Mike B. Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 Link--America at Burgundy Records Here's something that I didn't see coming. The band America (contemporaries of the Raspberries) have hooked up with a couple of "happening" producers and are releasing a new album on a major label. This proves that old bands are not confined to endless touring and repackaged greatest hits releases. Implications for the Raspberries should be obvious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Early Wynn Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 While I was never a fan of the band America, it is encouraging news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted May 19, 2006 Share Posted May 19, 2006 This is extremely encouraging! A new label should be a perfect spot for another band that is proving "timeless..."That said, it sounds suspisciously like early press from PYRAMID RECORDS and we all remember how well that went for Eric... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadfingerBarb Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I wouldn't call Burgundy Records a major label by any stretch of the imagination. I wish the band well with the release, though. It seems to me, for the older artists like America (or Raspberries) it's more advantageous to get a distribution deal and release the CDs on their own label. They're not going to have hit records that way but they will reach their audience, maintain control and ownership of their recordings, and probably make more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B. Posted May 20, 2006 Author Share Posted May 20, 2006 I wouldn't call Burgundy Records a major label by any stretch of the imagination. I wish the band well with the release, though. It seems to me, for the older artists like America (or Raspberries) it's more advantageous to get a distribution deal and release the CDs on their own label. They're not going to have hit records that way but they will reach their audience, maintain control and ownership of their recordings, and probably make more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 Ironically-I just picked up "History"-their greatest hits- this week-$7.99 at Costco. I'm really digging it-really. But this is THE most laid-back band.On "Lonely People"-they yell out-"Hit It"-and then proceed to go into a lethargic harmonica solo-effectively not "hitting it" at all. Yet I love "Sister Golden Hair","Daisy Jane","Don't Cross The River" and more.-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 Can you imagine them unplugged? Oh, wait... were they ever plugged in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmichel Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 I still like AMERICA...their songs were often filled with quirky lyrics......George Martin produced some of their best stuff...The HISTORY-Greatest Hits 8-track was a regular on my car stereo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellie Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 America's music always had a calming effect on me. There's a lot of music that is so energetic it leaves me feeling tense after listening to it - but no way could that happen with "Sandman" or "Horse With No Name". Their harmonies are beautiful. A new release will be nice to hear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 This has happened to me before.The "History" Cd I bought IS the same recording as the 8 track danmichel refers to-and I just realized it doesn't have their comeback hit-released later-"You Can Do Magic". Guess I'll have to buy the double CD in September. I hate when that happens.-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 20, 2006 Share Posted May 20, 2006 C'mon my friend Ira!....The harmonica in "Lonely People" ABSOLUTELY hits it!I also love the group America. And I respect that they're still putting out new music. IMHO their quintessential song is "Hat Trick"...an 8 or so minute masterpiece stringing several little melodies into one piece/song.They're a lesser band without Dan Peek but Beckley & Bunnell still constitute a talented force.I know Dan Peek went sort of Christian musically after America. Can anyone recommend one of his solo CDs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 America's album "View From The Ground" had a song called Inspector Mills on it. It was one of those songs that I took a real liking to for some weird reason. At the time, my friends all made fun of me for liking that song, but when the time came for me to record an America cassette for them, they all requested that song to be on it. I guess I played it so much that they grew to like it too.History was released before their last chart hits "Today's The Day", "You Can Do Magic" & "The Border." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Now I'm really ticked.You're right Craig.I don't have "Today's The Day" either and I really like that song too.-Ira. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Dan Peek has done some interesting stuff; he's hanging around the islands now... he's got a website: DAN PEEK He has expressed interest in the past at reuniting with Bunnell and Beckly, but they seem content to be a duo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Just ordered Dan Peek's "All Things Are Possible" & the album he produced for the group "Peace". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kiwi Connection Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Kia ora Guys. I saw America when they came to NZ back in the 70's they were great. then in about 1980 Dan Peek did a Gospel Tour here, and I got to see that also. It was wonderful to hear him sharing his faith. He sang "Today's The Day" with a Christian perspective. 20 some years on it still moves me when I hear it.James hopefully you will like the album.I bought it at the concert and it's still one of my favorite Gospel albums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I saw America open for, get this, Bob Hope in the early 70's. Talk about a variety show! Kirk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seattlesteve Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 This is second hand news, but my brother saw America live at the Emerald Queen here in Tacoma, and said he was amazed how NOT mellow they were live. He said they they're version of "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" was better than the Beatles, and he's a huge Beatles fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poor4Life Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 America just released a new concert DVD this week as well. Andrew Gold and Stephen Bishop are guests on it...Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I had an album he did with Peace before they called themselves Peace... It was pretty much some of his "comtemporary Christian" stuff, but was very well done... It was called "Marvin & Gentry With Dan Peek" and included a song called "Woman at the Well"... Great stuff if you can find it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Thanks Pauli, just looked for it quickly but to no avail...will keep my eyes open. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brioohs Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 I recently got on an America kick after many years of having not listened since their 70s heyday. All of the Warners albums (with Peek) are in print on CD - the first two from Warners, the rest from Collectables (go to http://www.oldies.com to buy them very inexpensively). The stuff released on Capitol was reissued awhile back by One Way but that label has been slowly folding up shop - many of those titles are available as imports.I feel that Peek's input started declining after the Hideaway album, and not long after that he was out of the group. The true constant in America in my opinion is Gerry Beckley, who has also done solo work and a cool trio thing with Robert Lamm and the late Carl Wilson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brioohs Posted May 22, 2006 Share Posted May 22, 2006 Oh, I forgot to add that Rhino has "The Complete Greatest Hits" on a single disc that includes all the "History" material plus the latter day Warners and Capitol stuff, and even the one-off cover they did of "California Dreaming" (between Warners & Capitol eras). Whether this disc will be discontinued once the forthcoming comp is issued is questionable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ira Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 Soooo tell me.Should I go June 1st-a weekday night-into Manhattan-to BB King's to see America ? Are they REALLY entertaining in concert?Sincerely,Confused In N.J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted May 23, 2006 Share Posted May 23, 2006 The only time I saw them was 30 years ago about right now... at St.John Arena in Columbus, Oh....and the namesake of this website backed them up!I've seen them on PBS recently & they were good... though they play mostly hits...which I like but I'm more a fan of their earlier album cuts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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