Though the title of this tribute is taken from one of Diamond's own songs (a song the Monkees recorded way back in the mid '60's) it is more than a bit misleading. All true fans of pop music know there can never be just "a little bit" of Neil Diamond. As kitschy as he is today (hilariously played up to the hilt in the film Saving Silverman where a main hook of the movie rests on the three principals being members of a Diamond tribute band), at one point in the 70’s he was a major star who hit the charts quite often, both as artist and songwriter. Starting out at the famed Brill Building in NYC (famed for the many extraordinary songwriters who had offices there) Diamond first made his mark writing songs for big-name artists like the Monkees, one of the first acts to have hits with his songs. Diamond soon progressed to having hits of his own and charted many times until the new wave explosion and MTV knocked him off the charts for good in the early 80’s.

More soft-pop than rock and roll by that time, the youth must have gasped when seeing a middle-aged, mutton-chopped man singing songs like “Forever in Bluejeans” and “Heartlight.” His obsolescence was near instantaneous. While not hitting the charts himself anymore, acts like UB40 and, more recently, Smashmouth have scored big hits by covering his songs, giving his work a legitimacy he never had as an AM radio star. Now, he is actually better known as an excellent songwriter than as an artist. Most punk and garage rock bands know “(I'm Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” by heart and all of his Monkee hits (“I'm A Believer,” “A Little bit Me, A Little Bit You” among others) are now regarded as classic pop songs.

It is fitting then, that a bunch of indie acts would pay tribute to Diamond's songwriting genius by recording an album full of his songs. While most will not recognize the acts on this CD, all are reasonably well known within their genre. Jeremy Morris, for example, is the owner of power pop label Jam Records and turns in a great version of this CD's title tune “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.” He plays everything himself, as is his wont, and manages to do great justice to Diamond's composition. Rockabilly artist Michael Ubaldini does a great turn on “I'm A Believer,” giving the song a country-rock stomp Michael Nesmith would be proud of. Other artists on this tribute do electronica, punk, folk - all sorts of different styles, which illustrates how adaptable Diamonds songs are to any format. While not the best tribute CD I have ever heard, if you like Neil Diamond’s music you are going to just love this CD. Great stuff.
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If you collect Neil Diamond covers here's an opportunity to get 16 in one place and many are of songs never or rarely covered. These bands and singers put their own style on Neil's songs making the album all the more interesting.
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This CD rocks. I love the versions of You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Porcupine Pie and Modern Day Version of Love.
Not to say that the other covers are bad, but those rock baby. True Diamond Heads will love this record. Thanks to all the Indie Artists who were involved in this recording.
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Initially bought the CD because it was a new cover of Neil Diamond songs.  But, when I played it and listened, I was greatly surprised and pleased with what I heard.  Each one of the songs is very well done by each artist.  Totally enjoyed hearing their version of the song they picked.  Whether they decided to pep it up a bit more or not, each artist did it their way.  This is definitely a keeper and I will play this one more often.  I recommend getting it just to hear new blood singing Neil's songs quite well.
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