Neil Diamond - Free Man In Paris (Live Soundstage 1977)

Neil Diamond Live at the Paramount studio soundstage in 1977 doing "Free Man In Paris" by Joni Mitchell.

[@danielpowell5661]

Looking back it still astounds me just how great this guy was...

[@Blondejam]

An absolute class tribute to a Joni Mitchell track. Neil nailed this, his amazing voice captured the song beautifully. I have been a fan of Neil since 'Love at the Greek' when I was about fourteen. I am now nearly sixty and still love his music and the era it all came from, songs that tell a story and have pathos. We must not forget these gems of entertainers as the years go by and hopefully people younger than me learn to appreciate the talent they had. Not only could they sing, they understood and knew music in its purest form... Thanks for posting this!!!

[@ggme4682]

There is only one Neil Diamond, forever. Enough said.

[@suedesch-carney883]

This is one of the best videos I've ever seen of you I love this so much

[@gailcrowley4230]

Listening once more……..a mini play……this man is such a musical genius…….no he did not write it …….hard to believe……..perfection!!!!!!!!

[@leslieabrassart4236]

So, so true!

[@josephnield]

This was Diamond at the height of his powers as a vocalist in the mid 70s. He took a peppy Joni Mitchell original and lent it his power and gravitas. Amazing.

[@tomb9050]

Peppy? If you had the first idea about music, you wouldn't call it peppy. It has 10 times the prowess that this watered down cheap version has. Look up the musicians and what they were actually doing in that song and educate yourself. Start with the bass player, Jaco.

[@JD-sj1zn]

Spot on. Diamond gives us a taste of the emotions with which DG was struggling during his trip to Paris (with Mitchell), in this passionate performance. Similarly, Neil takes the Beach Boys "God Only Knows" to another place, where the music and lyric match beautifully. Both songs are on his album, "I'm Glad You're Here With Me Tonight". It's my understanding that both JM and BW loved Neil's interpretations.

[@VolkersJohan]

This is Neil like Elvis in 1968: looking sharp and eager. Are there more live stoundstage recordings? Would be nice!

[@gailcrowley2195]

Neil is such a great actor which is so apparent here..... this is a mini play..... he is so passionate....of course incredibly handsome.... voice phenomenal...... how is it that he did not write this song..... he so owns it!!!!!!!

[@gailcrowley2195]

Does anyone realize how phonetically perfect he is in all his performances.......wow!!!!!

[@leslieabrassart4236]

Une performance vocale unique. Cet homme est absolument phénoménal!❤

[@jothompson8787]

He so fine

[@leslieabrassart4236]

Fabulous Neil Diamond That voice, my God!!! ❤

[@johnwatson8276]

What he does at 1:07 is exceptional .... probably not done it for 30 years as he prefers "talking" rather than singing long notes these days. How amazing he was though.

[@eddied111]

unbelievable. I show this to friends to show them a proper singer...

[@REALcatmom]

Love how he sings and holds notes! His voice on those long notes is amazing.

[@mike175ify]

The only one that could pull this off would be him...

[@prophetsnake]

He's good at pulling off.

[@teddytayl]

I can tell that some of you who are commenting have no idea about this song or its history. Nor what was going on in this man's life at the time. Do a little research and then come back and watch this again. Music and voice are more than you imagine them to be. I know some people have some strange negative feelings toward this amazing musician and living legend, but how you can know this song and watch this and not find it incredible I will never understand.

[@mike175ify]

because people are dumb....lol...lol

[@fretbuzz59]

+Tracy Taylor Because it's totally overwrought, melodramatic, & hokey. Blech! Also, he mispronounces "Champs-Elysees" as "shons-Elysees."

[@AlanHope2013]

Dreadful. Joni takes the puffed-up, overblown character of the music business and puts it all in the line "stoking the star-making machinery behind the popular song" without all this circus and rigmarole. However I have to disagree about his pronunciation of Champs-Elysées, I think he gets it as right as an English speaker could. In her original studio recording for the album Court and Spark, Joni herself pronounces it Champs d'Elysées, which is very wrong. The official name of the avenue is Avenue des Champs-Élysées. The 'de' comes before the Champs, not in the middle. But why quibble over details?

[@howardrobinson4938]

And you don't have to. Basically, nobody should cover any of Joni's tunes.

[@edwarddavis6827]

It was an exceptional performance

[@mike175ify]

Listened to a snippet of Joni's version, I am not a big Joni fan---Neil just took the song, rearranged a bit and beefed it up...only he could pull this off...

[@dr.strangelove7788]

“Not a big Joni fan”.... very strange. I have never seen those words ever strung together.

[@evanhughes1510]

@@dr.strangelove7788 there are plenty of people who aren’t fans of her voice. My mom doesn’t like her voice either. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I know it’s hard for you to believe since you probably worship her

[@dr.strangelove7788]

@@evanhughes1510 yep I do worship her…. As a songwriter primarily

[@evanhughes1510]

@@dr.strangelove7788 she may be a very talented songwriter, but her voice is not exactly pristine. And I’m saying that as a fan of Joni. Her high register sounded ok late 60s/early 70s, it beyond that it really deteriorated

[@hopeemch]

Thank you Neil. For the first time I'm hearing and understanding the lyrics to Joni's' catchy tune.

[@juliehedges3965]

A superstar

[@petersnoek2948]

A stunning version of this song and for me in top 3 of his covers.. Other 2 are Suzanne from Lennard Cohen and He Ain´t Heavy, He´s Your Brother from the Hollies.

[@josephnield]

Fun fact, Diamond recorded He Ain't Heavy before the Hollies, but their version made it to market before his.

[@petediamond2721]

I remember this well,I was in college at the time when he did his first television special and this was part of it, I love the way he calls out Richard Bennett's name to play the interludes in this song, it's priceless!

[@marysteffens4531]

Actually, this was his second TV special, I'm Glad You're Here with Me Tonight. His first was Love at the Greek.

[@petediamond2721]

@@marysteffens4531 Yes Mary that's correct, I remember it well but what I meant was that this one wasn't just footage from his wonderful shows at the Greek Theater but a more in the studio type of thing, I felt that this had a different kind of intimacy to it because of that, either way they were both wonderful to watch...

[@CarolineCousins]

Wow! 😮🤓👏🤘 Fantastic rendition and video.

[@gailcrowley2195]

Can you just try to imagine how everyone was after him in so many ways ........he expresses that beautifully here........consummate singer and performer ...... didn’t write this..... so hard to believe!!!!!!

[@jothompson8787]

and talented

[@CindiNelson-j2d]

His enunciation is PERFECT!

[@joannthompson3764]

love this

[@davidedward2352]

He likes covering Joni Mitchell. This one, Both Sides Now, and River

[@edwarddavis6827]

Indeed

[@ndnetime]

Absolutely Genius, only he could do this and it's absolutely perfect.

[@prophetsnake]

If by genius you mean that nobody could murder a song like this, then absolutely

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

ndnetime

[@ndnetime]

Wow sour grapes, don’t get your panties in a twist just cause you can’t appreciate true genius and talent.

[@redmirage13]

@@prophetsnake Bloody well right !

[@redmirage13]

@@thatfeeble-mindedboy You are absolutely right ! The only band I saw on YT covering Joni perfectly is here : kzbin.info

[@DD-ud8oz]

The best version of this song!

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

Duane Davis

[@redmirage13]

@@thatfeeble-mindedboy I definitely agree ! This version is not worth the effort. Elton john did a far more valuable version of this song, but anyway joni is the greatest.

[@MicheleHuffman-d8c]

So handsome and talented. LOVE YOU, NEIL.

[@jpmerrick8886]

Genius

[@juandominguez9167]

Qué grande Joni Mitchell, estos monstruos de la música quedan chiquitos comparados con Joni😊

[@desoconnor7445]

Great cover ✨

[@rockyhudson3346]

Amazing !!!!

[@lilycat1694]

A beautiful man!! Long time fan!!!!

[@annmuirhead7167]

Neil is one of the greatest singer songwriter in the world seen him 9 times absolutely love him and love this version Joni Mitchell song this is one of my favorites songs ever live you Neil xxxxx ann xxxxxxxx

[@dancingkatiedid1362]

I love this-- Neil adds nuances to this that Joni didn't do. Neither version is "better"-- just two completely different songs. I love how these two talented song writers knew how to take this one song and sing it so differently. I would like to see if Joni sang any of Neil's hits with a new touch.

[@annmuirhead7167]

Love you so much we all wish you to tour again rumours you coming Britain end 2019 can't wait please do live links from los Angeles to Britain and elsewhere sit at piano more love you on piano xx adore you you lovely guy get cured of Parkinson's I heard you. Donate t Parkinson's and battered women Neil you so kind xxxxxxxann m xxxx

[@fredsmink1625]

Love this musical side of Neil Diamond!🙌

[@bernlin2000]

Certainly a song that always felt like Joni channeling someone else: could be Neil, could be Elton, but definitely singing on behalf of someone else: nobody can tell someone else's story like Joni can.

[@evanhughes1510]

She was singing from the perspective of David Geffen

[@annmuirhead7167]

This song is one of my favourite songs of Neil diamond fantastic song fantastic lyrics written by Joni Mitchell Bsolutely love Neil's version sitting in front of an orchestra

[@jpmerrick8886]

Man write perform interpret arrange genius you might say and so lovef

[@aliciapuebla6596]

The best man can have the freedom 😍😍😍

[@stub2022]

A little quirky but I dig it.

[@omapam162]

Neil owns this song.

[@lylewood2029]

Notice the scruffy beard in '77? He was 40 years ahead of his time.

[@smileybubbles9894]

40 years? How about six years before George Michael

[@lisaezell5168]

I love this

[@conorgilles81]

He is on another planet. I'm not saying that's good or bad.

[@aliciapuebla6596]

My got 😇 I love 😍 him 🙏 he is so sexy 😘😘like me 😉😉and beautiful song 👌 like all his songs 😘 😘 he looks wounderful 🙏 wow baby I love you to much ♥️ ♥️

[@Ladysensei]

My late husband loved that song unfortunately, he never got to see this version of it!!

[@bridgetmoditsawayoflife1255]

Beautiful man xxxx

[@darkoanton5]

S'alright. The intro took a bit getting used to, but you can tell that he has really good singing chops. It sure beats a karaoke version.

[@donaldlee8936]

H

[@blondegirlsezthis8798]

schmaltzy

[@stub2022]

Damn!!

[@leilacozzi2886]

Fantastico 😘😘😘

[@kaybe2774]

😍😍🥰🔥

[@canuckpagali]

I don't like this. But it's very well done.

[@mauricesalce21sttheaaandan48]

Awful

[@misternewoutlook5437]

I like Neil Diamond, but man, he does a hatchet job on this.

[@douglynch8954]

dude, this is cheesy. Hardly does justice to the original.

[@shrek5888]

i have to agree

[@macdaddybill]

Yeah really not a fan of his arrangement on this, love neil just not the way he sings it. The original by Joni is still the best.

[@patsanders329]

I think it’s incredible, he was top of his game then . An amazing performer!!

[@davidedward2352]

Respect for putting your own spin on it, but,.... Meh.

[@deFunkyMofo]

Nice try Neil but doesn't even come close to Joni +Jaco, Brecker et al

[@thatfeeble-mindedboy]

Maybe y’all should listen to JM’s original again... Maybe Elton John can cover this, but this is an insult...