In the wake of
Neil Diamond finally making it into the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this week (along with a great and worthy
set of inductees for 2011), I had to put something together for the occasion. But what was I going to spotlight here? I mean the man had so many friggin' hits in his career, many of them marshaling me through my teen years and the caldron that was high school, how could I pick just one and be representative? Who cares that many dismissed his work for so long because they thought it only epitomized the 'soft' side of rock and regulated it to the 'pop' for the era. They miss the point entirely by not acknowledging how superb his discography (and talent) is in point of fact, or how far-reaching its influence. Besides that, many of my relatives simply worshipped the singer/songwriter/performer. For good reason, too. So I had pressure to make this count. In the end, it came down to what I've played the most of recent. And it's a song I only re-discovered a short time back.
This post has been updated and moved to my current, which can be found
here.
I don't make a distinction between the 'pop' and the 'rock' and the 'r&b'music of the '60s, or even now. It's all 'popular' music, and really, who limits herself to just one genre anyway?
ReplyDeleteFavorite Diamond tune -- and he's had so many great ones -- is probably Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show. Was the Hot August Night LP as popular in your area as it was here?
We're certainly in agreement there, Naomi. Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show is a great one in that hugh list of hits for Diamond. And that's very much a <span>yes</span> for the popularity of the HOT AUGUST NIGHTS LP in L.A. IIRC, my aunt actually attended that Greek Theatre run where that album was recorded. Thanks so much, Naomi.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this song! That's for trotting out an excellent tune and providing all the interesting info!
ReplyDeleteI watched ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK. I am still trying to decide if the camo tights or the music was my favorite part of the movie. Then again, the bat fight/wrestling would certainly rank high on the list, too. Is it just me or does the movie not even attempt continuity or plot reconcilement? Too funny!
From What About Bob? "There are two kinds of people in this world, people who like Neil Diamond, and people who don't. My ex-wife loved him."
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder about why the rest of us love him too.
One year my sister wanted a Neil Diamond collection and I made one for her...knowing who he was but not having ever really listened to his music. I fell in love with it when I made that collection for her. This is a great one!
ReplyDeleteThanks Le0!
Thank you, Rachel. I'm glad you enjoyed it. EFNY is one of Carpenter's greats (and we're Kurt Russell fans from long time back). I highly recommend my friend John Kenneth Muir's take on the film (and its context), too.
ReplyDeleteWonder quote, my friend! Thanks very much for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThat is one great memory. So many of them get tied to the music we grow up with. Thanks so much for sharing that, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks much for the link! Very interesting breakdown of the movie. I'm pretty sure I saw and felt something completely different than was intended but I still enjoyed it. On to the next on the list you gave me... :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I'm eager to hear your thoughts on them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Neil fan, but haven't listen to Hot August Night in a long time. Need to
ReplyDeletefish it out of the LP archive and digitalize it. On the Last Waltz he gives a great performance which I always go back for an encore, Dry your eyes. And opened up a Netflix last night and there was my Neil selection, Greatest hits Live. Let you know how Great it is.
By the way, on the earlier crying post this movie will destroy you, Hachi, a dogs tale. Better have two boxes of tissue. Just remembered.
Your Up Next, the Long Kiss Goodnight, my fav for Sam Jackson, totally over the top, great popcorn and action movie, Violent fun.
Thanks for the Cherry.
Good to hear there's another ND fan out there. The Long Kiss Goodnight is very much as you described it. And, it's not Christmas without it ;) .
ReplyDeleteThanks, Herb, for the comment and that film recommendation. I'll plan to tee it up in 2011.
Just got IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS so there's one for the holiday. Also, another is available on instant viewing so I should have some reporting to do after Christmas. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope y'all aren't floating away down there. Thinking of you and yours!
We'll make a you John Carpenter aficionado soon ;) .
ReplyDeleteI think we finished off the storm run today with L.A. topped Seattle's December rain total for the same period. If you want to see a great photo that's representative, check this out.
Thanks, Rachel. The best to you and yours.