I’ve heard Neil Diamond’s music before and loved it. But I never thought it’d be time to call him Reverend Neil! Let me explain.
What do you do when you’re 67 years old, on a world-wide tour, after having lost your voice on one stop and having been on the road for most of the year? Well, if you’re Neil Diamond, you schedule some more dates! The venerable veteran has boldly added swings through the South, the Midwest, the Northeast and the West Coast and he’s extended the “Home Before Dark” tour into next year.
I had never been to a Neil Diamond concert until his recent stop at the Hollywood Bowl, and now I think I understand what all the hub-bub’s about. He’s still got it. I expected to find an older guy, semi-faking his way through much of the material to fill the show. Instead, I was struck by the near-studio-level precision, his ease in wading through the crowd like a night club singer, the pace of the intermission-less show featuring 27 songs and the passion with which he still brings it.
I had heard “Hot August Night”–his historic Greek Theatre shows from 1971–for much of the past 37 years, and he sounded just as good on stage at the Bowl. His band even reprised the first part of that concert which accomplished the rare feat of authentically taking the crowd (and me) back in time.
But the biggest surprise for me was the inspirational side of Neil, not just in terms of energy but in terms of spiritual references. Of course “Brother Love’s Travelin’ Salvation Show” has brought the tent feelings to many a concert, but in his later works he’s dived even deeper into spiritually themed music.
The first single from his current CD was “Pretty Amazing Grace,” a very loose takeoff from the classic hymn, a love song complete with references to being an “empty vessel,” the “doorway of your chapel” and, like the Psalmist, being “humbled and awed by everything I found,” even as “You stood beside a wretch like me.”
As he neared the close, even after “I Am…I Said,” he sang “Man of God,” declaring “I’m a man of faith. And faith is somethin’ you can’t see , but if we want to make it through, faith is how it’s gotta be,” and “I’m thanking you, Lord, for givin’ me song, For makin’ me strong and for takin’ my hand, I’ll go up to Heaven when I reach the end but up until then gonna do what I can.”
In his close, he also brought the measured assurance that he wasn’t too religiously over the top. “Hell yeah,” said the song. “I loved it all, and I say it loud, I’ve loved it all and I’m not too proud. I freed by soul, Just let if fly…Hell yeah!” And “And Love’s a gift that’s made for giving, give it all away and have it still, and hell yeah you will.”
I’m not sure evangelicals will ever confuse “Hell yeah” for an Amen, but for Neil’s brand of spirituality, it might as well have been the Hallelujah Chorus, and the crowd was certainly following the choir director.
posted October 17, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I saw the show in Calgary, AB, Canada, a couple of weeks ago and I was blown away. Totally impressed. Nice mix of old and new. Touching, when twenty thousand fans are on their feet singing along to ‘Sweet Caroline’ and when the song ends, the applause doesn’t stop, so Neil doesn’t miss a beat – he sings it again! Truly a seasoned performer, he hasn’t lost it.
posted October 17, 2008 at 10:51 pm
This is a great piece. I’ve been a dedicated Neil fan for…um, well, let’s just say since I was 13 and he was, well, a lot younger! I have noticed, in the last few years, an increased spiritual element to Neil’s songwriting, although, if you listen closely and don’t skip the obscure songs, it’s really always been there.
I saw both Bowl shows, and they were probably in the top 3 or 4 of his concerts I’ve seen over the years. For certain, he is 500% better right now than he was during all the 90′s – and he was still selling out shows and putting the upstarts to shame that entire decade.
While some of the songs are somber, the overtone of the show is definitley positive and feel-good – many songs became sing-alongs, even if they weren’t supposed to be.
Thanks for a great piece – very fair-handed, which is often hard to find wherever Neil is concerned.
posted October 18, 2008 at 10:50 am
I too have been a fan from the beginning, me at 15 yrs old. I saw Neil in San Jose, and I can say without hesitation that it was the #1 show I have seen to date. Possibly working with Rick Rubin has put him more at ease and it really shows in the show. I have always loved his live performances over his studio albums, he is always better live, but this concert is different. A MUST SEE, and I so glad this concert tour was your 1st, couldn’t have been a better time!! I am seeing him again in Salt Lake City!! HELL YEAH BABY!!
posted October 18, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I found Neil Diamond’s spirituality in the late ’70′s at a conccert in Hawaii; when he brought tears to my eyes in a recitation of ‘Jonathan Livingston Seagull’. He is the best and always will be. No one else could inspire me to crawl off my deathbed with the flu so as not to miss his one night concert in Oklahoma City (Norman, Ok) some years later. Hope I have another chance to see him before I am not ABLE to get off my deathbed!!!!
posted October 18, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I have had the opportunity to see Neil 5 times in concert over the years starting in 1987 and have NEVER been disappointed. He is the BEST! And the whole place singing “Sweet Caroline” is something that happens in all concerts…as it should be!!
posted October 19, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’m 55 years old, been a pastor for 30 years, have appreciated Neil Diamond since 1967. I’ve often found a spiritual theme tucked away in his albums, in songs that don’t always make it to the charts. So, thanks for a great post.
posted October 20, 2008 at 10:00 am
I have seen mr Diamond in concert a total of 3 times, He is one of the classiest entertainers i have ever had the pleasure of seeing. His voice is like an angels singing, Soft and Soothing, I have never left a concert of his feeling sad or lonely or depressed, Always happy to be alive, Thats how he makes me feel, The world was truly blessed the day he was born,, Hugs Lois
posted October 20, 2008 at 10:17 am
I, too had the great experience of seeing Neil Diamond’s concert this past summer. My first but I hope it will not be the last. It was, beyond a doubt, the best concert I have seen in my 53 years! I do not think I have ever seen the whole crowd moving the entire concert before without ANYONE leaving the hall before it was over. You would never believe he is 67 years old. Thank you Neil Diamond for the most amazing concert – I only wish there had been more!
posted November 24, 2008 at 3:37 pm
He walks into the place and the screams start your heart pounding.
As you listen to the words you have heard time and time again, you realize, here is a Man. He is honest, forgiving and humble.
I loved this concert! I didn’t want to leave, I felt like a child sitting at the feet of man who reaches down and touches my heart.
He does it with just a song.
posted December 5, 2011 at 8:13 pm
ouvi dizer que o Neil ja foi pastor de igreja , isto procede?