Hot August Night (40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

The ’70s boasted not one, but two Neil Diamonds: a mild-mannered crooner of romantic radio pop and a rock ’n’ roll showman whose concerts were packed with heroic grandeur and sweaty pomp. It’s the latter Diamond documented on 1972’s Hot August Night. Backed by an orchestra the size of a small city, Diamond unleashes jumpsuits, sermons on racial equality, feral grunts, and, of course, one awesome tune after another, including “Cherry Cherry,” “Red, Red Wine,” and “Cracklin’ Rosie.”