Neil Diamond @ Xcel
Posted on July 20th, 2008 – 1:20 AMBy Jon Bream
Despite his new modern look, he played plenty of old things, a few new things and a few more obscure things. Here is what Neil Diamond played on the opening night of his North American tour Saturday at Xcel. Check back to see if Sunday’s set list is different.
1. Holly Holy (1969) 2. Beautiful Noise (1976) 3. Street Life (1976) 4. Love on the Rocks (1980) 5. Play Me (1972) 6. Cherry Cherry (1966) 7. Thank the Lord for the Nighttime (1967) 8. Home Before Dark (2008) 9. Don’t Go There (2008) 10. Pretty Amazing Grace (2008) 11. Crunchy Granola Suite (1972) 12. Done Too Soon (1970) 13. Brooklyn Roads (1968)14. I Am…I Said (1971) 15. Solitary Man (1970) 16. Forever in Blue Jeans (1979) 17. Sweet Caroline (w/ two reprises) (1969) 18. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers (1978) 19. Song Sung Blue (1972) 20. I’m a Believer (1966) 21. Man of God (2005) 22. Hell Yeah (2005) ENCORE 23. Cracklin Rosie (1970) 24. America (1981)
What did you think of the show? What songs did you want to hear that you didn’t? Please post your comments here:
28 Responses to "Neil Diamond @ Xcel"
The concert was great - best performance in years his voice is back
Was there an opening act and what time did Neil hit the stage? I’m going tonight and am very excited.
There wasn’t an opening act. The show started at 8:15 and he played straight through until 10:15. I was waiting for Kentucky Woman and Heartlight.
The 2 hour+ plus intermission-free concert was fantastict!!! There was no opening act which is a plus in my book. I thought ND’s glitz was wonderfully tasteful and classic. He was contemplative yet peppy - thank you dear daughters for a great birthday evening!!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY the best concert. I want to go again tonight.
The show was terrific,The audience was really getting into it. There was so much audience participation. Really fun concert.
We only missed Kentucky Woman! It was a great show!! So FUN!! Neil might be in his 60’s but the music sure sounds great to me!
I think the “you don’t bring me flowers” needs a stronger female lead, it sounds like half of the song is missing.. that was the only one that didn’t ring true.
4 extra verses of Sweet Caroline… so fun!
How about a review of the Ween show? After all that was the real concert in town last night.
I thought the show was wonderful! There was a lot of emotion behind his songs and he really engaged the the audience. It was a concert I’ll remember for years.
A review of the Ween show? Who’s Ween? What’s a Ween? ;-))
Fantastic show! Wanted to hear “Hello Again” but it was still great! He still looks fabulous. 
an amazing show that shows he is getting on in years but still has it…he should do away with the obscure and get to the meat of what he is known for…he loves a crowd fawning over him and you can see it, he missed his lady who is back home on the mend and I am sure that was on his mind….the house roared and we got our moneys worth!this stage was impressive to him but kept the audience at bay…WORTH THE PRICE TO SEE A LEGEND!
Neil’s the man. Out of town so I can’t go, but a fan since the mid-70’s. Stumbled upon a video of fans singing “Sweet Caroline” before UK performance. Worth checking out.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2008/jun/27/glastonbury
My first Diamond concert was at the State Fair in 1971 and I’ve been at every concert ever since! Great music from the early years, but my favorites are from “12 songs” and “Home Before Dark”….back to the man and his guitar. I’m one sided…he’s always great!
I would have loved to see Brother Love but he didn’t show! Dayam!! You Don’t Bring Me Flowers was too much schmaltz and schtick for my taste. I enjoyed the show but was looking for something else — maybe a little conversation between songs. I left a little disappointed. LOUD crowd. It was a fun evening enjoyed from a $120 seat I didn’t have to pay for. One doesn’t grumble much under those conditions, nu?
My wife and I loved the show wouldn’t have missed it. He is truely a professional and one of a kind. sings of his experences and it comes out in the music. His music has something for everyone, young or old and the age range that was at the concert is proof of that. As with all of us time marches on and stops for no one. He is a Legend in the music industry, and I’m glad he shared his talent with us.
The concert was TERRIFIC!! I’ve been to all his concerts and he is always great. We missed Brother Love,but with so many years of great songs to choose from something has to be left out in favor of the new. The age range at his concert is proof of his appeal. It was my 61st birthday and my daughter,daughter-in-law and 16 year old granddaughter all had a great time.
Mark_in_LP, Ween is a band that is very popular with fans who have listened to a new act in the past decade.
Nothing against Neil, but try broadening your horizons.
The concert was superb. Missed Brother Love but he is so great. Have listened to him since before some of the audience was born!! Too bad Excel (or was it Ticketmaster) doesn’t cut the handicapped any slack. At least at Target we weren’t stashed in the far back in the oxygen required area. Made a tough go for my husband but he enjoyed it all the same.
This was the best concert I have gone to. I was in the center, first two seats on the floor. He has a great voice, doesn’t have intermission, and I enjoy all his songs. The band was great and so were the girls. Excel does need a way for the handicapped and those who have a hard time doing the stairs to get down to the main floor.
so happy to hear so many pluses….critics are not always right!! i saw mama mia yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it too!.. no matter what the critics say..after all, what can be a miss whith ABBA songs????
I think Jon Bream needs to find another line of work. First he says Neil is too dramatic with not enough meat and potatoes…according to the critics. It appears that Neil honored those opinions and gave what was suggested. Now you say it’s TOO much meat and potatoes!! Make up your mind!!
I loved EVERY moment of the show, every note, every song and appreciated the fact that there was no opening act nor intermission.(As well as the fact that Neil chose to open his tour here..in OUR city!) The crowd was very engaged in what was happening and appeared VERY happy despite your opinion.
This was my first time seeing Neil in concert and I will look forward to seeing him again! I was with someone who had seen him 4 times and they thought this concert was every bit as wonderful as the other concerts they had attended. Excellent work Neil!! THANK YOU!!
I thought it was the best concert I have gone to of his in the past 4 times he has been here. His voice was not raspy like it has been in the past. For him to be over 60, and able to do what he does……good for him. Keeps his fans entertained. Maybe the critics are not use to old-fashion entertainment. He is not glitzy…just himself.
Anyone attend the VIP package? I saw several people being escorted right up front before the show started..I lucked out and got a ticket at the last minute on the back of the floor where Neil sounded amazing, but I would have LOVED to be closer to the Man!
So good! So good! So good!
This is my 11th concert and I hope he comes back so I can make it an even dozen!
I was so impressed with Neil and his band! I love that they embrace their maturity and have not had cosmetic surgery to appear younger. Neil’s voice is even better this concert! He sings from his heart and soul and it connects with his audience. I think it’s cool that he enjoys the love and appreciation his fans have for him! God bless Neil and his band!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the concert last night. I think this concert was even better than some I have attended in the past in Mpls/St. Paul. What the Star Tribune needs is a critic who enjoys singers and their songs who have been around over four decades and still put on a fantastic concert like last night. Thank goodness we know critics aren’t right much of the time. I am sorry you didn’t enjoy the concert like me and all of Neil’s fans!!
I missed Brother Love, Soolaimon, and Stones — but I loved the set anyway, and had a blast. I thought the funky, horns-driven arrangements were genius! Too much of Sweet Caroline, though, for my taste.
Newspaper Subscriptions
eEdition
RSS
Newsletters