Customer Reviews

Holiday

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With those fans who believe that the first 3 albums are their best, now comes this fourth effort and the first of several with the famous George Martin producing under contract for the boys. I just don't know what it would sound like without his touches, but you must admit that the songs would have probably still stood up with Martin because they are all wonderful and yet simple pop songs. Yes, there's lot of orchestral highlights here and in the next few albums but America was already going there anyway - especially since they were getting pretty sophisticated without Martin the previous year with "Hat Trick".
After listening to the beautiful Martin-orchestrated, Beckley composition, "Miniature" leading right into Bunnell's mega-hit, "Tin Man", you will never listen to Tin Man again without this symphonic prelude ever again!
Again, not a bad song on the album. It's wonderfully produced and performed. A real gem!

This was legendary Beatles producer, Sir George Martin's first collaboration with America. America brought in Martin to handle production after the disappointing commercial performance of their third album, Hat Trick the previous year. This album was a big hit in the US in 1974, peaking at 3 on the Billboard album chart, sold a million copies, and has some of Martin's best production work! The album contains two of America's biggest hits, Tin Man and Lonely People, which still get airplay more than 30 years after their release. It also contains several album tracks that received significant airplay during the mid-70s including: Baby It's Up To You, and Another Try (both of which probably would have been top 40 hits had Warner Brothers had the good sense to release them as singles). Simply a solid performance by America and George Martin! It is a shame that it took so long for this to be released on CD in the US.

Some albums you love the first time you hear them and other's have to grow on you over repeated listenings.This was one of the former.The first time I heard it,it became my favorite album for a couple of months.Every song is a gem.Both of the hits are solid and there is simply no filler to be found."Old Man Took" and "Another Try" are my personal favorites,but,every song is worth a listen.Every person who likes America should own this CD.

Take a very talented Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek and mix that with one of the top producers, George Martin and that could only equal sheer enrapture! "Miniature" gracefully introduces one of Bunnell's classic hits, "Tin Man" followed by Beckley's "Another Try" and who could forget Dan Peek's "Lonely People"?!!! The addition of orchestral arrangements to these cuts is simply enchanting!!! "Holiday" is possible one of "America's" best ever!!! No collection should be without this one!!!

I've listened to this ever since I was a kid and have always liked it.

Miniature is a good lead in to Tin Man, and "another try" is a good foot tapper with a somber message talking about a father who has not been there for his family.

It then goes into Lonely People, a "poppy" but nonetheless solid song.

What makes this album really cool are the "B" songs that don't get much radio play on classic rock stations - songs like "Hollywood," "You," and "In The Country."

The production and instrumentation on this album are excellent - the bass is awesome, and Willy Leacox does a great job on drums.

Soemthing that is missing is the vocal harmonization found on the first album, but other than that, this is a solid album that flows nicely between songs and provides an enjoyable listening experience.

Critics often dismiss America as CSN&Y "wannabes" and listening to the acoustic guitar and harmony driven performances on their first two releases, America and Homecoming, there are some similarities, but America (Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek) has its own unique style and such surface comparisons can quickly be dismissed as you become more familiar with America.

In 1974 America teamed up with Beatles producer George Martin for "Holiday", the first of five LPs on which Martin would serve as producer and arranger. From the album's opener, Beckley's instrumental "Miniature", you know you're in for a different type of America album, and when it leads directly into Bunnell's hit "Tin Man" the transition is delightful. I'm not sure whether Martin's presence inspired the trio here or whether they simply brought strong compositions to the table, but "Holiday" features their most consistent material to date... possibly ever. The excellent songs on "side 1" continue with Beckley's "Another Try" and Peek's "Glad To See You", both beautifully supported by Martin's tasteful orchestral arrangements. Between those two is the second single from the LP: Peek's "Lonely People". The second half of the recording is filled with excellent tracks like Beckley's "Baby It's Up to You", Peek's "You", and "Old Man Took" which may be Bunnell's finest song ever. Other tracks include concert favorite "Hollywood" and Beckley's "Mad Dog" and "What Does It Matter", both of which have a slightly retro-feel to them in terms of mood and arrangements: think McCartney's "When I'm Sixty-Four" and "Honey Pie". The only track which might seem out of place in the mix is the closer: Peek's stripped-down rocker "In the Country" which almost feels like a throw-back to the earlier LPs.

America would make four more LPs with Martin: three of which are available as reasonably priced reissues thanks to the Collectibles label. Another must-have is 1975's Hearts which feature hits "Daisy Jane", "Sister Golden Hair" and "Woman Tonight". Lots of great album tracks here as well. 1976's Hideaway and 1977's Harbor [2005 Reissue] also boast wonderful arrangements from Martin and some great tunes but some of the material is a bit simpler and not quite as strong in the lyrics department. They're both great LPs but I'd start with "Holiday" and "Hearts" first.

Also of interest is 1979's Silent Letter (get it?) which is the last LP made with Martin and the first as a duo (after Peek's departure) and for their new label: Capitol. In terms of material Bunnell and Beckley provide their most consistent batch of songs since "Hearts" and Martin once again supports them with excellent arrangements and production. It's a great album that sadly is currently only available as a pricey import (like the rest of the Capitol-era LPs) or download. After "Silent Letter" America would release hit-and-miss LPs as they frequently change producers, moved towards a "pop"-ier sound, and let more outsiders pen their material.

All five Martin-produced America efforts are excellent '70's light rock, but definitely grab "Holiday" (and "Hearts") while you can.

Have this on vinyl, and replaced it with CD. Has the hits "Tin Man" and "Lonely People", but has other well done songs. Very much soft rock, but still worth listening to if you like America.

If you like America, Cat Stevens, CSN, Neil Young, and you want to experience a classic album, America's Holiday is a truly warm-hearted, calming, relaxing collection of songs that take on the sentimental value of looking at photographs of loved ones that you'll never see again. Like a good glass of wine.

Early 70's great CD, I spent this summer in Portsmouth, NH with my older sister and this is the music I remember! I am 48 now and still know all the words to every song on this CD!

Every song is a winner. Great to listen to this music again after it's been mothballed forever in my unlistened to LP collection.