Hot August Night III [Sea Glass 2 LP]

by Neil Diamond

Overview

Hot August Night III documents a concert Neil Diamond held at the Los Angeles Greek Theatre upon the 40th anniversary of Hot August Night in 2012. It was a glitzy celebration that bordered on a marathon: on record, which was released six years later, it runs a mammoth two and a half hours. Considering how Hot August Night III arrived several months after Diamond announced he was retiring from the road due to his diagnosis with Parkinson's disease, it's hard not to see this live album as valedictory. While he may have toured over the subsequent five years, this performance -- crafted as a career-topper and delivered with gusto -- finds Diamond not only in fine voice, but enthusiastic. He runs through all his standards, which fill up the length of nearly the entire set, and he sounds nearly as vigorous as he did back in 1987, when Hot August Night II hit the stores. If this can be faulted, it's because the performance is perhaps a little bit too professional: it's clear that Diamond and his band have performed these songs countless times, so the energy comes solely from Neil's excitement at being in front of an audience eager to celebrate their long history with him. Now that nights like that are no longer a possibility, this kind of big, splashy production is not only entertaining, it's somewhat poignant, too. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	02/16/2023
Label:	Neil Diamond / Universal
UPC:	0602508840005

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Neil Diamond   Primary Artist,Vocals
Linda Press   Primary Artist,Vocals (Background)
Larry Klimas   Accordion,Harmonica,Saxophone
Chuck Berghofer   Bass
Arturo Velasco   Trombone,Euphonium
Doug Rhone   Guitar
Sally Berman   Violin
Maxine Waters   Vocals (Background)
Matthew Cooker   Celli
Alan Lindgren   Director,Keyboards
Berj Garabedian   Violin
Anatoly Rosinsky   Violin
Caroline Buckman   Viola
Johana Krejci   Violin
Gayle Levant   Harp
Mark Levang   Conductor
John Fumo   Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Robert Berg   Viola
Brian Benning   Violin
Reinie Press   Bass
King Errison   Percussion
Shari Zippert   Violin
Francine Walsh   Violin
Ron Tutt   Drums
Julia Waters   Vocals (Background)
Harry Shirinian   Viola
Miguel Martinez   Celli
Tom Hensley   Piano
Hadley Hockensmith   Guitar
Maurice Grants   Celli
Norm Hughes   Violin
Elizabeth Wilson   Viola
Dennis Molchan   Violin
Michael Ferril   Violin
Alex Gorlovsky   Violin
Don Markese   Flute,Clarinet,Saxophone

Technical Credits

Tom Smith   Product Manager
Dave Wright   Percussion Technician
Elena Fererro   Assistant
Bernie Becker   Mixing,Engineer,Mastering,Monitor Mixer
Marilyn Bergman   Composer
Stanley Miller   Mixing,Sound Design
Alison Zanetos   Executive Assistant
Todd Gallopo   Design,Art Direction
Steve Appleford   Liner Notes
Marilyn Lowey   Lighting Design
Mildred J. Hill   Composer
Dale Becker   Assistant Mastering Engineer
Ari Michelson   Photography
Micah Diamond   Art Direction
Alan Lindgren   Composer,Orchestral Arrangements
Alan Bergman   Composer
Gilbert Becaud   Composer
Steve Richards   Principal
Dave Stone   Principal
Patty Smith Hill   Composer
Neil Diamond   Composer,Producer
Public Domain   Composer
Joe Gannon   Production Design
Laurel Carini   Assistant
Peter Danilowicz   Keyboard Technician
Kit Charlton   Guitar Technician
Richard Bray   Stage Manager
Kari Stephens   Production Coordination
Zack Murphey   Production Assistant
Jeff Wendt   Assistant
Joni Mitchell   Composer
Richard Bennett   Composer
Peter Fletcher   Creative Consultant
Beth Stempel   Production Manager
Sam Cole   Music Coordinator,Project Coordinator,Recording Coordinator,Associate Music Producer
Matt D'Amico   A&R
David George   Stage Design
Don Markese   Contractor