Neil Diamond is a well-known singer song-writer and legend in the music industry and America’s Diamond gives you the closest Neil Diamond experience you can get.Backstage360 recently had the honor of witnessing this great tribute to Neil at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
Jay White started his journey as a Neil Diamond performer in 1983. He put all his heart and soul into perfecting the voice, the facial expressions and moves of the original Neil Diamond. But it doesn’t stop there. Jay played in Las Vegas where he performed over 5014 shows with Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace and Ron Howard selected him to play Neil Diamond in the movie “Frost/Nixon”.
What can I say, “He is just one amazing man”. Meeting many legends and making the absolute best out of his career.
At the Coach House, Jay put on a great show. The band played “I’m a Believer” which is a song composed by Neil Diamond and recorded by The Monkees in 1966. The single, produced by Jeff Barry, hit the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week ending December 31, 1966 and remained there for seven weeks, becoming the last No. 1 hit of 1966 and the biggest-selling record for all of 1967. The song went over very well with audience members of all ages. Jay connected with the audience and the energy level in the room was great. Another great song the band played was “Red Red Wine” which is a song written, performed and originally recorded by American singer Neil Diamond in 1967, included on Neil’s second studio album “Just for you”. The song was covered by several artists shortly after Diamond’s recording was released. In 1968 the Dutch singer Peter Tetteroo had a hit with a cover of the song in the Netherlands. Tony Tribe covered the song in 1969 in a reggae -influenced style. Fourteen years later, UB40 recorded it in 1983 in a lighter reggae style; a version which topped the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. Diamond later performed a UB40-inspired version of the song on tour.
But it didn’t stop there. He also played country tunes, Johnny Cash and last but not least dedicated the song “Carry that weight“, by the Beatles, to George Harrison and John Lennon.
The band featured Jay White’s son Neil on bass (guess who Neil was named after?), the lead guitar player just recently got engaged and his name is Dave, the Keyboards were played by Toni who is from Italy and his drummer Bill, who has been with the band for 17 Years.
For the Encore the band played “Sweet Caroline” followed by “Welcome to America“. It seemed like the audience was waiting for this one special song of “Sweet Caroline“ all evening long and when he finally played it the crowd sang like there was no tomorrow.
The whole evening was full of fun and great energy and it was so joyful to watch the show. I am looking forward to seeing Jay White and the America’s Diamond again in the future.
America’s Diamond Setlist:
1: Soolaimon
2: Cracklin Rosie
3: I’m A Believer
4: Play Me
5: Song Sung Blue
6: Crunchy Granola
7: Solitary Man
8: Girl You’ll Be A Woman soon
9: Red Red Wine
10: I Am I Said
11: Desiree
12: Cherry Cherry
13: Hello Again / Love On The Rocks
14: Blue Jeans
15: Thank The Lord
16: Golden Slumbers
17: Brother Love
18: Sweet Caroline
19: Coming To America