by Maggi Burchall
It’s difficult to even know where to start to review this
magnificent book. I’ve just flipped through the pages again before starting to
write and got stuck on a full page picture of Neil on the right hand page and
four smaller ones in the same series on the left hand page…. And those amazing
eyes follow me from every photograph!! As I turn the pages I see glimpses into
Neil’s public and private life that have never been seen before, taken by a
photographer who was obviously a friend – otherwise he would never have been
able to take such intimate shots. Even the public photos are intimate in as much
as Didi Zill seems to know exactly how to capture the ‘Feel of Neil’ – if I can
be forgiven for using the title of Neil’s first album in that context..
This book will transport those who have been Neil’s fans since these early days
right back in time – and for those who have only become fans in more recent
years, it will give them a fabulous insight into the ‘Solitary Man’ that Neil
used to portray himself to be. But also into the family man, the man who knows
and appreciates how important his fans are, and the musician and songwriter, as
well as the brilliant on stage persona we’ve all come to love..
For the most part, the photos say it all, but Didi introduces different sections
of the book with his own notes and anecdotes regarding the photos on the
following pages, and in doing so, gives us even more of an insight into how and
why the photo shoots came about..
I must just say a few words about Karin Thieme’s essay at the beginning of the
book. It’s not really a biography, though it does tell us part of the Neil
Diamond Story, but it’s much more Karin’s thoughts and feelings about Neil back
in those days and it was an absolute pleasure to read. Much of it echoed my own
thoughts and feelings, as I’m sure it will for most fans. Karin’s descriptions
of Neil in the early concerts she attended really are almost pictures in
themselves!
Which brings me back to the photos again and I really can’t say enough about
them – you’ll understand when you have the book in your hands, open it and go on
this wonderful pictorial journey…
Book Review by Iris - http://www.iaisnd.com