Holiday Harmony

America | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino / Wea
• ASIN: B00006JOCD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #193,100 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Although Dan Peek left America in 1976, the remaining members--Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley--recapture the magic that put the folk rock trio atop the charts 25 years ago on Holiday Harmony, their first Christmas album. Much of the credit must go to seminal 1970s figure Andrew Gold, who not only produced and engineered the record, but played all the instruments (save Beckley's and Bunnell's guitars) and added his own soaring background vocals to the 13 songs. Gold also cowrote "Christmas in California," one of the three originals on the disc, which, with its tight harmonies and breezy subject matter, could have been lifted off The Beach Boys' Christmas Album. In an unusual twist for a holiday album, America's newly penned songs are the best tunes on the collection. Beckley and Bunnell haven't lost their chemistry and homespun imagination, conjuring images of Yuletides past on the excellent "Christmas to Remember" and the witty "Winter Holidays." When the duo cover Christmas classics, they seem to bend them to their will, adding background harmonies on "Winter Wonderland" that recall the ones they used on "A Horse with No Name." On their version of "White Christmas," Beckley and Bunnell incorporate the melody line from "Tin Man," with surprisingly good results. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

13 seasonal songs, also including 3 new (2002) compositions 'Christmas In California', 'A Christmas To Remember' and 'Winter Holidays.' Features warm interpretations oftraditional favorites like 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas', 'Silent Night', 'W

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Christmas album to enjoy all year long, October 7, 2002

By 

John Corbett (Summerland, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Holiday Harmony (Audio CD)

When Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley of America first announced earlier this year that they would be releasing a Christmas album, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. After all, hasn't nearly every artist come out with a Christmas album? Wouldn't a Christmas theme limit the appeal of this album to a short period of the year? And, frankly, would it be any good?

The release of Holiday Harmony puts such doubts to rest. Not only is this a great Christmas album, it is also a fantastic album in its own right. Simply put, America hasn't sounded so good in decades. Unlike recent efforts like Hourglass or Human Nature, America eschews contemporary pop styling for a more elemental acoustic sound with surprisingly effective results. Producer Andrew Gold (famous for the '70s hit "Lonely Girl" and the "Golden Girls" theme) obviously put a lot of love and care into nurturing America's unique sound, and the whole album comes across as warm, honest, and very cohesive. And the Christmas standards that they cover have never been so catchy and fun to sing along with!

The album starts off with Dewey's rendition of "Winter Wonderland," which features harmony vocals that draw upon "A Horse With No Name" motif. Gerry's take on "Let It Snow" features a classy, 1940s-era guitar style with some fantastic backing on the viola. "White Christmas" incorporates the classic "Tin Man" guitar and vocal arrangement in a new and unexpectedly effective take on the Bing Crosby classic. Other traditional songs, like "Silver Bells," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," and "Silent Night," have more traditional renditions, but are delivered with warmth and affection.

"Sleigh Ride" features a rougher, electric take on this standard, and "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" casts this classic in a Beatlesque light with impressive results.

The album features three new tracks. "A Christmas To Remember" is a slower ballad with sentimental lyrics. "Winter Holidays" incorporates guitar chords similar to "Muskrat Love," and showcases the classic Dewey Bunnel delivery that we remember from songs like "Old Man Took."

The standout cut on the album is "Christmas In California," written by Dewey and Andrew Gold and sung by Gerry. The lyrics about Christmas "under palm trees, sun and blue" are incredibly catchy, and the feel of the song is strongly reminiscent of "Ventura Highway," right down to the lyrics of the "wind in your hair" and the breezy guitar riff. Yet this song stands on its own as a modern America classic.

Although this album is geared toward Christmas, don't be fooled! This is the sort of album that can make you feel good all over in the middle of October or any other month!

This album's exceptional feel only makes me hope for another collaboration between Andrew Gold and America. It's a winning combination!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This was my favorite gift!, December 31, 2002

By 

Charles L. Crum (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holiday Harmony (Audio CD)

I have to say I am somewhat surprised to say this is a great album! America covers the holiday classics with their own unique touch and wrote three new songs that range from very good to excellent. They have never sounded better. This is a must purchase for any America fan and I recommend it to others as well. If hearing the backbeat to Tin Man during the start of White Christmas enhances your enjoyment rather than detracts, this will quickly become your all-time favorite holiday CD.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a pleasant surprise!, December 24, 2002

By 

Randy Neumeyer (Tomball, Tx USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Holiday Harmony (Audio CD)

I got this as a X-mas gift and have always loved America. But ,I'll be honest, I thought," America doing Christmas songs?" Come on -how good could this be?
It is Wonderful! I've listened to it all day today on Christmas Eve and it will be my favorite each December. It may be the best holiday cd in my collection. I highly recommend it, It's cute how they use Horse with No Name and Tin Man melodies in several of the tunes too.