New York, NY (Top40 Charts) On August 17, Capitol/Ume/Universal
Music 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 multi-disc 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, 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
Overture
Soolaimon
Beautiful Noise
Forever in Blue Jeans
Love On The Rocks
Hello Again
September Morn
Play Me
Shilo
Red, Red Wine
You Got To Me
Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon
Thank The Lord For The Night Time
Cherry, Cherry
Kentucky Woman
Solitary Man
Glory Road
Chelsea Morning
I'm A Believer
Happy Birthday Rose
Cracklin' Rosie
Disc 2
And The Grass Won't Pay No Mind
Pretty Amazing Grace
We
Stones
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
Holly Holy
Morningside
Crunchy Granola Suite
Sweet Caroline
Sweet Caroline - Reprise
I Am…I Said
Walk Off
America
Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show
I've Been This Way Before
Walk Off
Band Bows
Audience Exit
