (America, Love on the Rocks, Hello Again), and coast along following the lines of "Heartlight", which is admittedly not my favorite Diamond stuff.

If there is one surprise in this collection, it's that there is nothing in here from either the original and very successful "Hot August Night" live album, which I believe is Neil's biggest selling album ever, or any other of his live albums such as Live at the Greek and HAN 2. That aside, this collection gives the proper due to a truly gifted singer-songwriter.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here is an exhaustive collection of hits and rarities., June 8, 2000

By	Trevor Gillespie "sol_man" (San Jose, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

With the exclusion of Neil Diamond's 'Stones', this set has all the important Neil Diamond songs. It kinda goes through Neil Diamond's career chronologically beginning with the title track 'In My Lifetime' and then moving to the first song that Neil wrote, Hear Them Bells. This song clearly points the way to a career for Neil writing catchy pop tunes. The set moves through his years at Bang records where he wrote rock and bubble gum pop. Then on into his MCA years where Neil developed a little more independence as a writer and we begin to hear more introspective lyrics and personal songs. A bulk of the material on these three CDs comes from Neil's years at Columbia Records where he still maintains a contract, along with a brief stint from Capitol Records which The Jazz Singer was released on. Throughout the compilation, one gains an insight into a career that has been phenominal. You realize, my gosh this man wrote so many songs that have been part of American culture. He is an icon, a symbol of America in a way. His songs have meant much to us over the years. This box set presents the man and his music.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, November 23, 1999

By	Jules (Birmingham, England) - See all my reviews

This is great for the early (Bang) period - original, untampered-with mono mixes all; but the great MCA/Uni years are over too quickly (it cost 'em to liscence the songs!) and we don't get to hear "Stones" which is one of my faves. There's a nice truncated suite of J. Livingstone Seagull tunes, but the third disc doesn't hold up so well - in fact, after The Jazz Singer, Mr Diamond's muse seems to have deserted him for good and most of this last disc is awful, or worse, plain embarrasing.