Van Go Gan [Extra tracks, Import]

Gerry Beckley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2000)
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• ASIN: B00003L9DA
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,592,244 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Emma

2. Van Go Gan

3. House Of Cards

4. Sunrise Sunset

5. Goodbye Highway

6. One Day's Duning

7. Only A Kid At Heart

8. Playing God

9. International

10. What Happened

11. I Need You

12. Now Sue

13. Kiss Of Life

14. Hard To Sleep

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gifted Musician, May 27, 2000

By 

C. Kuschel-Toerber "Christian Kuschel" (Frankfurt, Hessen) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Van Go Gan (Audio CD)

Gerry Beckley, along with Dewey Bunnell, has been in the business for more than 30 years as one half of "America".

On this, his first solo album Gerry gives us 18 wonderful tracks - including an amazing new rendition of "I Need You" which he wrote for and sang with "America" in 1972.

This is very relaxed and highly musical album, featuring both warm, America-like vocal harmonies and some brilliant guitar work.

Highly recommended!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gerry Beckley's Best Ever!!!, March 21, 2001

By 

Michael Szekely (Pittsburgh, Pa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Van Go Gan (Audio CD)

I've been a Gerry Beckley fan since I first heard "I Need You" on the radio back in the early 70's. This, however, is better than anything he's ever done in America. There is nothing I can say bad about this CD. The singing, song writing and production all come together to form a melodic tapestry that any musician would be proud to call their own. For die-hard America fans, there's "Emma", "Goodbye Highway" and "Now Sue." Gerry, however,pushes into new teritory with "Playing God", "International" and the title track "Van Go Gan", just to name a few. This is a CD that was made to be played over and over again. Oh, by the way, there is a new version of "I Need You" here that I found quite interesting.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you ever liked the best records by the group America, get, March 22, 2002

By 

J. Wade (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Van Go Gan (Audio CD)

Van Go Gan. Gerry Beckley, the silky smooth singer of such hits as "Sister Golden Hair" and "I Need You" turns in a terrific solo debut. It is obvious from the quality of the songs and performances that Beckley put a lot of thought and effort into this record. America's best albums were the seven studio albums they did for Warner Bros Records, and their commercial appeal reached its peak when America began working with Beatles producer George Martin. In 1977, America went through some major changes starting with the departure of Dan Peek. They departed Warners for Capitol and their final album with George Martin was their first as a duo, Silent Letter (1979). Although Silent Letter was a fine album, Beckley and Dewey Bunnell never seemed to be able to make up for the loss of Peek. Seemingly, there was a synergy that went with him.

The 14 tracks on Van Go Gan are top quality. Beckley has avoided creating a synthetic sounding record. Van Go Gan has a richly organic sound and tasteful arrangements. He breaks some new ground particularly with "Playing God" which features a hilarious televangelist appearance from the late Phil Hartmann. Hartmann's association with America goes back to the days when he was a graphics designer. (He designed the cover for their best selling History album). Perhaps Beckley saved these songs over the years knowing that an artist only has one chance to create a first impression. If this album had been out in the days when standard rock and roll songs made the charts, there would have been several big hits. It's such a shame that newer records by traditional rock and roll artists never get a chance on today's radio. At any rate, get this record while you still can.

Best cuts: "Playing God", "Goodbye Highway", and "Van Go Gan". The only annoying thing about the album is the two (but mercifully brief) spoken intros on two of the songs by someone in a hokey British accent.