1966
THE FEEL OF NEIL DIAMOND                         EMI STATESIDE 0SL10024(Black Label)
: Released December 1966.
: Edge Spine had title as “SOLITARY MAN” in small blue print.
: Released in Australia as a “Mono” recording only and had two extra tracks included (The Boat That I Row & Thank The Lord For The Night Time) due to it being released months later than the initial USA Bang Records disc which also had a Stereo version issued alongside the Mono.
: Re-issued around 1969 with the same Cat. No. of OSL-10024 but using the later issued Orange Stateside LP label.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1967
JUST FOR YOU                                                    EMI STATESIDE MSL-6035 (NZ)
: To date I have not seen an Australian copy of this release except as a New Zealand issue that was released there.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1968
VELVET GLOVES AND SPIT                             MCALP-124 (Blue Label)
First charted 13/5/73 Went to No.40, spent10 weeks in top 40.
: First issue using this title had the Blue label with the same a gloss cover picture which had the close up of Neil’s face on it. This LP only had 2 production runs and never used the same graphics as used on the USA re-issue LP.
: Re-released with the same cover as mentioned above but with Black / Rainbow label. This was a very short-lived issue as it was re-packaged as Brooklyn Roads. Very Rare.
: Re-released as “BROOKLYN ROADS” MCALP-124 in late 1973 with the Black / Rainbow label. Cover had the same standing portrait picture of Neil as used on the US re-issues of the “Rainbow” LP. The actual song list remained unchanged.
CD MCAD-31051 (Import using the re-issued US LP cover graphics)

NEIL DIAMONDS GREATEST HITS                 EMI STATESIDE SSLM-6041 (NZ)
: To date I have not seen an Australian copy of this one except as a New Zealand issue that’s in my collection and thus until I know more I won’t speculate.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1969
SWEET CAROLINE                                                MCALP-110 (Blue Label)
: Initially this was the Blue labelled Australian issue of the USA release of “Brother Loves Travelling Salvation Show” but using a portrait cover instead of the “Original Medicine Show Wagon” cover and minus the track “Brother Loves Travelling Salvation Show.
: Re-issued several times on the Black / Rainbow label, but still minus the track Brother Loves Travelling Salvation Show and sporting the same portrait cover. This cover was later adopted in the USA on the 3rd. re-issue (1969) of the album, released by UNI Records. The US version had Sweet Caroline added on the 9th. re-issue (1985) onwards, while it was on all Australian issues from day one of its release.
: Last issue in 1983 has a new Cat. Number ASTLP-2003 and issued on the Clouds & Rainbow label. (See 1983 entry)
CD MCAD-31050 (Import only with portrait cover & contains the track “Brother Loves”)

TOUCHING YOU, TOUCHING                                                         ME MCALP-116 (Blue Label)
First charted 23/3/70. Went to No.9, spent 8 weeks in top 40.
: First Issue on Blue label.
: Re-issued on Black / Rainbow label
: Last issue in 1983 has a new Cat. Number ASTLP-2006 and issued on the Clouds & Rainbow label. (See 1983 entry)
CD MCAD-31052 (Import)

1970
GOLD “Recorded Live at The Troubadour”                                     MCA MAPS-3374 (Blue Label)
: Neil’s first Live LP and issued on Blue label.
: Re-issued on Black / Rainbow label.
: Re-issued again in the very late 70’s on the Clouds & Rainbow label.
First charted 18/1/71. Went to No.34, spent 2 weeks in the top 40.
CD MCAD-1683 (Import)

SHILO                                                                                                  EMI Stateside SASL-9707 (Green label)
: First issue had the “White” Dot to Dot cover, same as the US issue but using the Stateside Logo on the bottom right hand corner where the US issue had the Bang Logo.
: Re-released 1978 under the label (budget label) DRUM STATESIDE 8024 but had the original Cat. Number SASL-9797 Green Stateside Label record inserted.
: Re-released with Photo cover.
CD (Never Manufactured)

TAP ROOT MANUSCRIPT                                                               MCA MAPS-3974 (Blue Label)
First charted 29/3/71. Went to No.31, spent 2 weeks in the top 40.
: First issue had the blue label and gatefold cover.
: Re-issued on Black / Rainbow label with quality of the cardboard cover differing from pressing to pressing, but it still utilised the original style gatefold cover.
: Last issue on Clouds & Rainbow label and still with the gatefold cover.
CD MCAD-31071 (Import)

DO IT                                                                                                    EMI STATESIDE SESL-9773 (Green label)
Cover showing two people dancing with red/yellow background, (very 1960’s)
: First issue had high gloss cover.
: Second issue had a matt finish cover deleting the laminated gloss plastic.
: Re-issues were pressed by the same company and kept the same Cat. Number, its cover has a centred portrait of Neil surrounded by pink stripes on black background
: Re-released using the following new Cat. Number EMI AXIS-6215 (Black & White budget label for sales in Woolworth’s / Safeway Variety Stores) it had the same black portrait cover as previous issue but showing Axis Logo on bottom RH corner.
: Last issue was the same but advertising song titles on the front cover.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1971
STONES                                                                                                  MCA MAPS-5376 (Blue Label)
First charted 13/12/71. Went to No.13, spent 15 weeks in the top 40.
: First issue on the Blue label.
: Subsequent issues were on the Black / Rainbow label.
CD MCAD-31049 (Import)

1972
MOODS                                                                                                   MCA MAPS-6097 (Blue Label)
First charted 31/7/72. Went to No.4, spent 38 weeks in the top 40.
: First issue had a textured cover with the disc having the MCA Blue label.
: Subsequent re-issues all had smooth covers with the Black / Rainbow label.
: Last issue in 1983 had a new Cat. Number, ASTLP-2004 and was issued on the Clouds & Rainbow label. (this last issue of Moods is still subject to confirmation)
CD MCAD-31061 (Import)

DIAMONDS AND GOLD                                                                      EMI AXIS-6069
A Bang compilation. (Black & White budget label for sales in Woolworth’s / Safeway Variety Stores)
: First release has high gloss cover.
: Re-issue had matt cover without any gloss for appeal enhancement.
CD (Never Manufactured)

HOT AUGUST NIGHT                                                                            MCA MAPS-6385 (Blue Label)
First charted on 11/12/1972 and went straight to No.1, spending a whopping 224 weeks in the top 40.

1. The “First” very short-lived issue had a Full Gloss Gate-fold outer cover and was the last of Neil’s MCA LP’s to sport the “Original” Blue MCA label with multi-coloured Hexagonalled centre. It labels were replaced shortly after the albums release with the new predominantly Black label which featured the striking multi-coloured Rainbow that was soon to become arguably their best known label.

2. Re-issued with the same gatefold cover but now with matt-finished outer surfaces, also continued to contain the discs with the Black / Rainbow label. This was the most common issue that most households owned. It was released towards the end of 1973.

3. Re-released in 1980 with a LIMITED EDITION “Custom Label” Black vinyl issue that had an extra “10 of ONLY”, GOLD VINYL, LIMITED EDITION discs integrated within the whole pressing.
: Gold Discs limited to only 10 in Australia, made exclusively for a competition.
: Pressed by Polygram due to their acquisition of MCA Records.

4. Re-released around 1981 as gatefold cover but having discs with the new Clouds and Rainbow Label. Polythene bags were replaced with label exposing paper sleeves.

5. Re-released in 1985 by Hammard TV Productions and using the same original MCA artwork but including the Hammard Company Logo on the front and rear covers. It was given a new Cat. Number of HAM-118 also it had the yellow / white Hammard labels and was advertised as a TV Special. This 2 LP set was licensed through WEA Records.

6. 1990. The very last release in Australia of Hot August Night pressed on vinyl was issued with a new Cat. Number, MCA 6896-1
This remained an MCA release still using the clouds and rainbow label. Same artwork on the outer cover but no gatefold, both discs slid into the budget made single sleeve cover.

7. Re- released in 1992 on CD, “BMG” MCAD2-6896 utilising the Double thickness casing.
Entered the charts in Feb 92 at No.33, went to No.15, spent 14 weeks in the charts.
This Album was the No.1 selling album on vinyl in 1973 and 40th. best selling album on CD in 1992.

8. Released as an “ORIGINAL MASTER RECORDING” by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, utilising a Cat. Number of MFSL-2-024. MFSL was a company that specialised in producing very high quality Audiophile records of landmark LP’s. Having a number of 024 means it was one of the first and thus was a highly regarded LP in its time.
The Artwork for the cover was much the same as the “Original” LP but had extra thick paper and polythene protective sleeves for the precious vinyl enclosed, also a printed sheet was enclosed explaining all about the whole manufacturing process that goes into the making of the final product. These records are clearly identified by a BOLD yellow strip across the top of the album cover containing the words “Original Master Recording”. These discs were pressed in Japan by the Japanese Victor Company (JVC) and available worldwide, including Australia. This was the first of two, Neil Diamond LP’s that were to be made available by MFSL and many of the later CBS releases were issued by CBS’s own Half Speed Master Recordings label, “Mastersound”. These discs are the most collectable and highly sought after versions of the mainstream records and thus are very hard to find in Mint Condition.

9. HOT AUGUST NIGHT CD MFSL ULTRA DISK II                              UDCD2-584
This is the above mentioned 2 LP set remastered and issued on 24 karat gold surfaced CD’s opposed to regular Aluminium variety. It was released in August of 1995. These were solely manufactured in the USA and only available as a “Special Order” through music stores that had the ability to import directly from overseas themselves. These “ULTRA DISK II” issues were packaged in special “Lift & Lock” jewel cases that allowed goof proof access to the discs as they were lifted upwards and released for easy handling when the case was opened, but when closed this mechanism retracted and clamped the disc down firmly, thus avoiding the precious gold disc the ability to rattle around inside the case and running the risk of damaging the surface of the disc by the centre lock mount. As the years have gone by many of these special cases have had to be discarded due to accidental breakage owing to the casings lightweight construction and thus the contents can be easily transplanted into a normal jewel case, so this is a dead give away that the item is no longer totally original. This issue came in two separate cases and had all new specially made artwork that was totally different to the artwork we’ve all grown to love, also a lovely booklet just finishes this stunning set off to perfection. This is a “True Collectable” and good examples complete with the original cardboard outer retainer cover have been known to fetch up to around US$120.00 on the secondhand market. Ouch !


***Please Note, The normal retail Hot August Night issued album was known to be in at least one of every 7 households Australia wide by 1976 but who knows now where that figure lies ever since it’s issue onto CD. First CD issues were originally brought into Australia as an Import from Germany and then the USA in two separate standard jewel cases but then eventually was locally pressed by Disctronics in 1992 and sold in the double thickness case containing both discs but with substantially poorer grade artwork. Disctronics was Australia’s first CD pressing plant and came online in the very late 80’s but didn’t do much mainstream pressing until the early 90’s as Australia was one of the last countries to embrace the “then” new audio age technology.

1973
RAINBOW                                                                                               MCA MAPS-7018
First charted 10/9/73. Went to No.7, spent 25 weeks in the top 40.
: The “original issue” had an Artist’s rendition painted portrait of Neil on the front cover and a rainbow on the rear of the cover. This cover was soon discarded in the USA due to Neil’s disapproval and replaced with the same picture as used on the Australian release of “Brooklyn Roads”.
: Last issue in 1983 has a new Cat. Number ASTLP-2001 and issued on the Clouds & Rainbow label. (See 1983 entry)
CD MCAD-1606 (Import)

BROOKLYN ROADS                                                                            MCA MCALP-124
This was the re-covered / re-named re-issue of the original “Velvet Gloves and Spit” LP and shared the same catalogue number as the “Original” 1968 release LP. This album used the exact same picture as the USA re-issued Rainbow LP that was released nearly simultaneously and thus the picture was shared between both LP’s.
** Please Note ! Just to clarify, This LP was only ever released on the Black / Rainbow label, which indicates that it was never released any earlier than late 1973 as so many people seem to suggest it was. This confusion is created solely due to the early Cat. No. it retained from it’s low volume selling predecessor. It was also released at about the same time as Neil was about to release JLS with his new Record Company, CBS. This was an attempt to capitalise on the new CBS release. The “Brooklyn Roads” LP far outsold the original “Velvet Gloves and Spit” LP release. Just as a matter of interest this LP with similar appearance but different typeset was also released in South Africa.
CD (As Brooklyn Roads it was Never Manufactured, see Velvet Gloves & Spit)

JONATHON LIVINGSTON SEAGULL                                              CBS SBP-234402 (Custom Label)
First charted 3/12/73. Went to No.1, spent 42 weeks in the top 40.
Several different gatefold covers were manufactured.
: One has the record sleeve in the right hand side of the gatefold with a side access for disc, also a top access sleeve variety for the disc on the RH side was made.
: The other 2 versions are the same but with the record on the LH side and thus the
text / picture positions had to be swapped.
: Final issue had the record on the RH side of the gatefold but with no viewing hole for the label in the centre of the inside cover.
: Half Speed Master Issued, Imported from Germany, CBS-H-42550
All artwork is the same. Also note that the Songbook was never made available in the Australian pressings as was inserted with the UK and USA issues.
CD CBS 69047 (Import & Locally made)

1974
HIS TWELVE GREATEST HITS                                                       MCA MAPS-7400
First charted 8/7/74 Went to No. 32, spent 34 weeks in the top 40.
: Direct Disk Labs, Imported Audiophile Disc SD-11612
CD MCAD-37252 (Local & Imported)

SERENADE                                                                                         CBS SBP-234482 (Custom Label)
First charted 4/11/74. Went to No.1, spent 35 weeks in the top 40.
: Has been issued about 6 different times and can be identified by the small inconsistencies / changes and positioning of the CBS logo and catalogue number on the front cover. No dates can be identified by these small abnormalities.
This album was the 14th. best selling album in 1974, & the 24th. best selling album for the successive year of 1975.
CD CBS 69067 (Local) (US Import CK-32919 & Later Imported Issue CBS 69067)

SERENADE                                                                                        SQP-234482
Quadraphonic issue released under CBS’s unique SQ label. This was “one of ” issue.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1975
DIAMONDS                                                                                       MCA MAPS-7541
First charted 7/7/75. Went to No.52, spent 12 weeks in the top 100.
: 2LP set released predominantly in Australia and the UK (Not in the USA)
CD (Never Manufactured)

SOLITARY MAN                                                                              EMI INTERNATIONAL SCA-002
Released November 1975
First charted on 2/2/76, went to No.4 and spent 15 weeks in the top 100.
: The common misbelief of this one being a repackaged version of the 1967 Bang Records issue of “Neil Diamonds Greatest Hits” and released in 1972 is simply a myth. It was merely a record issued for the 1975 Christmas sales market as there was no new material of Neil’s released for that year. It was actually marked published “Bang Records 1972”, as was the USA 2LP release titled “Double Gold”, which was Bang’s failed weapon to combat MCA’s new unbeatable “Hot August Night MCA2-8000” release. But here in Australia EMI decided Hot August Night was far too big to peg anything against and thus kept the compacted, re-packaged / named version of “Double Gold” as a single disc, gatefold covered release and held it over until 1975 as no real MCA competition appeared on the “then” market.
CD (Never Manufactured)

1976
BEAUTIFUL NOISE                                                                         CBS SBP-234777
First charted 9/7/76 at No.2, spent a total 16 weeks in the charts, 8 of those weeks were at No.1 and 4 weeks at No.2.
This album was the 5th. best selling album for 1976.
CD CDCBS 86004 (Local and Imported)

20 SUPER HITS, NEIL DIAMOND                                               MCA MAPS-7740
: This LP was MCA’s attempt to capitalise on Neil’s 1976 World Tour
First charted 31/5/76. Went to No.52, spent 11 weeks in the top 100.
CD (Never Manufactured)

AND THE SINGER SINGS HIS SONGS                                      MCA MCA-2227
This LP was merely a compilation of previously released material to once again capitalise on the success of CBS’s new “Beautiful Noise” LP, much the same scenario as what BANG / EMI did every time MCA released a new LP previously.
*Note ! This LP did not chart.
CD MCAD-1607 (Import)

1977
LOVE AT THE GREEK                                                                 CBS S2BP-220184
First charted 25/2/77 at No.8, Went to No.7, spent 25 weeks in the top 100.
CD CDCBS 95001 (Import)

I’M GLAD YOU’RE HERE WITH ME TONIGHT                    CBS SBP-237052
First charted 28/11/77 at No.10, Went to No.8, spent 3 weeks in the charts.
: First pressing had the Lizard skin textured pattern cover.
: Subsequent re-issues were printed on plain non-textured flat cardboard.
CD 462740 2 (Local) CK-34990 (Import)

1978
YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS                                         CBS SBP-237233
First charted 22/12/78 at No.25, went to No.4, spent 24 weeks in the top 100.
This album was the 30th. best seller for 1978 and top 20th. in 1979.
: First pressing had a Brown classy inner sleeve with credits printed on one side.
: Second issue had a Buff coloured inner sleeve with lyrics.
: Third issue had no inner sleeve just a lyrics sheet inserted.
: Half Speed Master Issued, Imported from Germany, CBSH-86077
CD CDCBS-86077 (Import)

1979
READERS DIGEST, THE BEST OF NEIL DIAMOND           RD4-275-1/2/3/4
Blue coloured 4 LP box set with Portrait of Neil on the front. Release date between 1978 and 1980. This box set was also manufactured overseas with virtually no variation except for country of manufacture stated on the record labels themselves.
CD (Released later in 1995)

SEPTEMBER MORN                                                                  CBS SBP-237341
First charted 1/2/80 at No.15. Went to No.3, spent 19 weeks in the charts.
: Re-released in 1980 as a (Nice Price) double album with “I’m glad you’re here with me tonight”, using a new Cat. Number of, CBS 241057
CD CDCBS-86096 (Import)

THE VERY BEST OF NEIL DIAMOND                                    J&B JB 039
First charted 7/1/80. Went to No 30. Spent 10 weeks in the top 100.
CD (Never Manufactured)

A COLLECTION OF HIS GREAT WORKS 1968-1972
MAPS-10924
This is the ultra rare 8 Record Box Set that MCA released towards the end of 1979 and to date I only know of one in existence. It has a full-length silhouette of Neil in “Concert Pose” against a totally black background with his name written in Gold link script underneath.
The LP's included are Hot August Night, Sweet Caroline, Touching You Touching Me, Stones, Brooklyn Roads, Moods, Gold, Tap Root Manuscript. Most of the LP’s have the Clouds and Rainbow label on them, which in itself is quite unique, as some of these LP’s were never individually issued using this late issue label eg. Gold.
If you have one of these and are prepared to sell it please contact me on the e-mail address at the bottom of this list.

1980
THE JAZZ SINGER                                                                       CAPITOL EMI PST-12120
First charted 19/12/80 at No.24. Went to No.13, spent 9 weeks in the top 40, then
re-entered charts on 19/6/81 at No.13. Went to No.2 and spent a further 16 weeks in the top 40. It spent a total of 45 weeks in the top 100 was the 14th. best selling album for the year of 1981.
There were varies issues of this LP under the same catalogue number.
: First issue had raised Lettering on the front cover and the disc had the Capitol Custom Black Jazz Singer Label.
: The second had the same raised covered lettering but a different silver and black label.
: The future pressings were printed on plain flat cardboard and sported the standard Purple Capitol label.
: The last standard issue was the same as previous issue but had the Tri-Colour circular bordered Capitol label.
CD CDP-7-46026-2 (Import)
CD Re-issued onto SONY due to EMI Copyright Expiration, Cat No.483927-2 (Local)

THE JAZZ SINGER                                                                       MOBILE FIDELITY MFSL-1-071
Made in America and available in Australia using the unique MFSL catalogue number.

THE JAZZ SINGER                                                                       MOBILE FIDELITY CAPITOL EMI PST 12120
Released after the initial album, this MFSL album was pressed in Japan, the cover printed in America but had a scheduled release in Australia so I have mentioned it here.

SEPTEMBER MORN / I’M GLAD YOU’RE HERE WITH ME TONIGHT
CBS SBP-241057
This was the beginning of a unique era by joining two different single album releases together as a double LP set and known as “THE NICE PRICE DOUBLE”. This was the only vinyl issue to date utilising Neil’s material but the trend resumed in the CD era.

COLLECTOR SERIES NEIL DIAMOND                                   R90066
World Record Club release of a single LP compilation album.
: Released approximately 1980 and only available to World Record Club members.
CD (Never Manufactured)


1981
LOVE SONGS                                                                                  MCA MCA-5239-1
Released to capitalise of the huge success of “The Jazz Singer”.
This LP did not Chart.
CD MCD-01490 (Import)

LOVE SONGS TV OFFER J&B RECORDS                                 J&B JB-O86
A later re-release of the MCA original
First charted 26/10/81. Went to No.37, spent 13 weeks in the top 100.
CD (Never Manufactured)

ON THE WAY TO THE SKY                                                           CBS SBP-237720
First charted 7/12/81. Went to No.12, spent 17 weeks in the top 100.
: Half Speed Master Issued, Imported from Germany, CBS-H-47628
CD CK-37628 (Import only)

1982
HIS 12 GREATEST HITS VOLUME II                                          CBS SBP-237776
First charted 7/6/82. Went to No.21, spent 23 weeks in the top 100.
: Half Speed Master Issued, Imported from Germany, CBS-H-48068
CD CBS-85844 (Import)

HEARTLIGHT                                                                                  CBS SBP-237854
First charted 15/11/82 at No.15. Went to No.8, spent 17 weeks in the top 100.
: Half Speed Master Issued, Imported from Germany, CBS-H-48359
CD CBS-462778 2 (Local) CBS-25073 (Import)

RAINBOW                                                                                         ASTLP-2001
Re-release of the original 1973 MCA album.
Made in New Zealand for the Australian market with a picture cover of Neil standing next to a stone column as used on the 2nd. issue of the same US title. This photo was also used on the “Australia Only”, Brooklyn Roads LP.

SWEET CAROLINE                                                                         ASTLP-2003
Re-release of the original Australian MCA 1969 album
Made in New Zealand for the Australian Market.

STONES                                                                                             ASTLP-2005
Re-release of the original MCA 1971 album
Made in New Zealand for the Australian market.
: Initial pressings had the standard Clouds and Rainbow label.

TOUCHING YOU, TOUCHING ME                                              ASTLP-2006
Re-release of the original MCA 1969 album.
Made in New Zealand for the Australian market.
: Initial pressings had the standard Clouds and Rainbow label.
: Future pressings had a paint splash label (tan label with colourful fake paint markings)

PORTRAIT                                                                                       ASTLP-2007
Re- release of the original Portrait compilation, (MCA-027) with the Bluish Purple cover and the clouds and rainbow label.
Pressed in New Zealand and released in Australia.
CD (Released later in the 90’s as Rainbow Records RCD-305)

1983
CLASSICS, THE EARLY YEARS                                                   CBS SBP-237924
All songs are original “Bang Records” recordings released on the CBS Label.
CD CDCBS-25531 (Local)

1984
THE VERY BEST OF NEIL DIAMOND                                       J&B JB-166
Re-issue of the 1979 LP, but sporting a newer style yellow label with a circular pattern.
First charted 30/1/84. Went to No.27, spent 11 weeks in the top 100.
CD (Never Manufactured)

SWEET CAROLINE                                                                         AXIS AX-156100
Aussie issue coinciding with the same LP released on the MFP Budget label (MFP-50449) in the UK. (not the original 1969 issue with the same name) This Australian issue is on the budget Axis Label, which makes this one somewhat strange as it was pressed by EMI but contains all MCA compositions. EMI, as we know, was the company that was contracted to release all of Neil’s “Bang Records” material.

PRIMITIVE                                                                                       CBS SBP-238021
First charted 13/8/83 at No.21. Went to No.19, spent 12 weeks in the top 100.
: Original issue had a round sticker on the front advertising “Turn Around” as the hit single.
: Later issues were identical apart from the deleted Promo sticker.
CD 471306 2 (Local)

1986
HEADED FOR THE FUTURE                                                          CBS SBP-8169
First charted 16/6/86. Went to No.76, spent 6 weeks in the top 100.
CD CBS-26952 (Local)

1987
HOT AUGUST NIGHT II                                                                  CBS-460408-1
First charted 14/12/87 at No.24. Went to No.16, spent 13 weeks in the top 100.
CD CBS-460408-2 (Import)

1989
THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES                                                 CBS-463201-1
First charted 13/3/89. Went to No.92, spent 2 weeks in the top 100.
The “Last” album released of Neil’s that was pressed on vinyl locally in Australia.
CD CBS-463201-2 (Import)

****All releases from this point on are on compact disc ****

1991
LOVESCAPE                                                                                        COLUMBIA 468890-2
First charted 14/10/91 at No.33. Went to No.12, spent 24 weeks in the top 100.
Album was 34th. best selling album for the year 1992.

1992
THE ESSENTIAL DIAMOND COLLECTION                                 MCA MCAD 218609
First charted 30/3/92. Went to No.24, spent 12 weeks in the top 100.

HOT APRIL NIGHTS                                                                           MCA SVND 1000-2
This Australia Only Box Set contained the following 2 double disc sets, “Hot August Night” & “The Essential Diamond Collection”, slipped inside a specially made Promotional cardboard cover.
This Box Set was released to commemorate the “1992 Australian Concert Tour”.
First charted 6/4/92. Went to No.17, spent 9 weeks in the top 100.

NEIL DIAMOND, THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION
MCA MCD-32181
This 3 Disc Box Set Contained the following 3 albums, Stones, Moods and Touching You Touching Me, slipped inside a specially made Promotional cardboard cover.
This was yet another disc set released to capitalise on the 1992 Australian Tour.

THE GREATEST HITS 1966- 1992                                                       COLUMBIA 471502-4
First charted 16/4/92 at No.23. Went to No.1, spent 26 weeks in the top100.
Album was 23rd. best selling album for the year 1992. Around this same period it was the first time ever that Neil had 5 separate album entries in the “Official” Aria Charts (Australia Record Industry Association) at any one time. A record of which still stands proudly to date.
Strangely this was Sony’s (Neil’s current recording label) only attempt of capitalising on Neil’s 1992 Australian Tour, the first in 16 years on Australian soil.
PLEASE NOTE ! All tracks which were licensed to MCA that were used on this 2 CD set were substituted for live cuts due to copyright limitations.
It far outsold all other releases at the time and is still a very sought after CD set today.

THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM                                                                  COLUMBIA 472410-2
First charted 14/12/92. Went to No.18, spent 3 weeks in the top 100.

1993
UP ON THE ROOF                                                                                  COLUMBIA 474356-2
First charted 28/10/93 at No.38. Went to No.38, spent 6 weeks in top 50.

1994
LIVE IN AMERICA                                                                                COLUMBIA 477211-2
Live tracks recorded in America from the 1991~1993 “In the Round” concerts.

THE BEST OF NEIL DIAMOND                                                           MCD-19509
Very unique album cover as it shows Neil playing guitar left handed. Artwork has been accidentally reversed in manufacturing process and never corrected. Nice Flaw !

THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM VOLUME II                                             COLUMBIA 477598-2
Following on from the first Christmas album theme.

1995
THE BEST OF NEIL DIAMOND                                                            Readers Digest 300275300-1\2\3
3 CD set release of the earlier Blue Boxed 4 Vinyl Record Set. This CD set now has a green cover with a small photo of Neil in the centre.


HOT AUGUST NIGHT                                                                              MFSL ULTRA DISK II UDCD2-584
MFSL CD release of Hot August Night (Import Only)
See the special notes under the “Hot August Night” entry for this item.

NEIL DIAMOND CHRISTMAS ALBUM 1 & 2                                    COLUMBIA 481549-2
Double “Nice Price” Series, complete with artwork from both albums.

1996
THE ULTIMATE DIAMOND COLLECTION                                       MCA MCD-34177
This has the identical track listing to the earlier 1992 released “The Essential Diamond Collection”. The only noticeable difference was the substituted artwork.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION                                                            COLUMBIA / MCA MOOD CD45
First ever collaboration between Columbia and BMG (MCA) record companies
Digitally Remastered 2 Disc Set.
: First issue had a sticker claiming that the song list was digitally remastered.
: Further issues had the sticker deleted.

TENNESSEE MOON                                                                                COLUMBIA 481378-2
First charted South Australia 25/2/96 at No.22. Went to No.2, spent 19 weeks there.
Entered National charts 25/2/96 at No.5. Went to No.4, spent 15 weeks in charts.
First issue had a sticker place on the front promoting the upcoming 1996 Tour. It is also worth mentioning that inside the artwork the contact details of the now defunct Australian FOND Club appear. Later issues of this Album have had this removed.
Note that this album was the first album since the 1991 released “Lovescape” album that had nearly all totally new material written. A country version of “Kentucky Woman” appears on this one.

IN MY LIFETIME                                                                                     COLUMBIA C3K65013
First charted 22/12/96 at No.49 and stayed in the charts for just one week.
This is a 3 Disc Fold out Style Book complete with a very comprehensive booklet with liner notes for all the tracks written by Neil himself. This set contains many early demos and tracks that were never released for one reason or the other. The inserted Book contains all the explanations why. This one was only manufactured in the USA but plenty were shipped to Australia with an initial price-point of AUD$50.00. This one set the new high watermark for the most expensive music release to date. There was more to come, stay tuned !
 

1997
NEIL DIAMOND LIVE IN CONCERT                                                   Reader’s Digest A3281562001
3 Disc Set of concert tracks recorded between 1977 & 1996.
This was a “Sony Music Special Products” item released exclusively for “Readers Digest Subscribers only”. This one was never made available for general retail sale.

1999
THE MOVIE ALBUM                                                                               COLUMBIA 491655-2
Covers done by Neil of many Classic Movie Songs. It never charted.

2000
HOT AUGUST NIGHT                                                                               MCA-112 330-2
Digitally Remastered version containing 3 extra tracks mixed onto the end of Disc 1,
These are as follows, Walk on Water, Kentucky Woman and Stones. Personally I feel that these 3 tracks are from a later era as when you listen to Neil’s voice it certainly shows. You be the judge. It is worth mentioning that it is claimed that the sound quality of this release is supposed to be better than the MFSL Ultra Disc II issued in 1995.

THE BEST OF THE MOVIE ALBUM                                                      COLUMBIA ?????????
A condensed One CD version of the previously released 2 disc set. Expectably it failed to chart and was quickly deleted by Sony.

2001
THREE CHORD OPERA                                                                           COLUMBIA 5024932000
This release was all new “Neil written material” but failed to chart in Australia. Its release was in time with a rumoured Australian tour but due to America’s 9/11 Australia was deleted from the tour schedule, so the story goes.

THE GREATEST HITS + CHRISTMAS ALBUM                                   COLUMBIA 452703-2
The same 1966~1992 CD Compilation as previously released but including the first Christmas Album as an added Bonus Disc. This was a Christmas Special release.

2002
NEIL DIAMOND LOVE SONGS                                                              MCA 112522-2
14 Re-mastered, previously released Tracks.

2003
THE ESSENTIAL NEIL DIAMOND                                                         COLUMBIA 5010669000
2 CD Set. Part of the “ESSENTIAL SERIES”, of many SONY Artists.

STAGES, PERFORMANCES 1970~2002                                                  COLUMBIA C5K-90540-S1
Live performances from between 1970 & 2002 spanning a 5 Disc set.
Also contains a bonus DVD of an Ireland Concert back in 2002 and also a sneak peak backstage pass to “Diamondville” on the road.
This set was only manufactured in the USA and a limited amount of about 100 were sent to Australia due to the price-point of the product being AUD$100.00 which was about the same price for a ticket to the 2005 World Tour Concerts. This set has now become the high price watermark for any “Official” Neil Diamond Music release.
2005
NEIL DIAMOND GOLD                                                                             GEFFEN 9862865
2 Disc compilation set from Universal Music containing all previously released MCA tracks. This part of a series of “Gold” titled CD’s, all from current or previous Universal Music (BMG / MCA) artists.

THE ESSENTIAL / GREATEST HITS LIVE                                              COLUMBIA 5010663000
2005 World Tour “Commemorative Edition” of the previously released 2 CD Set along with the added “Greatest Hits Live” bonus DVD that was originally released on VHS.

CLASSIC NEIL DIAMOND                                                                         MCA 112155-2
This CD is part of “The Ultimate Masters Collection” which features discs of 38 different artists that are all part of the “Universal Music” stable. This compilation is actually published and copyrighted in 1999 as it was released overseas originally back in 1999 but was not ever released in Australia at that point. This CD was finally released in Australia for the Christmas sales period for 2005 with the same Cat. No. as originally issued in 1999. Also let it be known that this disc was actually manufactured in the EU, which is the European Union.

NEIL DIAMOND 12 SONGS                                                                       COLUMBIA 82876759732
This Album is somewhat totally different to any Neil Diamond offering in the past. This one is Neil stripped bare to predominantly just him and his guitar. This is the first album since the song Cherry Cherry was recorded in 1966 that features Neil actually playing and singing at the same time of the recording process taking place. Rick Rubin, who produced the last few Johnny Cash albums, produced this particular album. There are also numerous songs that never made it to the final cut of this album and thus may show up at a later date. (so says Neil)


EXTRA COMPACT DISCS ( In No Particular Order )

RAINBOW                                                                                                       RAINBOW MUSIC RCD-304
This has been released with a multitude of different covers

PORTRAIT                                                                                                       RAINBOW MUSIC RCD-305
This one also has been released with a multitude of different covers

PLAY ME                                                                                                          AX-701542
Compilation released by WEA Records under license from EMI.

NEIL DIAMOND – SWEET CAROLINE                                                     EMI AXIX-1561002

NEIL DIAMOND FIRST HITS                                                                      CD-352071 (Budget Import)
1989 German made Compilation CD of early “Bang Records” releases put out by the Duchess Compact Disc Co. Five tracks were taken directly from records and thus have a small amount vinyl noise on them but with them never having been previously released on CD makes this one definitely worth finding and adding to your collection.

PLAY ME                                                                                                           PCD-10056
Premium Masters Series, MCA / Castle Communications, 1994.

HIGH ROLLING MAN                                                                                    PCD-10137
Premium Masters Series, MCA / Castle Communications, 1994.

NEIL DIAMOND, I KNEW LOVE                                                                 BMG 74321-40873-2
Released in 1996 on the BMG’s “Ariola” Label. Made overseas but sold in Australia.

SONG SUNG BLUE ?????????
Number not known, Release of songs from the “Hot August Night” album

NEIL DIAMOND LIVE                                                                                    SW-130
“UNLICENSED ISSUE”, Distributed by Mainline Music.
This CD had shocking quality sound and all tracks are simply poached directly from “Hot August Night”. Definitely not worth hunting down unless you’ve got nothing better to spend your cash on.


EXTRA VINYL & CD ALBUMS WITH NEIL DIAMOND SONG RELEASES

SOUNDS FOR HOPE AND HAPPINESS                                                       EMI HMV SL-114
1975 Channel 10 Xmas Appeal record that included “THE LONG WAY HOME” as the final track.

20 EXPLOSIVE HITS                                                                                        EMI / COLUMBIA TVS-3
TV Special release that included the “Bang Records” issue of the 1967 song “Shilo” that was ultimately to cause the split between Neil and Bert Berns, thus as soon as Neil was at UNI / MCA Records the song was re-recorded and issued on his first 1968 UNI album “Velvet Gloves & Spit”.

BIG HITS AND DIAMONDS                                                                           EMI SESL-10070
Green Stateside label
Compilation album including 3 of Neil Diamond’s hits.

TOP STAR FESTIVAL                                                                                       6830-100 (Local)
1975 Australian equivalent to USA release of “20 Dynamic Hits Vol II”
K-Tel TU-223, except that it was minus 2 tracks. It featured Neil’s “Until It’s Time
For You To Go”.
All artists featured on the record including Neil, supported the aid of World Refugees.

NEIL DIAMOND SONGBOOK                                                                       VSOP-CD-172
This CD is a great collection of covers that were all originally written by Neil and performed by other artists eg. 3 titles performed by The Monkees, Sunflower which was a hit for Glen Campbell, Kentucky Woman / Deep Purple, Sunday & Me / Jay & The Americans, The Boat That I Row made famous by LULU and so on. This one is certainly interesting and thus should be found and added to any serious collection. It was released on a rather strange label, “Connoisseur Collection”, manufactured overseas in Europe but was sold here in Australia and thus I’ve included it in this listing.

FRANK SINATRA, DUETS II                                                                           CD EMI CDP7243 8 28103-2-2
The Last Track is “THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (that’s America to me)”. This was a song that was never done as a true duet, rather both voice tracks were recorded individually and then mixed together using the magic of electronics in the studio to produce a rather good result. This has become one of those forgotten tracks that’s rarely mentioned nowadays.

NICE PRICE DOUBLE ALBUM SETS
Apart from the Double Christmas Album Set that has been mentioned previously, there were about 2 other “NICE PRICE” doubles released as part of a marketing series that I can recall, but I don’t have. They included the albums “CLASSICS THE EARLY YEARS”, “BEAUTIFUL NOISE”, “JONATHON LIVINGSTON SEAGULL” and “YOU DON”T BRING ME FLOWERS” I think ?? As soon as this information becomes clearer I shall amend the list, alternatively if you have them please don’t hold back, let me know on the E-mail address at the bottom of this list.

*There are probably Thousands of obscure records out there that would have the odd Neil Diamond track on them, especially many compilation LP’s that have been released over the years that have passed us by. Many records put out by companies such as “Majestic Records” featured early Diamond songs eg. “I am I said” etc.



SPECIAL NOTES

*All MCA releases up to and including Hot August Night were first released on the “Original” Blue, Multi-coloured Hexagonal centered MCA label. Subsequent re-issues were released on the Black / Rainbow Label which probably makes up the majority of album sales over the latter years. All the LP’s were released over and over again and thus it is very hard to identify the exact years of issue. Production techniques are a general giveaway for the experienced collector.

*Most CBS releases had white labelled promotional discs produced for Radio Station usage apart from a few that had a Gold style “Promotional Use Only” Stamping on the rear cover but with the normal label issued eg. “Serenade”, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” and a couple of others. Since the introduction of CD’s, most of these promos have been long discarded and found their way into charity auctions, second hand record shops and markets which inturn have been bought and found their way into the hands of collectors worldwide, thus they are incredibly hard to find yet alone obtain at an affordable price. Ebay has become a good source for collectable releases, both albums and singles with some fetching incredible prices due to interests from overseas bidders who seem to love Australian releases with a passion. Eg. See how much a copy of the original Australian release of “The Feel of Neil Diamond” in “mint condition would fetch, the mind boggles. By the way I don’t even have a mint copy myself and have yet to see one.
Early in the sixties and seventies, the charts were compiled of singles and occasionally the top 20 albums so we could find no record of some of Neil’s released albums.

I have mentioned the chart if it was the top 40 or the top 20, (and occasionally the top 100) but during the early years the records are quite inaccurate for sale of albums.
The listing is compiled of known releases, compilations and imports which actually
went on sale in shops across Australia. If you have any others that we may have missed, please let me know so that I can first verify, then add it / them to the list. A lot of the new CD’s were imported specially at the buyer’s request and thus won’t be added to the list. A lot of my CD collection is actually imported as I purchased varies releases from America prior to their release in Australia. I have given the catalogue numbers of locally manufactured / available CD’s first and if only Imported ones were available I have listed those Numbers in-place and specially noted it. eg. “On The Way To The Sky” CD CK-37628 (Import only). I know there are / may be discrepancies within the list, for instance, I know that the Serenade CD was released in a very limited amount in NSW, ( approx. 200 copies), then deleted. From there on only US versions were being directly imported by individual music stores. Later on the original Australian Catalogue Number has been re-utilised on American made discs that were exported to Australia, discarding the usual US “CK” prefixed number. No one from Sony Music Entertainment can verify this and nor are they likely to want to attempt to, but instances like this are only picked up by eagle eyes and ears like myself and other people with the same passion thus can’t be taken as gospel.
This Discography was originally conceived and instigated by my good friend Pam, she and I spent quite some time producing and presenting a Radio Show called “The Real Feel Of Neil” that aired here in Australia for nearly 2 years and I suppose this labour of love turned to the discography project. We spent quite a while researching old Newspapers etc. at our capital city library to gain chart information. My own vast Neil Diamond Record collection (known to be Australia’s Largest) has supplied most of the actual collated information, eg. Numbers, Issues, Re-issues, Order of Issue, Dates and Labels etc. etc. etc.

I would welcome any information that will help upgrade and improve this discography.
Meanwhile, enjoy it and I hope it provides an accurate record for you to work from.

Cheers from Australia,
Manfred.
Contact me at: meguiars@dodo.com.au

© Copyright 2006.