I'm 33 years of age and I don't think this album will ever be surpassed in my lifetime.
The album which I battered on my fathers' turn table which first captured my attention at such an early age was 'Hot August Night'
It is safe for me to say that this is probably mr. Diamonds best ever live performance however, as the title suggests, he doesn't change. I went to see Neil Diamond at the Birmingham NEC Arena 20.07.02 and except for the expected like a little loss of umph ( he is 61 now!) nothing really changes.
Hot August Night is like a musical pheonix rising from a stale world of boring entertainment, the emotion which Neil produces from both his lyrics and, at times, his haunting tones is second to none. If you close your eyes you feel as though you are there with the rest of the audience as Neil describes to everyone his views from the stage.
A true marvel of musical and personal emotion, this is a lesson in how to entertain people whilst enjoying doing so.
Robbie Williams, eat your heart out!