Sweet Caroline in Boston

[Ochocinco!]

Did anyone see Neil Diamond try and sing sweet Caroline in Boston today!? Good god he butchered it and ruined a perfect moment.

At the game today Sweet Caroline was played here in the 8th in honor of Boston was pretty cool.

[sneaky_flute]

that was one of the worst performances i've ever seen. i don't think he sang poorly but i don't quite understand why the recorded song was playing at the same time.

[Ochocinco!]

That too^^ just sounded horrible all around

[AZMike]

that was one of the worst performances i've ever seen. i don't think he sang poorly but i don't quite understand why the recorded song was playing at the same time.

That was the real problem. They could've played an instrumental only track or even better just done the whole the a capella (Just Neil and the crowd) to much better effect IMO.

[tj_]

It seems strange that they couldn't find a karaoke track for him to use. One of my freinds in New England stated the following:

 

 

Apparently Diamond decided -- completely on his own -- to fly across the country from California after they caught the second bomber. He showed up at Fenway at 12:30, and asked to call the switchboard so he could sing in the 8th inning. It wasn't planned -- they had no idea he was coming -- he literally just showed up! (This was according to Joe Castiglione on the Red Sox radio broadcast)

I think that might explain the lack of 'musical preparation' and that he kind of 'winged it' from the original track. Obviously his voice isn't what it was, but wow, that was a hell of a moment and something that will forever endear him to the Red Sox fanbase and Boston community.

[greginpsca]

Considering that Neil is 73 yrs old, i wouldn't expect his voice to be what it was when he recorded the song in his 20's.

[rick99gtp]

The delay was the only real problem.  But, I thought it was great regardless.

[Vegas Halo Fan]

What a great gesture on Neil Diamond's part.

[gotbeer]

What a great gesture on Neil Diamond's part.

 

 

Yeah, exactly.  Everyone knows he has lost a few steps.  But to come out on notice to perform.  When he probably hasn't sung in years, if not decades.  That's someone that wants to be there, to honor.  

 

I don't care how they sound.  For instance if Train came out to sing Calling on Angels at a game, I wouldn't care how they sounded.

[Nowani]

That was great to watch and see no matter how much Neil has lost. The time delay I think messed him up a bit. Also, I thought the Fox TV feed didn't do it justice. they didn't pick up how loud the crowd was. I found this youtube video which really seemed to captured the moment of being there. Pretty good except for the guy the near the mic who only sang the line "nah nah nah nah"

 

[Chuck]

This was great. Felt so good for the people in Boston, including Red Sox fans. 

[Vladfan]

I saw Neil Diamond last year at the Honda Center. He sounded great that night.I wasn't sure what was going on at the Red Sox game..... Feedback or what??

[deepdrive]

Boston screwed it up, not Diamond. How do you not come up with a karaoke recording?

[The God of Runs]

It seems strange that they couldn't find a karaoke track for him to use. One of my freinds in New England stated the following:

 

There must not be very many Asians in Boston

[ELEVEN]

F the Red Sox

[Vegas Halo Fan]

Boston screwed it up, not Diamond. How do you not come up with a karaoke recording?

 

Considering that this was completely unplanned, there was no reason for them to believe that they needed one.

 

I don't know why so many people are focusing on this not being a perfect performance. Neil Diamond is honored that Boston has adopted one of his songs, and he decided to give something back after all the city has been through over the last week or so.

[vlad27]

Boston screwed it up, not Diamond. How do you not come up with a karaoke recording?

I was wondering the same - I will say this though as a performing musician myself - when you are in stage in a large place the delay is very hard to deal with as a singer you hear the slapback more than your actual voice . Still a cool moment for the city and the fans

[Eric]

Anyone that is critical about that moment is just being an asshole.

It was a moment in time that everyone there will remember fondly and a sort of cathartic moment for the rest of the country to be able to witness. After the hell that Boston endured this past week, there was a true moment of national unity to that.

It just goes to show, in moments of great tragedy and sorrow, it is the calmness and tranquility of Baseball that binds us together.

Earlier this week, the nations eyes turned toward the National Anthem sung at the Bruins game. A moment of defiance. A moment of national pride. A moment of strength. The killers were still at large.

But Neil Diamond on the infield grass singing Sweet Caroline, not to, but WITH the crowd at Fenway was the moment of celebration. The killers had been killed or captured.

Boston is still scarred, but they triumphed this week. They overcame. There is a sense of relief and closure, and it all came pouring out yesterday through Sweet Caroline. God bless them.

[stormngt]

Boston screwed it up, not Diamond. How do you not come up with a karaoke recording?

maybe because it wasn't planned?