WHEN NEIL WAS STILL A DIAMOND…Neil Diamond: Thank  You Australia-Live 1976

By 1976, Neil Diamond was a few years removed from his classic concert album Hot August Night”, but was still releasing strong material such as Beautiful Noise. This dvd finds him in excellent form Down Under, supported by a stellar team that included Richard Bennet/g before joining up with Mark Knopfler, as well as Dennis st. John/dr, Tom Hensley/p-key, Alan Lindgren/key, Reinie Press/b, Doug Rhone/g, King Errisson/perc and Linda Press/voc.

Diamond works in more recent material such as “Be” and “Skybird” with songs that reach all the way back to “Solitary Man” and the R&Bish “Cherry Cherry”. His gospel era is well reflected on “ Holly Holy” and “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show” and is artsy period sounds most enduring, with ‘Missa” an d “Soolaimon” opening things up. Of course, most of the audience is there for the hits like “Song Sung Blue” and “I Am, I Said”, and Diamond’s voice is in excellent form. There are some extra bonus features to boot, like an intriguing interview and some behind the scenes with TV personality David Frost. In retrospect, what artists can bridge so many musical gaps in one evening these days? Diamond is shining well here.

www.mercuryrecords.com

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