Customer Reviews

Highway: 30 Years of America

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I consider America's music a guilty pleasure (what self-respecting rock fan could admit to liking "Muskrat Love"?), it's a great pleasure nonetheless. Their 1975 Greatest Hits collection called "History" was an excellent compilation, but they really get the full treatment on the new "30 Years" box set. All the familiar songs I've loved are present - "Only In Your Heart" with its fun fake ending and reprise (which drove DJs crazy back in the days before CDs), "Horse With No Name," "Tin Man," et al. While the band's best work was from their Warner days (well represented here), this set also picks up songs from their later stints with other labels. What makes the box even better, though, is a generous helping of rarities and unreleased material. The five demo recordings are interesting to hear, particularly a raw but lively version of "Ventura Highway" (probably my all-time favorite America tune). All in all, "30 Years" is a thorough and entertaining career summation of a band pigeonholed as CSNY imitators at the start, a tag this set shows was unfair and inadequate to describe their marvelously melodic brand of folk-rock.

Three decades, seventeen chart hits, and at least nineteen albums after they hit it big with "A Horse With No Name", America finally has a well-deserved box set to add to their accomplishments. Perhaps the only complaint about the set is that it could have used a fourth disc just to fit the rest of their classic hits and album tracks.

For those who remember America as the group that did "Ventura Highway" or "Sister Golden Hair", this box set will be a true revelation. Hidden classics like "Survival", "Amber Cascades", and "Can't Fall Asleep To A Lullaby" get dusted off, while all of America's better known hits have been remastered and sound better than ever.

The first two discs give a generous helping of America's seventies material, especially the first three pre-George Martin albums. The third disc attempts, with less success, to cram the most recent 21 years and a handful of demo tracks into a single CD. In the process, the group's charming 1982 hit "Right Before Your Eyes" was left off, as were all songs from the critically-acclaimed 1998 release, Human Nature. But then this is just another reason why anyone who appreciates America's music will probably not want to stop after only buying Highway.

Contains nearly all their hits and classic album tracks. Plus it contains several songs and versions never before released. It really needed a 4th disk to be fully comprehesive though. It is missing material from their 1998 Human Nature CD. It is my understanding that Rhino couldn't come to terms with the label that released that CD. As a consequence this collection is missing From A Moving Train, which was a minor hit in the US but a big hit overseas. But having said that, this collection is very strong and a must for America fans!

America's career has spanned over 4 decades with a plethora of top ten singles, and top-charting albums as well. Yet, most rock critics have either ignored America or dismissed them as a "light-weight" rock group. I probably have a better chance of hitting the Florida lottery than America has being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To give an example of the "so-called" critics, Stephen Thomas Erlewine [...], gives "Highway" a 4 and a half star review. However, after praising the 3 box CD, he states, "Make no mistake-America is decidedly uncool". Well, I say to you, Mr. Erlewine and others, I really don't give a damn what you think!
I have seen America live almost a dozen times since 1972, and they always present an enjoyable, tight set. Their longevity, single/album sales, and their talent for making lovely music belie the critics' musings.

Out of 64 selections, there are some misses here, but even an unfamiliar listener can appreciate the melodic songs as well as America's unique harmonies. As one reviewer stated previously, there are a few omissions, such as the gorgeous, "I Don't Believe in Miracles",from the "Alibi" LP. But...look at all the hit singles as well as album tracks here: The requisite: "Horse with No Name", "Ventura Highway" (one of my favorites), "Muskrat Love" (which The Captain and Tenille bastardized!), "I Need You", and their last major hit, "You Can Do Magic". Album surprises include: "Old Man Took", "She's Gonna Let You Down", the infectious "Woman Tonight", "Special Girl". The George Martin-influenced, Disc #2 really stands out in this collection, surpassing Disc #1, which provides an early America history, and Disc #3, which has some new stuff and some unreleased remixes. I could go on and on, but it's almost all good.

Make no mistake, America: Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, deserve their place in Rock history. This compilation provides evidence why.

A wonderful box set, no doubt - and high time for this honor. The booklet gives detailed on band members and the individual recordings, and AMERICA's music has been shining for 30 years now.

If there's one thing that could have been improved with this collection it's that - in my opinion - later efforts by Gerry & Dewey (who have been a duo for 23 years already!) like material from "Hourglass" or "Human Nature" are almost forgotten, while this box set's focus is especially on the first three albums from 1972-74.

The usual "unreleased" tracks are pasted to the end of disc three (why? everything else is arranged in strictly chronological order) and sound so much like "demos" that they should have been left off this set altogether. There would have been more room for recent stuff or some of Gerry's solo work.

Otherwise - you'll get a lot of good music for your money. And make sure to go out and see AMERICA on tour one of these days, they're still brilliant.

As a fan since the very beginning, I am delighted to finally have this collection in my possession. Many of their early recordings have been put to CD in one offering, which through the first 5 LPs (America, Homecoming, Hat Trick, Holiday, Hearts) was both their creative and commercial zenith.
Such album cuts as 'three roses', 'here', 'hat trick', 'rainbow song', 'another try', as well as several others, show off the classic harmonies and melodic signature of America.

Also included is a fairly comprehensive booklet which offers insights from all 3 members as well as George Martin about the various stages and recordings of the band.

I may be a bit stingy with just 4 stars, but given that the Hearts LP has just the 3 singles included in this compilation ('sister golden hair', 'daisy jane' and 'woman tonight') I find it quite mystifying, since both 'story of a teenager' and 'company' are fine works, with the latter being played by the band in several of their concerts which I attended. Also, they did not include 'head and heart' from Homecoming, which is a much stronger song than some of the later offerings that are included in disc 3. One other note: both their 'Silent Letter' and 'Alibi' LPs are left in the lurch as well. I guess a fan cannot truly be happy until he is given full control to make his own historical compilation.

In all, a small quibble to make. If you fancy yourself an America fan, than this 3 CD set is easily the most comprehensive offering available today.

A LONG overdue Box set...Well.. Kinda a box set...From the beginning to the end.. Not a bad track in the bunch...Could have added some unreleased stuff, and outakes, and made a 4 CD set, but no complaints. Makes you realize just how many great songs these guys did!!! Not much of the newer stuff. The booklet inside is Great too!!! Well worth the price!! A must for anyone who loves America!!!

this is box set by America is one of a kind collections ive ever had, but i have some thoughts that keeps me wonder why would they not include two of their best unique ballad, according to my own poll. Their two best and most romantic songs...I DONT BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AND RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.... i mean why leave me hanging and wonders why are those two are not in this complation, is it because of businesswise or maybe just a tease for those like myself to be more aggressive getting those two songs on different lp, its not a big deal but if it were included to this box set they release, i would be much happier rather than happy to own one. dont get me wrong, this is a must have collections and i personally give it more than five stars perhaps 7 seven stars, but since they left my two favorites songs out in this set, i say id give that two stars to the two of my pick one each cause they sure deserved it...

I have purchased the Highway box set and am pleased with it. Like the reviewer, 'a music fan from san francisco', I am suprised more tracks from the superb album 'Hearts' are not included, but Highway does not claim to be a 'best-of' album, rather a history of the group's music.
My personal favourites are: tin man, ventura highway, and old man took.

We America die-hards have been dying for this set. Gotta have it. I agree with another reviewer who said "Hearts" was not represented enough on this compilation. I agree. Always felt that was their best effort. Disappointed not to see anything from Human Nature, a great album. Overall, I love this set and wish it were four discs instead of three! Buy this set!!