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History: America's Greatest Hits

 
Album Review: History: America's Greatest Hits
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History: America's Greatest Hits

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  • Artist: America
  • Rating: StarStarStarStarHalf Star
  • Release Date: 1975
  • Total Time: 38:16
  • Type: Compilation (best of), Lyrics are included with the album
  • Genre: Rock

Review

Mirroring the cover art depiction of America's dual life in England and the U.S., History: Greatest Hits perfectly spotlights both the polished and layered production of British studio legend George Martin and the West Coast tones of the band's folk-pop style. Featuring the group's many chart toppers from the first half of the '70s, this definitive roundup includes Neil Young-style acoustic sides like "Lonely People," the hippie MOR of "Muskrat Love," and breezy acid rock like "Sandman." And even though Martin didn't produce the entire lot of songs here, his sophisticated and mostly subtle way with strings, keyboards, and multi-track guitars is in evidence throughout. Adding to the fun are additional highlights like the updated surf cut "Sister Golden Hair" and ingenious McCartney-esque pop like "Only in Your Heart" and "Daisy Jane." An essential collection for fans who like their '70s folk with a pop sheen, loads of hooks, and top-drawer arrangements. ~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track TitleComposersPerformersTime
A Horse With No Name Dewey Bunnell America (4:07)
I Need You (Lyrics) Gerry Beckley America (3:05)
Sandman (Lyrics) Dewey Bunnell America (4:08)
Ventura Highway (Lyrics) Dewey Bunnell America (3:22)
Don't Cross the River (Lyrics) Dan Peek America (2:31)
Only in Your Heart (Lyrics) Gerry Beckley America (3:12)
Muskrat Love Willis Alan Ramsey America (3:05)
Tin Man (Lyrics) Dewey Bunnell America (3:28)
Lonely People (Lyrics) Dan Peek America (2:28)
Sister Golden Hair (Lyrics) Gerry Beckley America (3:20)
Daisy Jane (Lyrics) Gerry Beckley America (3:08)
Woman Tonight (Lyrics) Dan Peek America (2:22)

Credits

Mike "Clay" Stone (Engineer), Phil Hartman (Director), Dan Peek (Vocals), Dave Attwood (Drums), Venetta Fields (Vocals), Gerry Beckley (Producer), Dewey Bunnell (Guitar (Acoustic)), Lee Kiefer (Assistant Engineer), Hal Blaine (Drums), Phil Hartman (Cover Design), Willie Leacox (Drums), Dan Peek (Guitar (Electric)), Willie Leacox (Percussion), Chuck Leary (Assistant Engineer), Ken Scott (Engineer), Dan Peek (Guitar), Ray Cooper (Percussion), Ed Thrasher (Art Direction), Dan Peek (Guitar (12 String Electric)), America (Producer), Henry Diltz (Banjo), Jessica Smith (Vocals), Kim Haworth (Drums), Jeff Dexter (Producer), Clydie King (Vocals), Venetta Fields (Vocals (Background)), Dewey Bunnell (Producer), America (Piano), Dewey Bunnell (Drums), Jessica Smith (Vocals (Background)), Toni Anderson (Assistant Engineer), Gerry Beckley (Guitar), Dewey Bunnell (Guitar (Rhythm)), Gerry Beckley (Bass), Dewey Bunnell (Vocals), George Martin (Producer), Peter Henderson (Tape Operator), America (Guitar), Gerry Beckley (Guitar (12 String)), Dan Peek (Producer), America (Bass), Hal Blaine (Percussion), Gerry Beckley (Guitar (12 String Acoustic)), Gerry Beckley (Piano), America (Vocals), Geoff Emerick (Engineer), Ian Samwell (Producer), Chet McCracken (Percussion), Robin Black (Engineer), David Dickey (Bass), Dan Peek (Guitar (12 String Acoustic)), George Martin (Remixing), America (Keyboards), Joe Osborne (Bass), Phil Hartman (Design), Dan Peek (Bass), Clydie King (Vocals (Background)), Gerry Beckley (Vocals), Dan Peek (Guitar (12 String)), Dewey Bunnell (Guitar)
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
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History: America's Greatest Hits
Compilation album by America
Released December 1975
Recorded 1971-75
Genre Pop-rock
Label Warner Bros.
Producer George Martin
America chronology
Hearts
(1975)		 History: America's Greatest Hits
(1975)		 Hideaway
(1976)

History: America's Greatest Hits is the first compilation album by American folk rock trio America, released by Warner Bros. Records in December 1975. The first seven tracks of the album, having been recorded prior to producer George Martin's involvement with the group, were remixed by Martin for this release. For example, Martin added a layer of fiddles to "Don't Cross The River." Additionally, on this album's version of "A Horse With No Name," a voice can briefly be heard about two minutes into the track. And for this album's version of "I Need You", some additional bass was brought up further, while the pitch was slowed down a half-a-semitone.

The cover artwork is by Phil Hartman, later known as an actor and comedian. However the liner notes spell his last name as "Hartmann" (which is the actual spelling of his name.)

This album was a big hit in the US, reaching number 3 on the Billboard album chart and being certified multi-platinum by the RIAA.

Track listing

Side 1

  1. "A Horse With No Name" (Dewey Bunnell)
  2. "I Need You" (Gerry Beckley)
  3. "Sandman" (Bunnell)
  4. "Ventura Highway" (Bunnell)
  5. "Don't Cross The River" (Dan Peek)
  6. "Only in Your Heart" (Beckley)

Side 2

  1. "Muskrat Love" (Willis Alan Ramsey)
  2. "Tin Man" (Bunnell)
  3. "Lonely People" (Catherine Peek, Dan Peek)
  4. "Sister Golden Hair" (Beckley)
  5. "Daisy Jane" (Beckley)
  6. "Woman Tonight" (Peek)

(The positions of "Only In Your Heart" and "Woman Tonight" in the tracklisting are reversed on the cassette tape version.)


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