Prologue Crunchy Granola Suite Neil Diamond 'Hot August Night' 1972

[brucieboy4567]

FANTASTIC yeah i grew up with this as well, absolutely brilliant

[LonelyDude100]

I,am growing up with this,and stil love it

[vivaever23]

Brilliant !!

[southernwheel429]

I too would have loved to seen a video of this LP, but after listening to this since it came out, I believe it would distract from the greatness of the quality of music. Me...I just like putting on the headphones or pulling the plug and listening to it wide open and enjoying the experience over and over again!

[kennyone2006]

Man I love this sooooooooooooo much. The structural integrity of the entire arrangement from beginning to end is just astounding......building from the solo cello to the rocking ass band!!!!! One of his finest recordings ever, and that applies to this entire album, a real real classic!!!! Thanks for posting this in its entirety!

[chavitaelloco]

Stereo Soul 89.9 FM Guadalajara, México. Al iniciar y terminar programación. Por los buenos tiempos!!!!

[BuscadorGDL]

Así es amigo, no pensé que alguien más de GDL se acordara de esto.

Aún recuerdo que los fines de semana apagaba las luces y me quedaba escuchando esta estación hasta que cerraba con esta rola a la 1:00 AM

Stereo Soul y Stereo Rey en el 95.5 de FM, para mi gusto han sido las mejores estaciones de radio que ha tenido Guadalajara, lástima que las hayan sacado del aire por otras que se quedaron muy por debajo de ese nivel.¡¡¡Que tiempos aquellos!!!.

[forestkaat]

It was so great an opening to a rock concert, that you didn't even have to be a Neil Diamond fan,it was just great rock n roll for the time.

[TheEclecticMix]

OK - so when I was a kid, I used to put my headphones on to this... and imagine I was in the audience from the very first opening note... the recording was so good, I honestly got lost in the experience and felt as if I was really there with everyone else :)

[MartianTom]

So much of the success of this album - apart from the obvious quality of the songs and the musicianship - is the production quality. Armin Steiner was the sound engineer - and what a job he did.  It remains one of the best live recordings I've ever heard. You really feel like you're there. Compare it to 'Love at The Greek' recorded in the same venue just a few years later. It's not even close to this.

[MartianTom]

I love punk, goth, thrash, grunge, ambient, techno, funk, classical, acid jazz... and this was the first album I bought - closely followed by Tubular Bells. This crescendo still makes the hairs rise on the back of my neck, nearly 40 years later...

[teddibearsworld]

Love this track. From the slow and beautiful first notes of the strings, building with the guitar, then explodes with Neil's walk onto the stage. A great concert opener from a classic live album, Hot August Night!

[teddibearsworld]

Love this track. From the slow and beautiful first notes of the strings, building with the guitar, then explodes with Neil's walk onto the stage. A great concert opener from a classic live album, Hot August Night!

[2011paramedic]

@teddibearsworld

and didn't that opening Neil Diamond musical number carry as a theme song to all network local tv news station serving as the news at 6:00 Pm and 10:00 pm?

[Countrygent100]

@2011paramedic If you're thinking of the Nine Network in Australia, you're right. Channel 9 in Australia had this as their theme for some time. They also Stevie Wonders's "Uptight" too, I think.

[shilo901]

As a 6th grader, I wore out two HAN vinyl albums...and then many more 8 track, cassettes and CDs over the years. To have a full orchestra with major arrangements in a rock concert series was unheardof in the early 70s and way too expensive today. This concert intro is the BEST....a slow classical intro building to an electric rock explosion...wow. Too bad there was no video taken of these concerts at the Greek...that would have been the ultimate.

[speedy2922]

What Magnificant Music!!!

[horbath1]

my dad got me into this album. not too into it then, but it sure grew on me. gives me shivers and makes me cry. thanx jack ruth!

[wyze01s]

Best concert opening EVER! I played the heck out of this album as a teenager and have seen Neil in concert about 8 times. I would have given ANYTHING to be at this one but it was "before my time". Can't imagine the adrenaline rush when the big steel doors parted and those first guitar rips rang out! I wore out the grooves on the LP where that part is! Thanks for sharing!

[JazzyJaminesPlace1]

Thank you Skylarsmomo for sharing yester years for sure LOVE IT !!! Jasmine

[scruffy169]

My first concert was Neil Diamond at the age of 9. I remember spending the night outside of a Peaches record store in FT Worth TX buying tickets. My Mom was so excited. The show was amazing. This man is why I love live music!

[pelonmichelle]

this is music! : ) great memories...



[stockmarketimplode]

i love it always did

[EWCespinoza]

I cannot express how good listening to this makes me feel as I harken back to a tmie

40 years ago -- youth -- promise -- optomism -- potentital -- goodwill. I know these are all things missing in my life today.

[DanceswithBlades5]

Boy does this bring back memories of my older sister who passed away 1 1/2 years ago. She turned me on to ND back in 1973. I still love this. And they say Neil can't rock.... HAH

[MichaelJ0404]

I just stopped by this YouTube site to listen and reminisce. I was 28 years old, working in LA, and managed to get four tickets to this famous event. Our seats were in the first row of the second section just to the right of center stage. We were raised above the walkway so we had a perfect view of the stage. Everyone brought picnic baskets full of food; the smell of pot was everywhere; and it was a clear, warm evening. The show was beyond anything you can imagine.

[DirtyGertieMcDigger]

@MichaelJ0404 it must have been amazing. I'd have given almost anything to be there :)

[ardentwarrior71]

@MichaelJ0404 Brilliant...



[shilo901]

@MichaelJ0404 Wow...a picnic with food, beverage and herb with ND performing at the Greek....that is definitely a bucket list memory. The 'Love At The Greek' video of '76 was great, but of all the ND concert series, the original HAN would have been the ones to video. Although consumer-grade video technology was very expensive back then, I am surprised that nobody has come forward with personal video of some type for youtube consumption.

[5neekie]

I remember this so vividly, I was hooked on Diamond and the whole 70's scene, I was in my early 20s. The 70s sounds still rock!!!

[gorgeoustxwoman]

DAMN! Great audio!  Thanks.

[heipuntnl]

Dudes and Dudettes.

I grew up in the 7 ties. Thnx for sharing.

Greetz from the Netherlands.

[soderburg100]

I am46 years old, I listened to Neil Diamond when the speed limit across the Nevada dessert was over 100 hundred miles per hour, and loved his soft songs playing on the on the 8 track moved our souls.My father ran way faster than the speed limit,he was gettin' where we goin' Never afraid , Niel was there, AND MY FATHER WAS@ THE WHEEL!!!!!

[spahjrp]

I have the 33rpm album and a player to run it on! A stereo system that is NOT an off shoot of a tv thing...I listen to MUSIC and this one album is on my hot list. Damn, damn, damn...where has all the good music gone?

[Ingleram]

I've got the original LP somewhere...boy did I want to be there that night, if only in thr trees,

[DirtyGertieMcDigger]

@Ingleram treepeople out there ... god bless you, I'm singin for you too!!

[Durbsgirl72]

Totally agree - you CANNOT hear one without the other - THE BEST INTRO of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mmmmoaa]

OMG!!! I've listened to this album sinse my big sis had it new back in 72', i was 9, I've looked EVERYWHERE for this ...Prologue, thank you so much Forevermore12.

Katie. x

[Aqene1000]

I Love you Neil.

[kiaoraguy]

This is why Neil should be in the RRHOF- wonderful open, builds in anticipation and then just blows the virtual roof off the place

[nickmunn93]

gold. 44 years old and have been listening to this album / cd for almost 40 years. Give me a better albulm / cd and I'll eat my brothers jox !!!!

[turbozman1]

My parents bought this LP for a christmas present back in '72. One day when they went shopping I found it hidden in a closet wrapped and guess what I did. That's right I split the shrink wrap and listened to the whole thing before they got home. When I was done I ran a piece of scotch tape done the edges to reseal it and then rewrapped it. It ended up being a milestone in his career of many with the Rock Hall of Fame being next. It's about time!

[chavitaelloco]

Con este prólogo iniciabaa su pregramación Stereo Soul en Guadalajara, México. allá por principios de los 80's!!!

[intersepter100]

How does someone create something of such brilliance?? I can listen to these tracks over and over, in fact i have many times in the past. I just wish there was a video of THAT concert, I would love to see it.

[mandingo8112]

i would listen to this album lying on my back on living room rug with lights out with two 5X10 inch speakers one on each side of my head and be transported to where this concert was taking place and i could almost see the tree people he was talking to and feel the heat of that hot august night. mandingo8112

[wolverine84]

One of the great live albums of all time! "Tree people--I'm singing for you too!"

[kannurkarran]

Out of this world.

Heavenly

[Jacksn42]

Such a terrific pair of tunes. Great post!!

[kannurkarran]

Neil Diamond had an original class. I would like to know who his favourite musicians were.

[KMinVirginia]

Love Neil Diamond. My dad had a lot of his records. This is the first record I ever bought back in the late 70's as a ten year old. And believe it or not, I still play it once in a while! Thanks for posting this so I can listen to it at work! Simply amazing intro. I can imagine the fog rising, the lights shining, the "Tree People!" Neil Diamond is one of the few people I can actually do justice to singing. That makes him A#1 in my book!

[shilo901]

The greatest concert intro ever....too bad Neil didn't video this concert series at the Greek....what a classic!!

[buckland55]

Just amazing, that build-up

[kannurkarran]

@buckland55 Yeah man . That was one heckuva buildup

[pappy154451956]

Another winner my friend.

[4evermore12]

@pappy154451956 Hello!!! smiles!

[sibtigertwinsburg]

My Mom and Dad too turned me on to Neil...in fact seeing him at the Richfield Coliseum in Ohio was the first concert I was ever at!!

[3albbil]

Este prologo del tema es genial. Pocas veces visto en un artista. Siempre quedo en mi mente èste tema.

Felicitaciones Neil desde Argentina ALBERTO

[PaperdollFuscia]

Hi for-ever-more-12 thank you for sharing this audio. I was 6 in 1972. My sister had the album and played it and played it. 2010 and I am loving it so much. I wish I was there at the Greek Theatre back in 72. I hope those folks that were there know how special it was. Thanks again (sydney aust and you?)

[Dallouez]

Notice how it got so quiet you can hear a pin drop!

[WhiteSoulSister68]

LOVE IT!! This album came out when I turned 4-my parents rushed out and bought several copies,some of which we still have.I am proud to say that we now have 3 generations of fans listening to this MOST AWESOME music!!

[katiesweeney00]

@WhiteSoulSister68 I'm hearing you, my big sister brought this when I was 9, here I am 48 and loving it still.

Cheers to you from Australia

[zorroplateado61]

Me acuerdo que con este tema iniciaba una estación de FM que se llamaba estero soul en el 89.9 del cuadrante en GDL. exactamente a las 06:00 hrs.... que buenos tiempos aquellos.....snif!

[chavitaelloco]

@zorroplateado61 Era a las 7.00am!!!

[Celebok]

This concert recording was my earliest memory of music recorded on my dad's reel-to-reel tapes! I remember staring at that tape machine and being fascinated watching those two wheels turning while listening to this music.

[4evermore12]

I once had a reel-to-reel with 4big Marantz speakers. I often wish I still had them. All were lost in a basement flood. Thanks for sharing your memories.

[TheBrigBhoy]

@Celebok I can't believe it - that was me too!! This is dear to me as my earliest memory of (my dad's) music. It's great too !

Memories sparked are worth everything.....

Lovin it!

[tubellarbells]

@Celebok fabulous memories Celebok. I also love reel-to-reel machines up to these days though I didn't have the privilege of seeing one at home. This album used to change hands avidly back in my school days. Fabulous days in music.

[SuZeEiNoZ]

@Celebok OMG me too... My Dad loved his music and this album is one that will stick with me forever :)

R.I.P Dad ~ 20-12-2011

[gcbonfiglio]

@Celebok I remember my dad's Dual turnable, and big Electrovoice speakers. I still have them! The sound of this album was (and is) amazing.

[millnur05]

When I was a kid I used to listen to my parents Hot August Night album over and over. I'm named after one of Neil's hit songs. Can you guess which one?

A friend he wishes would return.

[GastvrijMagazineTV]

@millnur05 it would be shilo or desiree??? i go for shilo, greetz

[DTVNL]

Yes Thanks

[ObamasLeftNut]

Greatest diamond tune ever

[alexana107]

The real Mccoy, Thanks

[breadbaker226]

The Best

[shortofalength]

Thanks jabb69. You're right it's a great build up and don't worry I'm not too worried about hip and cool. Never really understood what they are!!!!

[Malaru7]

I perfer the vocals in this song....

[shortofalength]

Does anyone know who plays the guitar riff in this. Neil Diamond is not one of my favs but this song rips thanks to the guitar.

[SniZeppelin]

Not sure who plays lead here, but there are three guitarists credits on the album: Richard Bennett

Danny Nicholson, and Emory Gordy, Jr.

[shortofalength]

@SniZeppelin Thank you for that. I remember when I was a kid Neil Diamond was pretty uncool but gee the guitar work on this song really rips along and its actually a great piece of music. Gee I'm old.

[jabb69]

diamond is playing acoustic electric here with bennet playing the lead electric---not only is it awesome guitar play but the whole opening and build up make it one of the finest openeing in rock n roll history--it is beautiful! PS---hip ( cool ) is BS---both bob dylan and neil diamond botgh had said that during the 70's!

[pbrucpaul]

Powerful. What is that Orchestra? LA Philharmonic?

[mfranzusan3014]

i think so... "Hot August Night" was recorded at the Greek Theater in 1972... it only stands to reason.

[breadbaker226]

24/8/1972

[demonsbutterfly]

I am no fan of neil Diamond, But this version of this Song i would take to that well known "Desert Island" & Blast it at Top Volume!!

[BrassPie]

Too bad the visuals can't keep up with the music.

[jordan04n]

Don't know where I have been ...missed you much...hugs to you....one special job you have done here....

[numberonebeatlesfan9]

great album hot august night

[11numberslevin11]

Fucking Briljant!!!

[flowerlady35]

Sue I sent you a msg on your e-mail -bounced back-so I'm hoping you will get this note--I found the Neilsong we spoke about-it's on Love Songs --I'll have my son ct a CD & I'll mail it to you or whatever

[flowerlady35]

Sue, It's me again, wanted to thank you for you message ref. to Graphics. I would never be able to do that sort of thng--I can't walk & chew gum at the same time.

I'll take a crack at that some time n the future, I'm still struggling with MySpace.

Have a great week--talk again soon....Alyce V

[flowerlady35]

Hey Sue--love this prologue is it on the "Hot August Night"or "Live at the Greek albums" ???

How have you been-haven't heard from you for a while - wish you good health & happiness

Alyce V

[4evermore12]

Hello Alyce, this is the first two songs on the "Hot August Night Disc 1". I don't have "Live at the Greek" but 'Crunchy Granola' is on 3 other albums I have, "The Greatest Hits (1966-92) disc 1", "In My Lifetime disc 2" and "Play Me:... disc 3".

I have been good. I have been gone for two weeks visiting family in the south. The weather was great and I got to the ocean for a day. Thanks for asking. It is good to be home.

[flowerlady35]

Nice to hear from you, glad your'e good--you havae a lot of knowledge about oiur mutual fri4end & his albums. Thanks for the info have a great weekend, Sue, Talk to you later.......Alyce V

[Muziekproffesor]

@flowerlady35 It's on the 'Hot August Night album.Grat stuff!Great album!

[Muziekproffesor]

@flowerlady35 with the risk of interfering,this is on the Hot August Night classic album from '72

[Muziekproffesor]

@Muziekproffesor oeps my mistake .I saw that i already anserwed you.

[blisse123]

@flowerlady35 -- hi i have been desperatley replacing my vinyl and i especially love this prolog and ''crunchy'' so i've just bought Love/Greek, oops -- wrong - now i will byt Aug/Nite, Thankyou so much, Lee. Kent, England.

[4evermore12]

@blisse123 , @flowerlady35 I too have been replacing my vinyl even though I don't have a record player yet. I just bought 5 albums and took them to my friends house to play them. I love the album art as well.

Smiles,

janettsue

[mutterschied]

@4evermore12 Boy, oh, boy! You did it. Hit in the damn center.

Been looking for this strange sonic gem from 73, when sold my almost-new Austin Ado with that obscene pleasure of sound: 8-tracker in it, and ALONG with my tiny collection of cartridges.

I found evenly some vinyl, or cassette, or DVD's more or less well-cooked, but always without that ultraterrennial introito.

Thanks, whoever, wherever you are. True lovin' thanks!

[pappy15445]

I love this intro

[teddibearsworld]

Thank you for putting this back up, Sue.

[4evermore12]

Hello! Nice to hear from you. Smiles!

[teddibearsworld]

You're welcome. I sent you a friend invite when I saw you had come back. I never heard from you. Guess it must have got deleted, ot figure you were mad at me or something.