On August 17, Capitol/UMe will celebrate one of the century’s most electrifying live albums, with the release of Neil Diamond’s Hot August Night Ill, a live concert DVD/CD Blu-Ray multi-disc set. Hot August Night Ill chronicles Diamond’s triumphant return to the legendary Greek Theatre in Los Angeles in August 2012.The magical evening was Diamond’s 40th anniversary celebration of the original multiplatinum-selling Hot August Night collection that was recorded at the very same venue in 1972.
Diamond’s noted concert performance and onstage musical prowess is in full evidence on Hot August Night Ill, which features 33 songs including 31 greatest hits. Clocking in at over 2 hours and 20 minutes in length, Hot August Night Ill will be released in multiple audio/video configurations, including 2CD, 2CD + 1DVD, and 2CD + 1Blu-ray, as well as digital and download options. The multidisc set’s accompanying video content contains rare behind-the scenes footage with both the band and the crew, showcasing the undeniably palpable energy surrounding Diamond’s return to this most historic venue.
Following the 2012 shows at The Greek, Billboard Magazine said of Diamond’s performance, “His voice remains powerful and accurate; he reaches towards the baritone register for emphasis, just as he did in the 70’s. …he never falters in delivering every line with conviction.”
From the fine acoustic twang of “Forever in Blue Jeans” to the pure Americana swing of “Kentucky Woman” to the eternal sing-along sunshine of “Sweet Caroline” to the raw emotionality of “I Am…I Said” to the welcoming arms of “America,” Hot August Night Ill cements Diamond’s mastery of the live stage and his unique connection with audiences the world over.
Released in December 1972, the original Hot August Night – the title of which was culled from the opening line to one of Diamond’s most celebrated tracks, 1969’s “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show” – captures a magical performance on the evening of one of his ten sold-out shows at the Greek that August. Of these nights, Robert Hilburn of The Los Angeles Times declared, “His 1972 Hot August Night stand at the Greek remains among the most celebrated series of shows by a mainstream pop-rock performer ever in Los Angeles.”
Throughout his illustrious and wide-ranging career, Neil Diamond has sold over 130 million albums worldwide and has dominated the charts for more than five decades with 38 Top 40 singles and 16 Top 10 albums. He has achieved record sales with 40 Gold albums, 21 Platinum albums and 11 Multi-Platinum albums.
A Grammy Award-winning artist, Diamond is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall Of Fame, and has recently received The Johnny Mercer Award and the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award, two of the highest honors bestowed upon songwriters. Diamond’s many other achievements include a Golden Globe Award, 13 Grammy nominations, ASCAP Film and Television Award, Billboard Icon Award, American Music Award and 2009’s NARAS’s MusiCares Person of the Year Award. In 2011, Diamond received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honor for his lifetime of contributions to American culture.
And now, with the endless dynamic enthusiasm that’s apparent all throughout Hot August Night III, Neil Diamond once again sweetly proves that good times never seemed so good.
Neil Diamond HOT AUGUST NIGHT III [2CD, 2CD+1DVD, 2CD+1BD, Digital Download]
Disc 1
1. Overture
2. Soolaimon
3. Beautiful Noise
4. Forever in Blue Jeans
5. Love On The Rocks
6. Hello Again
7. September Morn
8. Play Me
9. Shilo
10. Red, Red Wine
11. You Got To Me
12. Girl, You’ll Be A Woman Soon
13. Thank The Lord For The Night Time
14. Cherry, Cherry
15. Kentucky Woman
16. Solitary Man
17. Glory Road
18. Chelsea Morning
19. I’m A Believer
20. Happy Birthday Rose
21. Cracklin’ Rosie
Disc 2
1. And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind
2. Pretty Amazing Grace
3. We
4. Stones
5. You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
6. Holly Holy
7. Morningside
8. Crunchy Granola Suite
9. Sweet Caroline
10. Sweet Caroline – Reprise
11. I Am…I Said
12. Walk Off
13. America
14. Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show
15. I’ve Been This Way Before
16. Walk Off
17. Band Bows
18. Audience Exit
