Neil Diamond Homepage.com Blog

'Scrubs' Season Finale - Neil Diamond

Tuesdays season finale of 'Scrubs' on NBC featured multiple Neil Diamond references. JD thinks the girls are at a Neil concert, and Neil's song Delerious Love is featured at the end of the episode. Great to see Neil getting positive exposure on network TV.

Salon also gives Neil some good press in their review of the episode - "...Being a "Scrubs" fan is a little like being a Neil Diamond fan. It's the kind of thing that originally seemed so cheesy you didn't want to admit it, but somehow over the years gained its own warped credibility. It's not so much that the thing itself has changed; it's just that maybe the rest of us have finally discovered its loopy, heartfelt charm.......As the episode ends, fittingly, to the awesome strains of Neil Diamond's "Delirious Love," couples are paired off under the stars, embracing all that love and the night can offer."

Read the Salon Review here.

New Movie Appearance - Keeping Up With The Steins

Keeping up with the Steins is being released this week in limited markets. In this great new film, Neil Diamond shows up and sings Hava Nagila at a bar mitzvah. Check here to see where the film is opening in its first week, or view the trailer.

The Canadian Press comments "With its sitcommy dialogue, wacky family antics and good-natured ribbing of religious traditions, Keeping Up With the Steins plays like My Big Fat L.A. Bar Mitzvah. And yet, like the 2002 surprise smash My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the movie is so warmhearted and well-intentioned, it's hard not to be charmed....Besides, Neil Diamond shows up and sings Hava Nagila. What's not to like? (read the full article here).

According to Variety "A sure-fire audience-pleaser, Scott (son of Garry) Marshall's winning comedy bow could have been titled "My Big Fat Jewish Bar Mitzvah." Mark Zakarin's script deftly mocks Hollywood excess while upholding religious tradition, and the cast, from Daryl Sabara ("Spy Kids""Spy Kids") to Daryl Hannah all appear to be having a ball....the pic's eclectic comedy ultimately trumps the inevitable schmaltz. "

The Jewish Week provides this overview "“Keeping Up With the Steins,” which opens today, is a story about the race to have the biggest Hollywood bar mitzvah ever. Agent Adam Fiedler (Jeremy Piven) feels compelled to outdo a former colleague who rented a Cunard liner for a Titanic-themed party. So Fiedler plans to rent Dodger Stadium and hire several ballplayers (and Neil Diamond) for his son’s party." (read more from the review)

On another topic, I'm sure you've all noticed how seemingly every pro sports teams fans are taking to singing Neil's Sweet Caroline - from the Boston Red Sox, to minor league ball, and European soccer, I could post dozens of articles from sports sections mentioning this.
Now, that would be a bit boring, but here's a unique tidbit from the Ottawa Sun "The crowd at HSBC was having a grand time when the Sabres were up 2-1 and time running down. They were singing Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline. Then Spezza scored to tie it. You ever hear the lyrics go "Sweet Car-o-line, Buh, Buh ... Uh-Oh?"

Forever Neil Diamond

Forever Neil Diamond is a new CD of Neil cover tunes, set to be released on May 23rd. According to Rolling Stone: The decade-spanning disc includes recordings by the MONKEES ("A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You"), URGE OVERKILL ("Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon"), UB40 ("Red, Red Wine") and BOBBY WOMACK ("Sweet Caroline").

Click Here to Pre-Order From Amazon.com

As Amazon.com relates: "Neil Diamond." To many, the name evokes bright lights, stage costumes that would make Elvis jealous, and legions of female fans in the audience. But there’s another Neil Diamond—Neil the songwriter....The new collection Forever Neil Diamond presents 14 of the best and most popular covers of classic Neil Diamond songs, including UB40’s #1 smash recasting of "Red Red Wine," Urge Overkill’s memorable version of "Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon" from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack, Deep Purple’s hard-rock take on "Kentucky Woman," and even Elvis Presley himself paying tribute to Neil’s songwriting prowess with the cult favorite "And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind." The result is a fun and engaging look at the real Neil—Neil the songwriter.

Neil Diamond Fan Memories Vol 1

We will be looking to post inspiration fan memories here from time to time, while we await any news of a new tour or album. Heres a few items written to us by Neil fans from back in 1997 (can you believe thats 9 years ago?)

Everyone says I am very opinionated and always have to put my two cents in - so here goes. Recently purchased the "Tennessee Moon" cassette and the most beautiful song I have heard in a long time is on it. The title "Reminensce for a While" It's one of those songs you could listen to over and over and never tire of it. Puts some of the junk on the radio to absolute shame. Have been a Neil Diamond fan for a long time and hope someday to attend one of his concerts.

--Anita

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I have been a huge Neil Diamond fan since 1976 when I obtained his "Stones" album and began listening to it. Looking back, I honestly believe that the songs "Stones", and "I Am...I Said" changed my life in a very constructive way. The beautiful, poetic lyrics told me as a lonely, confused 16 year old, that I was not alone and they somehow inspired me to deal with my teenage years in a positive way.

I think all of us who have understood and loved his music will always be grateful to him as we would be to any gift giver. I know a lot of people let their jealousy get the best of them and find things to criticize (like his stage clothes), but us fans just appreciate the piece of his soul that he was willing to share with the whole world. Neil, if you should ever read this, I just want to say "thank you". Thank you for I Am... I Said, Stones, Jonathan..., Songs of Life, Story of My Life, Cherry, Cherry, Yesterday's Songs, Dry Your Eyes, Heaven Can Wait and all your other "Beautiful Noise."

Natalie de la Cruz

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... Some of my fondest, most powerful memories of my youth are while playing the drums to Hot August Night time and time again. Even in the 'duet' situation I was in with the guitar player,, we played Cherry, Cherry, B.L. Traveling Salvation Show, amongst others live in small shows. To be a kid up in front of an audience was great. What a fortunate person I am to have been raised on such powerful and wonderful music.

Today,, as I listen to my Neil Diamond CDs,, I get a twofold sense of feelings. First,, I am taken back to the early seventies, and the sound of "I Am, I Said" echoing through the house day after day, remembering the long afternoons practicing drums. I get misty eyed at such deep meaningful songs such as "Morningside". But today,, now that I am reaching my mid thirties, I am awed at just how darned good Neil was in his younger years. Not saying he isn't great today, but the writing, and voice of Neil in the late sixties and early seventies was so far ahead of his peers. (Hey, that was protest time, remember? Make love not war - haha) All this I say with a great deal of gratitude and respect for the guy who was doing it well then and is still kickin' butt today.

I had the honor of attending a Neil Diamond show with my father not too long ago. (and boy was my dad happy to see Ronny Tut on those drums, after not seeing him since the Elvis days) Seeing Neil up on the stage, still as powerful as the character on the cover of "Hot August Night", inspired me to be all that I can be in my life, today, and later in my life. What a musician, what a man. Thanks Neil for sharing your gifts with my father and I for all these years.

A life long Fan,
Bobby Boykin

Neil Diamond Takes His Songs Personally

New today: This great article on Neil - “The main objective in any song I write,” says Neil Diamond, “has always been that it reflects the way I feel. That it touches me when I’m finished with it and involves me in what its saying. And that’s really the only rule I use when writing.”

- From the Business Ledger of Chicago. Click here to read the entire article on their website.

This mention of Neil in the Northern Iowan Student Newspaper is also interesting.