Bullhead, Stilwell (10/21/2008 10:32:55 PM)

cool. What a great cause, Neil.

Michael Phillips, Tulsa (10/21/2008 11:25:43 PM)

That guy worked every song for everything it was worth. He gave everyone their money's worth. I knew he would. "Coming To America" will never be the same to me again.

FeverFan, (10/22/2008 12:31:17 AM)

I love Neil Diamond, but the show was disappointing. The sound quality was really poor. The sound for The Eagles was a lot better.

Norm, (10/22/2008 12:45:48 AM)

FF - not sure what you're talking about - I thought the sound was amazing. The entire concert was amazing!! I was in the front row - and loved EVERY second of it!

Carlos, Tulsa (10/22/2008 1:13:50 AM)

Did he turn on his heart light?

Michael Phillips, Tulsa (10/22/2008 6:59:17 AM)

Band Mom, the building is quite impressive. Seeing it, almost made me feel regret that I had strongly opposed 2025.

The doors were supposed to open at 6:30, at 6:30 there was a very long line. The doors opened about 10 minutes late. I was anticipating a problem getting through security. There were lots of police everywhere but no one was searched. We didn't even have to walk through metal detectors. Maybe it had to do with the age of the audience members.

I had never attended a Neil Diamond concert before, but compared to others I had seen he was very impressive. I am not an expert on sound quality so I won't judge that.

Eagle 4, Tulsa (10/22/2008 7:12:54 AM)

Simply amazing! The man's 2 years older than dirt(that's me) and poured forth energy I haven't had for many years now, and his voice is still strong and compelling. There was some echoing on the quieter songs but the hits almost popped the top of our "Beer Can," as some so irreverently put it.
The BOK is a fantastic facility and a true plus for all of Tulsa. Other than wandering through Tulsa's streets for 20 minutes, directed by innumerable uniformed men, and parking 6 blocks away, my wife and I had a great experience. Next time we'll plan on getting there about 2 hours earlier. We had to pass on the $10 parking scalpers.

bruinsooner, (10/22/2008 8:34:17 AM)

Not knowing where to park, we arrived about 6:45 PM. Went down First Street a ways and turned into a lot with price of $5. The attendant asked us if we knew where the BOK was; I said not exactly, and he said, 2 blocks from the north end of the lot. So parking was great. Lots of police all over directing traffic and answering questions. The BOK is awesome. I have lived in 6 cities much larger than Tulsa and our arena is spectacular. And so was Neil Diamond. I thought the sound was excellent. Vocals and the instrumentals were very well balanced, mixed, and in excellent blend with each other. I have seen the Eagles but not at BOK. Neil's show was every bit professionally presented as the Eagles. There were several hundred or more empty seats though. Too bad.

Moses, Jenks (10/22/2008 9:38:55 AM)

I was there, Neil was amazing, everyone I saw was having a great time. It was all good in downtown Tulsa last night!

rocket, (10/22/2008 9:47:21 AM)

L.A.'s fine, the sun shines most of the time, and the feeling is laid back. Palm trees grow, rents are low, but don't you know I think sometimes about making my way back ...

Jenny G, (10/22/2008 9:55:20 AM)

I have a question for anyone who was there - that got there fairly early. Just looking for some feedback from someone who has attended a week night event. Did you have a hard time finding a place to park, or have any traffic "issues" since the downtown employees were either still at work, or just leaving? We're going to the Eagles concert in November and had planned on trying to get downtown early enough to park, until we remembered all the parking will still be full! Thanks for any help or insight.

Tim Denver, Denver (10/22/2008 9:58:49 AM)

Neil Diamond is my all time favorite performer. I saw him at Red Rocks three years ago. Incredible, with the natural acoustics, the sunset against the mountains in the background.....

Music reporter Jen Chancellor, Tulsa (10/22/2008 10:16:43 AM)

Jenny G.,

I've been to more than one weeknight event at the BOK. Most day-shift folks have cleared the downtown area by 5-ish, and I encountered no problems finding parking. (Even on the morning when there was a daytime/morning event at BOK, I found parking within 3-4 blocks.)

Like any city event anywhere, though, sometimes I have to walk a few blocks to get there. But even at the sold-out show for Rascal Flatts, I found (free!) curbside parking within two blocks of arena when I got there at 6-ish. Be forewarned, though, most lots charge. The closer to the arena, the more expensive. For example, the lot just across the street wanted $20 to park, but most are nowhere near that expensive!

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
-- Jennifer Chancellor, Tulsa World music reporter.

Jenny G, (10/22/2008 10:24:56 AM)

Jen - thank you so much!! That's just the info I wanted. Although I would pay $50 to park and walk 20 blocks to see the Eagles, I don't think my husband is quite that enthused about it! He'll be pleased to hear it won't be so bad. Thanks again!

Jay of Tulsa, (10/22/2008 11:38:36 AM)

WOW...he was in town??

Fred, (10/22/2008 11:44:27 AM)

Jenny G.

We get off the interdispersal loop at Houston and go North to 2nd St. and turn right. The city parking garage is on your right and it will cost you $5 to park. Walk downstairs and across the street and you are at the door of the BOK center. Always use the West doors because most of the crush is at the East doors.

Jenny G, (10/22/2008 11:55:00 AM)

Fred - that's perfect, thank you so much! I really appreciate the help.

Fred, (10/22/2008 12:02:11 PM)

It never hurts to go early. 6:30 will give you time to get some food without having to stand in line forever.

Jenny G, (10/22/2008 12:05:50 PM)

We will definitely go early. We live in Coweta, so I feel like I have to leave 3 hours early for everything!!

P.S., (10/22/2008 12:13:33 PM)

Simply amazing...Neil is still awesome!!! The concert was absolutely wonderful as always. It was funny to see the people of all different ages dancing and screaming. The last time he came to Tulsa, 22 years ago, I was 12 years old and I loved it then & loved it even more last night. We went to see him in OK City 7 years ago and took my 4 year old daughter who had a blast. I'm so glad he came to Tulsa this time but would have traveled to OKC again if had to. We had a group of 7 last night ranging from 11 yrs old (my daughter) to 67 and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. I was not ready for the concert to end. I wish we could have kept him singing all night. As for the sound quality people are talking about...I thought Neil sounded awesome. However, on the upbeat songs they did have the music way to loud and it was hard to hear Neil but the slower songs were perfect. Neil rocked the house and I hope he comes back soon. What he is doing for the Ike victims is absolutely wonderful and I was happy to contribute.

To Jenny G. - parking was not bad at all. Concert started at 8:00 & we got there at 6:45. Parked in corner lot at 2nd & Boulder for $5.00 and was a 3 minute walk straight to the front door. Didn't have to stand in line just walked right in. Hope that helps.

Jenny G, (10/22/2008 12:20:13 PM)

P.S. It does help - thank a bunch! We haven't been to the BOK yet, so I'm taking all the advice I can get! Fred - are you and P.S. talking about the same parking lot?

Ballsdeep, (10/22/2008 12:32:09 PM)

Well, he is America's favorite singer and well...he's our hero.

Mar, Tulsa (10/22/2008 12:53:08 PM)

Wow! Do my eyes deceive me????? Not one Negative Ned or Nancy complaining about the Arena????? Shock shock!!!! And no complaints about the parking? wow! I didn't go to the Neil Diamond concert though I love his music. I did take my grandsons to the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus on Saturday and we had so much fun! The Arena is so wonderful, light and airy! I still wish some art deco style would have been added to the outside and inside design of the building, but it is still a great place. I hope to attend more events there.

Michael Phillips ..... at least you admit you were wrong. :-)

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (10/22/2008 1:52:40 PM)

Oh dear God! I missed the concert and wanted to see him to sing that wonderful classic "Forever in bluejeans." I guess I'l just have to settle for Lyle Lovett or other GOOD singers here in Texas.

Observer3, T.B.D. (10/22/2008 2:25:25 PM)

It was a great concert! The band was superb, loved the back-up singers, too. I have nothing but good things to say about the whole event. Besides being a wonderful performer, Neil Diamond seems like a down-to-earth, good guy. I loved the fact that there wasn't an opening act and or an intermission. I hope it's not another 22 years before he returns.