Neil Diamond @ Madison Square Garden: I'll Smack You In the Mouth, I'm Neil Diamond

The power of the Jewish Elvis can not be denied. One of the best entertainers in rock 'n' roll, a living legend and a must-see for anyone who's an avid convert goers began night one of his four stand tonight at MSG. It's everything I ever wanted to see from the man -- heartfelt classics, crowd pleasures and soul stirring epics in a two-hour show. He just didn't wear those shimmery, reflective shirts.

Before you ask, show started at 8:20pm. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the early bird special.

The setlist:

• Holly Holy
• Beautiful Noise
• Street Life
• Love on the Rocks
• Play Me
• Cherry Cherry
• Thank the Lord for the Nighttime
• Home Before Dark
• Don't Go There
• Pretty Amazing Grace
• Crunchy Granola Suite
• Done Too Soon
• Brooklyn Roads
• I Am, I Said
• Solitary Man
• Kentucky Woman
• Forever in Blue Jeans
• Sweet Caroline
• You Don't Bring Me Flowers
• Song Sung Blue
• I'm a Believer
• Man of God
• Hell Yeah
• ENCORE: Cracklin' Rosie
• America (TODAY!!!!!)
• Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show

The nice surprise for me what the he ended the show before the encore with Hell Yeah, a song off his first release with Rick Rubin, 2005's 12 Songs.  That and his new release have put him back in the spotlight and given him relevance. Like when Rubin worked with Johnny Cash, Home Before Dark strips Neil down to mostly his voice and guitar. You hear a man who's traveled far and seen just about everything. He's weary, but resilient. For me, the albums show what a fantastic songwriter he is.

As you can see by the set list, people come to hear the classics. It's awesome that he referenced Hot August Nights, his masterpiece live album from 1973. I just wished he did that weird, "holding my huge cock" pose he does on the album cover. The hits he didn't play include "Porcupine Pie," "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," "Red, Red Wine," "September Morn," "Hello Again"  and "Heartlight."

It's hard to pick out one favorite song, but I'll go with "I Am ... I Said" It can be over-the-top, dramatic, but the message is there on trying to find your place in the world. If Elvis were alive, he'd cover it.

For everyone else, they wait for "Sweet Caroline." I can't friggin' stand that song -- the song itself and what it has become. It's the anthem for idiot stock brokers who wear pleated Dockers and button down Polo shirts. They get together after work on Fridays to the bar, hang with their brahs and sing it at the top of their lungs, 'Ba Ba BAHHHHHHH" Oh, please get away from me. Tonight, to torture me, he played the ending ... THREE times. Ugh.

I do admit there's a certain kitsch to Neil Diamond that makes it appealing. The shirts, yes, but the persona of him as a grand entertainer is attractive. The way he moves around the stage on a elevated platform is funny to watch -- like a Vegas show. Our generation doesn't have old fashion singers/entertainers like Neil, we have manufactured, disposable reality show singers. So we've embrace Neil Diamond and the whole package.

The stage show is a tad schmaltzy. The stage is lit in Miami Vice, day glo colors. His backing band and Neil himself are on moving platforms. There are video screens that show his old home movies during "Brooklyn Roads." As he said, "I grew up in Brooklyn ... before it became cool." Translated: "Before you little hipster shits ruined it." He walks around on stage looking like he's the man and he sings to the audience all around him. You know why? Because he is the man.

The best was when he sat a table with a white cloth and bottle of wine to sing "You Don't Bring Me Flowers." He gets up dramatically and turns to one of his backup singers with a look of sorrow. They inch together and embrace as the end. It was classic. His signature move is when he clutches his fist and brings it down slow, then with the last note of a song, it's POW! and he pumps his fist. It make s a great drinking game -- take a shot when he does that move.

What I loved was that his voice is probably better and more suited more for the material now than when it was he first recorded them. It's deep with a slight gravel, and he can hit those high parts. The man is a legend, and he walks among us.

The majority of the audience for these shows have got about 30-40 years on me. Sometimes, I feel like the old guy at the club, but other times, like tonight, I'm the whipper snapper. It took 20 minutes to leave from our noise bleed seats. The reason being the old people on the stairs and escalators and having to be careful. I guess they don't trust those new-fangled elevators.

If you can, go see The Diamond, get a cheap ticket from craigslist. It is 100% worth it and than some.

As a final note, let me tell you about the time I killed a drifter to achieve an erection. I had a hard day, I woke up with a dead guy on top of me ....

Comments

[Shirley]

I, too, was at the Neil concert last night (as I've been to his concert tours every single time for more than 30 years! I was disappointed that September Morn was omitted as well as Red Red Wine - and would have been happy to stay longer to hear those songs! But if I'm not mistaken, he did sing HELLO AGAIN. No matter what, he's just amazing!!!!

[Danny Eagle]

The show was like a revival, for high-wasted pants and mellow, modest boogying. It ruled. He is a genius.

I too was at the show (first timer) and I really enjoyed it. No he didn't do Hello Again as it's one of my favorites and I was disappointed that it was omitted. I was also hoping he'd do The Story of My Life.

[Midge]

My first Neil Diamond concert was last night at the Garden,and I have to admit, I was stunned and amazed how great his voice is. I thought he was fantastic and put on a great show for what Neil Diamond does. For me there were many of his songs I love that he didn't sing, but oh well. The best song for me last night was Holly Holy, America and Cherry Cherry. I love Hey Louise and Soolaimon.

[Michael]

I was at the Thursday night show at MSG (Aug. 14). It was a terrific show. Amazing he way he slowly gestures towards a section of the audience and they go nuts. The Jewish Elvis, indeed. I was disappointed he didn't sing "September Morn", "Hello Again", and "Yesterday's Songs". However, the show was an experience I won't soon forget. I think the lady named Selma who sat next to me felt the same way.

[Frank]

Our generation doesn't have old fashion singers/entertainers like Neil, we have manufactured, disposable reality show singers. So we've embrace Neil Diamond and the whole package.