Good music, good times and dancing aplenty is on offer tomorrow night at The Ironworks, courtesy of Mr Neil Diamond, writes Susan Welsh
Singer superstar Neil Diamond may never have made it as far north as Inverness, but JJ Jones and his band – said to be the next best thing – are in the Highland capital tomorrow night with the show Hello Again – A Tribute to Neil Diamond.
The human voice is a remarkable instrument, as JJ – real name John Joseph – demonstrates. While he speaks with a distinctive north-London accent, as soon as he starts to sing his voice is transformed into that of legendary American singer Neil Diamond.
JJ has been portraying the sparkling Mr Diamond for more than 20 years at venues across the world.
Along with a seven-piece band, he’ll present a two-hour theatre-style show consisting of unforgettable music celebrating the songwriting genius who has written such enormous hits as Love on the Rocks, Sweet Caroline and Cracklin’ Rosie, to name but a few.
“It’s funny I should end up being a Neil Diamond tribute act because, although I absolutely loved his music, that’s not what I set out to do,” said JJ, 57.
“I’ve been lead guitarist in bands since I was 16, worked for several years as a resident guitarist at holiday camps, and spent several years with Lulu’s Lovers. I toured Australia for five years with a seven-piece band and was the warm-up man for The Foundations.
“From there, I went solo. But in order to get gigs in working men’s clubs, you had to do a bit of rock, a bit of country music and so on, so I thought I’d include a bit of Neil Diamond.
“I was told that I not only sounded really like him, but I looked quite like him, too.
“I then spent a few years in the Army and, when I came out, I joined a 60s band and got involved in a music competition.
“We came second, but the winner was a guy doing a Neil Diamond tribute which I thought was great as, 25 years ago, you really didn’t get that many tribute bands.
“That gave me the impetus to become a tribute act and really, since then, I’ve never looked back, spending the last two decades touring the world.
“The highlight for me is always playing theatre-style shows, as it creates a bit of a party atmosphere. At our shows, we don’t want the audience sitting; I want them dancing in the aisles – and they usually are.”
In the first part of the show, JJ takes the audience back to the early days of Neil’s successes, with songs such as Solitary Man, Shilo, Song Sung Blue, and Forever in Blue Jeans.
The second half is a more lively adaptation of his Hot August Night album and songs from the film The Jazz Singer, and features hits including America, Hello Again and Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show.
“When Neil first appeared on the music scene, he was very soft, gentle and laid back, but with the release of Hot August Night 2, in 1986, he sort of came out of his shell and changed everything, from the arrangements to his way of singing,” said JJ.
“From then, his concerts became more like a rock theatre show and this is the period I portray, emulating his live vocal style.
“I love everything about Neil Diamond, from his mannerisms and gentleness to his lyrics – even his chord structure is beautiful.”
JJ is backed by a seven-piece band which includes his son, Christopher, who has just graduated from university as a jazz guitarist.
His daughter Joanna will also be remembered.
“My eldest daughter, Joanna, was killed in a car accident five years ago,” said JJ, who lives in Spain.
“She was a great musician, a great singer and animal mad and the Danaher Animal Home was her favourite charity, so 50% of the proceeds from CD sales at all my Neil Diamond tribute shows go to the charity in memory of my beautiful daughter, who died aged just 27.
“I’m really looking forward to playing Inverness as I’ve never been farther north than Glasgow before and I hear it’s beautiful.
“Those coming along should remember this is not a sit-down show; there will be lots of audience participation and we’ll be expecting them to dance.”
A must-see show for all fans of Neil Diamond, the concert takes place at The Ironworks, Inverness, on Friday, October 3. Doors open at 7pm and tickets are priced at £16.50. Contact 0871 789 4173 or visit www.ironworksvenue.com