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On a Weekend Concert with Neil Diamond

Neil Diamond

The Producer’s Guidelines

  1. Only songs by Neil Diamond
  2. No duplicate songs
  3. Include the song title in your introduction text so others can see it
  4. To prevent browsers crashing from loading too many videos, please paste the URL as part of your last line (not a new line) – (I do not mind unembedding, so no apologies are necessary)

If it was good enough to open Hot August Night, it’s good enough for here – Crunchy Granola Suite

 

Next Concert: Eagles

Past Concerts (Category): Beatles, Ex-Beatles, Moody Blues, Queen

246 thoughts on “On a Weekend Concert with Neil Diamond”

  6. I hope this snippet of personal Neil Diamond insight isn’t too much of a wet blanket. Apologies in advance for what I’m about to say.
    Neil Diamond tunes are etched in memory, I know every word to every song, and then I met the man. It was 1998, work found me managing Food & Beverage for private suites and backstage at the arena in Vancouver. Neil struts in with his entourage, more like a security detail forming a triangular wedge around him, Diamond’s arrogance was palpable. I introduce myself as venue contact, nary a glimpse of acknowledgement preceded his one and only demand. Without batting an eye Neil blustered, “under no circumstances will your staff make eye contact with me, anyone who does must be fired on the spot”. Holy crap! Are you kidding me! Yikes!!!

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      • Thanks for the link, no argument from me over his talent, the man is an icon, his music uplifting, familiar and enduring. I apologize for sharing a personal experience. For the record Neil Diamond’s conduct barely registers on my list of work related interaction with touring music artists. Fame is a tough road to haul, if I held backstage peculiarities against artists I wouldn’t still listen to Elton John, the Rolling Stones or Neil Diamond.

        Liked by 1 person

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        • Thanks for your thoughtful response. I understand your point. Unfortunately, too many “stars” in all fields let ego through fame get into the way. Kind of related story from my end. Ben Davidson was a big football star in the late 60s-early 70s. Long after he retired, he was on the same cruise ship as us. I respected his privacy, so I didn’t say anything to him. At a social, I said something – and at the end of our conversation he said something that floored me. (and I paraphrase) … I didn’t always appreciate fans, so thanks for remembering me.

          Liked by 2 people

        • Ben Davidson’s appreciation is a rarity, few celebrities share his perspective. My work interaction with celebrity revolved around music stars. Before they set foot in the building I knew what to expect based on their rider. A rider spells out precise requirements re food & beverage, distribution of dressing rooms and special requests. I won’t name names, but can tell you I had to apply red polish on nails of raw chicken feet and place them in a bowl to make a centerpiece, assign a private room for BJ (the tour blow job woman) no farther than 30 feet from the main dressing room, display Evian water in the shape of a skull and install new toilet seats verified as untouched with proof of purchase and installation work order. Rider after rider amounted to frivolous bullying, they did it because they could. That said, it never stopped me from enjoying music I liked. Human nature is what it is, fame is a surreal burden to carry and I never held it against them. I can say it was refreshing when stars asked for nothing more than a simple dressing room and dinner with their crew – Carlos Santana, Harry Connick Jr., and Joe Cocker belong to that club. 🙂

          Liked by 2 people

        • It shouldn’t surprise you then that the worst ones are those whose fame flame was flickering. In my mind their absurd demands were a last gasp, a understandable, yet so unnecessary display of relevance. It’s so sad to witness music icons facing middle age, artists like Elton John, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, exhibit petulant behaviour.

          Liked by 2 people

        • I can see that … and also the reaction to at-the-top of fame. One request at this end. I appreciate your examples/stories – … and understand you initial comment much more now – but for my future concerts, no more wet blankets. I simply want to focus on the music and people enjoying the music.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Cincy,

    I was going to go with “Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon”, which was written by Diamond. But I wasn’t sure if it met the specs since it was covered by Urge Overkill in “Pulp Fiction”.

    And I just couldn’t bring myself to offer up “Sweet Caroline”, seeing as how the Red Sawx stole that one! Sooooo . . I went with another one of my faves (With Diamond, there are SO many faves) . . Hello Again . . .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31z5ExgoGws

    Liked by 6 people

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  15. Trent,
    It’s OK that Neil is not one of your favs. After all, everyone doesn’t enjoy every musical artist. Hopefully next week’s choice peaks your interest. Good addition to the collection of ballads!

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  17. My goodness…to go from a week’s worth of Queen to Neil Diamond has been, ahem…quite an adjustment. Although beloved by many, Diamond was not my favorite balladeer, but in keeping with the rules and not wishing to face wrath of The Producer, I will play along and contribute this 1968 original hit, “Red, Red Wine,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeJ55sUacPM for your listening pleasure. Happy weekend. 🎶Cheers! 🍷

    Liked by 6 people

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