Hot August Night II

Performer: Neil Diamond
Engineer: Allen Sides; Val Garay
Producer: Val Garay
Distributor: Sony Music Distribution (

Notes: Personnel includes: Neil Diamond, Linda Press (vocals); Richard Bennett, Doug Rhone (guitar); Tom Hensley (piano, keyboards); Alan Lindgren (piano, synthesizer); Reinie Press (bass); Ron Tutt (drums); King Errisson (percussion). Personnel: Linda Press (vocals, background vocals); Doug Rhone (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Assa Drori, Don Palmer, Shari Zippert, Bill Hybel, Bob Sanov, Reg Hill, Meg Zivahl, Clayton Haslop (violin); Lenny Sachs, Margo MacClaine (viola); Tony Cooke, Ray Kelley (cello); Tom Hensley (piano, keyboards); Alan Lindgren (piano, synthesizer); Ron Tutt (drums, background vocals); King Errisson, Vince Charles (percussion). Audio Mixer: Val Garay. Photographer: Harrison Funk. Unknown Contributor Role: Neil Diamond. The successor to Neil Diamond's best-selling 1972 live album HOT AUGUST NIGHT, this in-concert set was recorded some 15 years later and features updated versions of some of the same material, in addition to newer songs like "Headed For the Future," "Forever in Blue Jeans," and "Heartlight." Diamond's no-holds-barred showmanship is still in full effect, with a powerful all-star band and an ecstatic audience contributing to the show's intensity. Hot August Night II might not capture Neil Diamond at the peak of his career like its predecessor did, but it makes a convincing case for Diamond's skills as a showman. Running through his biggest hits, Diamond turns in a flashy, showy performance -- his vocal ability may have eroded a bit in the '80s, yet he still knew how to get a live crowd excited. For the most part, that excitement translates to record, making Hot August Night II an enjoyable listen, but not an essential one. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

With a career as a hitmaker stretching across the decades, Neil Diamond has purveyed catchy, three-chord pop/rock, progressive singer/songwriter material, middle-of-the-road balladry, and even traditional country. He started out as a Brill Building hitmaker; a songwriter for hire, he worked alongside the likes of Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and penned hits for the Monkees and Jay & the Americans. His solo career took off in the mid 1960s and made him one of America's most successful recording artists and concert attractions for a long time to come. Even decades down the road, younger groups such as UB40 in the '80s, Urge Overkill in the '90s, and Smash Mouth in the 2000's were still scoring hits with Diamond's evergreen compositions.

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