NEIL DIAMOND / VARIOUS ARTISTS A Solitary Man: The Early Songs Of Neil Diamond (2009 issue UK 24-track digitally remastered CD album - Neil Diamond is the latest great American songsmith of the 1960s to be featured in our fast-expanding series ofwriter-based compilations. Prior to Neil's 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 Diamonds compositions than Arthur Alexander, Lulu, BJ Thomas, the Wanderers Rest or Bobby Womack).