HIT crowd responds warmly to Neil Diamond cover artist

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ironwood — The Historic Ironwood Theatre was jam-packed — not only with people — but also with joy, spirit and nostalgia as Jay White performed his “Sweet Caroline Tour” for a highly interactive audience on Saturday night.

White, who is a Neil Diamond cover artist, came dressed for the role with coiffed hair, a series of glittery shirts and all the mannerisms that you would expect of the original music legend.

Throughout the evening, he often wandered the stage, but sometimes played guitar as he sang or sat on a stool for quieter tunes.

His repertoire included standard hits such as “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “I’m a Believer,” “America,” “Hot August Night” and Red Red Wine.”

No matter what he sang, the audience rewarded him with warm shouts and rousing applause.

And when he sang lilting melodies such as “Play Me” or “Holy Holy,” his voice was especially reminiscent of Diamond’s tone.

White encouraged the audience to stand and clap, sing along, and respond in relation to regular questions and jokes.

In turn, the crowd was highly engaged, happily supplying the vocals for “Song Sung Blue,” while singing along with at least portions of other songs such as “You Got to Me.”

White also enjoyed getting feedback of listener satisfaction. “How are you doing?” he asked at one point. “Are we good?”

White ended his performance with the song for which his show is named: “Sweet Caroline,” a 1969 single of Diamond’s. The audience again sang portions of the song with him.

The song lingered nicely with continuing instrumentation by the four members of White’s band, who include keyboardist Tony Lasorsa, drummer Greg Babcock, bass guitarist Neil White, and lead electric guitarist Chuck Foley.

Neil — whose namesake is clear — is Jay White’s son and also provides strong back-up singing, along with Foley, who provided several guitar solos.

Babcock also performed an energetic drum solo, and Lasorsa displayed some nifty keyboard tricks.

After the performance, Jay White — who has met Neil Diamond and received his personal blessing in carrying on his music — spent time greeting the crowd.

Although Diamond performed well into his ‘70s, his website announced in 2018 that he no longer would tour due to having Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on Jan. 24, 1941, making him 81.

According to thefamouspeople.com, Diamond entered New York University on a fencing scholarship but dropped out and produced his first single, “Solitary Man,” in 1966.

White sang that song on Saturday night, along with “I Am I Said,” which he said is “special” to him because it reminds him of how his own career has evolved in relation to his interest in carrying on Diamond’s legacy.

In viewing Diamond’s own development, the 1971 song also feels like a deeper echo of his 1966 hit, with the lyrics evolving from a “solitary man” sad by his losses in love to a philosophical soul who appeared, five years later, not yet to have found his place in the world.

As the poignant lyrics go, “‘I am,’ I said, to no one there, and no one heard at all, not even the chair.”

Diamond’s hits continued into the 1980s. He has sold nearly 125 million records, including more than 18 platinum albums and has won Grammy and Golden Globe awards, along with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.