History: America's Greatest Hits

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America

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Depending on how old you are America will mean different things. For me, it is the music of very early childhood. I was born in 1972, and I clearly remember my father listening to America. Like the Bee Gees, John Denver, Led Zeppelin and Neil Diamond, America brings up a nice, warm feeling. This greatest hits collection is all I have from them, but that's because I never felt America was an album-oriented band. All the hits are here except 1983's "You Can Do Magic." I think America is well like by the generation above me. Most people my age don't really remember America, though they remember the songs. I have read criticisms about America's music over the years, and I just don't think that "Horse With No Name" is a stupid song. Since I have to be subjected to Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin and a slew of faceless, nameless hip-hop rappers, I can't think of anyone who sounds like America. They don't make music or folk music like this anymore. Sometimes it's better to revisit the past when the present musical climate is geared only to 13 year olds. Hey, maybe 13 year olds should be listening to America...I mean they never sang about sex, violence and money. This is a must have for any rock collector.

"History" is one of the most popular Greatest Hits collections of the 1970s, and deservedly so because of the overall song quality. It contains eleven Billboard Hot 100 hits, including seven top-twenties and two number ones, and one popular non-hit ("Sandman"). Interestingly, the songs are arranged in chronological order according to their chart dates. The problem I have with the album is that seven of its twelve tracks have been remixed. Sir George Martin, the legendary Beatles producer, began producing America's music in 1974 with the album "Holiday". This means that the last five tracks on "History" were original recordings produced by Mr. Martin. However, the first seven songs on "History" were taken from the three America albums recorded in the pre-Martin era (1971-1973). Consequently these tracks were remixed by Mr. Martin in 1975, ostensibly so that the entire album could claim to be "Produced by George Martin". Please be aware, then, that all tracks from "A Horse with No Name" through "Muskrat Love" are NOT the original versions you heard on the radio and on your America albums. The original album versions, which I believe are better, can be heard on "America", "Homecoming" and "Hat Trick".