It's all about the story. If you take a close look into any great song, there is always a great story both somewhere behind it and being conveyed within the lyrics.
Singer/songwriter Craig Stewart should know. Known throughout the music industry as 'The Storyteller', his songs and shows bring to life the stories he has both gathered and sought out over a 20-year musical career.
Neil Diamond - The Man, The Music tells the story of the man himself, from humble beginnings as the son of a shopkeeper through to being a genuine global superstar. The show features numerous interviews and behind the scenes stories of how some of Diamond's most loved songs actually came to be - all presented in Craig Stewart's distinctly intimate style.
Featuring approximately 30 of Neil's most loved hits - from Cracklin' Rosie, I Am I Said and Sweet Caroline through to a special Hot August Night tribute - audience members are left in no doubt as to why Stewart is regarded in the music industry as a master craftsman.
With more than 2000 shows to his credit, Stewart was described in a national music magazine as "one of the most listenable singers to emerge this century". He has performed as a feature artist at numerous festivals throughout the country and has been either a finalist or winner of multiple awards.
The culmination of this experience is Neil Diamond - The Man, The Music.
There is one other major aspect of the show that is really the final ingredient that has led to venues almost universally declaring "that is the best show we've had".
That ingredient is the imagery. It is both unique and breathtaking. The show's massive backdrop combines multiple projections to display more than 700 photographs that complement the music to perfection.
"I've had a lot of other acts ask me how I did that, but my lips are sealed," Stewart said. "Suffice to say I wanted an artistic element to weave its way through the music that would help lend meaning to the lyrics."
Neil Diamond - The Man, The Music is on at Le Salon Grand (in the Palais Royale), Katoomba on Saturday, May 25, at 7.30pm.
Tickets start at $40 for show-only. Dinner/show and supper/show packages also available at www.salongrand.com.au or on 4784 6300.
