Neil Diamond Tribute – Palace Theatre, Redditch
BRILLIANT songs, a great singer, a small intimate theatre, what could possibly go wrong?
Quite a bit as it turned out.
First things first, Dominic Kaye as the gold standard singer/songwriter has a great voice and a great delivery, but all too often he was drowned out by an unwieldy backing band.
Did he really need a three strong brass section, two keyboard players and a backing singer?
Couple this with bass, drums and guitar and in places their timing slipped.
Sure enough the anthemic Cracklin Rosie seemed to start at three different speeds before finally getting it all together for the rousing – and heart lifting – final two choruses.
Our ‘Neil’ was as good as drowned out for America, which for some reason he sang twice.
He was better on the ballads where the band were more muted, Solitary Man, Girl, You’ll Be a Woman, and in particular Love on the Rocks really hit the spot before topping it off with a crowd pleasing rendition of Sweet Caroline.
So much for the concert, however there was another act that evening with many disturbed by the antics of a small element in the audience.
This ended with ironic cheers and a burst of applause when they vacated the theatre shortly after the second half began.
It’s something the Palace will have to keep an eye on – I don’t think anyone minds people having a good time and enjoying themselves but when they detract from an act which people have paid good money to see, then it becomes an issue.
Ross Crawford
