Customer Reviews
The yardstick by which......................... - By: Music Man, 02 Apr 2007 
For anyone who has never heard this album before & is looking for something that will leave them spellbound & completely exhausted of alll emotions, I reallly envy you. For you, unlike the millions who already own this, still have the joy of listening to something that is reallly unique, for the very first time. Rarely can a combination of songs, performer & audience have come together so comprehensively as one, in such an emotionallly charged package. From classic love songs to fever pitched gospel, Diamond takes you on a rollercoaster of moods . The energy & sensitivity of his performance has never been equallled. You can't fake an audience response, the like of which I have never heard before or since after his stunning rendition of Holly Holy. Something magical happened that night. I'm glad it wasn't captured on film because my own personal mental image of the whole performance adds to the appeal. For the duration of the whole concert, I am slap bang in the middle of the audience. Forget studio based "TV Specials" where artists trot out their greatest hits with each note played in a perfect but sterile form. Instead, grab a copy of this & put a "do not disturb" sign on your door with a glass or two of red nearby, & enjoy an experience you will re-live time & time again. But to listen to it for the first time............I reallly do envy you! This reallly is the yardstick by which alll other live albums are measured.
Simply One Of The Best Live Albums Of All Time - By: David Lusher, 20 Feb 2006 This album is pure entertainment. It's as simple as that. Artists' reputations are made in live performance; this album illustrates - no - PROVES - that Neil Diamond is one of America's premier live performers. The sheer quality of the music shines like a beacon. And that voice is just unmistakable. This is one of the best live albums in the music business. Never mind diamond, this is pure gold!
A Live Album of Rare Quality - By: , 01 Mar 2005 Neil Diamond: 30 years ago live in concert.They dont come much better than this.This album is an amazingingly well produced & performed live album.The quality of the recording is stunning & then there is Neil Diamond himself singing songs that are songwriting masterpieces;tender,beautiful,heartfelt & touching those areas of the mind & heart that only truely great music can do.He has written some of the greatest & most beautiful songs of the last century & alll those years ago at the Greek theatre he performed them with an aura that surpasses the many years ago it happened.A live album of rare perfection.It shouldnt matter what music you are into,if you reallly are a musicphile,this album should be in your collection.
Best Live Album Ever - By: Stevo, 31 Jan 2003 Since the age of 5 when my dad bought this album on vinyl I have been a Neil Diamond fan. I'm not so fussed about his more recent stuff (post The Jazz Singer) but Hot August Night has to be the most outstanding live performances ever recorded. An amazing singer songwriter, outstanding music, lyrics, band, orchestra - & what a voice!
I'm 33 years of age & I don't think this album will ever be surpassed in my lifetime.
What's the difference? - By: mark harper, 25 Jul 2002 As a 26 year old many people find it unusual that I am a Neil Diamond fan!? However I can honestly say that since the age of probably six I have always been so.
The album which I battered on my fathers' turn table which first captured my attention at such an early age was 'Hot August Night'
It is safe for me to say that this is probably mr. Diamonds best ever live performance however, as the title suggests, he doesn't change. I went to see Neil Diamond at the Birmingham NEC Arena 20.07.02 & except for the expected like a little loss of umph ( he is 61 now!) nothing reallly changes.
Hot August Night is like a musical pheonix rising from a stale world of boring entertainment, the emotion which Neil produces from both his lyrics and, at times, his haunting tones is second to none. If you close your eyes you feel as though you are there with the rest of the audience as Neil describes to everyone his views from the stage.
A true marvel of musical & personal emotion, this is a lesson in how to entertain people whilst enjoying doing so.
Robbie Williams, eat your heart out!
