Triple Thames-Side Triumph for Multi-Talented Diamond!

 

24th June, 2008

 

The O2 Arena, London, England

On stage; 8.18pm
Off stage; 10.15pm
Concert time; 01hr 57mnts.

Neil wore; Black sparkling jacket, Black sparkling shirt

 

Neil Diamond scored a third successive triumph tonight at the O2 Arena in London with a further show of high quality that had another fantastic crowd rocking from start to finish.

 

This was also another historic milestone for Neil as he racked up his 50^th concert in London in a period of 37 years dating back to 1971. As one of those privileged and lucky enough to have attended every one of these concerts I can only say, in my view, that he truly does raise the bar every single time he tours to provide a musical feast that surely delights all who witness his unsurpassed talents.

                             

The play list tonight was similar to yesterday with the only difference being that Neil left out America. Neil kicked off as he has done in every show with One more bite of the Apple and followed through to Holly Holy, with the audience response telling its own story. The gritty Street Life and fan‘s favourite Beautiful Noise served up a tasty helping from that wonderful album, while

Love on the Rocks was as powerful as ever. Play Me has recently returned to the play list and is forever fun for the ladies, and Neil played the noise game with various sections of the crowd and clearly enjoys their interaction too!

 

Cherry Cherry and its rocking partner Thank the Lord for the Nighttime ensured that, as so often, just about everyone who can get up to dance did just that, and is a great alternative to working out at the gym! Neil appeared to have his “Happy Feet” on during this rocking twosome as he jigged with joy while the band displayed their talent, with Linda, Maxine & Julia doing a clever little two-step routine. Reine, Ron and Alan wore their matching “snowing at midnight” shirts that we saw earlier in the tour.

 

The songs from the new album continue to be enjoyed by young and old, Home before Dark

Don't Go There, and Pretty Amazing Grace each drawing generous responses from the audience.

 

The great Greek Theatre one-two of Crunchy Granola Suite and Done Too Soon are worth the ticket price in their own right and after completing the former Neil cautioned the crowd “don’t sit down yet” before completing the latter superbly; the newly returning Girl, you’ll be a Woman soon was sung at the front microphone with Neil playing the guitar throughout, and during this song several sections had substantial numbers of fans, many younger ones, up and dancing to it.

 

Neil started into his preamble  about his roots by saying that “I must have told this story a thousand times, so this is number one thousand and one” before talking fondly in a familiar way of his early life, and delivering Brooklyn Roads from his stool. The welcome for I Am..I Said.. was again long lasting and yet again the audience gave a standing ovation before Neil even closed out the great anthem. Solitary Man saw many fans up and dancing once more and then Forever in Blue Jeans had simply everyone up as Neil played especially to the side riser seats, and those sections responded magnificently. Sweet Caroline really rocked the whole arena tonight, and Neil encouraged the audience to sing along themselves at the end, and what a choir. When Neil  

reprised Sweet Caroline the crowd sang most of it as Neil stood beaming with the microphone turned away from him. He said “I just love standing here and watching you all sing, you do such a good job”

 

You don’t bring me Flowers was another stunning triumph for Team Diamond & Press;Song Sung Blue saw the audience given another “all to ourselves” singing role before Neil and the band joined in to close it out. I’m a Believer saw Neil’s “Happy Feet” come back into serious action.

 

Neil then spoke again of the mission he and the band were on to make people happy, and it certainly worked again tonight and there were several thousand smiling faces as he played Man of God. That led on to the immense Hell Yeah, a sure fire winner once more, and cheered to the rafters by simply everyone.

 

When Neil returned in that great plum shirt with the superb chest pattern he burst straight into Cracklin’ Rosie and again the arena erupted. It only remained for Brother Love to bring the evening to a wonderful climax with his travelling salvation show and everyone was saved, happy, tired, no, exhausted! but once more it was worth what we paid, Hell Yeah it was.

                   

Tonight's play list;

#1;One more bite of the Apple/Holly Holy; #2;Street Life; #3; Beautiful Noise; #4 Love on the Rocks; #5; Play Me; #6; Cherry Cherry #7;Thank the Lord for the Night time #8; Home Before Dark; #9; Don't go there; #10 Pretty Amazing Grace; #11; Crunchy Granola Suite; #12; Done Too Soon; #13; Girl, you’ll be a Woman soon #14; Brooklyn Roads; #15; I Am.. I Said..; #16; Solitary Man; #17; Forever in Blue Jeans; #18; Sweet Caroline; #19; Sweet Caroline (Reprise) #20; You don't bring me Flowers; #21 Song Sung Blue; #22; I’m a Believer; #23; Man of God; #24; Hell Yeah; WALK-OFF; #25; Cracklin’ Rosie;  #26; BROTHER LOVE'S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW; Final walk-off Band Walk-off

 

 

Next Review; Friday 27^th June, Wembley Arena, London, England

 

Trivia Piece

 

Neil’s historic half-century of London concerts began on 29^th May, 1971 at the Royal Festival Hall. For the benefit of those who have asked for details these are listed below (List excludes private performances, limited access performances & televisions & radio shows)

Neil has performed at 6 different venues in London as listed below;

Wembley Arena 4 tours (27 shows) (*5 tours, 28 shows after Friday 27^th June, 2008)

Earls Court Arena- 3 tours (11 shows)

London Palladium 1 tour (5 shows)

O2 Arena 1 tour (3 shows)

Royal Albert Hall 1 tour (2 shows)

Royal Festival Hall 1 tour (2 shows)

 

ALL shows scheduled to start at 8.00pm unless shown.

#1 Saturday 29^th May, 1971 Royal Festival Hall. 6.15pm show. SUPPORT ACT – The New Seekers

#2 Saturday 29^th May, 1971 Royal Festival Hall. 9.00pm show. SUPPORT ACT – The New Seekers

#3 Saturday 27^th May, 1972 Royal Albert Hall. SUPPORT ACT-ODETTA (Lady Singer)

#4 Saturday 17^th June,1972 Royal Albert Hall. SUPPORT ACT- ODETTA (Lady Singer)

#5 Thursday 23^rd June, 1977 London Palladium

#6 Friday 24^th June, 1977 London Palladium

#7 Saturday 25^th June, 1977 London Palladium 8.00pm show

#8 Saturday 25^th June, 1977. London Palladium MIDNIGHT SHOW

#9 Sunday 26^th June, 1977 London Palladium

#10 Saturday 23^rd June, 1984 Earls Court Arena

#11 Sunday 24^th June, 1984, Earls Court Arena

#12 Monday 25^th June, 1984, Earls Court Arena

#13 Tuesday 26^th June, 1984, Earls Court Arena

#14 Wednesday 27^th June, 1984, Earls Court Arena

#15 Thursday 28^th June, 1984, Earls Court Arena

#16 Tuesday 14^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#17 Wednesday 15^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#18 Thursday 16^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#19 Saturday 18^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#20 Sunday 19^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#21 Monday 20^th November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#22 Tuesday 21st November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#23 Wednesday 22nd November, 1989, Wembley Arena

#24 Thursday 16^th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#25 Friday 17^th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#26 Saturday 18^th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#27 Sunday 19^th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#28 Tuesday 21st July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#29 Wednesday 22nd^h July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#30 Friday 24^th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#31 Saturday 25th July, 1992, Wembley Arena In the Round

#32 Saturday 25^th May, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#33 Sunday 26^th May, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#34 Monday 27^th May, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#35 Thursday 30^th May, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#36 Friday 31st May, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#37 Saturday 1st June, 1996 Wembley Arena In the Round

#38 Monday 8^th March, 1999 Wembley Arena In the Round

#39 Tuesday 9^th March, 1999 Wembley Arena In the Round

#40 Thursday 11^th March, 1999 Wembley Arena In the Round

#41 Saturday 13^th March, 1999 Wembley Arena In the Round

#42 Sunday 14^th March, 1999 Wembley Arena In the Round

#43 Friday 26^th July, 2002, Earls Court Arena

#44 Saturday 27^th July, 2002, Earls Court Arena

#45 Sunday 28^th July, 2002, Earls Court Arena

#46 Tuesday 31^st May, 2005, Earls Court Arena

#47 Wednesday 1^st June, 2005, Earls Court Arena

#48 Saturday 21^st June, 2008, O2 Arena

#49 Monday 23^rd June, 2008, O2 Arena

#50 Tuesday 24^th June, 2008, O2 Arena