Neil Diamond

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Hilary
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Neil Diamond

Post by Hilary » Mon May 19, 2008 10:24 am

Hi Everyone,

What wonderful news we hear today that the great Neil Diamond is at number 1 in the US and the UK album chart.

I love his new CD and think that the song"Home before Dark" is a lovely song and maybe his next single.

If you missed the Radio 2 live show that Neil recorded last week, please do have a listen on the Radio 2 "listen again" section. This was a wonderful show. To think that Neil is about 67 years old now and can still top the charts is a great achievement for him and quality music too. :D 8) :wink:
Hilary
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Post by Lena & Harry Smith » Mon May 19, 2008 1:25 pm

Yes great news of Neil Diamond Hilary. We've seen him on Breakfast TV and looking just fab at 67, a new CD, and so many great unforgettable songs asociated with him. :lol: :lol:
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paul jh
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Post by paul jh » Mon May 19, 2008 8:35 pm

Neil Diamond is now the oldest person to top the UK albums chart. Here is the report from MusicWeek:

"Pensioner pop rules this week, with Neil Diamond’s Home Before Dark debuting at number one on sales of 47,400. Sixty-seven-year-old Diamond – whose only previous number one album came 16 years ago via the compilation Greatest Hits 1966-1992 – becomes the oldest solo artist to have a number one album, replacing Perry Como, who was 61 when he topped the chart with new material (And I Love You So in 1974) and 63 when his compilation, 40 Greatest Hits, topped the list in 1975.

Pretty Amazing Grace, the first single from Home Before Dark, debuts here at number 49 (2,889 sales), to give Diamond his first singles chart entry since 1992."

I didn't know Perry Como had so much success on the album chart in the 1970s. And I Love You So is such a lovely song and his vocals are beautiful. Every time I hear the song, it feels like I'm hearing it for the first time. :)
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michduncg
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Post by michduncg » Mon May 19, 2008 8:56 pm

Neil Diamond is still fantastic. My Mum has always loved him and I am just going to order her the album as a surprise present! He seems such a modest guy, and has given us some great pop songs since writing for the Monkees before launching his solo career.
Michael

Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
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Gray
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Post by Gray » Tue May 20, 2008 6:49 am

I'm also a big Neil Diamond fan and really pleased he is tasting chart success again.
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Mark Fox
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Post by Mark Fox » Tue May 20, 2008 4:28 pm

T :D he BBC RADIO TWO broadcast was superb!
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john
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Post by john » Tue May 20, 2008 8:27 pm

Apparently he has recorded "An Audience With" due to be screened soon, it was advertised the other night. 8)
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Marian
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Post by Marian » Tue May 20, 2008 9:28 pm

Yes John, apparently it will be broadcast on May 31st.
We are big Neil Diamond fans too.
Marian :D
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jon
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Post by jon » Wed May 21, 2008 9:42 am

Sorry to be a damp squib but I have never understood the appeal of Neil Diamond; the guy seems to sing on one note. However some of his songs are OK - I'm thinking of the earlier ones like "Sweet Caroline" and "Play Me" - but he has very little appeal to me as a singer.
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paul jh
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Post by paul jh » Wed May 21, 2008 5:49 pm

I'm completely with you, Jon. And those are my two favourite songs by him. He's recorded some pretty terrible songs through the years, with Cracklin' Rosie, America, and Hello Again quickly coming to mind. I was frustrated that this latest album prevented the drum and bass group Pendulum from scoring their first number 1 album. :(
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keithgood838
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Post by keithgood838 » Wed May 21, 2008 7:31 pm

Hi Jon,
Thank goodness for your balanced comments following
the preceding adulation for Neil Diamond. Yes he has
written some tuneful melodies, but for me he lacks stage
presence and he talk-sings a lot of the time. My wife is also
a big fan of his, so we watched the Radio 2 show together.
When Neil did his number among the audience I couldn't help
comparing his with Matt's accomplished version of the technique.
The difference, in Matt's favour, was stark.
Musical taste is an unpredictable phenomenon.
Sorry, fellow Forum members.
Keith
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Terence Lee
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Post by Terence Lee » Wed May 21, 2008 7:58 pm

I loved his Hot August Night double album when it first came out and thought he was so dynamic when in retrospect, he was actually growling. His vocal range is limited but he sounds good with Barbra on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers". I have his 12 Greatest Hits on CD and it's enough. Don't want a Vol 2.
Last edited by Terence Lee on Thu May 22, 2008 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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mariana44
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Post by mariana44 » Wed May 21, 2008 11:06 pm

With Neil Diamond, I can usually take him or leave him--but on his "Lovescape" album the first track is a cracker, called "If there were no Dreams|" co-written by Michel Legrand !!

And I really like "Pretty Amazing Grace"
Mariana
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michduncg
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Post by michduncg » Thu May 22, 2008 7:08 am

Its always interesting what other people think isn't it! I must admit my liking of Neil Diamond is more down to childhood memories of my Mum singing along and dancing around the living room to 'Sweet Caroline'! We had it played for Mum and Dad at our civil ceremony last year, who got up and had a dance to it. . I suppose I'm judging him on more the pleasure he has brought rather than his singing abilities :wink:
Michael

Here I go again, I hear those trumpets blow again.......
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Gray
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Post by Gray » Thu May 22, 2008 7:52 am

Gosh, what a fiesty thread this is! :)
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