It is said that there is no middle ground with Mr. Diamond, who is dubbed the "Jewish Elvis"-that he either inspires love or contempt. On a personal level, some of his songs speak to me - "Solitary Man," "Love on the Rocks" and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", a song that truthfully speaks of a relationship gone downhill. Mr. Diamond was the highest grossing solo act of the '90's, and still packs them in. He is scheduled to tour in the fall, and I just may try to get tickets.
He'll be here in Dallas on November 25th at the new American Airline Center.
As far as there being no middle ground... I hate it when people say that. And it usually turns out that I am, if not in the middle, then largely indifferent to whatever it is that's supposed to inspire so much passion in people.
Neil Diamond is a perfect case in point. I like maybe six of his songs: "Sweet Caroline", "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show", "I Am, I Said", "Song Sung Blue", "Forever In Blue Jeans" and "Desiree". And that's it. The other songs I've really don't move me one way or another. Except, sorry to say it Adam, "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". I really dislike that song. Other than that...
Hmmm...
I don't know anybody who saw The Last Waltz and didn't gasp with horror when Neil Diamond walked out. He just seemed so out of place. (come on dude, ditch the shades and leisure suit for at least one gig...)
The other universal thing is that they're always totally impressed when his song "Dry Your Eyes" is over. It's a great song, and Robbie Robertson produced Beautiful Noise, the album it came from.
Put me in the "middle ground" category as well on the strengths of that experience alone.
OK, there is some middle ground, regardless of what VH1 said. I thought "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" was corny at first, but it seems to be relevant to my current situation, regarding how ennui and disenchantment can set into a relationship. Incidentally, Urge Overkill did a cool cover of "Girl, You'll be a Woman Soon" for the pic "Pulp Fiction."
Neil wrote three songs for The Monkees: the immortal "I'm A Believer", "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You" and "Look Out (Here Comes Tomorrow)". "I'm A Believer" and "Look Out" are the best of the three. "ALBM, ALBY" sounds too much like "Cherry, Cherry". I'm curious... Okay. Y'all already knew that. What I mean is, I'm wondering, has Neil recorded any of those songs himself? I'd like to hear his version of them.
Neil sang "I'm A Believer" on his recent "Live by Request" on A&E. As far as his recording it, I don't know.
Mmm. How'd it sound? I really would like to hear his version of the song.
You can find recordings of all three of those songs on Diamond's 2-CD Greatest Hits album, along with "Red, Red Wine" (which includes this little rap part by Diamond that's absolutely hilarious!). Warning, though, many of the songs were recorded at his concerts, so you can hear thousands of Neil Diamond fans singing along with each song.
I saw Neil Diamond live once. My aunt's friend got sick so she took me cuase she didn't want to go aloe. And I enjoyed it! Up until that moment, I had only the vaugest idea of who Neil Diamond was. Now I'm a fan. The concert was amazing.
Funny you should mention his 2-CD set, cstadulis, cuz I was just at Circuit City today and saw it. I didn't buy it cuz I've got his foldable box set (or is that an oxymoron of sorts?), but what gets me about them both is that neither's got his beautiful song, "Stones". I have an analog greatest hits single CD and it's on there, so I'm not totally missing out. Anyway, I really got into him by osmosis (and no, I ain't talking Jones) cuz my sister's always been a big, ever since she was a little girl. I once got her that 2-CD set, too, now that I think of it. However, IMO, I think his best stuff was only up till Jonathan Livingston Seagull, except for the song America, from his Jazz Singer movie remake.
I'm a partial Neil Diamond fan. I know a lot of his songs through my parents playing his tapes on family car trips around the U.S. (I also can sing every song on the Eagles Greatest Hits Vol.1 and 2 and Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours.") Anyway, I particularly like "America" and "Sweet Caroline." Whenever I hear "America," it reminds me of the time we were driving into New York City and it was playing as I looked at the city and the Statue of Liberty in the background. Very cool.
Hey cstadulis! Thanks for the tip about the Diamond double disc set. I assume it'll have the six songs I like by Neil, so I'll probably go ahead and pick up a copy.
No problem. It's a pretty good CD set.
He's recently released a 12-song CD that's appropriately titled 12 Songs.
My ex and her squeeze will be going to Neil Diamond's Garden show this August. Diamond is now 67 years old, and she said this tour may be his last. He has a new album out, titled Home Before Dark, and his voice sounds more than a bit tired; check it out on the link below. Maybe it is time for him to pack it in...If you're interested, try this.
My ex and her squeeze will be going to Neil Diamond's Garden show this August.
Well, they did. She tells me that Diamond was in top form, and his voice does not sound tired at all. They added an extra show (four in all) to accomodate the demand. All in all, something she'll remember for the rest of her life. Makes me sorry I didn't try to get tickets.
Here's a recent article from Parade magazine about Neil Diamond. He recently got married for the third time (they say the third time's the charm-ask him if it is) and he's going out on tour at the age of 71.