And if you'll pardon me, I'd like to say we'll do okay, forever in blue jeans.

First let me admit that there were TWO...count them T.W.O. songs that were original Neil Diamond songs, that I had no idea they were originally Neil Diamond's. My whole perception of these two songs, was shattered - okay not really, but still. It certainly didn't stop me from singing along though.

Red Red Wine...Really? My version, which I love, is UB40's version. And secondly, I'm a Believer - in my book the Monkey's did this song...and then Smash Mouth. I had no idea.

And let me just say, SuperDiamond, quite simply ROCKED! There were several, and I mean, several songs I didn't know. My "Neil Diamond" knowledge is at about 3rd grade. Unbeknowst to me, though, we had a closet Neil Diamond fan among us. I won't share HIS name with you to spare him any embarrasment...be he was the ONLY guy with us.

But first, let me back up to Dudley. Every time I see them know I'm more and more impressed. These guys really have it together. I did have a birds eye view of the show. As you can see in this photo, I was Main Stalker Chick right up front. (BTW - we decided that it's unfair to call me a stalker - it's very un PC...so from hence forth I'll be "boundary challenged". There. I feel better already.)

 

So yah, the boys put on one helluva show...again. Their set included all of my favorites like Dancing Queen, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Rio, and Take on Me. Oh come on...you know you'd sing along. They did surprise though by pulling out one of my other ALL TIME favorite 80's songs. It was the first video every showed on MTV...Video Killed The Radio Star. They did it fantastically.

As I mentioned, my view was very close. If I was any closer, I'd be on the stage. Blueberry, the other stalkettes we see all the time there (and have grown to really enjoy their company) and myself were center staged. Lead Singer dude could have, thankfully he didn't though, dropped sweat on me. Ah memories. Stefan, Mr. Lead Singer, has so much energy on stage. He bounces around constantly and I gotta admit, I get tired just watching him. He adds a very nice, very welcome element to the already great band.

DMQ performed for about an hour, and a bit. They, as usual, wow'd the crowd. And to end the night, I got a hug from the bass player Steve as I mentioned to him on my way out that they were sounding better than ever. They really are such nice boys, and I really hope they have continued success. Cuz I really don't want to have to start being "boundary challenged" with SuperDiamond. But I will if they push me.

Right so SuperDiamond. To sum up the show in one word: Amazing. The lead singer, Surreal Neil - actually let me back up.

They open their show with a serious drum adventure. Me loving large very loud drums was in heaven. The video I shot of it, didn't turn out quite as I had planned - too much base - but trust me when I say, they make an entrance. The crowd exploded upon just the band members coming on stage, then when Surreal Neil was introduced, they were at a fever pitch. I felt like I was back at a Duran Duran concert...only with a few years on me and well, Neil Diamond songs.

Opening Drum Adventure video: Sorry it's not great, but you get the idea.



You'll notice from the videos that we weren't front and center for SuperDiamond. We got from a very reliable source that being up front for them was painful, and no fun. The crowd tends to push forward and it gets to be too much. Me, having a small anxiety about large crowds now, took that advice and ushered our group to the back for the show. Good call on my part I think.

But let me start with one of the final songs they did. After being on stage for an hour and three quarters, they came out and did more. (More, More, More popped in my head...which DMQ sang that night. Written by a porn star...) They hadn't done Sweet Caroline and I wasn't at all happy about that. They couldn't do an entire Neil show and NOT do Sweet Caroline...I mean that's like giving up chocolate for Lent...just wrong.

But they did please. They came out and played Sweet Caroline and America, and a few others for their on core (is that even how you spell it?) Do notice in this video the crowd participation. For whatever reason it cracks me up and I LOVE it when the crowd gets into the show.




So, if SuperDiamond is ever in your neck of the woods, and you like any Neil Diamond songs, I highly recommend them. Very high energy, (I have a secret crush on the bass player now - he's to the Left of Surreal Neil - tall guy ...), very Neil Diamond-esk - sounds like Neil himself, and a show you won't walk away from thinking that's a couple of hours of your life you'd never get back. If you're not a Neil Diamond fan, I would only recommend seeing them if you appreciate superb muscicians ...these guys -especially their drummer - were fantastic music players. The drummer...let me not get started on him. Being a drum line lover, this guy had all the sticks. Truly good. And a bit cute too - but that's not why I liked him. Really.

So I'll leave you with this video. I have a couple FAVORITE Neil songs, and Forever in Blue Jeans is one of them...though I thought it was titled Money Talks.