Tribute Band Made Me Think Of Diamond's Influence

Above is the Blaine Avenue Beach stage in Seaside Heights before Simply Diamond, a Neil Diamond cover band, performed last Thursday evening. This scene just spells out summer! The weather, the company and the music was great. The rides were operating behind the stage and straight through the performance, adding extra lights to the event.

With your eyes closed, you would swear that Neil Diamond was on the stage, which is a testament to Brian La Blanc's vocal prowess. "Song Sung Blue," Cracklin Rosie," "Cherry Cherry," "Coming To America" and "Forever In Blue Jeans" were done with La Blanc's own spin, but still being true to the Neil Diamond legend.

"Kentucky Woman" was a song that made it into Deep Purple's catalogue. UB40 put their own spin on Diamond's "Red Red Wine," which became a big hit for them. Let's not forget The Monkees, with "I'm A Believer" and "A Little Bit You" both being Neil Diamond compositions.

Even though I am a New York Yankee fan, I still can get into responding to "Sweet Caroline," which for some reason has become a staple at Fenway Park. I won't even get into the Boston massacre that has been taking place against my team. Regardless, "Sweet Caroline" was the perfect encore for the evening.