Spinner

Neil Diamond Goes Home For First and Last Live DVD

Neil Diamond is as worthy of being the subject of a live DVD as anybody. The man's built his more than four-decade career as much on his energetic and unabashedly crowd-pleasing live show, which has set attendance records around the world, as his brilliant songwriting. There's one problem though: like many artists, Diamond doesn't enjoy watching himself. "I don't really like looking at myself. Really, all I see are the things I'm doing wrong and the things I would change," he tells Spinner. "So I usually have other people look at that and say, 'This is good,' and I'll look at it and grin and bear it."

However, Diamond also admits the desire to do the live DVD has always been there. "It's something I've always wanted to do, but never really had the nerve to do it, film an entire concert from beginning to end," he says. "I usually will finish a tour and be regretful about not having filmed the show."

Thankfully for the millions of his fans who've clamored for the experience and those who haven't yet experienced Diamond live, he got over the hang-up long enough to record the Madison Square Garden shows on his recent 'Home Before Dark' tour. The result is his first live DVD and a CBS television special, premiering tonight, that captures the man live and also includes a moving documentary that follows Diamond home to his childhood apartment in Brooklyn.

Some of the most entertaining moments on the DVD come from watching Diamond interact with everyday people on the streets of Brooklyn, some who know him, and others who don't have a clue that they're talking to a rock legend. Despite his stature, that didn't surprise the very humble singer/songwriter. "I didn't expect that anybody would know me. Most of the people who live in this area that I grew up in are from the Caribbean and from Haiti and are immigrants, just like my family were years ago," he says. "So I wasn't surprised that they didn't know me. I hoped that they at least knew a couple of my songs and I finally discovered one or two that they knew. But it was very nice. It was a great, very warm homecoming."

Plus, the show allowed him to revisit the title 'Hot August Night,' a moniker fans will recognize from his famed 1972 live album recorded at L.A.'s Greek Theater. "There was something in the whole karma and whole vibe of the thing that I ended up in New York in August doing that show and filming that show," he says.

And despite his very normal self-consciousness in watching himself perform, Diamond is glad he finally gave in and gave his fans a live memento. "I was not certain that I would like it and if I didn't it would've ended up somewhere in my archives, never to be seen," he says. "But I'm glad we did it."

We are too, especially since he says this is likely a one-time thing. "This will probably be the final document of any of my shows. This is something you do once. And I think it was done well," he says.



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armando montelongo

this nice news for neil diamonds fans. hope he gonna spread again his talent to the world. he is like stevie wonders and other 80's artist in the century.i hope hes going to havea world tour so that i can see him in person and hear his voice. thanks and more power neil..

August 30 2009 at 10:35 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Terry

I had the GREAT fortune of seeing Neil's 2008 tour in September in Sacramento,Ca and it was the best two hours of music and entertainment i've ever experienced...i've always been a huge fan of this deep & talented songwriter, but that concert changed my life in many ways i can never express---Thankyou Neil Diamond for your "gift" of music....

August 26 2009 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Judy

Neil rocks!!!!!!!!!!

August 17 2009 at 11:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cyrus

Thank you for sharing about this information. That's good and interesting. About DVD

August 15 2009 at 9:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Christy Werder

I had the fantastic opportunity to first see and hear Neil Diamond at Concordia College in Moorhead MN back during the 1968/69 school year. It was then that I fell in love with his voice and music. He was a strikingly handsome young singer playing his guitar to a college audience. His voice was incredible then and still is today. After watching his show tonight, I was pleased to see a lot of younger fans. This tells me that his music will indeed live on for many years to come.

August 14 2009 at 9:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kellie Cuneio- Brown \"WeakonNeil\"

This is a great DVD! Last tour was one of the Best Neil put on. Neil puts on a good show inthis DVD, the lighting is good and he rocks the house. Sweet Caroline is very good and Crunchy Granola OH MY!!!!!! Neil touches my heart as always and I cannot help it makes me cry like a baby on Home Before Dark. EVERY NEIL FAN NEEDS TO BUY THIS DVD. I pray Neil changes his mind and puts out another DVD of past concerts as a song DVD. I wish him the Best of luck and CONGRATS ON A GREAT DVD!!!!!! Yes its a hot summer night. Neil makes it hotter.

August 14 2009 at 6:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
greg

I totally agree with you Tom. I got to see the man in Chicago and I was blown away. I have gone to his concerts since I saw him at Alpine valley soooo many years ago. All of them have been really special but for some reason this struck me as being the best I have seen. He was in super form and everything just clicked. I am very happy that Neil gave us this complete concert and it is great to be able to relive that very special night. The memories continue. Thank you Neil!

August 14 2009 at 6:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tom Tagliente

I am eternally grateful to Neil Diamond for giving this performance to his fans worldwide, I understand his decisions for not recording future concerts in the years remaining to him on the road. It costs a lot of money to hire a team and film, edit and produce a complete a complete show on DVD. And, I don't like seeing my performances played back to me either. I can relate to and understand Neil's feelings about this.

And it should be noted; the best thing about this DVD is it captures THE BEST tour of Neil's career in my opinion and and trying to capture lightning in a bottle a second time would be like filming a sequel to a hit film and never surpassing the magic and fun of the original.

The clips from the special I've seen on youtube.com are amazing and I cannot wait to get my copy of the DVD and LIVE CD next week. Until then, I continue to have the anticipatory and excited feelings I always feel just weeks before his approaching tour in my home town.

I saw the Tampa concert from this tour in October 2008 and when I left the arena with my friend Luke, I said, "In the 22 shows I've attended, THIS was by far the BEST I've seen and heard." And, Luke agreed it was a blast!

You cannot top this tour and Neil is smart for only doing one DVD and moving on to where he belongs; writing and recording new music, and then taking it out on the road for us to enjoy in the concert halls around the world.

Neil Diamond ROCKS! And, that sentiment is true even if he were to stop writing songs today. Although, I hope he continues doing it for a long time to come.

Thank you for giving us this special performance from your 2008/2009 World Tour. It brings back every memory I could not retain consciously. When I lost my Dad to cancer two and a half years ago I turned to Neil's songs to heal me. And, now I can turn this DVD on whenever I need to smile or need spiritual healing or just want to experience the joy and amazing energy generated ONLY at a Neil Diamond concert.

Tom Tagliente

August 14 2009 at 3:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply