NEIL DIAMOND IN CHRISTCHURCH
Keith Nunes
June 12 1999

Neil Diamond at the WestpacTrust Centre. Saturday, June 12 1999. Reviewed by Keith Nunes. Rapturous applause ushered Neil Diamond to the WestpacTrust Centre stage on Saturday night for the first of his four sell-out concerts in Christchurch.

The enthusiasm from the wildly supportive crowd never faltered through the nearly 2 1/2-hour concert and seemed to lift the legendary singer-songwriter.

Without opening acts or an interval Diamond, 58, paced himself superbly, sprinkling gentle love songs in between uptempo rockers.

Wearing his trademark sparkly shirt atop black trousers, Diamond nimbly wandered around the revolving stage all evening, talking to the crowd, personalising his songs, and injecting humour into the show.

The lighting was entertaining in its own right; Diamond's band of 23 years was spirited and precise; and the crowd, which ranged in age from twenties to seventies, were attentive and frenzied when the moment suited.

He sang many of his hits, drawing people to their feet regularly with Shilo, I'm a Believer, Forever in Blue Jeans, Song Sung Blue, and the opening track, Beautiful Noise. He orchestrated the crowd's role during a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline and had them off their seats again for the gospel-like Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show.

Diamond and the crowd seemed moved with his working of Play Me and his duet with support singer Linda Press on You Don't Bring Me Flowers, which ended with an artful kiss.
The only questionable move he made was the 15 minutes spent on movie song tributes (from his latest album). Several of his own hits would have been preferable. But that was a minor quibble.

The consummate performer then swung back into his own songs and the crowd was back in synch, singing the words, clapping, and stamping their feet. A great show Mr Diamond!