Ramirez, Tulsa (10/22/2008 7:15:52 AM)

It's a really wonderful samaritan deed what Neil Diamond is doing. What a great way to start the morning, with a story like this.

Eric, Tulsa (10/22/2008 8:43:12 AM)

Oh, okay...I'll add my two-cents-worth.

This was my second concert at the new BOk Center, with The Eagles being the first.
Both acts were excellent.

What I would suggest for improvement at the BOk Center:

1. The so-called "big screen" projections are too small, too few and poorly placed so that many people could not see the additional camera angles and unique archive footage that both The Eagles and Diamond had displayed during their shows.

2. TOO LOUD.
Granted, at The Eagles, I sat just off of stage right (section 119) and with Diamond, I was on the floor (F1).
And the speaker arrays were very close to us.
However, after talking to friends that also went to these shows and sat a LOT farther back, they complained about the overall volume.
Please, please PLEASE: TURN DOWN THE VOLUME or offer FREE earplugs to those attending.

If anything, add a WARNING that one could suffer hearing loss.

I'd love to see what the decibel level is.
Next time, I'm bringing my SPL meter.

3. As we exited last night (on the southwest portion, facing the Civic Center) the outdoor steps were NOT lit.
There appears to be embedded lights along the walkway, but they were not on.
Many of the Diamond audience were a lot older than me and I say a few with canes and walkers…these folks found it difficult to see the steps.

Hello BOk Center – take note and adjust accordingly!

PPope, tulsa (10/22/2008 8:51:54 AM)

I thought it was EXCELLENT! He still sounds the same to me and I love the new songs. The BOK Center was great!

Matt in BA, Broken Arrow (10/22/2008 9:32:36 AM)

Neil Diamond still puts on a pretty good show, he moves slower now like alot of his audience. It's great to see him donating the money from his merchandise sales to the IKE disaster, I can only hope other performers will do the same. About the concert, I sat down on the floor in F3, and I agree, the projection screens were way too high and kind of small, maybe in a smaller area these would be the right size. And at times the volume was way too loud, I should have put more cotton in my ears. The most annoying thing was this big security guy standing in everyones way, then moving people from the back up to seats closer to the stage, it was a big distraction. The food choices were pretty good and reasonably priced, alot of beer, wine and margaritas sales last night, good for revenue.

Fred, (10/22/2008 10:32:37 AM)

A great concert. Yes, too loud at times. Next time I will take headphones or db killing plugs. I know the projection screens could be larger or lower for those seated at floor level but up higher they seem fine. I was amazed to see that the screens allow light to pass through them and show the the artist on both sides though the people behind the stage see the picture reversed.Those screens must have cost us a fortune.Before I have them thrown out and replaced I think I will learn to deal with"birdwatchers neck".

Eric, Tulsa (10/22/2008 11:04:02 AM)

"birdwatchers neck"
Boy..ain't THAT the truth!

Ignatz, Broken Bow (10/22/2008 11:32:48 AM)

Kudos to Mr. Diamond for his donations.

okie ridgerunner, small town (10/22/2008 11:53:18 AM)

I dont go to concerts. but i think this is a great thing he is doing.

Fred, (10/22/2008 12:34:30 PM)

Eric,

Among birdwatchers the term is "warbler neck" because these tiny beautiful birds only live in the top canopy of trees and they are constantly on the move, never holding still.. About 10 minutes of trying to see warblers you want to get out the Aleve.

Rex Brinley junior, (10/22/2008 1:25:29 PM)

That's why I keep a good supply of Loggerhead Shrikes to keep the warblers at a minimum. Then again I think I saw Jack Black at the concert. He was there saying something about "I'll save you Silverman."""
Not sure what's that all about.

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (10/22/2008 1:55:05 PM)

I loved Ike. Ali used to be the champ, but Ike took the crown away for his epic bouts with Tina.

Fred, (10/22/2008 2:43:44 PM)

Rex,

I would love to see a logger head shrike. The have almost completely disappeared from this state.

Observer3, T.B.D. (10/22/2008 2:49:37 PM)

Loved the concert. Neil Diamond was superb. Everything was great except that my shoes were sticking to the floor. Do they not mop?

WineDiva, (10/22/2008 8:40:41 PM)

he is awesome

shortie, tulsa (10/22/2008 9:30:53 PM)

"eric"

1. "big screen"....why don't you pitch in next time and buy a bigger one.

2. too loud you say...well, you went to one concert you would think you would've learned to bring your own ear plugs. BUT yet, you want someone else to give you FREE ones...wow.. you are cheap.

3.well, someone forgot to flip a switch...we're human.

Midtown Res, Tulsa (10/23/2008 7:59:36 AM)

I love Neil Diamond, however, during the first few songs his voice was so distorted from the mic that I couldn't understand him. The band was LOUD. My seat was located as such that the person next to me was angled to the right side of my head if they looked at the stage. The woman sitting next to me obviously had one too many or was just some hillbilly come to town because she kept screaming and blowing out my right eardrum. When I held my hand over that ear it offended her and she told me we were here to support Neil. I personally thought that I was supporting Neil by payiing that exhorbitant price for a ticket. When my seatmate gave a shoutout for Brooklyn...I waited until the crowd had quieted and yelled, "Let's hear it for Brooklyn again!" I then was called an a..hole. I leaned over and told this woman that I had paid to see Neil Diamond not hear some hillbilly scream all night. After that I just ignored this person and was repeatedly the target of insults for the rest of the evening. I suspect her husband decided it was better to get her out of there before she got ejected and they left early. Thank God. I was able to enjoy what I came for. Neil gave it his all and it would have been a perfect evening without this jerk next to me. I was happy to see younger people there and their exuberance was delightful. I think all in all everyone had a great time.

Eric, Tulsa (10/23/2008 9:27:24 AM)

"shortie" -

Duh!
I DID pitch in to pay for this stuff...like all of Tulsa did.
We built this facility with our tax dollars.

Duh! (again)
I DID bring my own ear plugs.

A final Duh!
No forgiving for the person who didn't turn on the outside walkway lights.

Hmmm...maybe YOU are the ignorant person who forgot?
That might explain your hostile rant at me!

Here's a quarter, but a clue: get over it.

bfb, Tulsa (10/24/2008 5:39:14 AM)

I agree that the BOK center doesn't seem to address the needs of the elderly or disabled. I have bad knees and needed an elevator to get to the floor seating I had - what a "maze" and poorly marked. We had to be "escorted," ok but what if there's an emergency?

One poor individual in a wheelchair at the end of our row actually had someone fall into his lap. Thank goodness there were no injuries... this lack of planning is an embarrassment for Tulsa and the amount of money spent on the building. Certainly not up to par with other venues I've been to in other cities.

And I've yet to figure out where the Handicap parking places are. I received a map from the "Insiders," with lots of parking, but the only place designated with the "H" was at the OSU Regional Hospital - a bit of a walk.

Is our new building only for the young healthy "Young Professionals?"