I have been a Neil Diamond fan since his early days recording for the old Bang Label and 45's of such hits as “Solitary Man,” “Cherry Cherry,” “Girl You’ll Be A Woman Soon,” “Thank The Lord For The Night Time,” and “Kentucky Woman” still reside in my record collection.
In 1972 I bought the original Hot August Night, followed by Hot August Night II in 1987. Now I have Hot August Night/NYC.
This DVD has a lot to recommend. It was filmed during his four sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden during August of 2008. The sound and the visual quality are both excellent. He surrounds himself with a band complete with brass which fills in the sound and makes many of the performances very dynamic. He also uses background singers who provide great help to his vocals.
I have seen Neil Diamond in concert several times plus have a number of his live recordings and this may be his most consistent vocally. His voice may not be as strong as it was forty years ago but he controls it well and does not overreach. I have heard him when it was scratchy and sounding tired but that is not the case here.
The two-hour, twenty-six-song concert is a combination of the new and old with a few surprises. There is also a DVD bonus feature titled “Welcome Home Neil” where he returns to his old Brooklyn neighborhood.
“Holly Holy” gets the concert off to a good start with the use of the aforementioned brass. “Cherry Cherry,” “Thank The Lord For The Night Time,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” "Sweet Caroline,” and “I Am…I Said” all are performed to a warm audience reaction. I've personally seen him at times totally ignores his band but here he allows them to shine a little on their own.
Article comments
1 - Evan
thats a good dvd but Neil Diamond is never returing to stage becuse on the behind the scenes clips he went home after his last tour ended
2 - Evan
so in the meantime Neil Sedaka who is still touring will stay on tour much longer than Neil Diamond
3 - Me
Do you call this a review? You didn't even mention the complete song list! Now I have to search elsewhere...
4 - Evan
im not gonna get to go see Neil Diamond but at least im gonna get to go see Neil Sedaka
5 - Evan
and i cant wait to stop focusing on music all the time again
6 - Evan
i did not get to see Neil Diamond but at least i got to see Neil Sedaka
7 - mary
How many people in the audience?
8 - ianluton
Wel- thats all very nice I am sure, but when do us long suffering Brits get to buy a DVD copy of the original made in 1972. ANYONE tell us where we can find one??? Or is there still no plan to release it on DVD format??