Exit 7 Players in Ludlow, Massachusetts
The Diamond Connection
The Ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute Band
Saturday, 8 PM, January 30, 2010
Reviewed by Eliza Netti
A Hot August Night it was not, but Kenny Labelle and The Diamond Collection
delighted a full house of fans Saturday night at the Exit 7 Players Theater,
in Ludlow MA. Covering crowd favorites that spanned decades, Labelle and
company overcame a heating issue and engaged a chilled but enthusiastic
 crowd with hits like "Shiloh," Solitary Man" and "Forever in Blue Jeans."
If Neil Diamond is the Head of the Showmanship Department at the School of
Rock and Roll, Kenny Labelle is his star pupil. Dressed in Diamond's
signature black on black, minus a few sparkles, the glitterati
singer-guitarist Labelle with his 7-piece band and sweeping microphone moves
prowled across the stage bringing the crowd more than his larger-than-
life-persona: he brought with him big sound.
The stage tightly packed with Labelle and five musicians including Rob
(Robbie-the-crowd-favorite) Dauphinais, Drums; and Don Avezzie, Percussion;
Doug Wallace, Guitar; "Big Al" Tower, Bass; Gary Smith, Keyboards; and
Francesco "Frankie" Romeo on Keyboards who each time he warmed his hands, I
was reminded how much the band should be commended for their dedication and
musicianship and how much "Frankie" bears a striking resemblance to Michael
Imperioli, the actor who played Christopher Moltisanti in the HBO hit
series, The Sopranos.
Labelle, also flanked by two backup singers, including Diane Slezek,
performed about a dozen songs in each set, including fan favorites "I Am, I
Said," "I'm a Believer" (originally a hit for the Monkees), and "Play Me."
The most energetic and unifying tune of the night was that of a well-engaged
crowd in signature sway, singing along to "Sweet Caroline." Each time
Labelle gave up a guttural, "Good times never seemed so good," the fans gave
back a rousing, "So good, so good, so good!"
Diamond fans looking for a classic rendition of "You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Anymore" would have been disappointed albeit slightly amused with Labelle
and Slezek's tongue-in-cheek rendition of "You Don't Like to Shower Anymore"
and their dead pan musical artistry complete with bathrobes and shower caps.
Labelle reminded us that when interviewed for VH1's Behind the Music, Jack
Black cited Neil Diamond as the quintessential live performer, describing
Diamond as "kind of like a love slinger." In true tribute form, the crowd
had that love and more slung their way. Labelle provided much-needed heat to
a hearty array of still-coat-and-jacket-clad New Englanders who impressed
with classic sing-alongs and signature stage moves, warmed up Diamond
Collection the venue and slung that love right back onto the stage.
Labelle and company easily strummed the chord that is the essence of Neil
Diamond - "A Matter of Love."
www.exit7players.org
Exit 7 Players
37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056
413-583-4301
All rights reserved.
© The Arts, etc., Copyright 2010
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