Neil Diamond

Oh yeah

Neil Diamond

my favorite singer of all time

of all time.... yes!!

"Sweet Caroline" is probably his most well known recording. 

Did you know that Caroline Kennedy was the inspiration?

Or that it's played at Boston's Fenway Park at every Red Sox home game?

.... before the bottom of the 8th inning

Sweet Caroline 

"dum-dum-dum"

the audience participation is the fun part!

"so good, so good, so good!"

This concert is from 2008 at Madison Square Garden.  I saw him around that time -- probably on the same tour -- and let me tell you, he commands as great an audience now as he ever did when he was first recording (maybe even bigger) and who cares that he speaks most of his songs now rather than sing every note! He is, hands down, the best of the best! In my humble opinion. Yes, yes, he's my first love....
Yes, yes I have albums, CDs, know all the songs -- even the lesser known ones and maybe they are the best...

"Solitary Man" was the first song written and sung by Neil Diamond, about Neil Diamond.  He had been writing for other performers, but this one kicked off his career as a singer-song writer. 

It was the song that introduced me to Neil Diamond, and is still one of my favorites.

"Brooklyn Roads"

You may not be familiar with this one

It tells the story of Neil's Brooklyn upbringing and was recorded in 1968

Says Neil....

"I had just signed with MCA Records and wanted to stretch my creative wings. This is the most literal and personal story I had written up to that point. 'Brooklyn Roads' told of my youth and my aspirations. I loved the freedom of being able to write something without the charts in mind."

"Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show"

live performance on the Johnny Cash Show in 1970

a little fun first with Johnny Cash and then he really belts out this song!

Pay attention to the part where he is talking about the tent revival that he attended in Mississippi

(this is not a part of the song -- but is very telling about Neil himself)

and then he continues with Brother Love preaching...

From the very emotional evidence in this performance, I would say that Neil is singing, not only from his heart, but also from his soul.

♥♥♥   Linking Neil over at Miss Jenny's for Alphabe-Thursday where we are studying the letter N.

♥♥