Finally a good enough inspiration to plop some words down here.

Neil Diamond. 

My mom was/is in love with the man. Enough that he was my first concert. And I've seen him live several times. That was a fact I tucked deep into my closet during adolescence and high school years. Then I grew up as a person and a musician enough to embrace the awesome. 

Because the man is. Absolutely awesome. His voice is like velvet on gravel, saturated with that impossible-to-train, sublime quality of pure music. And as a songwriter he's a fucking genius. 

Yesterday I was trawling the internet for deals and picked up his "All Greatest Hits" in digital format for $3. I'm sad to say until now my library has been woefully lacking in Neil. Mom has all the CDs. 

So, tonight, it's Forever In Blue Jeans, Sweet Caroline, Holly Holy (ooooh I actually didn't know that one, and it's... *fans self*), even Hello and Love on the Rocks. 

I recommend it. In headphones. 

But you know what's even more awesome? The man is in his 70s and still completely rockin' it. Embracing his own cheesy reputation with his latest video including puppies and sparkles. At the same time, he's active on twitter, and even did a really awesome AMA on reddit a month or so ago. 

Seriously. Neil fucking Diamond. Get it.