Description
Originally broadcast as a prime-time NBC television special and subsequently released only on the long-since discontinued formats of VHS, Betamax and LaserDisc, this rare Neil Diamond programme was issued on LaserDisc in only one documented country: the United States. This particular television special has NEVER received a documented official DVD release until NOW!
This REMASTERED DVD is sourced directly from the original high-quality 1986 U.S. NTSC LaserDisc and transferred to Region-Free DVD. The original 12-inch LaserDisc was released FOUR DECADES ago and preserves a one-time television broadcast from 1977—nearly 50 years ago and approaching its 50th anniversary in 2027. It remains the highest-quality documented consumer-video source for this vintage television special production.
Background Information:
The Neil Diamond Special: I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight was originally broadcast in the United States by NBC on Thursday, November 17, 1977. The one-hour prime-time special was scheduled from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time and 9:00 to 10:00 p.m. Central Time. The concert material includes footage from Diamond’s historical performance at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, England from several months earlier the same year on July 2, 1977,
For viewers in New York, the programme’s audio was also simulcast with NBC-TV by WYNY-FM 97.1, then known as Y97. This documented television-and-FM presentation offered New York listeners the opportunity to hear the musical special through FM radio while watching the programme on television.
The documented home-video history began in the United States in 1986, when Vestron Music Video released the programme on VHS, Betamax and LaserDisc. Contemporary Vestron listings described the programme as approximately 60 minutes long.
The programme was later released on PAL VHS in Australia during 1991. A separate UK PAL VHS edition followed on September 2, 1991. The UK release listed a running time of approximately 53 minutes. Only one distinct LaserDisc pressing is presently documented: the 1986 U.S. Vestron NTSC release used as the source for this REMASTERED DVD. No separate Japanese, British or European LaserDisc edition has been verified, and no official DVD edition is documented.
All these original video editions releases have long since been discontinued.
Another original offer from your team at MVR!
Description:
I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight is not a conventional, uninterrupted concert film. Created especially for television, the programme combines specially staged musical sequences, recording-studio footage, personal commentary from Neil Diamond and live performances filmed during his 1977 European tour.
The concert material includes footage from Diamond’s historical performance at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, England on July 2, 1977, in front of 60,000 fans during the final portion of his 1977 European tour. The programme moves between the excitement of the live stage and more intimate sequences showing Diamond discussing his work and recording music in the studio.
Highlights include “Free Man in Paris,” “Desirée,” “Let Me Take You in My Arms Again” and Diamond’s original solo presentation of “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.” “Morningside” is presented through a specially filmed conceptual sequence, while “Lonely Looking Sky” and “Skybird” accompany Diamond’s discussion of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
The later portion of the programme features live versions of such Neil Diamond classics as “Song Sung Blue,” “Sweet Caroline,” “Cherry, Cherry,” “Holly Holy,” “Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show,” “I Am… I Said” and “Kentucky Woman.”
Directed by Art Fisher, the programme received three nominations at the 1978 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Special – Comedy-Variety or Music, Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction and Outstanding Achievement in Tape Sound Mixing.
A fascinating mixture of concert performance, studio documentary and specially created musical imagery, I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight captures Neil Diamond at one of the most successful and creatively ambitious points of his 1970s career.
Please Note:
This television production shares its title with Neil Diamond’s 1977 studio album but is not simply a filmed presentation of that album. It contains live performances of earlier hits, material from the 1977 album, recording-studio footage, dialogue and specially filmed conceptual sequences. The track listing below follows the programme chapters documented for the original LaserDisc and VHS editions. Dialogue, behind-the-scenes footage, band recognition and the ending credits are listed because they form individual sections of the programme.
The original U.S. packaging described the programme as approximately 60 minutes long. The later UK VHS edition listed approximately 53 minutes, representing the programme itself without the original NBC commercial breaks.
TRACK LISTING
- Introduction by Neil Diamond
- Free Man in Paris
- American Popular Song
- Morningside
- Desirée
- Let Me Take You in My Arms Again
- I’m Glad You’re Here with Me Tonight (Live)
- The Recording Studio – Behind the Scenes
- You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
- Neil Diamond Dialogue: Jonathan Livingston Seagull
- Lonely Looking Sky
- Skybird
- Song Sung Blue
- Sweet Caroline
- Cherry, Cherry
- Holly Holy
- Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
- I Am… I Said
- Band Recognition
- Cherry, Cherry / Kentucky Woman
- Ending Credits
The Band: Neil Diamond (vocals and guitar); Alan Lindgren (keyboards); Tom Hensley (keyboards); Emory Gordy Jr. (guitar and keyboards); Richard Bennett (guitar); Doug Rhone (guitar); Reinie Press (bass guitar); Dennis St. John (drums); Vince Charles (percussion); King Errisson (percussion); and Linda Press (vocals).
Original Full-Screen Presentation: 1.33:1 / 4:3
Video Standard: REGION FREE DVD
Audio: upgraded to Dolby Digital 2.0
Total Running Time: Approximately 52 Minutes
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