The world has been offered five ND live albums in a mere 24 years (I don't think any artist has released that many official live recordings), and anybody who's ever been to a Diamond show will probably try to recreate these two-and-a-half very special hours when buying this double CD set.

This album sounds great, and I do like the way Neil's voice matured with the years, but what really turns me off about this otherwise good collection (almost 150 minutes of music) is the constant inclusion of silence between the individual live recordings. You hear the roar of the crowds, then nothing, and then the cheers resume - very strange. Only the last three tracks, also recorded at different locations, have been mixed without intermission in the applause. Apart from that, the sound is brilliant. If you really need the fifth or sixth (counting Greatest Hits Collections) live version of "Cracklin' Rosie" is up to you, of course. But the album offers some nice surprise selections like "Missa" or alternate arrangements of early hits.

I'm a huge ND fan, and I'll be the first to defend his music, but "Live in America" is not one of his better live recordings. He almost talks through most of the songs, the sound of some (SOME!)of these recordings on this album sound muffled, as if someone snuck a hand-held tape recorder into a concert. There are some decent tracks where the sound quality improves. "Missa" ,"Soolaimon", "Havah Nagilah" are some examples.

Look for "Hot August Night", "Hot August Night II" "Neil Diamond Gold" or even "Love at the Greek" if you're looking for a concert album. I own "Live in America", but I got the CD at a second hand record shop. I couldn't see myself paying full price for it.

In one word Awesome...Love the America version.... I have a video of the san jose concert, and love the songs

I'm a new-ish Neil Diamond fan. I went to see him on his recent tour, and it was fantastic. 'Live In America,' although recorded over 10 years prior to me seeing him, somehow recaptures how great the show was. I am a big fan of live albums, and this is one of my favorites (and my record collection is pretty big).

The only reason I'm marking it down a star is because I prefer my live albums to sound like they're actually one concert. I don't care if it's from one show or not, as long as it doesn't fade the audience out and leave gaps between each track (as this album does) I'm fine with it. But, this is a minor annoyance.

Sure, his voice has aged, but he still puts on one hell of a show, which translates to this album perfectly. Check it out - I found mine on the Amazon Marketplace for $3.99 - at that price, what is there to lose?

This is the greatest version of "Holly Holy" I have heard yet! "America" WOW--It gives me chills! Lost on an island with just one cd forever...this is truly the one! And another hard to find favorite "And the grass won't pay no mind", it's on here, and it's really beautiful. Neil Diamond is the man! Theres my Dad, Jesus, and Neil Diamond :o)