Neil Diamond sings live and he never sounded better
Lawrance M. Bernabo | The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota | 04/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is my favorite Neil Diamond album, one of those rare live albums that you would rather listen to than the same songs thrown together on any one of a half-dozen greatest hits collection. Just listen to "Cherry Cherry" and that should prove the point right there. I also like to listen to the Prologue, where the strings slowly build unto the point where the guitar finally starts to play and Diamond launches into "Crunch Granola Suite." Not exactly a Neil Diamond "hit," but it makes for a great opening. Likewise, I never get tired of hearing the sweeping string arrangement on "Play Me." More than you usually find on an album, the construction of this live performance is quite impressive. You have the big opening that comes down in the second half of "Done Too Soon" to set up a trio of his early hits: "Solitary Man," "Cherry Cherry" and "Sweet Caroline." Then you have a series of cute songs (e.g., "Soggy Pretzels") before an extended set of simpler numbers such as "Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon" and "Canta Libre." Then we have to endure "Song Sung Blue" (never liked it, never will) and then things perk up with "Cracklin' Rosie" setting up a powerhouse final trio. First "Holly Holy," my absolute favorite, and then a majestic version of "I Am...I Said." Following the Walk Off a rhythmic progression introduces the encore medley of "Soolaimon" and "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show." No wonder this was a legendary concert, richly deserving to be recorded for posterity. Nothing I have heard from Diamond, not even his later live stuff, has matched what I hear on this album. This is my recommendation for the "if you only own one Neil Diamond album" spot in your music collection. If you already have one album and it is not this one, then you need to go forth and procure it as well."