He isn't dead but Neil Diamond sure has a ton of reissues. There are so many compilations and best ofs that you have a new one for each day of the week. This isn't an over exploit situation as much as a 'holy cow this guy has done a million songs!' type of thing.
I was talking to a coworker who said he felt that Diamonds voice seemed 'drunk and sleazy'. That was an interesting observation. I can most definitely see that sort of late night lounge sound but there is a unique power to his voice as well. I have made no secret that I'm a fan but there are songs that simply crack me up with their shmarminess. Not as bad as "Having My Baby", Paul Anka's oddity, but there are a few that make me want to wash my hands.
The latest offering is, 'The Original Studio Records' The disc will contain 23 songs chosen from his Universal Days. i wont list them here as I'm sure if you sat and thought awhile you'd name them all. This isn't a big anniversary box set thing- its a simple 'best of' with a significant number of songs.
Its hard to imagine the evolution of Diamond from early Tin Pan Alley songwriter (Donald Fagin called him this shy young Jewish kid), to LA 60's hipster to the person we see now. time was kind but time has made some big changes. That dude has had more women's underwear thrown at him than anybody this side of Tom Jones or that side of Paul McCartney. Shmarmy indeed!
The Very Best of Neil Diamond – The Original Studio Recordings includes "Recollections," a revelatory set of liner notes penned by Neil especially for this collection, providing anecdotal detail and behind-the-scenes point-of-view insight into each of the songs.