Reconsidering Neil Diamond.

[Silly Moustache]

Last night BBC Channel 2 made over the whole evening to documentaries, interviews and concerts by Neil Diamond
He is 83 now and retired from performing in January 2018, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

I never thought that much of his flashy presentation and so never really listened to his vast collection of songs.

As my wife was watching with "that smile" on her face, I decided to let the evening roll on.

I love well crafted songs.
I had always regarded his material as a bit "pop" but I am reviewing my opinion.

His songs have a pattern (still trying to analyse that) and always included a memorable "hook" but they are well crafted.

I hadn't realised, for instance that he'd made a modest living as a songwriter working in the Brill building with some of the most notable pop songwriters, and didn't really think much of becoming a performer.

With his modest/flashy presentation, rock steady vocals and "tall dark an' handsome" looks he certainly met the approval of the female record buyers and concert goers world wide.

Yeah, I gotta give him credit for his songwriting and performing skills!

[Bob from Brooklyn]

We saw the Broadway show back in January. It was great. I am more a fan of the early stuff and will put one in a set from time to time.

[birdsong]

I have always enjoyed pop music along with my other musical interests. In the pop arena I liked many Noel Diamond songs.

Thanks for your post here. I knew he had retired and then I sort of forgot about him.

Once I a while I wake up to a pop radio station (yes I still have and occasionally use an old clock radio) - and a good old ND gem will come on. Depending on your point of view it’s not a bad way to wake up. [emoji23]

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Last night BBC Channel 2 made over the whole evening to documentaries, interviews and concerts by Neil Diamond
He is 83 now and retired from performing in January 2018, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

I never thought that much of his flashy presentation and so never really listened to his vast collection of songs.

As my wife was watching with "that smile" on her face, I decided to let the evening roll on.

I love well crafted songs.
I had always regarded his material as a bit "pop" but I am reviewing my opinion.

His song have a pattern (still trying to analyse that) and always included a memorable "hook" but they are well crafted.

I hadn't realised, for instance that he'd made a modest living as a songwriter working in the Brill building with some o the most notable pop songwriters, and didn't really think much of becoming a performer.

With his modest/flashy presentation, rock steady vocals and "tall dark an' handsome" looks he certainly met the approval of the female record buyers and concert goers world wide.

Yeah, I gotta give him credit for his songwriting and performing skills!

Seems like today is the day for me to comment on your posts.

What I have noticed is that my musical tastes have changed over the years and in later years, I am appreciating much of the music of "my day" (the late 50s and into the 60s and even 70s) that I would have passed by back then. I think the more we learn about music (we do play guitar around here...) and get exposed to different styles, the wider our scope of appreciate becomes.

My experience with Neil Diamond and others like him seems to have followed a similar trajectory as yours. I am also really coming into appreciating the Great American Songbook and vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, etc.

When I was growing up, that stuff was uncool as being my parents' music.

Tony

[Acousticado]

I’ve liked most songs ND released...except “Sweet Caroline.” That song makes me squirm.

[foxo]

I don’t know much about Neil Diamond, but a very amiable gentleman with a mild learning disability used to shout “hey it’s Neil Diamond!” every time I got the bus to work on a two month summer placement after he learnt my name one time. I wasn’t even a musician at the time, the connection was solely that I share his first name.

[tinnitus]

If a newer musician ever needs to hear an example of building dynamics, play Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.

And then just for fun...

[Honkycat]

Did you manage to identify all the guitars Andy? I struggled with one, turned out to be a Gallaher.

[Jamolay]

I met Neil Diamond once. Some friends and I showed him what playing hackey sack (foot sack) was. He didn’t join us. Went to the same college as his daughter (along with Tracy Chapman), lived upstairs freshman year.

My brush with greatness. Friendly, like anyone’s dad could be.

[fitness1]

One of the first three albums I bought was Neil's "Shilo" (at the time - later repackaged as "Classics - the Early Years")

Had been a fan for a long time, but lost him around "Heartlight" days.

Definitely well crafted tunes - he had a gift of his own.

Here's a really good vintage concert that I used to watch with some of my clients.

[RP]

Originally Posted by birdsong

I have always enjoyed pop music along with my other musical interests. In the pop arena I liked many Noel Diamond songs...

Ditto. I never thought "pop music" was a pejorative - heck, most of us grew up on the stuff...

[TheGITM]

I grew up listening to Neil and have many of his songs in my old repertoire... some are truly classic songs, and others are obviously catchy tunes that will fade with time. Most artist's songs don't last for generations. A few of Neil's have, and will continue on, IMO. I think that makes him a great songwriter. The fact that he can also play and sing is a bonus...

[Wade Hampton]

I’ve never bought any of his records/CDs/downloads, but I’ve always enjoyed the occasional Neil Diamond song on the radio. Plus I play “Solitary Man” in public - it’s just a great song.


Wade Hampton Miller

[catdaddy]

Even as a hard rocker in my youth, his music was always a guilty pleasure of mine. He knows how to write a pop song.

[ghostnote]

I bought the 45 of Cherry Cherry when it first came out (1966?). I played that thing about 1000 times - loved the big acoustic rhythm guitar in it. And it had great backing vocals, too. He knew how to make a hit record.