America

America | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros / Wea
• ASIN: B000002KDX
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,991 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Drawing upon the softer side of the hippie folk scene with a more refined sound, America garnered a string of hits for themselves in the '70s. With a rich, acoustic base and lush, high tenor harmonies, songs like "Sandman" were instantly successful. The band's breakthrough single was the slightly country-tinged "Horse with No Name," (which hit number one) that owed a debt to the craftsmanship of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. America displayed the band's sensitivities with "Clarice" and "I Need You," the latter charting at number nine. While the band made a name for itself on the strength of "Horse" alone, the rest of the record deserves attention, too. While "Riverside" and "Children Here" never reached the status of later hits like "Sister Goldenhair" or "Lonely People," they still command respect. --Steve Gdula

Product Description

AMERICA by America simply is one of the finest sounding albums of the classic rock era, as it proved itself a smash with the fans and critics alike when it was first released in 1972. Originally a #1 album, containing the number one smash A Horse With No Name (as the album title is often referred), this masterwork is now presented in 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl on the Friday Music Vinyl label.

Friday Music Vinyl mastering producer Joe Reagoso (Procol Harum, The Doobie Brothers, Deep Purple, Paul Rodgers, and Johnny Winter) has carefully and painstakingly gone to serious lengths of quality control, studio expertise and sonic resonance to master what we feel is the ultimate listening experience of this legendary California trios most loved work. Known for their history of developing hit songs and albums, America were also in the fore front of making excellent sounding albums. Originally produced by Ian Samwell and engineered by Ken Scott, this album has gone on to be the most revered in their massive catalog.....just wait until you hear this incredible new pristine version! In fact, this is one of the best selling 180 Gram albums in the country as we speak!

The trio shared equal duties of impeccable guitar work and legendary three part harmony vocals from Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek, which have become a major influence to many of the soft-rock, country rock and singer songwriter artists that exist today. David Lindley (Jackson Browne) and Ray Cooper (Elton John) also contribute their artistry to several of the tracks on this album.

Not only do you get the number one A Horse With No Name , you also get to hear the amazing rock and pop crossover smashes I Need You Riverside and Sandman. A lot of us can remember buying our first guitars and learning to play along with these great songs. This stunning new audiophile release will have you singing and playing along once again.

Remembering those great times, when an album cover was an experience as much as the music inside, we are also including a protective poly lined sleeve to protect the vinyl, and a vinyl cover to keep the album cover in great shape as well.

America by America is back....presented in 180 Gram glorious audiophile vinyl....in stores now, exclusively from Friday Music Vinyl. ENJOY! --This text refers to the Vinyl edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guitar Lessons, April 24, 2004

By 

GuitarDave (Hazleton, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America (Audio CD)

Sure, there are inevitable comparisons to Crosby, Stills and Nash. They are unavoidable because anyone playing acoustic guitars and singing harmonies will bring them to mind.
Comparisons aside, this is one great album. Every time I listen to it, it's like another acoustic guitar lesson. The interplay and blending of the guitars is very inspiring. The songs are good and the singing is right on the mark. I didn't realize what a big influence these guys were until I picked this up on CD and started listening to it again on a regular basis.
If you like acoustic guitars this is a must have disc.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unplugged before there was an MTV!, September 3, 2003

By 

A Fan (VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: America (Audio CD)

This is an outstanding album! It was a huge hit in 1972, spent five weeks at number 1 on the album charts, and went PLATINUM in the days when few albums did. While some of the lyrics may be trite (most of the songs were written while they were teenagers) the music is GREAT! If you love acoustic guitars, this album is a must. It includes their first number 1 hit single, Horse With No Name and another big hit I Need You. Several other songs received significant airplay on stations including Three Roses, Sandman, and Never Found The Time. The only weak song on the album is Pigeon Song. Highly recommended if you like acoustic guitar music!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Acoustic Rock Album of All Time, November 20, 2005

By 

Ray Robinson (Colorado Springs, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: America (Audio CD)

One of the top selling debut albums of all time this is my favorite album of all time and has been so for more than 30 years. Sure, I love CSN, CSNY and Neil, but this album really isn't an imitation of those groups, just in the same genre; in my opinion there aren't enough albums in this genre! It's like saying no one else should play music using the electric guitar because Hendrix played it. Wouldn't that just make the selections in music just that much poorer? Face it, CSN and Neil did not invent the acoustic guitar, and though it was their trade mark, they rarely got down in their instrumental parts like this album does (I also rate Homecoming, and at times Hat Trick, as in this genre). To compare early America to them (and vice versa) is a compliment in my book. (I wonder what Neil thought of the first album?) I have owned 8 track, cassettes, 15 or more vinyl LPs (currently have two, including the original British LP without Horse!), 45s (Everyone I Meet Is From California was the flip side of the Horse 45 when it first hit the charts, so I will include it as another favorite tied to, but not on, this album), as well as CDs of this album... and I have never tired of it. For those who own the vinyl and have an adjustable speed turntable try slowing the RPMs down... the album will take on a more haunting sound. Other reviewers have done a good job of reviewing individual songs... my personal favorites from this album are Horse, 3 Roses, Here, and Donkey Jaw. It would definetly be at the top of my list of albums that would go with me to the proverbial deserted island.