Neil Diamond Live At Croke Park

I have a bucket list, outlining 100 things I absolutely have to do before I die. That list is now one item shorter since seeing Neil Diamond in concert, and it was more than worthy of its place on said document.
The two-hour extravaganza opened with ‘Holly Holy,’ moved neatly through stalwarts such as ‘Crunchy Granola Suite,’ peaked at ‘Red Red Wine’, launched into full-on party by ‘Forever In Blue Jeans’, and flamed out in style with ‘Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show’.
Emotional highs included a family slide-show during ‘Brooklyn Roads’, the flying of both American and Irish flags during ‘America’, and the presence of veteran Diamond-gigger Angela, who insisted we hold hands for some air-waving during ‘Song Sung Blue’.
This was a masterful show. Every note, every move was carefully chosen, from the brass section dancing in sync when not playing their instruments, to the moment when the main man threw off his jacket.
It was a satisfying 80/20 mix of favourites and less obvious numbers, and all 15 on stage took their craft very seriously indeed, not allowing the popularity to lessen the art or vice-versa. As ever, Diamond’s voice quality, pitch and phrasing couldn’t be faulted, especially in the haunting slower songs such as ‘Love On The Rocks’ and some of the tracks from his new album. You come for the hits, you stay for the music.
Since Cash and Brown left us, he’s the only Elvis we’ve got. So add him to your bucket list before you kick it.