Saw America Friday Night

[SteveSly]

Went to see America at The State Theater in Kalamazoo MI last Friday night. One of the very first albums I bought when I was a kid was, “History – America’s Greatest Hits” so I have always had a soft spot for this band, although I had never seen them before. In preparation for the show I picked up the 3 CD box set “Highway – 30 Years Of America” which has just about everything you would want from them, re-mastered and sounding really good. As for the show itself the opening act was a local West Michigan singer songwriter that just played with an acoustic guitar. I have seen him before as an opening act and he was pretty good (but I can’t remember his name). After a half hour break America hit the stage with “Tin Man” and proceeded with a 2 hour set taking the audience down memory lane. Considering the newest song they played was from 1994 (“In The Greenhouse”) this set was purely aimed at nostalgia which is not such a bad thing I guess. They played all the hits of course, and pulled out a few of my favorite album tracks like “Cornwall Blank”, “The Border” and “Hollywood”. They also did several covers including The Beatles “Eleanor Rigby” and The Mamas And Papas “California Dreaming”. One of the highlights of the show for me was a rocking version of “Sandman” which they jammed out a bit on in front of filmed scenes from the Vietnam war which was effective and moving. For the final song they brought out the opening act guy to play with them on “Sister Golden Hair” with the whole audience was on their feet singing along. Of course they encored with “Horse With No Name”. Of the two surviving members left in the band, Dewey Bunnell’s voice has held up much better than Gary Beckley. In fact Bunnell sounded pretty much like he always has. Beckley’s voice has become much more nasal sounding and he has trouble hitting some of the notes. His vox is not unlistenable, but definitely a step down from what it was. The rest of the band were all outstanding musicians. The drummer is a former member of the ska band Reel Big Fish and he really brought some youthful energy to the proceedings. All in all it was a fun night. Not sure that I would necessarily go see them again, but I enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with this band from my youth. Here is the set list:

TIN MAN
YOU CAN DO MAGIC
DON’T CROSS THE RIVER
DAISY JANE
RIVERSIDE
I NEED YOU
HERE
VENTURA HIGHWAY
DRIVING
MONSTER
ELENOR RIGBY
CONNWALL BLANK
HOLLYWOOD
BABY ITS UP TO YOU
THE BORDER
GREENHOUSE
WOMAN TONIGHT
ONLY IN YOUR HEART
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
LONELY PEOPLE
SANDMAN
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR

ENCORE

HORSE WITH NO NAME

[Nijinsky Hind]

Went to see America at The State Theater in Kalamazoo MI last Friday night. One of the very first albums I bought when I was a kid was, “History – America’s Greatest Hits” so I have always had a soft spot for this band, although I had never seen them before. In preparation for the show I picked up the 3 CD box set “Highway – 30 Years Of America” which has just about everything you would want from them, re-mastered and sounding really good. As for the show itself the opening act was a local West Michigan singer songwriter that just played with an acoustic guitar. I have seen him before as an opening act and he was pretty good (but I can’t remember his name). After a half hour break America hit the stage with “Tin Man” and proceeded with a 2 hour set taking the audience down memory lane. Considering the newest song they played was from 1994 (“In The Greenhouse”) this set was purely aimed at nostalgia which is not such a bad thing I guess. They played all the hits of course, and pulled out a few of my favorite album tracks like “Cornwall Blank”, “The Border” and “Hollywood”. They also did several covers including The Beatles “Eleanor Rigby” and The Mamas And Papas “California Dreaming”. One of the highlights of the show for me was a rocking version of “Sandman” which they jammed out a bit on in front of filmed scenes from the Vietnam war which was effective and moving. For the final song they brought out the opening act guy to play with them on “Sister Golden Hair” with the whole audience was on their feet singing along. Of course they encored with “Horse With No Name”. Of the two surviving members left in the band, Dewey Bunnell’s voice has held up much better than Gary Beckley. In fact Bunnell sounded pretty much like he always has. Beckley’s voice has become much more nasal sounding and he has trouble hitting some of the notes. His vox is not unlistenable, but definitely a step down from what it was. The rest of the band were all outstanding musicians. The drummer is a former member of the ska band Reel Big Fish and he really brought some youthful energy to the proceedings. All in all it was a fun night. Not sure that I would necessarily go see them again, but I enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane with this band from my youth. Here is the set list:




TIN MAN
YOU CAN DO MAGIC
DON’T CROSS THE RIVER
DAISY JANE
RIVERSIDE
I NEED YOU
HERE
VENTURA HIGHWAY
DRIVING
MONSTER
ELENOR RIGBY
CONNWALL BLANK
HOLLYWOOD
BABY ITS UP TO YOU
THE BORDER
GREENHOUSE
WOMAN TONIGHT
ONLY IN YOUR HEART
CALIFORNIA DREAMING
LONELY PEOPLE
SANDMAN
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR

ENCORE

HORSE WITH NO NAME

Doesn't surprise me they did Beatle covers, George Martin produced AMERICA for years... Great sound, big hits, a light country vibe. I liked em allright.

[SteveSly]

Doesn't surprise me they did Beatle covers, George Martin produced AMERICA for years... Great sound, big hits, a light country vibe. I liked em allright.

Yes, they talked about recording with Martin before they did Eleanor Rigby.

[mnprogger]

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne, co-produced one of their recent albums "Here & Now" which he did much of the same for The Monkees album from last year "Good Times!"

I remember that being talked about leading up to that new Monkees album from last year. Not sure how well it did, but I've meant to check it out ever since finding out about it.

Of course there are the hits "Horse With No Name," "Sister Golden Hair," "Ventura Highway," and "You Can Do Magic"etc that I'm familiar with.

If my wife wanted to go, I would probably go see them, but in looking at their current tour dates, they have a date at a Casino in Mahnomen, MN on February 10th. Mahnomen unfortunately is hardly close to the Twin Cities as Google Maps projects a 4 Hour drive, which I'm not sure driving 8 hours round trip is worth it at this point. But maybe they'll be back in closer venue on another leg in the Spring/Summer....but I may have to run this by her anyway. If Adam was with them, that would increase her interest.

[SteveSly]

If my wife wanted to go, I would probably go see them, but in looking at their current tour dates, they have a date at a Casino in Mahnomen, MN on February 10th. Mahnomen unfortunately is hardly close to the Twin Cities as Google Maps projects a 4 Hour drive, which I'm not sure driving 8 hours round trip is worth it at this point. But maybe they'll be back in closer venue on another leg in the Spring/Summer....but I may have to run this by her anyway. If Adam was with them, that would increase her interest.

I was the same way. They have actually played within an hour of me several times in the last few years, but they are not a band I necessarily wanted to travel any distance to see. This show was basically 10 minutes from my house so decided to go for it this time around.

[bill g]

I almost consistently like all Dewey Bunnell's songs qiote a bot, almost none of the others.

[Rangershockey7]

Lots of interesting thoughts here.

I have always enjoyed America quite a bit. When I was young, I definitely preferred the Beckley songs, but as I am now MUCH older, I really prefer the Bunnell songs much more. In fact my favorite song of theirs is an album cut "Amber Cascades". Definitely a headphones turned to 11 song for me. The Peek songs, I typically thought were the weakest (i.e. not to my taste) with the exception of "Today's the Day".

Their album "Here & Now" was exceptional and I was hoping it would create some traction for them, but it seems not.

I have a great 4 disk set of theirs titled "Highways" that I enjoy. If I were asked to list my 100 favorite bands, I probably wouldn't list them, but then I listen to this and remember how much of their music I really enjoy.

[Galactic Bulldozer]

Create some traction?? I've always wondered what traction in the rain meant on Dave Crosby's album, forget its title...

[SteveSly]

Lots of interesting thoughts here.

I have always enjoyed America quite a bit. When I was young, I definitely preferred the Beckley songs, but as I am now MUCH older, I really prefer the Bunnell songs much more. In fact my favorite song of theirs is an album cut "Amber Cascades". Definitely a headphones turned to 11 song for me. The Peek songs, I typically thought were the weakest (i.e. not to my taste) with the exception of "Today's the Day".

Their album "Here & Now" was exceptional and I was hoping it would create some traction for them, but it seems not.

I have a great 4 disk set of theirs titled "Highways" that I enjoy. If I were asked to list my 100 favorite bands, I probably wouldn't list them, but then I listen to this and remember how much of their music I really enjoy.

I picked up the "Highways" box set (the version I have is only 3 discs) a couple of weeks before the show. As I mentioned earlier in this thread it really contains just about everything you would want from the band, and is re-mastered very nicely and sounds great. Like you they would probably not be in my top 100 either, but I do appreciate what they do. "Amber Cascades" has always been a favorite of mine as well.

[Rangershockey7]

You're right, 3 disks. But lots of really good stuff.

Hey, is it me, or since Dewey shaved his beard, doesn't he look just like actor/playwrite Sam Sheppard?? Just a thought.

[SteveSly]

You're right, 3 disks. But lots of really good stuff.

Hey, is it me, or since Dewey shaved his beard, doesn't he look just like actor/playwrite Sam Sheppard?? Just a thought.

Ha, never thought of that, but now that you mention it, yes he does!