Customer Rating:  
Summary: Neil stop screaming.
Comment: I was at the series of shows from 1986 where this album was made. I couldn't wait for it to come out. Part of the problem is false advertising. While most of this was recorded at the Greek Theatre in 1986, some of it was from the Mountain View Music Theatre in northern California.
I give it two stars only because it does capture the feel of a Diamond concert just a bit. Still, other than, I am I Said, Cherry Cherry, and Hello Again, the songs are simply butchered. To make it worse, the album is poorly mixed.
If you want later Diamond live material, checi out "Greatest Hits 1966-1992, or Stages. Avoid "Live From America" like the plague.
Customer Rating:
Summary: So bad it is fun
Comment: I'm a fan so don't hate on me, but this is so bad it is fun. Listen to September Morn and if you are a fan, I promise you a cringe. It use to be that Diamond would put one bad song on each album so you wouldn't take him for granted; now we get one good song. But Back in L.A. is great Diamond, and another reason why iTunes is a great thing. Otherwise, there are so many better albums of his that it is worth avoiding.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I Dreamed A Dream is worth 5 stars by itself!
Comment: I Dreamed A Dream covered by Neil Diamond is worth owning this CD all by itself! Turn it up and it will send shivers down the spine of any musician or true music lover. Buy it!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Cant Touch The Original - 2 stars for 2 songs
Comment: If you can pick this CD up for cheap it's worth it for 2 songs - Back in L.A. and I Dreamed a Dream, the rest of the album is below average and Neil shouts many of the lyrics. This album signals the start of Neil's decline and unfortuneately his voice has now completely abandoned him.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Comparison with the earlier version of Hot August Night
Comment: This album reveals an older, raspier Neil Diamond. Still it's the same vigorous performance and we still find it stimulating enough to cause us to dance around the room!
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