NEIL DIAMOND

[7thson]

My wife and I went to the Neil Diamond concert the other night at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. There were about 18,000 people there and he puts on a great show. Did over two hours of songs with no intermission. Not bad for a guy in his 60's.

He brings in a fantastic cross section of people. People from their teens to their 60's; white, black, Chinese, Indian, etc.

My wife and I saw him for the first time in 2001. It was about a week after 9/11 and we did not know if they would still have the show. I think everyone was still kind of jittery but he opened with Coming To America and brought the house down. Back then, everyone in the audience rocked to that song? And four years later?

Though he did not open with Coming To America, when he sang it, he brought the house down. 18,000 people cheering and singing! It gives lie to the MSM saying there is no support for this country!

During the song on the jumbo screens, a film ran showing scenes of immigrants - the legal ones - arriving to our shores. The end of the film was the Statue of Liberty with a panaramic background of NYC. The last scene showed the Twin Towers. Brought a lump to my throat.

All in all, a good night and a great concert. Makes you wonder why the media ignores guys like Diamond, he openly praises the United States, and concentrates on arseholes like Jagger and his ilk.

One more thing. While waiting to take the esculators, my wife and I spoke with an Army guy and his family. He was ramrod fit and straight. I asked if he was Army - suspected he was - and he said yes. Came back from Iraq back in February. Was not bitter or angry or anything like that. Very upbeat. Kept calling me sir until I finally said he did not have to do that. He was there with his wife and two kids. Asked later why I thought he was Army and not Marine, I told my wife its because he didn't have a slopping forehead. Just kidding. I respect all you Marines out there. I then seriously said that while his hair was cut short, it was not Marine style. Also, I said all the service branches carry themselves differently and he did not carry himself as a Marine.

[the invisib1e hand]

the song "coming to America" moved me even when I was a clueless liberal college student. The thought of it makes me misty now. However, I thought Mr. Diamond had gone on record as just another liberal arteest. Am I wrong?

[7thson]

I do not know his political leanings or beliefs. I have not heard him come out against this President or the WOT. However, his statement just before he sang this song was that this country has been, is, and always will be a shining beacon of light for those who want a better way, and the world is much better off with America. When it came out in 1979-80, it also moved me. I was not a liberal but I was not a strong conservative as I am today. I thought it was a great patriotic song - on par with Over There.

[GraniteStateConservative]

I like Sweet Caroline better.

Well, and "Dirty Water" and "Tessie," too.

[the invisib1e hand]

However, his statement just before he sang this song was that this country has been, is, and always will be a shining beacon of light for those who want a better way, and the world is much better off with America.

that's reassuring and inspiring. I prefer it when artists get it.

I agree wholeheartedly, as well.

[FryingPan101]

Our family has enjoyed him twice. Once before a sell out crowd in Kansas City when our children were young teens twenty years ago and again before a sell out crowd in New Mexico a couple years ago. He puts on a great and moving show. Our 9 year old granddaughter sang every word of Comin' to America.....as did 10,000 others. Sweet Caroline had everyone standing and swaying.....bomp...bomp...bom. He's a classic and his politics are the same as most entertainers. He just doesn't preach during performances.

[OldFriend]

Neil Diamond is my all time fave.......and I know I'm dating myself, but so be it!

[MarMema]

Thanks for sharing this great story.

[Jeff Blogworthy]

I love Nead Diamond. Forever in Bluejeans.

[FryingPan101]

"our children were young teens twenty years ago"

Ooops. A reminder to myself....That was thirty years ago, dearie. :) :(

[feedback doctor]

I heard that when he went on tour to England he sang the line "Stand up for America" at the end f the song where "coming to America" is repeated over and over. I read that he donated hundreds of tickets to the USO to give to active military personnel.

[xp38]

He performed that duet last year I think at a dim fundraiser. I think it is safe to say he is solidly in the dim column.

[HitmanLV]

I've seen Neil Diamond several times in concert: he puts on a great, crowdpleasing show. I had the pleasure of seeing him in NYC on October 12, 2001, while the whole city was still stunned from the attacks. Rod Stewart cancelled his October shows because of security reasons (not that I would go), but Mr. D showed up to his old hometown.

I hear the new set list skews a bit to his older stuff, including 'Look Out, Here Comes Tomorrow' which he wrote for The Monkees. I was surprised he is doing that one.

I'm looking forward to the show I will see on October 1, 2005 at the Staples Center, and I also figure he will swing around to my hometown of Las Vegas (even though I hear he hates LV) in December, which he usually does when on tour.

Glad you enjoyed the show!

[fish hawk]

The only glitch in Neils career is when he sang "you don't bring me flowers anymore" with Babs.

[Xenalyte]

Did he do the astoundingly insipid "I Am, I Said"?

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair

I mean, really.

[hobbes1]

All in all, a good night and a great concert. Makes you wonder why the media ignores guys like Diamond,

Two Words.

Cracklin Rosie

Cracklin rosie, you’re a store-bought woman
You make me sing like a guitar hummin’
So hang on to me, girl
Our song keeps runnin’ on

Play it now
Play it now
Play it now, my baby
Cracklin’ rosie, make me a smile
Girl if it lasts for an hour, that’s all right
We got all night
To set the world right
Find us a dream that don’t ask no question, yeah

[lugsoul]

Oh, he does insipid as well as anyone. ;-)

I once thought Diamond was only worthy of humorous derision. Then, many years after I initially saw The Last Waltz, I saw it again and was amazed by how good he sounded being backed by The Band.

That is one of the things that made me realize what a great band they were.

[slowhand520]

Here are some of Neil Diamond's greatest hits:


DIAMOND, NEIL
LOS ANGELES, CA 90067
ENTERTAINER

BOXER, BARBARA (D)
Senate - CA
FRIENDS OF BARBARA BOXER



DIAMOND, NEIL
LOS ANGELES, CA 90048
NEIL DIAMOND

FEINSTEIN, DIANNE (D)
Senate - CA
FEINSTEIN FOR SENATE $2,000
primary 07/31/03
Diamond, Neil
Los Angeles, CA 90067
KERRY, JOHN F (D)
President
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC $2,000
primary 06/12/03


The list is pretty sad actually. Liberal he is but he makes some darn good tunes.