Customer Reviews

Hot August Night 2

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"Hot August Night 2" is not Neil Diamond's most recent CD (released in 1987), but it is filled with many of his "classics," most of which he still does in concert today. But the real reason I was prompted to write a review was all the negative criticisms that others on this website are making. I thought this was an absolutely fantastic concert CD of some wonderful old (and a couple of new -- well, new for 1987) songs. How can people think he's not energetic in this recording? I think he sounds wound up and excited the whole way through. Some have remarked that he sings "off key" in a few songs, but all he really does is slip into a harmony line instead of a melody line. It still sounds good, just a little different from the original studio recording of the songs, and is a lot different from singing "off key." And as for the charge that he just shouts all the time, I listened through the CD again with this comment in mind, and the only song that is predominantly shouted is the last one (before the encore), "Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show," and Diamond is so charged up with energy for that song that it still comes off very well. Does "Brother Love" sound like the studio recording? No. But wow, does it sound good!

Neil Diamond leaves out some of his older hits (e.g., Solitary man, Shilo, Girl You'll Be a Woman, Play Me), but he includes some more recent ones that weren't written yet for "Hot August Night 1" (such as America, Forever in Blue Jeans, You Don't Bring Me Flowers). Also, the new songs ("Back in L.A." and "I Dreamed a Dream" from the Les Miserables musical) sound fantastic!

I can't understand why any Neil Diamond fan wouldn't love this CD. My parents listened to Neil Diamond music throughout my childhood, but I never cared for it until I heard this CD -- this is what turned me into a lifelong fan! If you haven't heard it yet, do yourself a favor and get it!

This is a fun record to listen to. It contains a lot of Neil's hits (America, Sweet Caroline, You Don't Bring Me Flowers, etc.) along with a couple of lesser known songs. It's his ability to keep the old songs sounding fresh and energized that makes the CD such a pleasure to experience. If you liked his studio versions of his work, you will enjoy these live cuts as well. It may never be as popular as the original Hot August Night album, but it is a must for any Diamond fan. It is an excellent starter CD for the newcomers to the Diamond fan club, too.

I picked this up for cheap while waiting for Hot August Night 1 to come in, but I wish I hadn't... It's got most of the great songs, but it's not a real good show. Both Diamond and the band sound flat and uninspired (although they warm up a bit after "I am...I said"). I'm sure this is better than the average Vegas-show, but not by much.

His is one of the greatest voices in modern popular music, and of course the songs are good, but if you want to really hear Diamond at his best, get the first Hot August Night, or pick up a 'best of' collection.

I Dreamed A Dream covered by Neil Diamond is worth owning this CD all by itself! Turn it up and it will send shivers down the spine of any musician or true music lover. Buy it!!

I agree that Back in LA is an awesome song. The whole album kicks rear. I had it on cassette and wore it out. While it could be a better album if it had "Play Me." on it, it has most of the other staples for a Neil Diamond fan. My only gripe is why doesn't Neil Diamond tour more? Or at least in the Midwest. Do a show in Wichita, Topeka, or Oklahoma City. There's a lot of us folks here who would appreciate it.

A great album for the ND fan! Soolaimon is not done, justice, though.

What can I say? The CD takes me back to one very memorable evening at the Greek Theater. ND is the consummate performer, and the CD captures that feeling, again.

If you can pick this CD up for cheap it's worth it for 2 songs - Back in L.A. and I Dreamed a Dream, the rest of the album is below average and Neil shouts many of the lyrics. This album signals the start of Neil's decline and unfortuneately his voice has now completely abandoned him.

Compared to Hot August Night 1 (still Neil's best album, despite some pretty corny material like "Soggy Pretzels" and "Porcupine Pie"), this second outing is pretty tepid. It showcases Diamond after he had become a master purveyor of sappy schlock like "September Morn," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," and "Heartlight." Sure, there are also plenty of oldies here, but they too lose their fire and get a mostly watered-down schlock treatment.

There is no bite to this album. It is all a happy feel-good shlocky glitzy run through some popular songs with very little in the way of innovation and depth. Just compare the cover photos from the two albums -- volume 1: Neil has wild, long hair, is dressed in denim, and looks like he is really into it. Volume 2: Dressed in one of those glittery, low-neck tasseled shirts that just scream "aging adult contemporary showman trying to look cool," and strumming earnestly with that facial expression that always says, "I'm really rocking out now, aren't I?" It's just way too glittery and contrived for its own good. Volume 1 was at least REAL.

At least Hot August Night 2 is better than the next outing, "Love At The Greek." That one should've been titled "Dud At The Greek."

Hot August Night II is the start of the decline of the crooner and the beginer of the talker/screamer in Neil Diamond. Sometime in the late 80's he stopped singing most of his songs and started to talk or yell the most important lyrics. It was like he last all tone and rythm. I grew up being rocked to sleep as a young child to the original Hot August Night, but this album still gives me nightmares. Every couple of years I put in in the CD player just to give it another try and it always goes back on the shelf, replaced by the original. This album includes his great late 70's/early 80's songs, but they are butchered, much like his other classics. Having seen him in concert no less than 10 times, each live show is so different, sometimes smooth and classy, other times like this album indifferent, out of tune and careless. It just give rise to the question did the age, number of live shows catch up with him in the 80's?