Customer Reviews

Holiday Harmony

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell, along with veteran Weastcoast rocker Andrew Gold, have created a really unique Christmas album that cleverly manages to combine Xmas standards with their unmistakable band sound... soaring harmonies, warm guitars, a perfect mix of known classics and newly written material.

The most wonderful feat here is the incorporation of a few bars from America classics like "A Horse With No Name" or "Tin Man" into standards such as "White Christmas". I always thought Dan Fogelberg's 2000 Christmas Album would be the best of its kind I'd ever get to hear, but "Holiday Harmony" is just as good: six stars if I could give them!

Hi!
Hmmmmm ~~ Let me start by saying that You are in for a pleasant surprise upon hearing this collection of Holiday Harmony songs. Gerry, Dewey along with Andrew Gold have managed to add a nice touch of AMERICA's Magic to these traditional Christmas songs. There are also 3 new songs on here by Gerry & Dewey and they are AWESOME. First there is "A Christmas To Remember" Dewey's nice lyrics get you ready to prepare for another wonderful Holiday season and highlights all of the things that make Christmas's sooo special. Second there is "Christmas In California" Gerry will have you smiling here for sure, his lighthearted lyrics & voice, along with that nice AMERICA~~Beach Boys music takes you on a Unique Christmas adventure. Third there is "Winter Holidays" ~~ WOW Dewey's way with Lyrics shines on this song, and the music is soooo nice too. This song captures the very essence of what the Christmas atmosphere is all about. Now listen real close to these other traditional Christmas songs on here, because you are in for a real treat. I won't give them away, let's just say you will be sure to hear this nice touch of AMERICA's Magic sprinkled on these songs. I have had my Holiday Harmony cd since Oct. and I can honestly say, I wouldn't have any trouble listening to this all year round. I feel that this album is New Material from my favorite all time group. I am sure this album will find it's way into your heart and become a Christmas Tradition for years to come. Thanks Gerry & Dewey for this treasured keepsake! Nancy :)

This new CD by AMERICA is truly fantastic. AMERICA has written a few new songs that will blow you away. CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA, is one of their finest songs, rich in warm melody, overflowing in acoustic harmony. GERRY taking this song to snowy limits. DEWEY's version of WHITE CHRISTMAS will no doubt become a classic, it is filled w/his glowing melodic voice that seems to glide on ice. Please give this CD a listen. You will hear classic AMERICA doing classic American songs for the Holidays. Each song has that AMERICA touch, you will hear some AMERICA hits flowing in on some of the songs, very creative indeed.

Holiday Harmony is an excellent Christmas album! America adds their own interpretation to Christmas classics and contributes several new songs that should become classics. I love their version of White Christmas - instead of just the traditional rendition they use a musical background that recalls their 70s hit Tin Man. It may sound odd, but it really works - kind of gives a new twist to an old standard. They also give Silent Night a new twist. The best of the new songs would be Winter Holiday and Christmas in California. Overall an EXCELLENT CD! Highly recommended!

For America fans like myself, this is a wonderful album. I totally enjoyed the new tunes and the flavor that they add to the christmas covers. Dewey and Gerry (with a little help from a friend)have added their melody from Tin Man to White Christmas and Horse with No Name to Winter Wonderland and it is great! As always their harmonies are superb and music is pleasent. I really liked this album (I like all of their stuff). A must album for the America fan!

I was absulutely delighted with this incredibly innovative Christmas Album! The three new Christmas sonds blew me away and did what traditional favorites do for me over the years. I'm sure they will be added to the favorites we replay year after year.

I loved the energy of "Christmas in California", it really has the California feeling. "Winter Holidays" is a song I can't stop running through my head all day, and find myself humming. "A Christmas to Remember" is so nostlalgic it feels like it's been around every year!
I love all the arrangements of the old songs...Thanks America you still have what it takes!!

This Christmas Album/CD is the most TASTEFULLY done,brillantly written,and uplifting piece of work done by anyone else,whose attempted,in the last DECADE. They have managed to take the old classics/favorites and personally and respectfully done them in the great AMERICA style we all know and love. They have also written 3 original tracks as well on this CD,and they are so awesome,SO,AMERICA.This is a great CD for the whole family to listen to and enjoy,and a keeper for all Christmases and all year around. I'ts the great,vintage AMERICA sound. Very well done,hats off to you both.