Diamond strikes gold at NIA

For a man who recently claimed to have no close friends, music legend Neil Diamond seemed popular enough last night.

The 67-year-old is enjoying a critically-acclaimed rebirth which has seen his latest release, Home Before Dark, finally give him a number 1 on both sides of the Atlantic.

With 120 million albums sold in a 50-year career, he has a rich catalogue to choose from and last night every oaken-voiced song was well known to the sell-out audience.

Openers Holy, Holy, Beautiful Noise and Hello Again all had the crowd on their feet,while Love on the Rocks quickly drew another standing ovation. And the hits kept coming; I'm a Believer, Red, Red, Wine, Sweet Caroline, You Don't Bring Me Flowers.

The sequins are toned down these days as Diamond tapped into the rich seam of gold from his last two albums.

He closed his initial set with the autobiographical Hell Yeah before barnstorming encores Cracklin' Rosie and Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show. He's on again at the NIA tonight so pack up the babies and grab the old ladies. In fact, let everyone know.

Review by Keith Harrison. Picture by Richard Franklin.

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