Neil Diamond 2001-2002 Concert Reviews
Fargo, ND October 29, 2001
Diamond, described
reverently by one concertgoer as a “living legend,” took the stage 20 minutes
late, garbed in a red shirt that practically simmered with shiny glass beads.
Nobody seemed to mind his tardy entrance, especially when it was accompanied by the
raising of a massive U.S. flag.
Fittingly enough, Diamond launched into a powerhouse version of his anthem from “The
Jazz Singer,” “America.” Red and blue lights scanned the crowd, while three
more flags dropped from the ceiling.
As he belted out the verse, “Stand up for America,” the willing crowd rose to
its feet, roaring its support.
In fact, Diamond would make several nods to his country throughout the night.
“We are happy to be back here in Fargo – in the beginning of spring,”
quipped Diamond, whose last Fargo appearance was in 1996. “With our country going
through such difficulties, if it’s true music has the power to heal, let the healing
begin.”
Later, he would dedicate another old hit, “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
to the rescue workers and citizens affected by the Sept. 11 tragedy in New York.
While patriotism was at full mast onstage, it was a bit more restrained in the audience. A
few miniature U.S. flags wagged here and there, but not many. One bearer of Old Glory,
spotted in the beer line, actually turned out to be Canadian.
“It’s my way of supporting your country,” explained Greg Bieber, who
traveled from Winnipeg with friends for the concert. “I’m for freedom and for
peace, so I’m doing my little part. We just want you to know we are all one, and we
are in full support of you.”
Others seemed more willing to salute the flag of Diamond. Kevin Peterson, a Climax, Minn.,
resident, planned to celebrate his 24th birthday at midnight after an evening with Neil.
“Yeah, I love Neil Diamond,” he said. “I’ve been singing ‘Shilo’
all week. He’s just classic. He’s Neil Diamond. You have to like Neil.”
A lucky woman in the front row had to really like Neil, especially after he knelt down at
the corner of the stage and serenaded her with “Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon.”
The crowd cheered approvingly when he reclined on stage, put his arms around her and, a la
Elvis, sang like she was the only woman in the room. Delighted, she stroked his hair and
face. It all ended with a kiss, much to the crowd’s delight.
“Boy, those Fargo girls are just too much,” Diamond said, after plopping
theatrically on the stage like a love-sick boy. “Does anyone have a cigarette?”
Diamond continued to sing his top hits, demonstrating his trademark heartfelt tenor and
perfectly choreographed movements. He hit the high points, from a haunting “Solitary
Man,” and a revved-up version of “I’m a Believer” to three different,
participation-heavy sessions of “Sweet Caroline.” Crowd response was a bit more
restrained when he performed less-familiar songs, such as tracks from his newest album,
“Three Chord Opera.”
But whether the songs were time-worn or new, Diamond sang them all the same: As if they
were as fresh as the new snow, as if he would never get sick of performing them, and as if
he wanted to sing them especially for you.
Maybe that’s why they call him a living legend.
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