Apologies for
the late posting, there were ongoing problems with the Internet Service
Provider at our Cologne Hotel and we could not access the Internet until this
morning.
31 May 2008
The Koln Arena,
Cologne, Germany;
On stage; 8.21pm
Off stage; 10.12pm
Concert time; 1hrs 51mnts.
Neil wore; Dark Grey sparkly jacket, Black shirt with sparkling diamond beadsn
on collar, & chest, Dark trousers.
Returning to Germany for the 4th stop of this remarkable tour the
peerless Neil Diamond served up a polished performance full of vim and vigour
for an unbelievably fantastic audience in this impressive modern arena
tonight.
Once again the crowd gave early notice of their intention, clapping, stomping
and cheering for Neil and as the lights dimmed and the band members took their
places the noise levels grew until Neil arrived at the top of the imposing
stage.
The new opening
song One more bite of the Apple served as a tasty appetiser
before Neil effortlessly upped gear and delivered a rousing Holly Holy
that had fans
dancing in the aisles as they showed their appreciation.
The Beautiful
Noise interlude has captured the hearts of every crowd so far on this tour and
tonight was no exception as Neil strode purposefully into Street life
and after bidding a welcome to the City of Cologne in both German &
English and praising the sights of the city, that he had viewed while walking
across the river bridge, including the impressive Cathedral, and of course the
fans he again talked a little of his own home city of New York before
launching into Beautiful Noise, a sure fire winner as the
stomping singing dancing instantly confirmed. The gentle Lady Oh
invited a special closeness and was richly applauded
No second
invitation is required when Neil invites us to rock & roll and the superb
Cherry Cherry took us back to those heady 60s times and for those
concerned about everyone not standing tonight there was only ONE
person who was sitting – Ron Tutt, and he surely requires special dispensation
as he drums away superbly. Ever appreciative Neil again allowed the wonderful
band a real work through, praising their contribution to this musical
extravaganza.
But even the
previously errant Alan Lindgren & Tom Hensley were up and rocking along with
this wild audience, easily the most enthusiastic of this remarkable tour so
far, and that is quite remarkable as the crowds at the previous venue were
excellent!; the nostalgic feeling reinforced as the party was further
enhanced by the superbly re-worked Thank the Lord for the Nighttime,
a song so hot it again caused Neil to part company with his flying jacket!
with great support and involvement from the superb band members, each moving
with timing that would delight the perfectionist in them all.
The Jazz Singer classic Love on the Rocks confirmed that this
hugely successful album has stood the test of time and were richly rewarded by
the applause of this informed audience
Neil was clearly
enjoying himself and the beautiful 3 piece from the stirring new album,
opening with the title track Home Before Dark, was warmly
welcomed. Don't Go There is developing a real following among
audiences, that tonight became a standing clapping stomping support while the
splendid Pretty Amazing Grace already feels like an old
favourite. I make no apologies for again mentioning this great new stage and
that Neil’s little moving island again features in this wonderful section.
Talking to a lot of fans at the various arenas so far on this tour, many
confirm how delighted they are when Neil takes us back those 35 plus years to
the nostalgia of his greatest live album, the iconic Hot August Night
and the inspired opening song of that glorious era supercharged this already
hot crowd to show their gratitude with the bouncy Crunchy Granola Suite
literally rocking the superb arena!
It is perhaps a near impossible task to select an area of this well crafted
show as definitive of its time, but many have expressed absolute joy at the
autobiographical segment; Brooklyn Roads and the wonderfully
candid home video, most of it previously unseen footage, almost makes you feel
you are there with Neil as he grows and develops from child to man to world
class performer, even as the colossal I Am.. I Said.. confirms
the fact while at the same time inspiring an amazing audience participation
that again has Neil pausing to allow the huge ovation before he can finish!
The elegant Solitary Man provides the perfect finale to a
magical segment and still this remarkable crowd refused to be seated!
Forever in Blue Jeans ensured there was no need to retake our
seats until the excellence of You don't bring me Flowers allowed
time to rest for a while as Neil & Linda deliver something of elegance and
grace, though on this occasion Neil was so fired up he dispensed with the wine
on offer at the little table and made straight for is assignation with the
beautiful Linda.; Song Sung Blue, everybody knows one, and this
great crowd knew it for sure as they supported Neil, Linda, Maxine & Julia
from first to last, and then did the same all over again because I'm a
Believer remains an open invitation to dance again and this superb
audience did not waste the opportunity!
Neil’s introduction to and performance of Man of God was from
the heart and it showed again the generosity of Neil in hailing his band, his
friends and fellow travellers over many years. And proved yet again to be a
crowd pleaser of substance and style.
But the star of
tonight’s show was the mighty Hell Yeah, dramatic, powerful,
inspiring! Neil sang the song without guitar, prowling the stage like a proud
lion, before sitting a little to add gravitas, if any were needed, then rising
again to stalk his willing prey, some 18,000 of us! If I live to be 100 I
swear it will be impossible to hear this fantastic song performed better!
As Neil soaked up the richly merited adulation he bore the expression of a man
well satisfied with what he had given, and looking around the arena at the
joyous faces, he had every right to be that, and proud too.
It always seems
like forever waiting to see if Neil will return, we never want to take these
moments for granted, but we knew he would as the band played the familiar
intro and Neil reappeared wearing a wonderful light maroon shirt, to
thunderous approbation and a fully standing arena to take us through the gears
with Sweet Caroline, possibly the one song that more than any
other transcends language, age & cultural barriers and still has each and
every one of us singing in some kind of harmony; only tonight, as if
choreographed, fans flocked from every side of the huge arena floor to become
part of the loudest party in Germany! One small boy, perhaps 7 years old at
most was bouncing excitedly up and down on his seat, while couples danced
together and with complete strangers!
This was a hard
act to follow of course but with so many hits in his locker Neil simply
invited further participation in the superb Cracklin’ Rosie and
again could have stood there and simply conducted this crowd, such was their
mastery of every shade of this most famous of chart toppers, but he led like
the supreme thoroughbred he is and how the crowd responded.
And finally, the
great preacher saved several thousand more souls with the unequalled
Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation show, a glorious finale to a very
special evening!
Yet again King’s
shirt stood out like an impressive beacon as he and every other member of this
supremely gifted band backed Neil each step of the way!
Every Neil
Diamond concert is a special experience for the fans, but sometimes everything
comes together in a way that cannot be pre-arranged and tonight was one such
occasion. If only all of Neil’s zillions of fans could have been here tonight
to witness this magical happening!
Tonight's
playlist;
#1;One more bite of the Apple/Holly Holy; #2; Street Life; #3; Beautiful
Noise; #4; Lady Oh; #5; Cherry Cherry (part band intro/instrumental); #6;
Thank the Lord for the Nighttime; #7; Love on the Rocks; #8; Home Before Dark;
#9; Don't go there; #10 Pretty Amazing Grace; #11; Crunchy Granola Suite; #12;
Brooklyn Roads; #13; I Am.. I Said..; #14; Solitary Man; #15; Forever in Blue
Jeans; #16; You don't bring me Flowers; #17 Song Sung Blue; #18;I’m a
Believer; #19; Man of God; #20; Hell Yeah; WALK-OFF; #21; Sweet Caroline; #22;
Cracklin’ Rosie; 23; BROTHER LOVE'S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW; Final walk-off
Band Walk-off
Tomorrow we take
the short flight to Hamburg for Neil’s final show in Europe. The great quality
we have witnessed so far has been a joy to behold and we cannot wait for the
next chapter in this compelling adventure.
I forgot to
mention that in both Antwerp and tonight at Cologne teddy bears were added to
the tour merchandise and were flying off the stands, 3 have found homes in our
luggage!
Ian Graham.