Music Review: America - Here and Now
Published January 02, 2007
DISC TWO:
1. Ventura Highway (Dewey Bunnell)
Dewey Bunnell: “Ventura Highway” is my most cohesive song in terms of staying power and that little spark of youthful optimism and the California thing. That was inspired literally by the stretch of Pacific Coast Highway in California—Oxnard and Ventura all the way up to Santa Maria. I wrote this in England reminiscing about California and that sun and surf thing.
2. Don't Cross the River (Dan Peek)
Dewey Bunnell: “Don’t Cross The River” has that country flair. Dan (Peek) was raised in Missouri and that’s traditionally our most country-esque song
3. Daisy Jane (Gerry Beckley)
Gerry Beckley: For many years I kept a second home in East Sussex in the south of England. The song wasn’t about anybody in particular. There was a fantastic song by Nick Drake called “Hazy Jane” and that voice kind of stuck in my mind. So I think I somehow morphed that into “Daisy Jane.” There was no such person as “Daisy Jane” and I had never even been to Memphis. So it was all created in my mind as I sat at this little upright piano in this 400 year-old cottage I lived at in the south of England.
4. I Need You (Gerry Beckley)
Gerry Beckley: “I Need You” was one of the first songs I ever wrote. At the time I sensed it was special. I was listening to a lot of John’s Lennon’s first solo album, Plastic Ono Band, and it was incredibly simple. I remember wanting to write a song with that kind of simplicity to it. I got quite lucky with that one. It was a very successful song for us.
5. Tin Man (Dewey Bunnell)
Dewey Bunnell: “Tin Man” is kind of a hodgepodge of lyrical imagery. Usually when I write a song some single line inspires me. I have always loved The Wizard Of Oz. The basic premise that everyone has a brain or a heart or courage is that line, “Oz never did give nothing to the tin man that he didn’t already have.”
That’s the central theme of the song. There’s a lot of kaleidoscopic imagery in the song. In those days you tried to cram as much into the three minutes as you could and that’s what I was doing with that song.
6. Muskrat Love (Willis Alan Ramsey)
Gerry Beckley: Originally this song was brought to us by our bass player, David Dickey. He was a big fan of the Willis Alan Ramsey album, One, which was a fantastic earthy album produced by Leon Russell. When we heard the song we thought it had some great harmonies and we worked it up as the cover song for Hat Trick album.
It became a single and that caused a bit of a fuss because we were known to be singer/songwriters. To highlight the one song that we hadn’t written was a bit awkward. Years later, Captain & Tennille recorded it. They thought it was our song. They homogenized any of the remaining soul out of it and claimed it for themselves.
- Music Review: America - Here and Now
- Published: January 02, 2007
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Review
- Writer: Michael Jones
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Comments on this articleComments
Well written review. Thanks.
Here's hoping millions of people agree with you.
Moser
Macedon, NY
I never let go of America from the time they were new and I was in high school, but this is some of their best work ever. This music ought to bring back some old fans, and (I hope) find some new ones for a group that has been under the radar for way too long.
It sure found me. The more I listen to this album the more I wonder why I'd so simply dismissed America as something that wasn't "my taste" in music, before. Ah well.
I won't make that mistake anymore.
I buy and sell your albums from eboy. Shirts, hats or anything America
America's release party was sponsored by Lyric Jeans www.LyricCulture.com which has a line of designer clothing featuring Sister Golden Hair and Horse with no Name. Really awesome!
A pity that you would have to buy this from 2 locations to get the bonus tracks though....
Glass King, and Saturday Sky. Why not give us the FULL album, guys?
Can anybody please tell me what ever happened to Dan Peek?
He's still around and still recording. Check out his website for more info: Dan Peek
I couldn't wait for the release of HERE and NOW. I got an advanced copy of the 3 song min cd from a DJ in November and yesterday, finally purchased the full length CD! What an album! It is so good to see the younger folks rightfully respecting AMERICA as musical heroes. I was invited to the concert that produced the live recording but could not make it, unfortunately....
The voices of Dewey and Gerry are still remarkable. Goosebumps after all these years!
Came across America's Christmas CD awhile ago and listen to it every year (I recommend it). But like many others I've forgotten about America for 30 years. My curiousity got to me and a little web surfing led me to their new release by chance. It's a strong release and I hope it gets some recognition. For real fans, check out their web site soon and request an autographed CD booklet.
these guys are musical wizards...this cd is as awesome as their first.
Just as fine wine-they are getting better with age... rock on...or shall I say .........."ride on"......HA
I am glad that America is still around and still showing the young kids what real music is and talent.
I remember the first album and I was 16 at that time! now listening to the new one I still feel 16 years old !!!!! That's fantastic thaks to you guys.... Alessadra from Milan Italy......
hope to see you in my country as soon as possible!!!!! ciaooooo
I wish the whole world had more exposure to these guys. Fantastic music all the way around. Lets forget about the Britneys of the shallow current music scene and give more credit to real musicans that are timeless!-J.T.
'71/'72 was a magical time for me, having just entered high school and purchased America's first LP. Every new one after was a special event and my own guitar playing developed through listening to them. I lost interest when Dan Peek left- just not the same. 'Here and Now' has me all caught up in it again. Some real hit material here.
I find myself really enjoying the live versions of their "hits" on the second cd more than the original recordings. The sound for one is exceptional. Whoever mixed this live recording did a phenomonal job. Additionally, The songs themselves come off much stronger here aS well. The arrangements are tighter and more cohesive, and each song has a vitality and energy lacking in the original studio recordings. Though the absence of Dan Peek is a noticeable loss, America has never sounded better.
Bought Here&Now a few weeks ago. A very pleasant surprice; strong songs as well as top notch production.
And yes, I did know that George Martin have produced a string of their records; I have most of them on vinyl and I believe that their latest record is close to the best they have ever put out.
Right from the start America was a big name here in Denmark where I live; you frequently come across their old records in record shops here and in Germany, England and Sweden.
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Funny thing - I never listened to America til I got hold of their 4 CD box set a few years back - I too was surprised to see George Martin's name there. And they've been produced by FOW's Adam S!?!?! This is the must track down album for this year I'd think.