Customer Reviews

Encore: More G.H.

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It took too long for America to come out with a Greatest Hits volume 2, but Rhino finally did it in 1991. This is a collection of later hits, album cuts, plus five songs not available on any other America album. Some songs were produced by legendary Beatles producer George Martin. Contains the hits Today's The Day, You Can Do Magic, The Border, and Right Before Your Eyes. Other strong songs include the original version of Everyone I Meet Is From California, Cornwall Blank, and Another Try. Highly recommended.

I received `Encore' as a gift. I guess it was expected, since I did own their first greatest hits CD `History'. Before I listened to it, there was only one track I recognized on it, `You Can Do Magic', one of my fave soft-rock cuts. I wasn't too keen about the other obscure tunes, but decided to give them a chance.

Fortunately, I found many of the songs just as enjoyable as '...Magic'! And even though these later cuts aren't as well-known as those great moments from their heyday in the early seventies, America's trademark style and sound can surely be recognized in each tune. The major difference between the tracks from their first greatest hits album `History' and this one is that the latter set of songs tend to be faster-paced, and have more synthetic sounds to them. It's basically an updated incarnation of America's style and sound.

Easy listening rarely gets easier than this collection...

'Late!

Contains hits and album cuts not found on their History album, plus 5 songs not found on any other album. The hits include You Can Do Magic, Today's The Day, The Border, and Right Before Your Eyes. The best album cuts, Another Try and Cornwall Blank, are from their earlier albums. A must for any America fan.

Contains hits from some of their latter work, all of the song are strong. The tracks that need mention are the 5 not included on any other album. 'everyone I meet is from California' is a rare b-side, but to me, it is a bit tuneless and the worst thing on here.
The four new songs are fantastic. 'Nothing's as far aways as yesterday' is a Bunnel sung track, with nice acoustic guitar patterns. 'On target' is more of a synthesiser outing by Beckley, and is a great, cheesy offering, although the ending goes on a while. I get the feeling he recorded this one himself. 'Hell's on fire' is arguably the best. It is a good piece of rock and roll, in the vein of 'even the score', from their 'view from a ground' offering. Driving acoustic and electric guitars, fantastic percussion and a Bunnel vocal that shows he has a distinct voice capable of rock and ballad. 'The farm' is a beautiful song with a lovely melody, that acts as a kind of conclusion to the song 'daisy jane', from around 15 years earlier. This is slightly marred by the demoish style of the recording, with overdubbed synthesisers that slightly kill the track. But it is still exceptional. To lift it above demo quality, there should have been an ethereal string arrangement, a la 'watership down', and it woud have been outstanding.

A very good compendium for the more than 6 million who own their first greatest hits album, History. This CD picks up where that one left off. It includes latter hits like You Can Do Magic, Today's The Day, and The Border. The inclusion of 4 new songs makes this a must for America fans. If you own History, you need to go ahead and buy this CD to complete your America experience. However, if you do not have History and are looking for a single greatest hits collection, buy America's Complete Greatest Hits instead.

Fans of this durable soft-rock duo should find this second greatest hits compilation enjoyable. The inclusion of four new songs sweetens the pie.
America's trademark harmonies, tight musicianship and strong arrangements are evidenced with melodic and infectious songs. My personal faves:
Nothings So Far Away as Yesterday: A new song with a pleasant pop melody and a good vocal from Dewey Bunnell.
On Target: Another new song with a clever hook and nice vocal work from Gerry Beckley.
You Can Do Magic: Their last top ten hit epitomizes the airy pop style that made them successful.
Hollywood: Dewey's semi-cynical view of 70s life in LA benefits from the production of George Martin.
Old Man Took: one of my favorite Bunnell songs evoking the bayou life with a lovely woodwind solo and Martin's velvet touch.
Can't Fall Asleep to a Lullaby: Another Bunnell song with a strong melody and touching vocals.
Right Before Your Eyes: A minor hit, this hopelessly romantic tune used Rudolph Valentino as the tune's irresistible hook.
I've always enjoyed America---their often clever lyrics, their ability to create memorable melodies and their commitment to their established sound. I recommend ENCORE highly for fans and novices alike.

Nice that they finally came out with a "Greatest Hits volume 2." This shows their progression from a primarily accoustic folk rock group to a very good soft rock/pop band. I really like this version of Everyone I Meet Is From California.