Customer Reviews

Neil Diamond - I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a pretty typical bland t.v. special from 1977 that was aired in conjunction with the release of the album "I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight".

It opens with him nervous before a live concert in England (I wish they had showed some of the concert), and then moves to a recording studio for Free Man in Paris from the album. Next is a time filler in the form of a video clip of him playing chess in a park with some old men during the song Morningside, followed by 3 songs from the album (Desiree, Let Me Take You In My Arms Again, and the title song) which he performs in the television studio with his band without an audience. There is an interesting segment of him working with the Bergmans on the lyrics for You Don't Bring Me Flowers and then recording the song solo for this album. Barbra Streisand was added in a later version. There is another time filler with clips from the movie Jonathan Livingston Seagull while he sings Lonely Looking Sky and Skybird unseen. The end is a medley in the t.v. studio again of Song Sung Blue, Sweet Caroline, Cherry Cherry, Holly Holy, Brother Love, and I Am I Said. The music specials of the 70's were never too special, this one is better than most because of Neil Diamond being such a dynamic performer. All of the songs were recorded live with the band and an orchestra for the special, he is more restrained than in concert performance, but that's not always a bad thing. He looked and sounded great,a sincere effort, he gets 5 stars even though the special is choppy. A good addition to your collection.

I bought this tape because I like Neil Diamond, but WOW. It is worth the price just for the video of I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight and Morningside. But the former is really a treasure. It is one of Neils best videos, he looks awesome, sounds great and I am wearing out my tape! Need I say more?

What a special treat, to have Morningside....an old man died. That song that is rarely included in any concert/video of Neil Diamond. The music plays to scenes of older gentlemen and Neil on the streets in Paris.

Morningside is so beautiful, and the best version ever of Morningside is a live one on this double CD Greatest Hits.

Also included on this 1977 compilation, from the soundtrack Jonathan Livingston Seagull...Lonely Looking Sky. This, too, is rare and it plays to magnificent footage. I will always love Lonely Looking Sky and the song does go into Skybird.

This video special was produced in 1977, and what is great about that is that the music was done when Neil was young, when he sang very very close to the original sounds. It is NOT a concert video per se, it is a compilation of performances and other clips.

On some studio shots with orchestral back up, Neil performs Free Man in Paris, Desire, Glad Youare With Me Tonight and the beautiful Let Me Take You in My Arms.

We see the songwriters work with Neil for You Don't Bring Me Flowers.

Most of the songs were done in live setting, but it turns into a medley, fortunately, we hear most of the song, but not complete. Included on medleys, are Song Sung Blue, Sweet Caroline, Cherry Cherry, Brother Love's Salvation, I Am I Said and Holly Holy

As I said, you get the music when Neil was younger and you get the true sound without him "restyling" the music like he does in some concerts.

Neil is one in a million, a true legend!! His voice is deep, sensual, and he is beautiful!!! ...Rizzo

Recorded in 1977, Neil was perhaps at the height of his vocal powers in this video recording. The progam is 60 minutes long and features the following songs (and more): I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight, Sweet Caroline, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Song Sung Blue, I Am ... I Said, Brother Love, Free Man in Paris, Desiree, Kentucky Woman, Holly Holy, And Cherry Cherry. The video quality is excellent, as is the audio. I think I may have seen parts of this video on a tv special in 1977.

What struck me is how insecure Neil is before a program. There is a brief introduction where Neil is getting ready for a concert in England before 60,000 fans, and he is as nervous as a turkey on Thanksgiving. My impression of Neil Diamond is that of a man in complete control of all his faculties with the world on a string - a bold man brimming with confidence. It was enlightening to see him worried he may have a pimple as he examines himself in the mirror!

Diamond includes several cuts from his highly successful "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" album along with accompaning video. There are scenes of him in the recording studio, some shots of him in Paris playing chess with an old man, but most of his recordings are with his fine band in a studio. The show ends with a most welcome introduction to his talented band and back-up singers. He really gathered a lot of talent around him.

Neil had not lost any of his vocal talents or range. This is him at his vocal prime (my opinon of course), and he does not (not even once) "talk" his songs, as he was so prone to do later in his career. On this program, he croons every single note - it's really gorgeous singing.

konedog

The audio quality was horrible. It went from too soft to too loud to muffled. I returned it. I don't recommend this product.