Music Review: America - Here and Now
Published January 02, 2007
7. Woman Tonight (Dan Peek)
Dewey Bunnell: There’s a real offbeat, off kilter type of reggae-esque rhythm in that. The time signature and the rhythm are the real driving forces of that song. We do it live and recreate that rhythmic feel onstage. It stands out as a separate entity by virtue of that rhythm. It’s got its own identity.
8. Only In Your Heart (Gerry Beckley)
Gerry Beckley: “Only In Your Heart” is a pretty straight-forward pop song. A friend of ours back in England was having problems with his girlfriend and I remember listening to him go on about all the problems they were having. I somehow kind of used that as a seed to build this song.
9. Lonely People (Peek/Peek)
Gerry Beckley: “Lonely People” is a great composition by Dan Peek. I heard it said one time that it had the greatest opening line of any song ever, “this is for all the lonely people.” That song was used with footage of the Apollo astronauts jumping around on the surface of the moon. I always keep that image in my mind of these guys walking around on the moon with the song.
10. Sandman (Dewey Bunnell)
Dewey Bunnell: “Sandman” was loosely based lyrically on returning Vietnam vets. “I understand you’ve been running from the man that goes by the name of the sandman” is kind of a reference to quotes from some of the soldiers about how they didn’t want to go to sleep because they didn’t know what was gonna happen. I tried to put myself in that place, at least for that line. It’s morphed into quite an electric song on stage now.
11. Sister Golden Hair (Gerry Beckley)
Gerry Beckley: “Sister Golden Hair” was actually written an album or two before it appeared on Hearts. The song itself is a mixture of different things and experiences I’ve had. The first question that people ask is, “Is it about anybody in particular?” And the answer is no.
My mom always thought, “Oh, he’s written a song about his sister,” which always amazed me. It isn’t about a sibling. Musically, it was a nod to “My Sweet Lord” and the big 12-string guitar opening and the slide guitar. That’s something I was a huge fan of, not only through the Beatles career but as they all branched off and did their own thing.
12. A Horse With No Name (Dewey Bunnell)
Dewey Bunnell: That was our debut single. The song is a fairly straight ahead description of the sights and sounds of the desert. It’s not cryptic. The horse itself is a sort of enigma but that was basically just a vehicle to get into the desert. The rest of the song is my love of various eco-systems, the desert being one. It has a little bit of an environmental message with the line, “under the cities lies a heart made of ground but the humans will give no love.” That was pretty much the whole gist of it. I wrote it in England in the rain so it was a way to get myself out of the rain a little, “it’s good to be out of the rain.”
- 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.