I absolutely LOVE this CD... It is a must have for any Neil Diamond fan. Many years ago I had this on 8-track (yeah THAT long ago, and then on cassette and once more on CD, but my grandson's got hold of it, and being the pre-schoolers that they are, and I needed a new one. It is fabulous. I just crank it up in the car, and I feel that I'm at one of his concerts. My children grew up listening to this in the 80's, and they can sing every song. You will NOT be disappointed with this purchase!

One of the most incredible live recordings ever made. You can feel this man's passion for the music and you can feel the audience being part of something special. Incredible music sung with all the emotion and soul that only the special artists can muster. Looking for a good Neil Diamond recording to sample his music? Try this one. It got this old rock and roller hooked on Neil Diamond.

This was one of the very first albums ever given to me as a teenager. After 30+ years it is still my most favorite. Neil Diamond is a wonderful musician and this album exemplifies his works as a musician and performer. How many musicians can sing along to an orchestra?
FIVE STARS to NEIL DIAMOND

The concert was simply remarkable. After 30 years, it still is one of the best recorded concert ever.

Neil Diamond's HOT AUGUST NIGHT, is a two CD album of his greatest concert which was in 1972 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. This stirring performance has been repeatedly acclaimed as his greatest concert ever. This album was beautifully remastered and makes for a fabulous gift for all who love Neil Diamond.

waited a long time for a cd of this concert. Well worth the wait. Fantastic reproducion-- delighted.

This is some of his best work. The venue he chose was appropriate, too.

Like trees in the sky!

Well ...as I read, much has been said about this beautiful concert but, if you permit me, I`d like to add a few words about it from this part of the world. I used to listen to it in LP recording when I was 15 or 16. I'm 46 now. So, the old LP somehow scratched now, I got a remastered CD a few days ago and....Wow!!! This is what I remembered...and more! Maybe the interesting part is that I studied music, so as a professional musician I somehow retrace my steps asking the key question: was there anything here worthy of my awakening music perception? And the answer is YES! These are not just romantic memories of my adolescence. No. There are beautiful melodies and poetry in Morningside, a lovely, somehow Haydn inspired, treatment of the strings in the Prologue, inspired orchestral arrangements in I am I said, a strong "pathos" in the rock-gospel interpretation of Holy Holly, the great percussion of Denis St. John....you name it. But, above all that, and somehow illuminating all of it, this was 1972, and still the spirit of the 60's! I find it touching to read that Neil Diamond's last album, still unreleased, is called "Home Before Dark". Home and dark are not clichés or empty words for someone who has "seen the light" or dreamt with the "Dear Father" through his own poetic sky, not so "lonely looking". It sounds suggesting. This man has been singing for 40 years now and in good company: these were the times of Luther King and of Peter Paul and Mary, the times of Serrat in Spain and Caetano in Brazil, the times of Joan Baez. Young generations: will you ever get the picture? This people sang from commitment and from the heart's mystic daimon, ( no miss spelling) as the Greek would say it. This was still the spirit of Kennedy, not Bush, the spirit of make love, not war, the times of melodic and harmonic richness expressing the true longings of a generation, not of silly and elementary beats on two chords, expressing the greediness of the pop market.
No, this was much different; this had roots and spirit: Neil, the trees you saw in the sky, that August 24 beautiful night, are still there! With all of us. And, yes, they are BEAUTIFUL!
Thanks again for sharing them with us.
Santiago Zuleta.

Excellent concert which was perfectly recorded and produced (only a few years after Beatles stopped touring, if you've ever "heard" those concerts).
While singing with the same charisma that he's since become known for, Neil Diamond is surprisingly shy and very polite as he speaks in between numbers. "Crying in your pretzals" is a surprise favorite.
This is the album which propelled Neil Diamond from a singer/songwriter to SuperStardom!

Just a fan of Neil ever since Solitary Man was released. I was just a kid but l loved him, Gene Pitney and the like.
When this album hit the stores, I was a freshman in college. I kidded my roomate for purchasing it because I was into Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, etc, at the time. Well when I heard this album I was immediately a Neil fan again. It's just...great.

What can i say about this album that hasn't already been said? In the 70's when i was just a young lad my mother use to play this Neil Diamond album religiously. Walking home from school and within ear shot i could hear the music belting out of our house and feeling slightly embarrassed that the music was actually coming from the house that i had to walk into. Once i left home i never thought of owning a Neil Diamond album. Now 30 odd years later i have to admit that i now own this album & i gotta say that when it is in my CD player i find myself turning up the volume and singing along to all the tunes just as my mother did all those years ago. Yeah its nostalgic but this album makes you feel as though you are part of the audience front and centre and is just a great feel good wholesome album. ND is truly a story teller with his music. There was a certain magic caught that night in the making of this album. A magic that can be felt everytime you listen to this album. It was great music then and it is great music still to this day.

We have worn out two cassettes and one CD of this. How much better
could a CD be? Neil Diamond is the best!

The original CD set consisted of 2 CD's.
The product that I received only contained 1 CD (disk 2).
I wrote to the seller and he was unable to complete the order.
He then refunded my entire purchase price.

the first CD of the set contains the Prolough and is followed by Crunchy Granola Suite. This is the piece of the CD set that I was most interested in.

This jewel is spectacular. Neil Diamond draws you in at the very beginning & when the music ends, do not be surprised if you hit replay. A must for those who truly love great music & superb musicianship.

My sister Carol first played this album for me when I was a teenager in the 70's and it still gives me goosebumps! Neil Diamond is one of the few singers who can deliver a live version superior to anything done in the studio. Great selection of "Early Neil" that never gets old. The sound quality, ambiance of The Greek Theater, and Neil's energy make this one of my all-time favorites.

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.

Actually, the Gold live album, which was earlier, was better because his voice was stronger. If you listen to Gold, you will understand why his voice is so shot on this cd. His live albums got worse and worse, but this one still had moments. The Prologue is tremendous, and Cherry, Caroline and You'll Be a Woman Soon are great versions. If you are a fan, you already have it, but if you are a casual fan, there are better places to go than this.

I have worn out an 8 track (remember those?), and 2 cassette tapes of this concert before buying the CD. I know all the songs by heart, but never get tired of listening to it.

If more people heard this,Neil wouldn't be compared to Barry Manilow all the time.This is not "easy listening".This album ROCKS!

I hadn't heard this Neil Diamond recording in quite a few years, but it was always a favorite of mine, so I finally bought it. The recording was remastered and I would recommend getting this version. The instruments seemed much clearer than I remembered from the original recording. It's pure Neil Diamond magic. He seems to be singing just to you even though it's a "live" recording. Great stuff!

A great recording of one of Neil Diamond's greatest live performances. CD was in perfect condition and a real good value for the price.

I first heard this album in the late 70's and always thought of it as a truly legendary concert recording, make sure you buy the 2000 re-issue as it includes 3 more songs previously unavailable. The sound clarity is crystal clear and Diamond and band were at their peak performances in this August 1972 concert.

Just as I remembered it, but the CD quality adds new dimension. Just love it!

If you are a Neil Diamond fan then this is a must have album. Diamond shows his many talent on this one album. Just about every song on the album was written by him. The cover shows Neil Diamond in his younger years with long hair. It really is one of those albums you can listen to over and over again and still come back for more. Any fan of Neil Diamond would be foolish not to make this a part of their collection of the best of Neil Diamond. If you like Neil Diamond this album will not disappoint you.

ThisCD replaces the original LP album I bought a generatio ago. Yes, I still have the oiginal! It was excelent then ad even better now remastered and Neil's voice is still fresh and young, not like his recent recordings. Buy it, you'll love it too.

My mom and dad thought this live concert at the Greek in Los Angeles would be a fun experience for two little teenage girls - sister and me - and I bless them for that decision every time I listen to this performance again. We loved it so much that my dad found a way to get a second set of tickets for this 8-day (I think it was 8 days) stand. I've owned this performance in every media form ever issued. 34 years later the music still transports me back to those glorious summer nights in the Griffith Park hills. I've seen and heard some incredible performances in my life, but this one is still tops. The re-mastered version just makes a great thing better.

This album is one of answers to if you were stranded on a desert island... what albums would you want with you. This is a 34 year old album that is a relevant today as it was then. The man could write, sing and entertain. One of his last performances before a couple year vacation, he went out on top and then reinvented himself as a romantic adult crooner as he grew out of the hippie aged songwritter. He has put out numerous live albums, (Love at the Greek, Hot August Night II) and while his original live album "GOlD" was a solid late 60's attempt, this is the album to own and hit the "continous play button."

Not many artists are able to perform live as well as they do in studio. Of the top of my head I can honestly only think of Bruce "the boss" Springsteen who may even be better live than in studio. Many live albums are available with Neil Diamond and he's never bettered this exceptional performance. It's like here everything fell completely in place; Neil's vocals are top-notch, the band sounds great and even the audience contribute alot. Diamond classics such "I am, I said, Play me, Stones, And the grass won't pay no mind" sound even better here than originally heard. Upbeat songs such as Sweet Caroline, Holly holy and especially You're so sweet sound MUCH better here than in their studio incarnations.

Neil Diamond isn't for everyone, he has devoted fans and people who really don't like him. For a devoted fan this album is a must, for the casual fan it's highly recommended and for a non fan; give it a chance, you'd be surprised.

Simply put, the best live album I've ever heard.

Diamond is one of those rare artists, where his live performances actually have the *possibility* of surpassing the studio version(s)--much less *actually* surpassing them.

This album is worth $200.00.

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!

As live albums sometimes disappoint, I must say right away that this one will not (unless you just can't stand Neil). This is his best live album, period. Singing some of his best early tunes puts this recorded performance at the peak of his game. Included here are mainstays 'Solitary Man', 'Cherry Cherry', 'Sweet Caroline', 'Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon', 'Kentucky Woman', 'Play Me' and 'Cracklin' Rosie'. Those are but just a few of the gems in this package recorded at LA's Greek Theatre in 1972 on a hot August 24th.

This recording puts every other live album of his to complete shame. Mr. Diamond has released so many live collections over the years, but this is the ONLY one you need, and for some odd reason it's very hard to find in stores. This is Neil captured in his prime with a young, strong voice and probably one of the greatest live recordings ever!!!

The first ten seconds of the album will make you feel as if you grabbed the cheap lawn seats at this most holy of Neil Diamond live recordings. The crowd is laughing, voices cheer in a sophisticated way. You can nearly smell the aura.

And then, "Crunchy Granola Suites" begins with an acoustic guitar and a bang on the percussions, in a huge way.

"Done To Soon" is chockfull of stellar organ, acoustic guitar and low-bass French horn.

Mr. Diamond pays homage to his fans, including the "tree people", which he loves, and truly shines in this album.

The rest is history.

This is the finest of live albums ever recorded.

Have you ever had one of those nights, both electrifying and magical! It was 1972; Song Sung Blue was being played by all of the music stores on Broadway while blasting its way up the charts to #1 nationwide. We had tickets to Neal Diamond's last performance at New York's famous Winter Garden Theater. The show was an exact replica of what was to become the album "Hot August Night." We settled in during the Prologue and then, very softly the music began while the curtains were being rolled back. This revealed a stage with some dim lights and one which was center stage and brighter than all. A misty haze and roiling clouds of smoke were coiling around everything on stage (dry ice I presume) including Neal's band. Then, with the music steadily rising the center light explodes in brilliance and the music is temporarily suspended and we are all suspended with it. Then he was there! The audience exploded and with the big light as his temporary backdrop Neal and the band gave us a rendition of "Crunchy Granola Suite" that no one will soon forget. With all the trappings added (speakers stacked at least 35 feet high in what is a small theatre with great acoustics and 3rd row seats, it was and still is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I wish we could have a DVD of the show but the album is more than enough for me. Neal played the Winter Garden for two weeks upon his return from his 10 day stay in California and the Greek Theater. Yes, believe it or not, he looked exactly like his album cover. This was a special performance for Neal as well as his family was in the audience for this final performance before he went on to study classical piano for two years. With few exceptions such as Roy Orbison's "A Night in Black and White" I would be hard pressed to come up with a better album. You would be doing yourself a huge dis-service should you not make this album part of your collection. The songs as well as the beautiful and driving music of his band (all Julliard Graduates) and his ever present string section made this an unforgettable night.

This album is just plain awesome. The performance utterly sizzles with energy. The track list includes loads of hits as well as less well known material. Unlike some live albums this album doesn't merely try to recreate the artists' studio tracks. Instead it transforms each track in a unique way without diverging too far from the original. This is Neil's best album and one of the greatest live albums every recorded (probably my personal favorite). This album isn't merely a collection of good songs played well, it's an experience. Highest recommendation.