Neil Diamond 2001-2002 Concert Reviews
St. Paul, MN October 26-27, 2001
Photos by Joe Imhof 10/27 except as noted
ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS
Published: Saturday, October 27, 2001
Diamond paints town red, white and blue
From the Pioneer Press, Please visit their website!
BY JIM WALSH Pop Music Critic
Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan have a lot in common. For the
moment, anyway.
Both singers gave concerts at the Xcel Energy Center this week -- Dylan Thursday; Diamond
Friday and tonight. Both singer's surnames start with the big "D," both are
60-year-old icons of American pop, and both seized their time in the spotlight to say a
little something about the world we live in.
But while Dylan sheathed his commentary in poetry, ambiguity, and a craggy voice left to
its own devices and up to interpretation, Diamond was hit-'em-over-the-head-and-heart
clear, and about as subtle as a rocket's red glare on the Fourth of July.
The first thing concertgoers saw upon entering the arena Friday night was a massive
American flag-slash-curtain. The stars and stripes matched the concession stand's most
popular item, a T-shirt featuring a silhouette of a fist-thrusting Diamond in front of Old
Glory. All of which is why it was hardly a surprise that the Brooklyn, N.Y., native opened
the show with his immigration anthem "America."
When Diamond sang, "Stand up for America," the crowd followed his command to the
T, and when three more gigantic American flags unfurled from the rafters, much
fist-pumping ensued.
"If, as they say, music has the power to heal," said Diamond before a dramatic
turn on "Solitary Man," "then let the healing begin."
He introduced "I Believe In Happy Endings" by saying, "It's so very
important to maintain our sense of optimism." He introduced "He Ain't Heavy,
He's My Brother" by saying, "I think it's important that we do a song in
recognition of our American heroes," and ended it by imploring the throng to,
"God bless our heroes!" Indeed, at times, it seemed as if Diamond was on a
one-man mission to single-handedly make sure that America rises.
Timeliness aside, much of the night was typical Diamond fare,
which means bombast, fastballs, sweetness, showmanship, and schmaltz. "You Don't
Bring Me Flowers," "I Am, I Said," "Holly Holy," "Forever in
Blue Jeans," "Sweet Caroline," "Cracklin' Rosie," and
"Cherry Cherry" were crowd-pleasing delights. "Red Wine,"
"Soolaimon" "I'm A Believer," and "I Haven't Played This Song In
Years," were critic-pummeling drainers.
Diamond has always been something of a cross between a folk music dabbler and a Rat Pack
wannabe, and his two-hour-and-20-minute show featured elements of both, like Bob Roberts
doing Vegas. And unlike Dylan, who inspires with the twitch of an earlobe, Diamond was
pretty spry for an old guy, whether he was playing his acoustic guitar, playing piano,
playing off his big band, or play-seducing a grown woman from the audience who was thrown
into girlhood during, "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon."
The highlight of the night came last, with Diamond's indestructible "Brother Love's
Traveling Salvation Show," which got, and kept, the crowd on its feet, many members
of which will undoubtedly pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone goes
back to the big VFW Hall on Kellogg Boulevard tonight.
Photos below by Kathy Shue 10/26/01
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