Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No........................Thank YOU, 17 Jun 2008
It is a particularly interesting time for me to personally review this DVD of Neil Diamond in Concert in Australia circa 1976. Having just been to see him at the Birmingham Concert last week, it is fascinating to compare the two, plus make an opinion on the intervening years.
Firstly, I have been a fan for more years than I care to say.........38 years and counting. I have seen him many times live and probably have most of his recorded output on disc, vinyl or whatever format. Throughout, there has been a stellar rise through the 60s & 70s, a levelling off in the 80s and a severe dip in the 90s and early 2000s.
I have never hidden from telling it as it is and have, up until 12 songs, been quite harsh, but honest when appraising the quality of his writings and performances during the mediocre years.
To date, there has been little of note on DVD for the Diamond fan to first of all purchase, let alone appreciate. The Greatest Hits/Live in LA and Stages DVDs are in my opinion, very sub-standard Diamond. Too showbiz and ineffectual. This, I thought, would long be the case for ever and a day, until a few things changed my mind. Firstly, "12 Songs" and "Home Before Dark", both of which reminded both me and the public at large what true quality Diamond used to have...........and still does. Secondly, on the back of his new found credibility, the performance at Birmingham also harkened back to his golden days. He sang as opposed to growled, he had sensitivity as opposed to insincerity and lastly, he looked and acted like a serious star, not a performing clown. In short, he was brilliant and his whole being and direction turned around.
This, brings me to the "Thank You Australia" DVD. It is superb. Never have I seen such terrific camera work as on this DVD. You couldn't get closer to the feel of the man himself unless you were actually on the stage alongside him. At times, you feel you are. He is at his most assured and charismatic, with a great selection of songs that are sung in that great voice, not always perfect, but always captivating. It may not have the raw power and emotion of "Hot August Night", or the intimate feel of the BBC 1 "In Concert" special from the early 70s, but it has other things that are just as wonderful.
His stage presence from start to finish is what aspiring stars on American Idol can only dream of. On this DVD you get the delivery and most of all an exercise in stage craft. His interaction with the crowd is as good as you'll get with any performer. He has humour, timing and most of all, an ability to make you feel that he is communicating with you only, even when you're just watching as opposed to being there.
One song I've never been too bothered with is "Song Sung Blue", but on this DVD, it is captivating the way he gets the audience firstly to sing with him and then whistle with him. Unbelievable.
But this is more than just a DVD with a tremendous concert performance; it has so many other things on it.
The commercials that he reads out to avoid having to break off to advertise the sponsors are delivered with a humour that it is worth watching a few times. However, perhaps the most exciting add on is the 50 minute interview that he gives. I have never seen such a personal "one to one" with Neil Diamond before, very interesting and revealing. Also delivered by both Diamond and the interviewer in a serious and intelligent fashion. Interesting to note that at this stage of his career, he didn't admit to the true source of inspiration for "Sweet Caroline". (Caroline Kennedy)
To any true Diamond fan, I can't recommend it too highly. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike some of his other DVDs I have been scathing about and only ever watched once, this is a collectors item..................it will be viewed many times again.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PRETTY AMAZING..., 17 Jun 2008
I too saw Neil at Birmingam NIA last week, twice, and have seen almost every Birmingham show since 1984..he really is the ultimate SUPERSTAR ..the voice is strong, the music stands the test of time...and this is a must for every Diamondhead. At last, the ultimate concert DVD..never mind they are all 32 years younger, the gang are all there, King with a full head of hair...Linda...looking very sweet, Alan, Tom, Reinie..and they were at Birmingham last week...says it all. This is a truly amazing concert, let's hope there is much more to come out of the ArchAngel archives...BUY IT AND ENJOY..especially the leather flares!
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant, 16 Jun 2008
Was not expecting too much as it from '76 but think it is fantastic quality both pic and sound.
Aware it said 4:3 on back of dvd when received but it went to wide screen!
Watched it quite a few times now! Brilliant concert and to be honest good to see a decent dvd when he had hair. Sorry, just being honest and been there since the beginning. He is still great!
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