Sue made me do this
My new blogging buddy, Nostalgic Nana, and I seem to have a weakness for some of the same things.
For example, we're both fans of the music of Neil Diamond and Leonard Cohen.
I'm not sure how she feels about Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Il Divo, or -- to mention the only living movie star of which I am truly a fan (well, I like Christian Bale but he's so weird), the estimable Mr. Depp.
Guess we'll have to have a little chat about that.
When TG and I began dating, one of the first things we discovered was that we both loved Sherlock Holmes stories ... and Neil Diamond.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
The Genesis Of Fandom
I began collecting ND albums after being given Greatest Hits (1968) as a birthday present when I turned fourteen (in 1971 ... didn't want you to think I turned fourteen in 1968 because that would be just too awful).
Eventually I guess I owned just about all of his LPs, but I don't have them anymore. I sold them at a garage sale in 1990 and I don't regret it.
Much.
I suppose if I had to choose a favorite Neil Diamond song, it would be September Morn. That's because my first baby was born on a beautiful September morning.
She'll turn thirty this September and I'll listen to the song, and I'll cry.
Some Things Can't Be Explained ... Away
But since I don't have to choose, I won't. I think Stones is one of Neil's most beautiful songs ever.
(No, not Stoned -- LOLOL which, according to TG, who got it from his fellow cadets at The Citadel who went to a Diamond concert in the early '70s, but which was I suppose more or less common knowledge when it came to Neil in those days, would perhaps in some cases be more appropriate -- but simply Stones.)
As with a lot of ND songs -- Holly Holy comes instantly to mind -- you're never quite sure what the lyrics mean but you listen anyway.
If you like Neil Diamond, that is. If you don't, you mock out the rest of us.
Which is fine. To each his own.