NEIL DIAMOND / VARIOUS ARTISTS A Solitary Man: The Early Songs Of... (2009 issue UK 24-track 2-CD album set - Thanks to a pair of albums produced by Rick Rubin [2005's '12 Songs' and the 2008 chart-topper 'Home Before Dark'] the credibility of Neil Diamond stands at its highest ever - a great achievement, especially when one considers that his first recordings were made some 48 years ago. Neil is the latest great American songsmith of the 1960s to be featured in this fast-expanding series of writer-based compilations. Prior to his breakthrough as a recording artist, he spent several years paying his dues by writing songs for other performers, honing his talent in the process. Pride of place on 'A Solitary Man' goes to The Monkees, Cliff Richard, Sadina, Jan Tanzy, the Solitaires, Jay & the Americans, Jimmy Clanton, Billy Fury, Marcie Blane, Ronnie Dove and the Rocky Fellers, all of whom were the recipients of early Diamond numbers he himself never recorded. The rest of the songs date from the latter half of the 60s, most of which are from his spectacular two-year spell at Bang Records. Few artists ever recorded better versions of Neil Diamond's compositions than Arthur Alexander, Lulu, BJ Thomas, the Wanderer's Rest or Bobby Womack!)