Live in America

AMG Review of Live in America

Stephen Thomas Erlewine
All Music Guide

Much like its predecessor Hot August Night 2, Live in America captures Neil Diamond at the height of his powers as a showman. By the time Live in America was recorded, it had been several years since he had a hit; in fact, the closest he had come to the top of the charts was when UB40 took a eggae remake of "Red Red Wine" to number one. That doesn't mean the album is a wash-out. Diamond hauls out his old hits -- including an approximation of UB40's interpretation of "Red Red Wine" -- and gives one hell of a show. It might not offer anything that the previous Hot August Nights did, but Live in America remains an entertaining listen.