Neil Diamond performs in Sydney

WHEN the man who has written songs about love, existential angst and sex broke into song, it became clear there was a lot of love for Neil Diamond.

Neil Diamond concert Allphones Arena. Hombush Sydney. Picture Kristi Miller

NEIL Diamond wants to sing about sex, baby.

When the man who has written more songs about love, existential angst and well, sex, broke into Girl, You’re Gonna Be A Woman Soon and Play Me at his Sydney concert, it became very clear there was a lot of love in the room at Allphones Arena on Monday.

Diamond is the consummate entertainer, switching the vibe to party mode after a gentle opening chapter featuring Hello Again and Longfellow Serenade which perfectly showcased his resonant baritone, still holding its own at 75 years.

Red Red Wine and Beautiful Noise got a sold out Monday night crowd dancing, clapping and singing along like it was a Saturday night backyard BBQ and his greatest hits was the soundtrack.

Living legend ... Neil Diamond takes the stage at Allphones Arena in Sydney. Picture: Kristi Miller

These days Diamond has moved the sequins from his shirt to his trousers but his signatures remain as endearing as ever.

Singling out sections of the crowd with a pointed hand or wave, the old school politeness of a thank you after every song and that delightful dad dancing, he draws you in, makes you part of the family.

Doesn’t it just remind you of your own father, rocking out in the loungeroom with mum to Cracklin’ Rosie or Cherry Cherry back when Hot August Night was the album to own in the 1970s?

And then there’s a warm slice of wistful melancholia, which must be even more poignant for Diamond himself, as he screens old home video footage filmed by his father during the autobiographical Brooklyn Roads.

While other reviewers have reported a bit of a toilet break exodus during the new songs from his recent album Melody Road, the Sydney crowd were willing to embrace tracks like Seongah and Jimmy, inspired by the engagement party of his now brother-in-law.

That song, alongside The other new tunes Something Blue and The Art Of Love may not tug the heart strings of his audience as strongly as Sweet Caroline or I Am ... I Said but they signal Diamond remains as vital a songwriter now as he was in his Brill Building days when he created I’m A Believer and his early hits.

Diamond is also a generous performer when it comes to his production with a 13-piece band delivering a Vegas worthy show.

His business managers may cringe at the overheads of such a big band but they were well offset by the merchandise sales with many in-demand items including the “cooler”

T shirts, mugs and beer holders selling out at the main stall in the arena foyer.

Yet the most valuable souvenir will be the memories of a damn fine concert full of singalong and big smile moments.

Diamond performs again at Allphones Arena on Wednesday before finishing the tour in Western Australia.

Originally published as Neil Diamond performs in Sydney