One thing about Neil diamond besides a great voice and singing style, he also wrote all his hits. He was a great song writer.

This is a taping from the movie The Jazz Singer. The elderly rabbi was playing his father in the movie, the young woman next to him. Lucy Arnez played his wife. The movie was about him wanting to be a singer but his father wanted him to be a rabbi.

@ernienelson969

11 ай бұрын

The elderly rabbi was played by Laurence Olivier.

This song makes me tear up each time I hear it. Thanks to my great-great grandparents who chose to leave all they knew behind in Denmark. Family, culture, friends, religion....everything they knew. They bravely chose to follow that dream of coming to America! It is because of their choice that I have been blessed to grow up in a country where I am free. I have enjoyed all the blessings that this great land has to offer, I have never known hunger, fear, hopelessness, isolation, abandonment. So many amazing blessings that others can only dream of and so many I cannot even begin to list them all. I have never taken any of it for granted.

@marenehanson5526

11 ай бұрын

God bless you. ❤

@larryzigler6812

11 ай бұрын

Did they own slaves !!!!! ?

A few Neil Diamond songs: Beautiful Noise Nothing but a heartache Melody Road First Time

This song means a lot to Neil Diamond. His maternal grandparents emigrated from Russia, his paternal grandparents from Poland. He's a great storyteller. If you want to get to know Neil Diamond, just listen to his songs. You're definitely right about his voice. Another thing he has in common with Frank Sinatra is his phrasing and enunciation. You can actually understand every word he's singing, unlike many other "artists". And besides being a terrific songwriter, he was also a charismatic performer selling out huge arenas and stadiums around the world.

This DIAMOND is forever! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Oh Lord! I commented too soon! "Solitary Man", "Cherry Cherry" "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon", "Hello Again", "Song Sung Blue", "Love on the Rocks" I could go on and on.......

Big voice and you’re right, very distinct. He had so many great hits. All very uplifting and feel good. And btw, great song choice today as we celebrate our nation here in the US. Thanks! & Happy 4th to everyone. 🇺🇸

Brilliant! I saw Neil Diamond twice in concert, 1976 & 1992. He knew how to put on a show! He was also a lovely man who enjoyed meeting and chatting with his fans as well.

I love Neil Diamond's gravelly talk-sing sound. I saw him once years ago, he was great. To clarify some of the other comments, this was the finale of THE JAZZ SINGER. Diamond plays Jesse, the son of a cantor, who is the person that sings the prayers in a temple. Jesse falls in love with a non-Jewish woman (who you also see in the audience) and his father disowns him. Jesse leaves his new wife and goes out on the road, unaware that his wife is pregnant. He returns months later, meeting his newborn son. On the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur, which is the Day of Atonement, Jesse goes to the temple after the service and shows the picture of his son to his father. His father breaks down and welcomes his son back. This song follows that emotional scene, as his father finally sees that Jesse makes people feel good in his own way. The final pose that you see became the movie poster.

The actor playing his father is Sir Laurence Olivier.

Not only a lot of hits on his own, he wrote dozens of hit songs for other groups. I went to one of his concerts and he sang 30 of his recognizable hits and there were still more we noticed he did not do after we left. So many groups have a greatest hits album with maybe 3 really known songs. He could put out 3 albums and most would be easily recognizable.

Love me British Pops. Keep up the good work, men!

Yes, it is from the remake of the movie "The Jazz Singer." The elderly gentleman in the yamaka is the late Sir Laurence Olivier. The young lady sitting next to him is Lucy Arnaz, who is the daughter of the great comedienne, Lucille Ball and her then husband Desi Arnaz (from the "I Love Lucy Show).

Yes this was from the movie! One of my all time favorites! One of a kind performer!

His dad was proud.

I don’t think you realised that was Lawrence Olivier. Neil Diamond wrote some massive hits Red Red Wine, I’m a Believer, Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon, I am I Said, Cracklin Rosie, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, Play Me, Jonathan Livingston Seagulls (Soundtrack he won the album of the year Grammy), Brother Loves Travelling Salvation Show, Solitary Man… and many others

The 1980 movie "The Jazz Singer" starring Neil Diamond is a remake of the 1927 movie "The Jazz Singer" starred Al Jolson and was loosely based on his life. The original Jazz Singer in 1927 was the first talking picture ever and the first movie to have real music.

I am I said is a uniquely 70s song, also by Neil Diamond

Thank God my father-in-law had the courage and desire to bring his family to America, where I had a chance to meet my beautiful wife and the love of my life for the past 50 years.

Iconic.

The woman in the audience the camera kept focusing on is Lucy Arnaz, daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. It’s a scene from the movie The Jazz Singer

You should listen to his album "Hot August Night" 1972 - amazing. The elderly man in the audience of this film wearing the yamaka & clapping was his father the Rabbi who had been totally against what he wanted to do but upon seeing his son on stage, finally understood & was proud. Saw him at MSG -- outstanding, & that was w-a slight cold that he had, but he never missed a note. We had great music yrs. back.

@thehorrorfanx

11 ай бұрын

“Hot August Night” is one of my favorite albums of all time. I had it in record format back in the 70s and I have since purchased the download. Fantastic performance.

I love the reaction his father had in the movie.

This is another famous person my mom met all but briefly when he came into a store where she was working at the time in the 1980s. We used to have several fairgrounds where local fire companies would raise funds by having various concerts. He was performing at one of them. She said he was every friendly and nice. Nice choice for the 4th of July. He had many, many huge hits and a massive stage presence. As you could see also a large female fan base.😅

Yes, this was a clip from the movie "The Jazz Singer"

There are so many good songs by this iconic singer ❤

For your information, Neil Diamond also wrote I'm a Believer, Red Red Wine, Girl You'll be a Woman Soon, among many others. I would love you to review Holly Holy from the 1971 BBC TV Special, a man and his guitar, it's mesmerising. Or I Am... I Said, Brooklyn Roads, Solitary Man, Hell Yeah (a more recent song and proof that Neil continued writing terrific and meaningfu songs in the latter stages of his career).

He's awesome to see in concert. Really knows how to work the crowd.

If you played another 2 seconds you would have seen the Jazz Singer logo. I love this song. Thanks for playing it! His sequined shirts are his thing. You should do Sweet Caroline at the Boston Red Sox stadium. He did it live bc they've taken that song for theirs and it's fantastic. They get into the song and do the sing along parts. 😊

He was a nice guy.

130 million sold .. Writers/publishers have been using that figure for 2 or 3 decades now. That number, no doubt' exceeds 150 million records sold today. Neil is the GOAT! A CLASS ACT PERFORMER with a stage presence that oozed 'swagger'. #America became just one of many signature songs in his LIVE shows. In the middle of the song when Neil begins the U.S. pledge, a huge American flag would drop down behind him, sending the audience into a patriotic frenzy. Neil wouldn't dare walk off stage without doing this number. Oh no! We (his adoring, loving fans) would eventually come around and forgive Neil if he had .. but we would NEVER forget 😅.. This performance of #America was filmed at the Pantages Theater in L.A. for the #Jazz Singer movie in 1980. Neil's one and only acting role. The woman and 'old' man in the audience are none other than Lucie Arnaz (daughter of the late, great Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz) and the gentleman is the late, great actor Sir Lawrence Olivier who played Neil's character (Jess Robin) father in the flick. Neil was 39, almost 40 y/o then and the musicians behind him were his 'for real' band mates. Many of whom he had been playing/recording with for over 30-35 yrs. Other signature tunes were #Sweet Caroline .. #Cherry Cherry .. #Brother Loves Traveling Salvation Show .. #Cracklin' Rosie .. #Holly Holy .. #I Am..I Said .. #You Don't Bring Me Flowers .. #Solitary Man .. #Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon .. just to name a few. When you do react to #Sweet Caroline .. #Solitary Man .. #I Am .. I Said .. #Cherry Cherry .. #Holly Holy and #Brother Loves Traveling .. there are some videos of Neil doing a one-man acoustical show on the BBC way back in the early seventies and his #Thank You Australia DVD in 1976. I recommend choosing clips from this time frame when his voice was in its prime.

Cracklin' Rosie, Solitary Man, Brother's Love Traveling Salvation Show, Holy Holy, etc.....! I grew up with Neil Diamond and this song is from "The Jazz Singer."

This was written far the American Bicentenial in 1976. A major hit.

I love that song!

Yes, this is a movie clip, not a live performance.

I think this was from a movie called "the Jazz Singer".

Love to listen to you two talk. British yay

@BritPopsReact

Ай бұрын

Thanks Deb :)

His gravely voice and sparkly shirts are EVERYTHING

"The Jazz Singer." think that his movie Dad was in the audience, Sir Laurence Olivier....Diamond had played a cantor. And YES, now I remember Lucie Arnez played his wife. See comment below.

Neil Diamonds "I am I said'....is a great ballad....might want to check that out.

I'll be completely honest, I just clicked on this because of his hair in the thumbnail. Epic.

@l.t.6180

11 ай бұрын

Honestly, I don't think it's a real picture. It's so unnatural. It has been manipulated one way or the other. Of course he had lush hair in the seventies and eighties, but I can't find any picture on the internet that resembles even remotely to this one.

My great grandparents came over to America from England. Love all of Neil Diamond songs .Neil Diamond just turned 83 last week. Love y'all guys ! Y'all are Awesome 😊

That was in the movie. That was Lord Laurence Olivier who played his father in the audience watching him!!!!

Extra note. The woman next to the man with the Jewish cap, is Lucille Balls daughter. It is from the movie, but a real concert

@jaypaster8244

9 ай бұрын

The man with the Jewish cap is Sir Lawrence Olivier.

I love this song. Yes, what happened to "that America"? Makes me often wonder. Hope my country can heal soon with more love, more welcoming and much less hate..

i've heard and believe, that, the couple so prominently featured in the crowd, were his parents, or perhaps his father and his sister? immigrants and proud of it. and proud of him as well.

Thanks guys, and yes, the Jazz Singer is one of my all time favorite movies! Great song for today!!! TODAY!!!...LOL ~

This is actually a scene from the movie "The Jazz Singer." I got to see Neil in Denver in 1996. Memorable!

Yes, it's the finale of the film,,, the 2 characters in focus are his father, played by the late great Sir Laurance Olivier, and his girlfriend played by Lucy Arnez, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. In the movie Neil Diamond plays a canta learning to become a rabbii but really wants to be a muso. The acting isn't great but the story is kinda sweet. If I remember correctly, ND was one of the EPs for the film, and wrote a lot of the music for it, most of which became hits for him too... edited for spelling 🥴

Good choice for the 4th of July. I had heard the song but not this particular performance. Sounded great. He was a bit of a flashy dresser, but I could see BP1 sporting that outfit......well.......maybe not.

The 1996 Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta. If you were watching the games on tv, this song was used as the opening to every broadcast.

This video is actually a part of the movie "The Jazz Singer." The character Diamond plays is an Orthodox Jewish man, a Cantor in the Temple. The movie shows his struggle with his faith and his desire to be a singer.

This clip was actually a scene from a movie, can't remember the name. Always loved this song.

You're watching a scene from The Jazz Singer (1980 I think). It's a very cool film. Interesting story about a Jewish immigrant family and their son who wants to be a rock star instead of a cantor, as his father is. Gritty. Well acted. Great soundtrack, too. Thanks for reacting to this!!

@jillk368

11 ай бұрын

His performance of Sweet Caroline at Glastonbury is legendary; he's older there but the crowd is insane and between them and the sensational backup singers, it's just a performance worth watching. I also recommend a really unique song he wrote called Brother Loves Travelling Salvation Show. It's really different. Here's a link to a favorite performance of it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/pqd-x9iPl8ywp7A.html

That was his wife in the movie. In real life she is the daughter of Lucille Ball. The man was a classical British actor, Lawrence Olivier. He played Neil Diamond's father in the movie. Yes, the name of the movie was The Jazz Singer.

One of my favorite patriotic songs. 🇺🇸 Happy 4th!! 🗽

It WAS from the movie 🍿 The Jazz Singer

That is from the movie “The Jazz Singer”

I remember watching The Jazz Singer as a kid. Love Neil Diamond.

Don't forget he wrote hits for the Monkees like "I'm a Believer" which was covered by Smash Mouth for the movie Shrek.

yes it was from the movie, the man they kept showing was his father

He looks very shiny very sparkly

@BritPopsReact

11 ай бұрын

Bit like BP2 on our Sunday shows lol

Very appropriate to here this today. Our 4th of July. Celebrating the signing of our constitution here in America. Love his music. I own every album on vinyl and CD. Plus VHS and DVD concerts. I went too 4 concert.

@terri2494

11 ай бұрын

We’re celebrating the signing of the Declaration of Independence.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Four concerts! I only made it to two. Such a great performer!

It is a great movie. If you let it play out you would have seen the Jazz Singer title pop up on the screen.

I’m pretty sure the man & woman in the audience the camera keep landing on was The late Desi Arnez & his daughter Lucie Arnez , Desi was the late Husband of the late Lucille Ball, he was with their daughter Lucie. Lucy & Desi had a comedy show in the 50’s together “I Love Lucy”. Desi immigrated from Cuba and had a terribly strong accent & that even enhanced the comedy in the show. In real life Desi was a band leader & singer, which was written into the comedy show.

You may be surprised to know I went to Neil Diamond concert and LOVED IT! Me and Auntie (Uncle Brian's wife) went in the 90's, we both would have killed for his scarf!!! Now, don't tell my Slayer crew but I have a playlist that is JUST Neil Diamond, shhhhhhhhhh.

yes it was filmed for the movie and was the final song of it. The woman was his girlfriend and the man played his father, who was very against him doing anything other than singing in the synagogue.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love Neil Diamond & used to go to his live concerts every time he came to Sydney. I even took my mother on occasion. I only stopped when he stopped touring. I knew every word of every song on Hot August Night, my first Neil Diamond double album. America was my favourite song for years. Riding the swell of that music, knowing it represented freedom to so many Europeans, is exciting. Well chosen.

Saw him in concert 3 times. Wonderful. ❤

The Jazz Singer!!!

Yes it is from the movie

I saw Neil live twice, and what amazed me was his charisma. He connects with the audience on a deep level.

It was from the movie The Jazz Singer

Sir Laurence Olivier played Robin's (Neil's character) father. The woman beside him Lucie Arnaz (daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) plays Neil's girlfriend/partner/wife in the movie.

I have a double album set that I think was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, "Live" in concert. ( Please correct me if I have the name of the Hall wrong). Neil was at his finest accompanied by the legendary Orchestra backing him. Perhaps if you react to his music again, you have a cornucopia of his hits to select from. Believe me, any one of them are even better than his original releases. I enjoy stopping by your Channel to have a listen, from across the pond in Minnesota. THANK YOU!

@BritPopsReact

11 ай бұрын

Yes you are correct that’s the right hall :) thanks for the comments good one!

@JamesJohnson-ig6of

11 ай бұрын

@@BritPopsReact A FYI, the double album set I was referencing recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, is "Hot August Night". There wasn't a track on either album that didn't disappoint. And even on LP version, the sound was stellar. THANK YOU!

How wonderful to listen to this song on the Fourth of July while watching the celebrations in Washington DC, New York Harbor and across the country from California to Florida. Many thanks.

Dude, you don’t know. Everyone loves Neil. Those who say they don’t will still sing the “bah bah bahs” in Sweet Caroline.

GUYS that old guy in the audience is your compatriot LAURENCE OLIVIER.

Ok BP1, you made me laugh so I won't give you any FLAK for your score. I'm still laughing, watching your brain GRIND away trying to figure out your score.

@BritPopsReact

11 ай бұрын

Thanks man… my brain 🧠 still hurts 😂

Not live. This is the clip from the movie.

They were his wife and father who, until recently were estranged from him.

Neil's "Sweet Caroline" kzread.info/dash/bejne/p6h2rdhyirDVmrA.html on Ed Sullivan 1960 a more sedate period in music -- compare to Elvis 1970 Vegas kzread.info/dash/bejne/p5mAuLmedse-Z84.html. Some Neil: "Cracklin' Rosie" "I Am..I Said" "Soolaimon" "Crunchy Granola Suit"

They call him the Jewish Elvis...gorgeous face, gorgeous voice!

The Jazz Singer movie.

This was of another time when we actually had legal immigration, my grand parents immigrated from Belgium in 1874.

That guy that is looking back plays his father in the movie and he is sitting with Lucille Ball's daughter who plays his girlfriend.

Being Jewish, the scene where his father rips his shirt at the shoulder is done when a family member dies.

Excellent choice for July 4th. Neil Diamond's voice is not for me. But his song writing was deservedly very successful; 'Hooky'. Even though I'd only give it 8.5 for vocals, I'd feel a bit mean. (Hollywood) Cheesy yet uplifting. Best Wishes, Chaps.☮ Edit: Not really live. It was staged for a film/movie. I was wondering if this song is one of Donald Trump's least favourite?

Lee Greenwood. Proud to be an American in another great American pride song.

I remember during the time that this song was being played on the local radio stations the television news was filled with stories about people who were trying to survive by fleeing from a brutal (and often deadly) dictator. Of course the USA was not the only country in the world that welcomed in these refugees. I believe the UK, Canada, Australia and other countries welcomed them into their country. Of course this was back in the day when the majority of the people in these countries were willing to help those who are less fortunate than themselves. I know from other social media sites that today a few people are frequently posting stories about how refugees are committing all sorts of different crimes which is apparently being allowed to happen by the police and politicians. Of course I do not believe the claims these people have made. I’m sure that if a crime was committed and they knew who committed it, they would hold that person accountable.

What, two Brits who don’t recognize Sir Lawrence Olivier?!

@BritPopsReact

11 ай бұрын

We stand corrected 😂

His performances are always great, but don't forget, like Elton John he writes most of his music. Sir Elton, Neil and Billy Joel might well be the Beethoven and Mozart of the modern age. That they are prodigies is evident.

INFO NEIL DIMOND PLAYED THIS SONG 🎵 FOR THE HUNDRED YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY 🗽 CHECK THE VIDEO OUT , JUST SAYING 😉

I think the couple the camera keeps going to were his parents..I think.

@williambryan3346

7 ай бұрын

It was his father, played by Sir Laurence Olivier, and his girlfriend, played by Lucie Arnaz.

@brianbaswell5895

7 ай бұрын

@@williambryan3346 That's what I thought.

This was from the soundtrack to THE JAZZ SINGER! Neil was a great singer, songwriter and entertainer, but if you saw that movie you understand why he was not a great actor.

I understand the reason, but ironic how there's a British flag overlay across a song about America.

The lady the camera is focused on is his girlfriend. The gentlemen is Neil's father in the movie who didn't approve of his son's career choice of career. He wanted him to be a JEWISH CANTOR. hE THE COME SOT THE SHOW AND THINKS nEILS CHARACTER ISMUNGRATEFUL UNTIL THIS SONG.

Technically this is not a live performance because it's a scene from the movie jazz singer! Goals are Neil diamonds characters parents they were Jewish immigrants that came to the United states again the name of the country is not America unfortunate name for the song! Anyway they immigrated The United states in the 40s or something after the war obviously they're Jewish he was a strange from his parents because his father didn't like the fact that he turned his back on who's religion he was supposed to be a vicar I think that's the what the right word and a Jewish synagogue where he sang he was a cancer he's saying songs during services in the synagogue but he left the Jewish faith to follow his dream to be a jazz singer! Also before the scene his father comes to see him his new son that he named after his father another reason is father what's the strange from him because he married a gentile woman English or Scottish but she wasn't Jewish! So that put a rift between him and his parents! At the end of the movie him and his parents are reconciled and they come to accept his wife their grandchild and his career as a singer!

Unfortunately not so relevant today in the USA. 😢