LOS ANGELES -- A Neil Diamond song, apparently everybody knows one. Everybody from Jennifer Hudson and Tim McGraw to Kid Rock and Coldplay offered a Diamond ditty Friday night as the Grammys saluted the pop icon at a charity gala.
Music: What a night for Neil Diamond
February 7, 2009 at 11:06PM
Highlights included Hudson taking "Holly Holy" to a southern church, Cassandra Wilson recasting "September Morn" into penetrating jazz with trumpeter Terence Blanchard and Raul Malo getting Roy Orbison-like lonely on "Solitary Man." But nothing spoke more to the versatility and appeal of Diamond than Foo Fighters rocking out on "Delirious Love," Diamond's 2005 acoustic obscurity, followed by Josh Groban crooning the stately "Play Me" at the piano.
Emcee Jimmy Kimmel called it the greatest night of karaoke ever. Not really. Not all 14 acts sparkled on a Diamond tune: the Jonas Brothers didn't get "Forever in Blue Jeans," Eric Benet couldn't turn it on for "Heartlight" and Adele wasn't suited for "Cracklin' Rosie" (she should have done a ballad).
After thanking his kids and his mom (who was in the audience), Diamond acted as if this was his own concert, doing six songs with his band, including "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" with Faith Hill, who was not introduced until mid-song.
The event attracted about 2,200 music industry folks, plus Jason Mraz, Ashford & Simpson, John Stamos, Sarah Silverman and banished baseball legend Barry Bonds, who still knows his way around a Diamond. (For more, go to www.startribune.com/poplife)
Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
