Customer Reviews
A must have for Neil Diamond fans - By: T. De Lange, 08 Jul 2008 
Love at the Greek is the culmination of energy & vocal maturity at the peak of his career. The Jonathan Livingston seagul medley isin my view the highlight of the album & certainly a valuable add-on to the original album. In this masterpiece he touches the audience with his heart, singing with sheer emotions, true to the sticky note that said "Remember Hal, I don't only want to be his voice, but his heart." Of course, the other songs, such as Glory Road are valuable to any ND collection too.
Where have the years gone? - By: Joseph Haschka, 05 Jan 2003 Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a live Neil Diamond gig. I was one of those aging Baby Boomers swaying creakily to that "good gospel beat". As usual, Neil puts on a crowd-pleasing program, but the years are beginning to take their toll. Diamond's voice occasionally can't keep up with the vocal energy output, the raw edges show, & his voice cracks. I sadly realized that our idol isn't what he once was, & longed to listen to a performance from the "old days". So, I purchased LOVE AT THE GREEK, originally recorded a quarter of a century ago. I listened, the years fell away, & it seemed like only yesterday.
This CD is a remembrance of Diamondin his prime when his presentation was as enlivening as strong, hot, harsh coffee with a pinch of sugar & a dollop of cream. (I'd like to say as smooth as Kentucky sippin' whiskey, but that analogy has never described his vocal style.) Of course, the timeless favorites - the ones he sings even at today's concerts - are here: "Kentucky Woman", "Sweet Caroline", "Holly Holy", & "Song Sung Blue". And there's my own personal first choice, the one that introduced me to his music & made me a lifelong fan: "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show". On LOVE AT THE GREEK, you'll also be able to hear songs he doesn't do live anymore (or at least I haven't heard themin recent years): "Glory Road", "I've Been This Way Before", & several from his Jonathan Livingston Seagull suite.
In terms of pure, raw energy, Neil's early 70s live concert recording of HOT AUGUST NIGHT certainly has more. However, by the time he appeared on this L.A. evening several years later, Neil had matured to the polished performer that resultedin perhaps his finest live performance soundtrack ever. We shall likely never again hear Neil croon so sweetly.
All the best aspects of Neil Diamond - By: chris-phillips@lineone.net, 29 Nov 1999 I have the original vinyl plus this CD & although the years have rolled by the music is timeless. this is still one of his very best albums
