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Any Neil Diamond fans ? What do you think of his concerts ?

10 replies

WildRosie · 18/08/2020 21:50

Obviously he has now stopped touring but he has left a legacy of marathon tours and sell-out stadium and arena appearances since the early 1970s. I went to concerts in Birmingham in 1989 and Sheffield in 1992. The Birmingham show was the better of the two on account of superior acoustics (ears ringing for hours afterwards) compared to Sheffield when I couldn't tell a word he was singing for the first two songs. I think in more recent years he was let down by predictable stage patter and the same song arrangements. He had some fine and loyal musicians in his road group but, watching the show on television or at Glastonbury, for example, I had the feeling everybody was just going through the motions. It it ain't broke, don't fix it - I wouldn't say ND's live performances were broken but could definitely have used a shot in the arm or a boot up the arse before they became too stale. New arrangements, some songs that hadn't been performed for many years, perhaps an all-new band to refresh the show. Who knows ?

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daisychain01 · 18/08/2020 22:01

He has been an amazing entertainer in his heyday and The Jazz Singer is one of my all time favourite movies. Love all his songs, but have never been to any of his live shows. Probably too late now, but maybe worth a browse on YouTube....

What's your favourite ND number?

Mine are Summer Nights, Sweet Caroline and You Dont Bring Me Flowers, with Barbra Streisand.

His parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland, and his nickname is the Jewish Elvis. Love him!!

WildRosie · 18/08/2020 22:11

I don't have one favourite but Stones, Walk On Water, Play Me and If You Know What I Mean are all great songs. Lyrically, he had his weak moments but he had a real gift for melody.

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daisychain01 · 18/08/2020 22:15

I would have thought your username would be CracklinRosie Grin

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WildRosie · 18/08/2020 22:31

I ain't cracklin' !

I suspect one issue regarding live performance was, as I've suggested, the musicians. With one or two exceptions, they all worked exclusively for ND so could well have become yes-men over the years. Perhaps what was needed was a bold Musical Director with the balls to say, 'Neil, I'm seeing and hearing the same old shit your fans have been seeing for the last two decades. It's dull and tiresome and it's time to make some changes. I'll start with the band...' FWIW, I'd always have Ronnie Tutt and Richard Bennett - at least for these two there was life beyond the Jewish Elvis.

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CodenameLevonelle · 18/08/2020 22:41

Took my mum to see him just before he stopped touring. One of the best gigs I've ever been to

daisychain01 · 19/08/2020 06:55

If the fans enjoyed the concerts, and if they were all sell-outs, I'd say it isn't so much the same old shit, but doing what he did well and pleasing the majority of his audience, with some great standards.

One could argue many of the great performers of his era kept to what they did best to suit their voice and their performing style - Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra to name but a few.

WildRosie · 19/08/2020 07:51

Fair enough daisy. He did what worked for his fans and himself, not the critics and reviewers. Sometimes, the predictable moments would make me cringe. Their are probably other stars who also have their own stage idiosyncrasies.

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justanotherneighinparadise · 19/08/2020 07:53

Love Neil Diamond. His songs are just such sing along gems.

daisychain01 · 19/08/2020 18:39

@justanotherneighinparadise

Love Neil Diamond. His songs are just such sing along gems.
Yes, I'm a sucker for a singalong 🎶 🎵

Which reminded me of another lovely one - Song Sung Blue, showed off his deep rich vocals beautifully.

I'm pleased he didn't give a monkeys about the critics, @WildRosie Grin

WildRosie · 20/08/2020 17:16

I never minded the spangly sequinned blouses he used to strut about in. Anybody who can buy those for thousands of dollars a time and take the stage deserves admiration.

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