Glittering Diamond Weaves Magic Web in Wembley Wonder Show Farewell!

 

27th June, 2008

 

Wembley Arena, London, England
On stage; 8.14pm
Off stage; 10.12pm
Concert time; 01hr 58mnts

Neil wore; Grey sparkling jacket, Black sparkling shirt with Black sequins on collar cuffs & front

 

Neil Diamond closed out the final arena show of his European tour with another sensational performance before a SRO crowd at Wembley Arena tonight.             

 

Returning to the venue he has graced more times than any other UK arena (28 shows) for the first time since March,1999 Neil was in spectacular form; combine this with an outstanding band, and amazing audience and all the elements were present to ensure a potent mix for his farewell at the end of an outstanding European tour

 

Not for the first time my wife Jenny and I were spending our wedding anniversary at a Neil Diamond show, is there a better way to celebrate?

 

The play list was familiar and exciting, One more bite of the Apple kicking off the party, Holly Holy following fast behind as seats were already left empty before they had time to even get warm then Beautiful Noise, with no preamble, but an early disposal of Neil’s jacket as he looked as fresh and fired up as he did on the opening night of the tour in Rotterdam almost 5 weeks earlier. Love on the Rocks was sung to the fans in the riser sections either side of the stage while Play Me again thrilled the ladies and Neil feigned shock at their screams!

 

Cherry Cherry has been an outstanding component of this great show and was just as energetic at the 18th time of asking, with simply every one of all ages having the time of their lives, and foremost among the fun lovers were Neil’s incredible band, with Alan & Tom again vacating their seats as the temperature rose ever higher. Thank the Lord for the Nighttime continued the celebrations in the same vein and then the superb Home before Dark was received in rapt silence, followed by a huge ovation from a truly outstanding audience. Don't Go There, has grown on just about everyone, and as Neil moves from one side to the other on his little moving island so the fans stand and sway along to the catchy number, and give the same enthusiastic response to Pretty Amazing Grace.

 

The big Greek Theatre one-two is next and in Crunchy Granola Suite Hadley Hockensmith simply goes into orbit with the highest energy guitar and superb “made in Hadleyville” dance performance of the tour so far, outstanding and amazing, even by Hadley’s rocking high standards! Done Too Soon ensures that quality follows quality and Girl, you’ll be a Woman soon brought squeals of delight from all around the arena, and from our vantage point, it wasn’t just the ladies!

 

Neil once more sang Brooklyn Roads sitting astride his stool and this alone would have been enough for the ovation, but combined with the Diamond family film footage it just sent the crowd into orbit. I Am..I Said.. was again the jewel in the glittering Diamond crown with Neil rising to sing the second half of the anthem, and the applause before Neil could finish the song was by far the longest and loudest of the tour, Neil was beaming as the ovations simply flooded over him. As his little island passed by like a convenient taxicab Neil hoped back aboard and Solitary Man brought pleasure to so many. Forever in Blue Jeans took everyone to a higher place, and even though he was moving stylishly and quickly around the vast stage Neil even took time to accept a Red Rose from a fan, laying it gently to one side on the back area. Sweet Caroline truly never seemed so good, so much so that after filling it up with “just about 15,342” and encouraging the audience to sing by themselves Neil again reprised Sweet Caroline and he watched with a radiant look on his face as the massive choir did a fantastic version with Neil helping in the chorus and at the finale; the arena was HOT HOT HOT!!

 

Neil’s wine bottle had clearly been replenished for You don’t bring me Flowers and he took a sip from his glass before joining with Linda in another flawless and passionate performance that received great acclaim, at the end Neil & Linda exchanged a kind of backhanded high five to celebrate! Song Sung Blue brought another mass celebration, with Linda, Maxine & Julia cheering and encouraging Neil, the crowd and each other! The roar that welcomed I’m a Believer was followed by another lung searing performance from everyone on stage, with the amazing Julia leading the charge while the crowd simply lapped up everything and rocked even harder!

 

Neil then talked of the love he had for touring for over 4 decades, and joked that he and most of the band had been together “for over 30 years, that’s longer than my 2 marriages”! As Neil started singing Man of God, King came from behind his conga drums and he and Reine briefly had a boogie together before they both resumed playing! The audiences at every venue have taken this song to their hearts and tonight was no exception. Once again Hell Yeah strode the stage like a mighty colossus and fans were on their feet to deliver stunning acclaim as it reached its perfect climax.

 

Neil looked reluctant to leave the stage as the great old arena, that has experienced a pleasing makeover since his last visit, cheered him from floor to rafters, and when he returned with his great plum coloured wet look shirt he raced straight into Cracklin’ Rosie and for a while it seemed like we really would stay all night as everyone took a piece of the action to play it now and play it well!

 

Neil hardly stopped to draw breath before delighting everyone with a pulsating performance of America that received thunderous approbation as the song culminated with the UK & USA flags flying proudly together on the giant screens.

 

But there was still more than enough gas in the tank for a stupendous Brother Love to ensure our mass salvation until the next time we are privileged enough to enter Neil’s ragged tent!

 

This time it really was over, and as first Neil, then every single member of this amazing band took the long and heartfelt applause of a wonderfully passionate crowd the realisation began to sink in that for most it was over for another tour.

 

18 shows in 7 different countries have come and gone, old friends and new have been greeted, hugs and kisses exchanged, tears shed unashamedly and vows made that we will do it all again at the very first opportunity we have to share in the unique environment that only a Neil Diamond concert tour can create!

 

We have had so many bites of the apple; soon it will be time for Neil and the band to return home, we wish them a safe journey and continued good health, and if our American friends have as much fun as we have had then it will be a truly awesome time for everyone in the USA as Neil’s tour reaches the parts no others can!

 

A final word of praise to Neil’s own fan-friendly security; guys and lady, you have once more been wonderful in the way you have managed our enthusiasm, sometimes our wildly over excited behaviour, and often unique way of showing our passion for Neil his music and the band,; Every fan has been treated with great dignity, we appreciate and thank you for that.

                   

Tonight's play list;


#1;One more bite of the Apple/Holly Holy; #2; Beautiful Noise; #3 Love on the Rocks; #4; Play Me; #5; Cherry Cherry #6;Thank the Lord for the Night time #7; Home Before Dark; #8; Don't go there; #9 Pretty Amazing Grace; #10; Crunchy Granola Suite; #11; Done Too Soon; #12; Girl, you’ll be a Woman soon #13; Brooklyn Roads; #14; I Am.. I Said..; #165; Solitary Man; #16; Forever in Blue Jeans; #17; Sweet Caroline; #18; Sweet Caroline (Reprise) #19; You don't bring me Flowers; #20 Song Sung Blue; #21; I’m a Believer; #22; Man of God; #23; Hell Yeah; WALK-OFF; #24; Cracklin’ Rosie;  #25; America; #26; BROTHER LOVE'S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW; Final walk-off Band Walk-off

 

 

Final Review; Sunday 29th June, Glastonbury Festival, Pyramid Stage