01. O Holy Night (2016 Version) (03:46)
02. Do You Hear What I Hear (04:04)
03. Christmas Prayers (04:31)
04. Hark the Herald Angels Sing (2016 Version) (04:14)
05. Mary's Boy Child (03:20)
06. Silent Night (2016 Version) (03:42)
07. Go Tell It On the Mountain (03:17)
08. Children Go Where I Send Thee (05:26)
09. Christmas In Killarney (02:04)
10. Christmas Medley (03:15)

Neil Diamond    Vocals, Guitar
Paul Beasley 	Vocals (Background)
Richard Bennett 	Guitar
Jimmy Carter 	Vocals (Background)
Bruce Carver 	Bodhran
Patrick D'Arcy 	Uillean Pipes
Eric Gorfain 	Conductor, Horn Arrangements, Violin
John Grab 	Trombone
Robbie Hioki 	Trombone (Bass)
Hadley Hockensmith 	Guitar
Nick Lane 	Euphonium
Darrell Leonard 	Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Lester Lovitt 	Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Don Markese 	Flute, Flute Arrangement, Ocarina
Eric "Ricky" McKinnie 	Vocals (Background)
Ari Michelson 	Cover Photo, Inside Photo
Benjamin Moore 	Vocals (Background)
Jamie Muhoberac 	Keyboards
Stephanie O'Keefe 	French Horn
Kira Ott 	Irish Fiddle
Tim Pierce 	Guitar
Matt Rollings 	Keyboards
Sebastian Steinberg 	Bass
Joey Waronker 	Drums
Julia Waters 	Vocals (Background)
Maxine Waters 	Vocals (Background)
Oren Waters 	Vocals (Background)
Joey Williams 	Vocals (Background)

Re-teaming with Don Was and Jacknife Lee, the pair who produced his 2014 album Melody Road, Neil Diamond cut Acoustic Christmas, his fourth holiday album and first since 2009's A Cherry Cherry Christmas. The title Acoustic Christmas suggests that this 2016 LP will be sparse, but it's hazy and open, consisting of much more than a man and a guitar. Usually he's supported by a full band -- a rhythm section, another guitarist, a keyboardist, and backing vocalists -- and that gives Acoustic Christmas some spunk, which is enough to keep things lively. If Diamond isn't always original -- his version of "Children Go Where I Send Thee" follows the contours of Nick Lowe's 2013 version exactly -- he nevertheless performs with gusto, particularly on the closing "Christmas Medley." That showmanship is ultimately what gives Acoustic Christmas its personality and is the reason to return to the record: it may not align with the spirit of the season, but it's charming nonetheless. --- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic Review

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1. Ain’t No Sunshine 3:37      play    
2. Blackbird 3:22 
3. Alone Again (Naturally) 3:57 
4. Feels Like Home 4:51        play
5. Midnight Train To Georgia 5:00 
6. I’m A Believer 4:27 
7. Love Song 3:58 
8. Losing You 3:16 
9. Hallelujah 4:10 
10.A Song For You 4:31 
11.Yesterday 3:31 
12.Let It Be Me 3:19               
13.Desperado 3:36 
14.Don’t Forget Me 3:23

Neil Diamond 	Composer, Guitar, Vocals
John Fumo 	Flugelhorn, Trumpet
Tom Hensley 	Horn Arrangements, Piano
Hadley Hockensmith 	Guitar
King Errisson 	Percussion
Andrew Klein 	Bassoon
Larry Klimas 	Flute, Sax (Tenor)
Alan Lindgren 	Arranger, Hammond B3, Piano
Donald Markese 	Clarinet, Sax (Alto), Sax (Baritone), Sax (Tenor)
Joseph Meyer 	French Horn
Tommy Morgan 	Harmonica
Reinie Press 	Bass
Timothy B. Schmit 	Vocal Harmony
Robert Shulgold 	Flute
Joseph Stone 	Oboe
Benmont Tench 	Piano
Art Velasco 	Trombone, Trombone (Bass)
Gabriel Witcher 	Fiddle 

After two excellent collaborations with Rick Rubin, Neil Diamond can't resist taking the production reins himself for this collection of (mostly) covers. His liner notes claim these songs as some of his favorites from the "rock era" -- implying it's over. While this set is more intimate than most of his overblown production of the last 30 years, it is a step away from the simplicity of his work with Rubin, featuring full strings, chamber reeds, winds, and brass on various cuts. As a vocalist, Diamond's dramatic -- rather than involved -- authority is his trademark; he imposes it on almost every track. It works well here -- sometimes: the reading of Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" is excellent for this reason, more like a playwright's look than a lover's. The fiddle in Lennon and McCartney's "Blackbird" adds warmth to Diamond's declamatory vocal. Randy Newman's "Feels Like Home" is a set high point: it so intimate, naked, and desperate -- uncharacteristic of the ultra-private Diamond -- it can stop the listener in her tracks; it feels unintentionally included on this collection. The restrained narrative storyteller's presentation of "Midnight Train to Georgia" is, despite its simple delivery, more empathic than passionate. The reading of Leonard Cohen's transcendent "Hallelujah" is not definitive by any means, but it best illustrates Diamond's intention to pay homage to the song -- it's an excellent version to add to the bunch that already exists. Lesley Duncan's "Love Song" (Elton John's reading on Tumbleweed Connection is the classic) is quietly yet exotically treated with layered acoustic guitars, a spare piano, and King Errisson's imaginative hand percussion. Harry Nilsson's "Don't Forget Me," which bookends the album, is another high point with a celebratory horn chart underscoring the romantic world-weary irony in Diamond's delivery. Some tracks just don't work. Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)" sounds like the maudlin, trite novelty it is. Diamond's "I'm a Believer" is rendered with far more drama than necessary. Here it's not an iconic pop song. It comes from the back end of the story -- illustrated by acoustic guitars, cello, and vibraphone, its joy is displaced by resolve, as if the singer is trying to convince himself the song's lyrics are true. Like most covers sets, this is a mixed bag, and it's for the hardcore Diamond fan more than those who admire Home Before Dark, 12 Songs, or his work from the '60s through the mid-'70s. ---Thom Jurek, AllMusic Review

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Disc 1:
01. Two-Bit Manchild 3:05
02. Brooklyn Roads 3:38
03. Shilo 2:57
04. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show 3:26
05. Juliet 2:52
06. And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind 3:30
07. Glory Road 3:18
08. If I Never Knew Your Name 3:15
09. Memphis Streets 2:39
10. Sweet Caroline 3:18 
11. Mr. Bojangles 4:53			play
12. Smokey Lady 2:40
13. Holly Holy 4:40
14. Both Sides Now 3:30
15. And The Singer Sings His Song 3:38
16. Cracklin' Rosie 2:59
17. Coldwater Morning 3:21
18. Done Too Soon 2:41
19. He Ain't Heavy ... He's My Brother 4:09
20. Soolaimon 4:23

Disc 2:
01. I Am...I Said 3:34
02. The Last Thing On My Mind 3:32
03. Chelsea Morning 2:35
04. Crunchy Granola Suite 2:53
05. Stones 3:00
06. Suzanne 4:42 			play
07. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today 2:35
08. Song Sung Blue 3:14
09. Porcupine Pie 2:03
10. Canta Libre 4:45
11. Captain Sunshine 3:22
12. Play Me 3:50
13. Walk On Water 3:04
14. Prelude In E Major 0:32
15. Morningside 4:21
16. Kentucky Woman 2:53
17. Thank The Lord For The Night Time 2:59
18. Solitary Man 3:09
19. Cherry, Cherry 3:49
20. Red, Red Wine 3:45
21. Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon 2:48

Neil Diamond recorded six studio albums and two live albums for UNI/MCA during the period of 1968-1972. The original greatest hits album from that period, entitled His 12 Greatest Hits, is no longer in print. But in 1999, MCA did release an upgraded single-disc replacement for that album called The Neil Diamond Collection. The Neil Diamond Collection contained all 12 of the songs originally included on His 12 Greatest Hits plus half a dozen album cuts and live tracks. If you're looking for a single-disc sampler of the MCA period, The Neil Diamond Collection is the CD to get.

In 2002, MCA released Play Me: The Complete Uni Studio Recordings...Plus! It's a three-disc set and it includes all six of Diamond's MCA studio albums plus a handful of bonus tracks from Gold (live at the Troubadour) and Hot August Night (live at the Greek). Every track from 2005's Gold is included on 2002's Play Me, including the previously hard to find single edit of Cherry, Cherry (featuring an electric guitar overdub). Amazon's list price for Play Me is identical to the list price for this new 2005 collection so it's hard to understand why someone would purchase this set when the complete collection is available for the same price.

Prior to the release of Play Me, the most comprehensive collection of Neil's MCA material was 1992's excellent Glory Road. That title is now out of print but, given the similarity in song selection, this new compilation is a reasonable substitute.

The sound quality on this set is outstanding but it does have one minor flaw. The first second or two from the track "Stones" has been needlessly excised. This mastering error is a repeat of the same error made by MCA when they released Play Me in 2002. Earlier MCA compilations featuring the song (such as His 12 Greatest Hits and Glory Road) contained the unedited version.

While this set contains almost all of Neil's essential MCA recordings, I'm not sure I understand the market for this album. Casual fans will opt for the single-disc, The Neil Diamond Collection. Fans wanting to dig deeper can purchase Play Me: The Complete Uni Recordings...Plus! for the same price as this set and, of course, this entire set is contained in Play Me. --- Graveyard Boots. Amazon.com

Neil Diamond was with MCA Records from 1968 to 1972. This set gathers his best from this period including the number ones "Cracklin' Rosie" and "Song Sung Blue" along with the Top Ten hits "Holly Holy", "I Am I Said" and "Sweet Caroline". All of his other hits are here along with some select album cuts. Other noteworthy tracks include "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (before The Hollies recorded it), a re-recording of "Shilo", the biographical "Brooklyn Roads" and "Play Me"-where he incorrectly says "brang" instead of "brought". He also covers tunes by Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell among others. The set is rounded out by live versions of songs from his pre-MCA years. The audiences were more captive than in later years. The tracks are from the albums "Gold" (what a coincidence) and "Hot August Night".

This is by far the most comprehensive collection from a very successful period. If you want the best of Neil Diamond and then some from his MCA years then look no further. --- Edgar Olivares "The Entity"

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01  Shilo
02  Kentucky Woman		play
03  Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon 
04  You Got To Me
05  Monday Monday
06  Cherry, Cherry
07  Solitary Man		play 
08  I'm A Believer
09  Red Red Wine 
10  Thank The Lord For The Night Time 
11  I'll Come Running
12  I Got The Feeling (Oh No No)

Shilo is a hits compilation covering Neil Diamond's Bang years, from his first hit, "Solitary Man," to the title track, which was issued in 1970 to compete with Diamond's Uni hits after he left Bang. There is significant overlap with the 1966 album The Feel of Neil Diamond, and all but a couple of Diamond's early hits are represented here. Only one song is not original, and all but three charted as singles. The one cover (which is also one of the three non-hits) is the Mamas & the Papas' "Monday, Monday," and the two remaining album tracks are the early-sounding "I'll Come Running" and "Oh, No, No," another of Diamond's "three-chord operas." Shilo was a successful repackaging of Diamond's hits, becoming his best-selling Bang album in 1970. --- Greg Adams, AMG

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01. I Am...I Said (Neil Diamond) - 3:32						play
02. The Last Thing On My Mind (Tom Paxton) - 3:31
03. Husbands And Wives (Roger Miller) - 3:43
04. Chelsea Morning (Joni Mitchell) - 2:35
05. Crunchy Granola Suite (Neil Diamond) - 2:53
06. Stones (Neil Diamond) - 3:02							play
07. If You Go Away (Jacques Brel, Rod McKuen) - 3:47
08. Suzanne (Leonard Cohen) - 4:40
09. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today (Randy Newman) - 2:33
10. I Am...I Said (reprise) (Neil Diamond) - 2:33

Personnel:
- Neil Diamond - vocals
– Larry Mahoberac - arranger, conductor (01,10)
- Marty Paich - arranger, conductor (01,10)
- Lee Holdridge - arranger, conductor (02-09)
- Tom Catalano – producer

Driven by the hit singles "I Am...I Said" and "Crunchy Granola Suite," Stones is a stronger album than most of Neil Diamond's late-'60s records. Instead of padding the album with mediocre originals, Diamond picked several fine covers to fill out the remainder of the album, including Roger Miller's "Husbands and Wives," Joni Mitchell's "Chelsea Morning," Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne," Randy Newman's "I Think It's Gonna Rain," Jacques Brel's "If You Go Away," and Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind." There are still a few weak patches on Stones, but the record remains an engaging collection of mainstream pop. ---Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AllMusic Review

Undoubtedly, for me, this is Neil Diamond's best album of all time. For first time listeners who maybe cued into Diamond after hearing a track on the radio (sadly, is there any station out there that plays Diamond anymore?), this is the place to start. A singer who can evoke moods within the listener like virtually no other artist of the 1970's, and who never sounds better than on Stones. The Diamond-penned title track is one of his absolute best, demonstrating a style that is clearly all his own. I Am...I Said is the showpiece tune, a light that could not even be extinguished by it's overplay on the radio at the time. And does anyone else agree that no one covers a song quite like Diamond, making it all his own? Perhaps surprisingly, this album has many examples of that, given Diamond's proliferance as a song-writer. I Think It's Gonna Rain Today demonstrates that nicely, as do Diamond's versions of Joni Mitchell's Chelsea Morning, Tom Paxton's The Last Thing on My Mind, and Leonard Cohen's Suzanne. (If you like those cover tunes, check out his take of Everybody's Talkin' (Harry Nilsson), and a beautiful rendition of Both Sides Now, on other albums). These covers are harder to come by, as they don't show up as readily on his greatest hits packages, probably due to royalty issues. So you have to dig with Diamond, and you'll be glad you did! The real gold is not to be found with all his catchy pop tunes, but on the supposed filler between them. --- Loni Smith (Canada), amazon.com

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