Hot August Night

Tragic how one of the 20th century’s greatest pop songwriters and performers has been reduced to a punchline, but one listen to this gorgeously-recorded two LP live document captured at the, ahem, height of the man’s potency will set the record straight. Backed by a group of ace session musicians and a full string section at the world-famous Greek Theater in Los Angeles (part of a 10 night stand in August 1972), Diamond’s warm, intimate renditions of all-time great singles like “Cherry Cherry” and “Kentucky Woman” confirm his place at the top of the pop rock pantheon. The difference between these and the studio versions are like night and day.