Hot August Night - NEIL DIAMOND****

Prologue-Crunchy Granola Suite/Done Too Soon/Solitary Man/Cherry Cherry/Sweet Caroline/Porcupine Pie/ You're So Sweet/Red Red Wine/Soggy Pretzels/And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind/Shilo/Girl You'll Be A Woman Soon/Play Me/Canta Libre/Morningside/Sung Song Blue/Cracklin' Rosie/Holly Holy/I Am I Said/ Soolaimon-Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show

Hot August Night is a live double album recorded at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles in August 1972. It was well timed as it covers his most creative period before his descent into MOR blandness. (US:5 UK:21)

“Neil was definitely at the top of his game at this time. He had only been making music professionally for more than half a decade but by 1972 he had penned his most important material. This is a live album worthy of standing among the most revered, and captures him at his most passionate in an ideal environment.”

“Hot August Night is the sound of a young Neil Diamond and his live rock ‘n’ roll band performing all the hits from the first part of his career that most of his fans seem to prefer.”

“What struck me is his simplistic but stunningly effective use of, in many cases, a handful of chords. These are great songs that have stood the test of time and even today get people up, dancing and singing. This album is a showcase of such songs.”

“I know it's not terribly cool to like Neil Diamond, but this is a fine album. It's over the top in places, but when he keeps things reasonably contained, there's just no doubting the man's talent, both as a singer and a songwriter.”

“Neil Diamond at his best. If you're a Diamond fan, you already know about this one. If you're not, check it out. I was never crazy about his studio stuff, but there's no denying his intensity and showmanship in a live scenario. The band is alive and rockin' throughout this two disc set.”

“There are too many highlights to list. If you are like a lot of people who think that Neil Diamond is just some middle-aged guy who bellows out sappy ballads and overly grandiose anthems while wearing really sparkly shirts, you've never heard this set, and you're about to have all your illusions shattered. It's that good.”

“The songs on this are a best of the best of early Neil Diamond music. Every one is a potential hit, and those that weren't should have been.”