Recorded live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California on August 24, 1972. Includes liner notes Karen Shearer.

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: Neil Diamond (vocals, guitar); Emory Gordy, Jr. (guitar, vibraphone); Richard Bennett, Danny Nicholson (guitar); Alan Lindgren (keyboard); Reine Press (bass); Dennis St. John (drums); Jefferson Kewley (percussion).

String section includes: Hyman Goodman, Jay Rosen, John deVoogdt, David Turner, Tibor Zelig, Samuel Boghossian, Myron Sandler, Sven Reher, Linn Subotnick, Marilyn Baker, Philip Goldberg, Jesse Ehrlich, Giacinto Nardulli, Salvatore Crimi, Henry Ferber, Beldassare Ferlazzo, Wilbert Nuttycombe, Shari Zippert, Walter Wiemeyer, Richard Kaufman.

Recorded live at the Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, California on August 24, 1972. Originally released on MCA Records (6896). Includes liner notes by Karen Shearer.

All songs written by Neil Diamond.

This is the ultimate Neil Diamond record. Not necessarily the best -- he's at his most appealing crafting in the studio -- but certainly the ultimate, capturing all the kitsch and glitz of Neil Diamond, the showman. And that also means that it's not just loaded with flair, but with filler, songs like "Porcupine Pie," "Soggy Pretzels," and "And the Grass Won't Pay No Mind" -- attempts to write grand, sweeping epics that collapse under their own weight. Still, that's part of the charm of Diamond and while it can sound unbearable on studio albums, it makes some sense here, surrounded by his pomp and circumstance. That spectacle is the great thing about the record, since it inflates not just his great songs, it gives the weaker moments character. And while this does wind up being a little much -- 21 songs, 24 on the 2000 reissue -- it nevertheless is the one record for casual Neil fans, after the hits collections, since this shows Diamond the icon in full glory. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

In addition to his excellent skills as a songwriter, Neil Diamond is also known for his bold, often theatrical performance style. One glance at the cover of HOT AUGUST NIGHT--Diamond clothed in denim and Native American jewelry, with his hands hovering over his body, and an expression suggesting a trance of intensity--and the listener knows he or she is in for some serious performing. The pop icon delivers as expected; HOT AUGUST NIGHT, recorded in 1972 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, documents the epic showmanship of a Neil Diamond concert.

Listeners will certainly get their money's worth. Diamond's best-loved songs stuff the two-disc, 25-track set list--the ubiquitous "Sweet Caroline," the infectious "Song Sung Blue," et al, plus versions of "Red Red Wine" and "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," which he wrote, but were also hits for others. An energetic backing band and a full string section complement the singer's impassioned performances, and an encore medley of "Soolaimon" and "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" brings the show to a fiery close. HOT AUGUST NIGHT remains one of Diamond's best-selling albums. Give it a listen and see why.

In addition to his excellent skills as a songwriter, Neil Diamond is also known for his bold, often theatrical performance style. One glance at the cover of HOT AUGUST NIGHT--Diamond clothed in denim and Native American jewelry, with his hands hovering over his body, and an expression suggesting a trance of intensity--and the listener knows he or she is in for some serious performing. The pop icon delivers as expected; HOT AUGUST NIGHT, recorded in 1972 at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, documents the epic showmanship of a Neil Diamond concert.

Listeners will certainly get their money's worth. Diamond's best-loved songs stuff the two-disc, 25-track set list--the ubiquitous "Sweet Caroline," the infectious "Song Sung Blue," et al, plus versions of "Red Red Wine" and "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," which he wrote, but were also hits for others. An energetic backing band and a full string section complement the singer's impassioned performances, and an encore medley of "Soolaimon" and "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show" brings the show to a fiery close. HOT AUGUST NIGHT remains one of Diamond's best-selling albums. Give it a listen and see why.