Tuesday evening at dusk in our nation's capital was a lovely August night, not particularly hot at all, when Matt and I partook of Neil Diamond's sonorous baritone . . . live.
It took me only 20 minutes to get from our apartment to Matt's office, so we were a little early and stopped to get half our day's calories at the Gallery Place Haagen-Dazs. We lingered a little, figuring we would miss part of the opener, and finally entered the Verizon Center at 8:20 to find that . . . Neil was already ON! No opener! What!
So, we missed a few songs. Sad . . . but the remainder of the show was very fun.
The lady sitting next to me looked a lot like this (a word to the wise, be prepared for some shocks if you look for images of Bea Arthur online. She's a little bit skanky!) She and her husband didn't seem very into the show, and they only clapped after "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" and "Hell Yeah." (that second one is from 12 Songs if you've forgotten.) Weird? Also, there were two ladies in front of us who were definitely at least as old as my Grandma Clayton if not older.
But the average age was younger than I would have predicted. Lots of 20- and 30-somethings, although mostly 50- somethings. Some 60-, 70-, and even 80-somethings. Lots and lots of bleached-blonde smoker-ladies.
I can't fathom what Neil must do to keep his voice so velvety after all these years. Because it is velvety! He is pushing 70. I decided that since he got onstage right on time (we assume) and got off pretty much right at 10 p.m., he probably goes to bed early and maybe drinks some hot lemonade as a nightcap.
He played a lot more old faves than I expected, what with his two newer albums released in just the past three years or so. We enjoyed such classics as Love on the Rocks, I Am I Said, Cherry Cherry, Cracklin' Rosie, Forever in Blue Jeans, Sweet Caroline, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Brooklyn Roads, Thank the Lord for the Nighttime, I'm a Believer, America (a song I don't especially love actually, but I really liked the slideshow for that one), Song of the Whales, Play Me, Song Sung Blue...that's all I can remember.
My favorite performances were probably "Forever in Blue Jeans" and "Play Me." My favorite moment--besides the extended "Cherry Cherry" wherein he introduced his band that he's played with for 30+ years--was when he was musing upon "life on the road" and he said, "I say to myself, Hey, Diamond!--that's what I call myself, no need for first names--Hey, Diamond! Are you ever gonna stop this packin' and singing' and travelin' and unpackin' and packin' and travelin' and singin'?" at which point the crowd yelled "NO!" and he replied with a throaty chuckle, "That's always my answer too."
So, the moral of the story is . . . if you ever get the chance, and apparently you will, definitely go see Neil. Although it seems he prefers to be called Diamond.
Also, moral #2 is that taffeta cowboy shirts are currently in with "Diamond" and moral #3 is that "Sweet Caroline" really does not get old. You would think that it would, but it doesn't. It's just that good.
5 comments:
I love that you LOVE Neil Diamond. It is nice to hear that you enjoyed the show so much.
Everytime I hear (or rather read) his name I jump back to a Chrismas memory in the late 80's. Thanks for sending me back to those fond memories so often.
I wonder if Dad would go to a Neil Diamond concert.
I really don't see him lining up for that one.
But I could be wrong.
i'm thinking of going to see him at the h-wood bowl in october - although i should decide quickly - he's probably sold out. - you're welcome to join us - let me know.
I don't particularly see Dad lining up for it either, but I am pretty sure you would like it, Mom. Maybe he could go as an ironic statement of sorts. I know that's why a lot of people are Neil fans in the first place.
As long as it's not a Friday or Saturday 1st or 3rd weekend, I'm up for it - but maybe I will be back in D.C. with Eliza at that point??
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