Neil Diamond

[TipperaryAnn]

Having watched Neil Diamond live on the "Late Late Show" on RTE last Friday night I find myself hoping that LC will know when to "call it a day", and will NOT tour again unless he can do himself justice.

This was SAD; the audience remembered his songs better and could sing them much better than he could. His guitar playing was pathetic, and at times he just gave up and let the audience fill the gaps.

Performing live is always risky, but as a professional he could surely have rehearsed a few of his best known songs?
The clips being used to promote his forthcoming Dublin concert are from an earlier era, which is misleading. ( The same is true of the ads. promoting Bob Dylan's July concert in Cork.)

Listening to Neil Diamond last week it is hard to see how he could sustain a credible concert now.

[musicmania]

I also saw him on The Late Late Show and unfortuately for him I have to agree with you. He looked and sounded awful. I'm still trying to figure out were the bloodshot eyes tiredness or over indulgence
In relation to him live I saw him in 2005 and it was the worst concert I was ever at. The sound was terrible. It was like being in a busy pub with background music! He choose to perform the most obscure songs on the night which even the die hard fans didn't know and his attitude was awful with comments like he had come a long way to perform for us. Our attitude was we paid a lot to see him perform for us! I can't remember the concert duration but remember thinking at the time it was very short. I was so disappointed as I love his songs and in complete contrast I watched him at Glastonbury on tv a couple of weeks later and he was brilliant! I had wondered why he didn't give us a show like that I just hope that those who are going to see him in Dublin at the end of the month get him on a good day.

[TipperaryAnn]

in complete contrast I watched him at Glastonbury on tv a couple of weeks later and he was brilliant! I just hope that those who are going to see him in Dublin at the end of the month get him on a good day.

Glad to hear he's not always so awful, musicmania - that "Late Late" appearance will hardly help to sell any tickets. He seemed totally out of it, and he is "only" 70 !

[Steven]

Hi,

I saw Neil Diamond in concert about 15-20 years ago. I didn't have high expectations, therefore wasn't
disappointed (though still annoyed). His superior material, in my opinion, has mostly been from his
younger days, before he took on the mantle of a superstar. Lots of people, women of a certain
mindset, in particular, don't seem to mind sentimental-romantic, fantasy feeding
drivel that some superstars, Diamond, Manilow, and others, include in their repertoire.
The woman who invited me loved it, as did many others. Hadn't seen the TV appearance.
Anyone can have an off night on TV, on the stage, anywhere.

[Steven]

Hi,

Got a gift of Neil Diamond's CD "Dreams." It was given to me by a very ardent fan of Diamond. She didn't like it.
I do. Overall, very good interpretations, i.m.o., by Neil Diamond of classics. He covers the songs with an
authenticity and high level singer-songwriter's sensitivity that I didn't know he still posessed. Here are the songs:
"Ain't No Sunshine," Blackbird," "Alone Again (Naturally)," "Feels Like Home," "Midnight Train To Georgia,"
"I'm A Believer," "Love Song," "Losing You," "Hallelujah," "A Song For You," "Yesterday," "Let It Be Me,"
"Desperado," "Don't Forget Me." Did I mention "Hallelujah"?

[jkabka]

I've been reading the posts about Neil Diamond and all i can say is they are CRAP.
I've been to see Neil in Concert everytime he's been to Ireland and every show
has been FANTASTIC. What a show he puts on ,over 2hrs non stop singing.

[Steven]

Hi,

Neil Diamond is among this year's Kennedy Center honorees. The gala will be a broadcast tonight, Dec. 27, 2011,
on U.S. television, CBS, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/ ... ts/honors/

[sturgess66]

Hi,

Neil Diamond is among this year's Kennedy Center honorees. The gala will be a broadcast tonight, Dec. 27, 2011,
on U.S. television, CBS, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET.
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/ ... ts/honors/

I watched.
I always watch this show - look forward to it every year and am never disappointed.
Wonderful to see artists being honoured by live performances of other colleagues/other artists, etc.
And I think what greatly adds to the live performances is the fact that the ones honoring are actually performing for someone that invariably they love and respect - heartfelt performances.
And the artist who is being honoured gets to sit in a box - and enjoy.

Wonderful tribute to Neil Diamond - starting with John Lithgow narrating about his career and throughout the video clips.
Continuing with tribute performances by Raphael Saadiq, Jennifer Nettles, Lionel Ritchie -
and ending with Smokey Robinson singing "Sweet Caroline" - bringing everyone in all sections/tiers of the Kennedy Center - to their feet.

[sturgess66]

Still waiting and hoping that someone will upload to YouTube all of the tribute performances for Neil Diamond -
So far just one - but lovely - Jennifer Nettles singing "Hello Again"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1iRkoPXupY

[sturgess66]

Here it is - uploaded in one video, that includes -
the honor portion narrated by John Lithgow,
and all the performances - honoring Neil Diamond.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WreqBkWHC4A