The guy’s still got it.
Early on during his concert Saturday night in the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Neil Diamond asked how many people had gotten their tickets as Christmas presents. Half the 16,000 or so folks there cheered. I hollered out “anniversary, Neil!” The wait from October was worth it. My dear wife Karen can now cross seeing this American pop rock legend off her bucket list.
A special present for my dear wife Karen. Her mother’s name was Caroline.
The man still has it. His voice may had started off a bit craggy. At 74, he’s allowed. But once he moved through that long line of hits, filling two hours and a couple spare minutes with the songs of our life, Neil Diamond sounded good. More importantly, he looked fit, fresh and as happy to be there as all the people cheering and calling out his name.
My favorite of the night was “Holly Holy.” Diamond delivered that ode was such passion, clear as a bell and filled with tension and energy, that I raised my hands to the sky, testifying my witness to something magical in that moment.
Karen was particular to “Play Me,” as we held hands, and I looped my arm around her waist for that endearing love song for the ages.
There was so much to like. His jokes about the collision of Passover and Easter in our lives were funny and endearing. His lead-in and family films of growing up and song of life accompanied by that footage of dear Brooklyn on the fabulous Diamond video screen was memorable.
A sparking night.
The personality, the voice … and, oh, yeah, there was that famous sing-along, too.
Diamond introduced his band with “Cherry, Cherry,” and started his encore with “Cracking Rosie. And then it came. The moment all had been waiting for, a big cheer at the first recognition. “Sweet Caroline,” now an American tradition reborn for all to sing.
Here’s a treat, even though they announced “no recording.” When I saw oodles of folks doing it all concert long, the iPhone 6 practically switched to video mode itself at the first note of “Sweet Caroline,” and stayed on it through “America.”
Are you a fan of Neil Diamond’s music, and why or why not? Do you sing along to songs at concerts or at bars, and why or why not? What’s you favorite Neil Diamond song, and why?
Mark Bialczak 
I’m jealous. Neil Diamond is The Man. I sing “Solitary Man” for practically every shower–though I sing in my my Johnny Cash version voice.
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Great song, both versions, Chuck. I can’t vouch for yours. 😮
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I’m so glad to see you guys had fun! Love the shirt, too! I can’t help but sing when I hear beloved songs at bars…much to everyone’s dismay. And “Sweet Caroline” is my favorite.
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Thanks, CBXB. I have to say, I bet you sing waaay better than you are letting on, my friend. Sweeeeet Caroline, uh-oh-oh … Me, not so much.
I have to get over to your place, I see you’re back. YAY!
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Yes, I took a little vacay but I’m baaaaaack!
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Yippppeeeeeee!
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Love Neil! I have seen him a few times and his voice has never failed me.
I loved Karen’s shirt! I bet she loves it too.
I have been offline but am back. Went on a journey with my sweet, sweet man and am starting to post about it.
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I was wondering where you went, Nancy, and hoping it was for the good. I will check out the posting ASAP!
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Aww, that’s such a sweet anniversary gift! And I love Karen’s shirt in memory of her mama! 🙂
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I love that shirt, too, Rachel. Watch the video. I caught the vibe of the show, I really did.
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Great write up, Mark. I got my tix as a gift and he was on my bucket list as well. It was a loooong wait, but so worth it. I saw him in Toronto on Thursday night (apr 2) and I’m still coming down off the high. My favourite from the eve was probably America. I had chills too, and it was nice that at “my country ’tis thee” the Canadian Flag was in the diamond. I too taped it,. But ruined it with my own screams!! LOL. And yes, I always sing along–no choice, it comes naturally. I often wonder how people refrain from doing so.
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I’m glad you got your bucket checked off, Penny! Somehow my singing didn’t ruin my video! I was worried about that. Neil was great to put the Canadian flag up there in the Diamond in Toronto. Perfect.
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Can’t pick a favorite, but Song Sung Blues takes me back to falling asleep on the back seat of the station wagon (in the time before car seats) listening to the soothing blend of the road and AM radio.
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The family wagon. We had one, too, Scott. And AM radio was a great soother, as long as the static wasn’t too much! 🙂
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My all to.e favourite songs are…story of my life, I’ve been this way before and hell yeah…..
I have been lucky enough to meet him face to face and seen him on concert well over 50 times…May he go on a bit longer …God bless you Neil…….Thank the Lord for the Neil Time!!
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It’s fantastic that you’ve met Neil, and seen him more than 50 times, Paul. Thank the Lord for the Neil Time is a great saying you came up with, and thanks for sharing it here!
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He sounds great! That’s for sharing your illegal video. It was worth it. 🙂
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As long as I don’t get busted, Amy. 🙂 He does sound great, doesn’t he? At 72. My, oh, my.
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a couple of corrections to your article, mark. first, neil is now 74, not 72. unbelievable his voice is still so “on;” and “cherry cherry” was when he introduced his fabulous band, many of whom have been with him for 30 odd years. his encore began with “cracklin’ rosie,” which was his first #1 hit.
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Thanks for the corrections, Don. I’ll make the fixes now. It was a great show!
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OH I love Neil Diamond! Love! Glad you got to go — thanks for sharing 🙂
I always sing, kinda everywhere. Well, not at the dinner table, cause Mama said, but sometimes in restaurants, before the food comes 😉
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I kinda sing everywhere, too, Joey, and sometimes people stare. Oh, well. 🙂
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😀
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i saw him years ago and loved the show – solitary man is my fav and i’m so glad you’re both having such a great adventure )
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I am going to be writing about this D.C. adventure, with photos, for a whole week, Beth. Whewhooo.
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Love Neil Diamond. i heard him live in concert once and he was amazing. Your iphone did a good job recording Sweet Caroline Mark. Sounds like you and Karen had a great time. It is a wonderful way to spend a holiday weekend. i am so pleased for you and Karen. Happy Easter my friend.
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It was a splendid concert and trip all around, Paul. Now packing up for the trip home. The getaway went by in a snap, my friend.
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oh as an aside Mark, i did a guest post over at Cordelia’s Mom http://cordeliasmomstill.com/2015/04/06/death-guest-post-by-paul-curran/comment-page-1/#comment-10003 if you get a chance I would be honored if you dropped by for a read. Thank You and have a safe trip home.
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We are home safe, Paul. Tired, but safe. I will be very happy to read your post at Cordelia’s Mom’s, my friend.
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Ooops, wonderful thing…
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Yes, it was quite a wonderful thing, my friend PJ. 🙂
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Oh yes! I am a fan of Neil Diamond. Have been ever since my much younger days. What a wonderful think to get to see him in concert!
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“Holly Holy” is not on my “best of,” so I’m YouTubing it right now. The interweb says Neil is known in some circles as “The Jewish Elvis.” Didja know that? And get this, as far as BoFN: Neil Diamond is his real name (which you know), but he considered using stage names Eice Cherry and Noah Kaminsky. He explained during a Reddit AMA: “Although Neil Diamond may sound cool now, when I was about to put my first record out, it was just my name and pretty boring. My first name – Neil – was the one the kids around the street made fun of, because there was hardly anybody around who had it, so I was anxious to get rid of that name on my first record, but chickened out for personal reasons.”
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I bet he’s so glad he kept the sparking name now, Kerbey. I did not know that he contemplated changing it! He is the Jewish Elvis, indeed. 🙂
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How could I not be a fan! 🙂 I love any of his songs I can sing to. 🙂
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And we can sing to all of his songs, MBC! The glory of Neil!!
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😉 Exactly MBM! 🙂
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I love ND. He’s awesome. My favorite song is “Solitary Man.”
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That was a great one here, Mer. He nailed it!
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I’ve always been a fan of Neil’s. Ever since Cherry Cherry. Solitary Man is another favorite of mine. And, of course, there’s nothing like Sweet Carolina in the 8th inning at Fenway Park.
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You’re right about all of this, Doobster, and being a Mass. man, I know how you love the Fenway take.
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I remember being fascinated with “America” when I’d hear it on the radio as a very young squirrel (Yes, I’m showing my age… or maybe lack of it!) I didn’t even know who sang the song, I just liked it. All these years later, I’d probably say it’s still my favorite Neil Diamond song…
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Neil outdid himself on ‘America’ in the encore, Bill. It gave me goosebumps, still, all these years later.
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So glad you enjoyed the concert Mark. Love the vid of Sweet Caroline!
When the coolest grade 5 teacher ever left suddenly and I came to school to find a new teacher – heart broken and finished, I was told that said fave teacher left a gift in each of our desks. Mine was a Neil Diamond album, and in my teacher’s handwriting on the cover it read: Girl you’ll be a woman soon…followed by encouragement of my gifts and how I will use them in my life… ❤
I can believe Diamond is 72!
Diana xo
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Your fave teacher was incredible for that gift-giving and insight, Diana. You have all the talents she saw in full force, I am sure, my friend. ❤
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My favorite Diamond song is ‘Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show.’ One can almost feel the heat – the heat of a dry dusty night in some half-forgotten little southern town, and the passion stirred up by this traveling evanglist. A story in song, very evocative.
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It was smokin’ here in D.C., Kate!
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I just realized this morning that you were in DC (I am behind with regard to the blogging scene). Loved the photos you posted in your blog post this morning.
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Thanks, Kate. Yes, we were just 35 miles south of you, my friend.
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Fun!
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You betcha, Wormy!
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Just in time for baseball season, Mark … “Sweet Caroline” in the 8th inning at Fenway. I’m ready. And his “Dry Your Eyes” in the Band’s “The Last Waltz” documentary is a classic. Sounds like you and Karen had a blast!
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Yes, Fenway’s version is memorable, Jim. And Neil in the Band’s classic is a forever keeper, too.
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Glad you had a good time, Mark!
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It was a big blast. Thanks, Marissa. Now getting ready to head to the airport. Awwwww.
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Yes, coming back is the hardest part.
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Home and catching up, Marissa. Ouch.
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I do like Neil Diamond! I was partial to Cracklin Rose or Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show. No idea why, maybe they were the first songs of his I remember learning.
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Neil did both of those very well on Saturday night, Sheena. Brother Love was a special one. 🙂
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