Two musical acts became disproportionately popular in Australia in the 70s.
One was ABBA, the other was Neil Diamond.
Trust me, I was there. I bought this double album, and everywhere I went, everyone I knew had bought it too. Either that or it was a mandatory government issue. The country was knee-deep in Neil.
'Hot August Night' was the number one charting album in Australia for the 1970s.
It re-entered the Aussie charts in 1982. It came back again in 1991-92. What happened in 2014? Boom, there it was again !!
Recorded at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles it really was an epic album. Basically a live 'greatest hits' performance. From 'Solitary Man', his first real solo recording, through to new songs such as 'Play Me' and 'Song Sung Blue' he covered over 20 well-loved crowd pleasers.
Was the album named 'Hot August Night' because it was recorded in August, or was it taken from the first line of the last song of the evening .. 'Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show' ..
"Hot August night
And the leaves hanging down
And the grass on the ground smelling sweet"
Neil wrote more songs than he initially recorded in his early career, things like 'Sunday and Me' for Jay and the Americans, and famously 'I'm a Believer' and 'A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You' for the Monkees.
Everybody knows Neil Diamonds work - people come running in from other rooms to sing 'BAH BAH BAAH' during 'Sweet Caroline' - 'Cracklin Rosie' gets the group going and 'Shilo' reminds us of imaginary childhood friends.
Go back and give Neil another listen - pack up the babies and grab the old ladies and everyone goes, 'cos everyone knows 'bout Brother Love's shows.
No comments:
Post a Comment