****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
First things first: Anyone who has read my reviews of America know that I think they are terrific, underrated, and sadly, sometimes dismissed as a "light-weight" pop/rock group. Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, who have been performing together over 40 years, sound better than ever. I can imagine a conversation between Gerry and Dewey going something like this: "We've been doing mostly original songs for a long time now. Now, let's record the music by songwriters that we have always admired and respected, but with our signature vocals/arrangements".The CD begins with (of all things)Paul Simon's "America"- here Dewey and Gerry actually alternate lead vocals, which provides for a totally clear,original rendition. There are lesser known cuts here, such as: "Someday We'll Know"; the outstanding, Jimmy Webb written, "Crying In My Sleep"; "A Road Song" penned by Fountain of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger,and Chris Collingwood. Mr. Schleslinger was so instrumental in assisting with America's last recording-"Here and Now", which is also superb.Other songs worth noting:"Caroline,No"- A beautiful Beach Boys song with beautiful vocals. Brian Wilson has stated that this version is superlative. On a another note, the late Carl Wilson recorded with America, and was friends with them."Sailing to Philadelphia"- Mark Knopfler-penned. How interesting that America would record a song about a piece of history relating to America, that is the United States of America."Time of the Season"-perhaps not dissimilar from the Zombies version. Still a great, unique, seminal rock song."Til I Hear It From You"- Marshall Crenshaw should be proud of Gerry's lead vocals."On the Way Home"- How ironic! When America released their first single, "Horse with No Name", many people erroneously thought that it was a Neil Young release. Here they are actually honoring the prolific Mr. Young!James Taylor and other splendid songwriters are represented here. The closing cut, "My Back Pages" by Bob Dylan is more than an homage, it is honest, heartfelt, and demands than you listen to every poetic word.To conclude: every song is fantastic, and goes to the core of who America is: a group that puts heart and emotion into every song, and that deserves the respect of every person who understands pop music. I recently saw them in concert, as I have for the past 40 years, and their live sound is fresh, clean. Dewey and Gerry, you WERE so much older then, and you ARE younger than that now.
