REAL DIAMOND - Rock Log 110611

Tonight, my wife and I caught the show known as Real Diamond at the Den.  The night can best be described by the literary definition of irony, that being “an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated”.

Firstly, it is ironic that the name of the band, Real Diamond, implies that they are the real item when in fact they are imposters of the REAL Diamond, better known as Neil Diamond.  Secondly, it is Randall’s birthday.  He could not make this tribute show because of the family celebration.  The irony is that Real Diamond frontman Curt Di Domazio has a strange resemblance to Randall.  Lastly, I attended the show with the Lady Vick, which was only made ironic by the fact that, one of the back-up singers, Victoria Serrone, was clearly the hottest woman I have ever encountered at the Den or the Mohegan Sun in general.  Generally, you do not gawk at another woman while with your wife, but she too was in agreement on the sheer hotness of Serrone.

Di Domazio, accompanied by two horns, two keys, a bass, a guitar, drummer and three back-up singers (the “Diamondettes”), actually sounded very much like Neil Diamond. The musicianship was adequate, although the Diamond Catalog is not exactly rife with intricate musical compositions.  The key to this night, as I had expected, was to be song choice.  If this band chose early Neil, then they had me.  If there focus was Heartlight, then I would soon check-out.  I am pleased to say that the song selection was acceptable, not great but acceptable.  The show started with America, from the Jazz Singer soundtrack.  Frankly I could do without this one, but since the audience was largely comprised of World War I babies, the song was met with great enthusiasm.  The Jazz Singer was prominent in tonight’s show, as Real played Love on the Rocks and Hello Again.  Also on the set list was, Forever in Blue Jeans, Play Me and September Morn, none of which I like, but were done well.

Real did the smart thing by focusing on early Neil by belting out Holly Holy, Shilo, Solitary Man, Longfellow Serenade, et al.  Best song of the night, Crunchy Granola Suite, and the worst song was You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, which was essentially a mock break-up performed on stage with Real and a Diamonette.  It was the low point.  The high point, well that was clearly Serrone (far right in the picture), who on top of her smoketitude was also a gifted singer, as demonstrated with the duet I’ve Been This way Before.  As for the stage show and the flash, I do not recall any of it as I was focused 100% on Serrone.  If Victoria Serrone was a back-up singer for the Association (an “Associa-She?”), then I would be first in line to see that band, something I vowed to never do again (Rock Log 072210).

Basically Real Diamond should be seen for only two reasons; (i) if you are a hard core Neil Diamond fan, or (ii) if you want to spend ninety minutes drooling over Victoria Serrone.  If they return to the Den, so will I, but only if Serrone is there.  I’m just keepin’ it real…Diamond.

Vick