Neil Diamond - Hot August Night (Remastered / Expanded) (2CD)
|
List Price: Our Price: $11.43 You Save: $8.55 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Hot August Night (Remastered / Expanded) (2CD)
Free Music Review: Neil Diamond, for rock and roll fans
Hit: 5 Stars
This album will always be special for me. When I was about six years old in 1975, I started to appreciate rock music. And the first artists I "discovered" were the ones I could find in my dad's record collection; the Beatles, Elton John, the Stones, and Neil Diamond - at least, this live album. 35 years later, I am still in love with "Hot August Night" and it might be my favorite live album ever.
After the gentle introduction by his string section (Neil's band for this performance featured a wide array of at least 40 backup musicians), Diamond kicks into gear with "Crunchy Granola Suite" and proceeds to deliver a tour de force of star power. He rocks out harder than he ever had (or ever would again, sadly), although he also offers a ballad or two to mix things up. In fact, he covers ALL the bases from midtempo ballads, slow tear-jerkers, light-hearted ditties like "You're So Sweet" and bona fide anthems like "Sweet Caroline" and "I Am, I Said", and he does it all to perfection. The reissue includes a few excellent bonus tracks including a terrific rendition of "Walk On Water".
Anyone who dismisses Neil Diamond as a syrupy, sentimental hack has obviously never heard this album. I don't really listen to anything else Neil ever did aside from the occasional single, but for one (hot August) night, he delivered a performance that has stood the test of time. His voice roars, his band sizzles, and the songs themselves, injected with the energy of a live performance, captivate the listener. TOP RATING!!!
Free Music Review: Neil Diamond at his best
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to confess that I am a diehard Neil Diamond fan since "I Am ... I Said" hit into my life like a comet in its year of release in 1971. But anyhow I would like to recommend this re-released and re-mastered CD set to anyone interested in pop music. Not only is it a proof of Neil Diamond's outstanding talents as a songwriter, a musician and as one of the world's leading performers, but it is also one of the most crystal clear recordings I ever listened to. I was always disappointed with the regular release of this set as the sound was rather mediocre and it also lacked the original artwork, but the re-release was worth waiting for. Not only that the original artwork is included, it even includes two more of these gorgeous in-concert shots by Ed Caraeff, and there are three extra tracks that proove the durability of Neil Diamond's music over the past three decades. Kentucky Women is a countryfied tune, one of these familiar ND songs you hear on the radio even today. Stones and Walk On Water are a perfect proof taking a studio recording to life in a concert setting. I would recommend everyone to carefully listen to Stones: this song is worth buying the whole album. It not only shows the outstanding musical abilities of Neil Diamond himself, but also of his band members. Neil's former drummer Dennis St. John charesses his bass drum more than he actually plays it. This album is a great addition to any more or less complete collection of pop music. It is Neil Diamond at his best - a real gem!Free Music Review: Red Hot Diamond
Hit: 5 Stars
The first exposure I ever got of Neil Diamond was to HOT AUGUST NIGHT.It was a certainty on long car trips.The passing 27 years (and some pretty substandard Neil Diamond releases) have only intensified my love for this live document.This release marks the end of Brill Building era Neil and sets the stage for JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULL and beyond.From the orchestral intro to the rocking encores,Diamond has this LA crowd jumping out of their Greek Theater seats(and out of the trees) and into his hands. Unlike some of his later live releases,showmanship is replaced by true feeling.It is as if on tracks like HOLLY HOLY,CRACKLIN'ROSIE SOOLAIMON,and MORNINGSIDE Neil has experienced all that he has sung about and wants to share the experiences with the audience. The "theatrical moments"(CANTA LIBRE,BROTHER LOVE'S TRAVELLING SALVATION SHOW,SOGGY PRETZELS)are performed with gusto.Neil croons,roars and jokes with abandon.The band is caught up in the moment and provide a magical backup.Special mention must go to his drummer Dennis St John who puts overpowering energy into his playing,which rivals the great Ronnie Tutt(ex-Elvis Presley Band and current Neil Diamond Band member).After this ,Diamond took a three year "retirement" from the concert scene.For pure excellence and energy,put this release on and take a mind trip back to that HOT AUGUST NIGHT at the Greek Theater.Who knows,you too might become one of the "tree people"!Free Music Review: Well Worth The Price of Admission!!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
28 years ago today, Neil walked onstage at the Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA. He took everyone for a walk down memory lane one last time and in the process recorded what would become the last look at Neil Diamond - Singer,Songwriter,Troubador,etc. He would take a sabbatical and emerge with the Jonathan Livinston Seagull Soundtrack. Truly a monumental peak in a mountain of accomplishments, Hot August Night is a rare recording that still holds up well today. The remastering is top notch and the inclusion of three bonus tracks-Walk on Water, Kentucky Woman and Stones are icing on a wonderfully multi-layered cake. The first time I heard these, I found myself applauding as a first time audience member. I have acquired this on almost every configuration released(I didn't own a 8 track). I would buy every show from these recordings if they released it. That is how entertaining this set is. The packaging is faithful to the original gatefold album including 2 pictures that have not seen daylight since 1973 or 1974 when they stopped pressing the gatefold in favor of the cheaper sleeve. It would've been complete with the album labels reproduced on the cds themselves but that is the only detail missing that I've noticed. Overall, I give this CD 100 stars out of five. If anyone attended these shows please contact me at my email. I would like to get more info about these shows!!!Free Music Review: Unsurpassable, A Happening, A Walk Down Memory Lane...
Hit: 5 Stars
When we baby boomers are rugged up in our pj's at the Home for the Nearly Departed, one of the subjects we'll discuss will be the day we first heard Neil Diamonds immortal "Hot August Night", what a magnificent moment it was (and still is) and how thrilling it is,still, to hear this digitalised, and extended version through our ear plugs on the ipod,or our hearing aids - which ever may be the case.
A great live album allows those listening to get a feel for the night,the excitement, the enthusiasm, the waves of love flowing back and forth from entertainer to audience, an electrifying atmostphere.
All that is patently obvious on Hot August Night as Neil Diamond sings with passion and finesse, talks to the "tree people" present, (I've often wondered, did they pay?) and gives an awesome performance - singing all of his greatest songs, Crunchy Granola Suite, Cherry Baby, Solitary Man, Sweet Caroline, and the gentle Play Me, plus Cante Libre, Song Sung Blue and good ole Cracklin' Rosie. A few extra's were thrown in for good measure on this CD, Stones, Walk On Water, were not on the original vinyl,
but are welcome extra's just the same.
A great night, and a special, unforgettable, moment in history.