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Product Description
CD Description
The Bang Years documents the early years of Neil Diamond’s career from 1966 – 69. He was 25 years old when he released his debut album The Feel Of… on the Bang label. Reminiscent of his most recent Rick Rubin produced albums, The Bang Years collection is Neil without the production of the 70’s and 80’s. Neil as a raw talent, still learning his craft, navigating his path to the spotlight.
Covering the earliest years of his career in New York, Neil Diamond's recordings for Bert Bern's Bang Records produced some of the most loved songs of his career including "Cherry, Cherry," "Solitary Man," "Kentucky Woman," "Shilo," and "Red, Red Wine." Over the years these songs have been covered by a diverse group of artists from The Monkees, whose version of "I'm A Believer" was the best selling record of 1967, reggae artist UB40 who took "Red Red Wine" to #1 in 1984, to alternative rock band Urge Overkill, who famously covered Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" for Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction in 1994, to Johnny Cash who recorded his version of "Solitary Man" for his third American Recordings album with Rick Rubin in 2000.
The Bang Years is a timely reminder of how this incredible singer songwriter started out, demonstrating where his importance and cool originated from early on.
Covering the earliest years of his career in New York, Neil Diamond's recordings for Bert Bern's Bang Records produced some of the most loved songs of his career including "Cherry, Cherry," "Solitary Man," "Kentucky Woman," "Shilo," and "Red, Red Wine." Over the years these songs have been covered by a diverse group of artists from The Monkees, whose version of "I'm A Believer" was the best selling record of 1967, reggae artist UB40 who took "Red Red Wine" to #1 in 1984, to alternative rock band Urge Overkill, who famously covered Diamond's "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon" for Quentin Tarantino's film Pulp Fiction in 1994, to Johnny Cash who recorded his version of "Solitary Man" for his third American Recordings album with Rick Rubin in 2000.
The Bang Years is a timely reminder of how this incredible singer songwriter started out, demonstrating where his importance and cool originated from early on.
Product Description
1-Solitary Man 2-Cherry, Cherry 3-Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon 4-Kentucky Woman 5-Thank The Lord For The Night Time 6-You Got To Me 7-I'm A Believer 8-Red, Red Wine 9-The Boat That I Row 10-Do It 11-New Orleans 12-Monday, Monday 13-Red Rubber Ball 14-I'll Come Running 15-La Bamba 16-The Long Way Home 17-I've Got The Feeling (Oh No No) 18-You'll Forget 19-Love To Love 20-Someday Baby 21-Hanky Panky 22-The Time Is Now 23-Shilo (2011/COLUMBIA) 23 tracks (61:41) digipac with 22 page booklet. stunning sound quality!
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
It goes without saying that you can never expect to please all the people, all the time, but to stay at the top for so long then you must have something very, very special that a lot of people kinda like.
Listening to this latest compilation of his early years you become aware of the seed that was to germinate into the extraordinary talent that is Neil Diamond.
This collection from his early "Bang Recording" days is best summed up as his "Pop" period. During the 60s Diamond wrote great 3 minute pop songs that had a great hook and energy that you couldn't help but get carried away with. They had the infectious wave of a young man finding his feet and song craft, which was a breath of fresh air.
Diamond managed to write breezy rock singles that were ultimately driven with a great ear for an acoustic guitar riff. Most of the songs are driven along on classic three or four chord structures that to this day still hit you between the eyes and get your heart pumping.
Cherry, Cherry: Kentucky Woman: The Boat that I Row: I'm a Believer (a huge Monkees hit) and Thank The Lord for The Night Time are all great examples. However, he also wrote great introspective songs like Red Red Wine: Solitary Man: The Long Way Home and Shilo. Considering the time span and his relative youthfulness, his output at this time was very impressive.
His voice is different to that of today, a younger man with a great melodic and untamed voice that perfectly fits the period. Like a fabulous painting, his songs provide the canvass for his voice to frame.
A lot of people have been waiting a long tome for this catalogue of songs to be released and the sound and packaging is certainly no disappointment.
Having written so many classic songs over his incredible career, the sad thing is that there are simply too many to hear him sing live on stage. He could probably to five different shows back to back and have a different set list on each one and still provide quality.
In the meantime, we make the best of having the material at hand to listen in our own front room "Concert Hall" and the enjoyment is by no means diluted in any shape or form.
This collection is superb and fills the nostalgic gap of yesteryear that so many fans have been waiting for. Great songs, great sounds.......great memories.
This is a great addition to any Diamond fan's collection.
Listening to this latest compilation of his early years you become aware of the seed that was to germinate into the extraordinary talent that is Neil Diamond.
This collection from his early "Bang Recording" days is best summed up as his "Pop" period. During the 60s Diamond wrote great 3 minute pop songs that had a great hook and energy that you couldn't help but get carried away with. They had the infectious wave of a young man finding his feet and song craft, which was a breath of fresh air.
Diamond managed to write breezy rock singles that were ultimately driven with a great ear for an acoustic guitar riff. Most of the songs are driven along on classic three or four chord structures that to this day still hit you between the eyes and get your heart pumping.
Cherry, Cherry: Kentucky Woman: The Boat that I Row: I'm a Believer (a huge Monkees hit) and Thank The Lord for The Night Time are all great examples. However, he also wrote great introspective songs like Red Red Wine: Solitary Man: The Long Way Home and Shilo. Considering the time span and his relative youthfulness, his output at this time was very impressive.
His voice is different to that of today, a younger man with a great melodic and untamed voice that perfectly fits the period. Like a fabulous painting, his songs provide the canvass for his voice to frame.
A lot of people have been waiting a long tome for this catalogue of songs to be released and the sound and packaging is certainly no disappointment.
Having written so many classic songs over his incredible career, the sad thing is that there are simply too many to hear him sing live on stage. He could probably to five different shows back to back and have a different set list on each one and still provide quality.
In the meantime, we make the best of having the material at hand to listen in our own front room "Concert Hall" and the enjoyment is by no means diluted in any shape or form.
This collection is superb and fills the nostalgic gap of yesteryear that so many fans have been waiting for. Great songs, great sounds.......great memories.
This is a great addition to any Diamond fan's collection.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a ND fan for 30+ years [most of my life - since showing an interest in music]and over time have collected Neil's albums on vinyl and CD but 'The Feel of Neil Diamond' and 'Just For You' his very first albums have not been re-released on CD [that I know of] up until now. These two albums are 'The Bang Years' although not in track order they do feature the songs from both of those albums so I was delighted to finally have them on CD and not just vinyl. Although not all tracks are written by Neil on this album, he does sing them well and I cannot praise the album enough it really is a good listen for all you Diamondheads out there or those just starting out as Neil fans, this is a great album for you to hear and enjoy his early work.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
With a booklet written by Diamond himself he begins by mentiong a couple of failed singles before recounting the years up to 1966 when he found the secret to songwriting-placing himself at the center.
Thus he was the Solitary Man-the record which began his career on the Bang label.
This is the latest comp of his early years as a Brill Building writer who made countless demos which had no takers,eventually cutting one with a girl group backing.One of the girls was Ellie Greenwich who would take his musical aspirations to the next level.
The first album which followed the hit Cherry Cherry had quite a few covers including Hanky Panky-the Greenwich/Barry song which had first been made by the Raidrops (demoed by the Summits) and the song which kicked off the career of Tommy James
Thus he was the Solitary Man-the record which began his career on the Bang label.
This is the latest comp of his early years as a Brill Building writer who made countless demos which had no takers,eventually cutting one with a girl group backing.One of the girls was Ellie Greenwich who would take his musical aspirations to the next level.
The first album which followed the hit Cherry Cherry had quite a few covers including Hanky Panky-the Greenwich/Barry song which had first been made by the Raidrops (demoed by the Summits) and the song which kicked off the career of Tommy James
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Diamond In The Rough
If like me you are a fan of Neil Diamond's earlier work then this is a must purchase.
This is the young Neil Diamond singing his songs in a raw and earthy style that is far... Read more
This is the young Neil Diamond singing his songs in a raw and earthy style that is far... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. Angelo Greeno
royboy
EXCELLENT EARLY YEARS OF NEIL, BROUGHT A LOT OF MEMORIES BACK, A GOOD BUY FOR ALL NEIL DIAMOND FANS.WILL PLAY THIS ONE OFTEN.
Published 7 months ago by Mr. Edward R. Harris
Great Artist/Songwriter - Then & Now
So glad that these early songs are now available. I was fortunate enough to acquire them on a double LP album released in the UK in 1975: 'Focus on Neil Diamond' on London Records... Read more
Published 10 months ago by F K Carpenter
ND
Great to hear the original versions.
Had a double album years ago and this seems to be the CD version so very happy
Had a double album years ago and this seems to be the CD version so very happy
Published 10 months ago by Paul A. Varcoe
A young voice
An interesting record to compare Neil Diamonds voice and style with that of today. However, it is only one for the ardent fan, which despite seeing him in concert 4 or 5 times, is... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Mr. Stephen Warburton
Out Of The Top Drawer
Its pretty obvious that Neil holds the music on this album in high regard,which is understandable. The quality of some of the material may be dubious but as a package it cant be... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Boswell
ONE FOR REAL DIAMOND FANS
I bought this CD for my wife who has been a life long Diamond fan. She found it very nostalgic and liked it a great deal. If she enjoyed it then it must have been good. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Sommeboy
the bang years
It would have been nice to know all titles on the album before buying, but hey it arrived quickly and in very good condition
Published 11 months ago by Elkell
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