Diamond

Neil Diamond - Stages: Performances 1970-2002 (2003) {5CD+DVD9 NTSC Box Columbia C5K 90540}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.32 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 758 Mb
DVD9 -> 6.74 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 16:9/4:3 | LPCM, 2 ch | ~ 101 min | ISO Image
Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 56 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1970-2002, 2003 Columbia / Neil Diamond / Sony Music | C5K 90540
Rock / Soft Rock / Adult Contemporary / Singer-Songwriter / Contemporary Pop

Stages: Performances 1970-2002 is one of the most cynical box set projects ever issued. While producers Neil Diamond and Sam Cole don't exactly offer untruth in their presentation of this five-CD live retrospective, they might as well have. For starters, this entire project seems like an excuse to issue a new double-CD live album from Vegas in December of 2002, and a live Christmas album (like anyone ever needed that to happen). The other two discs in this set are a compilation of live tracks, from "Lordy" in 1970 (easily the best thing here) to a cloying "I Believe in Happy Endings," from New Year's Eve 2001. The majority of the cuts from these discs come from Diamond's '80s and '90s shows and do not showcase him at his best.

Melody Road is Neil Diamond's debut album as an artist signed to Capitol Records. His 32nd studio album, it is the first album of original music Diamond has recorded since 2008's well-received Home Before Dark, which debuted on the US album charts at #1. It was produced by Don Was and Jacknife Lee. After 40 years recording for Columbia, Diamond signed with Capitol in early 2014. At the same time, his back catalogue was moved to Universal Music Group, Capitol's parent company. Capitol released Diamond's 1980 soundtrack album for The Jazz Singer.

With the new romantic movement they'd helped spearhead on the way out, futurist icons Spandau Ballet began thinking seriously about the future on their second album. The seeds of the group's transition to a slick, MOR soul outfit can be heard in hits like "Chant No. 1," the best song Spandau Ballet had come up with…