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Abilene Reporter-News
December 10, 1970
Diamond Concert Spell Long-Lasting
By Alice Miller
Attendance at the Neil Diamond concert at Moody Coliseum on Wednesday night was a pleasure in itself, but to have a few minutes visit with him afterwards was like being given a Christmas present.
Not many performers are able to conduct an hour-and-a-quarter show, singing the whole time, and appear collected and relatively relaxed afterward.
“I’ve had a few minutes here by myself before anyone was allowed to come in, though,” he said quietly in his dressing room. “A period of depression hits me right after the concert–maybe for five minutes. But now I’ve had seven minutes.”
Diamond’s rapport with his audience is so great that it is easy to understand the few minutes’ feeling of loss afterwards.
It must be as though he is plugged into a great electrical circuit as his songs become a part of those listening and their mental communication with him in turn buoys him up. For a few minutes after the circuit is disconnected, there would be a natural feeling of loss.
“I’m always well-received in Texas,” Diamond said. He seemed sincere about that. Someone remarked that his songs are very personal–autobiographical, telling about his life, as in “Brooklyn Roads”–and asked if Texans would rather hear songs about their part of the world.
“Not at all,” Diamond answered, “These songs are part of me. Anything creative reflects the self of the creator. Audiences have respect for my need to write about those things which are close to me.”
Diamond speaks directly to his interviewer, and with a degree of cordiality, which makes talking to him a pleasure. There is something special about this man who held a large audience at Moody completely in his spell. From the look of the crowd of people waiting outside to see him after the show, a crowd estimated at least 500, probably more, the spell was long-lasting.
“I enjoy performing,” he said. “I have a good time while I’m singing the songs I enjoy.”
That’s at least part of the secret of his success. He obviously was happy to be on the stage. He even seemed pleased to visit afterwards. Looks as though this performer has found how to make a pretty good adjustment with life.