Highway: 30 Years of America [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Long before MTV unplugged, America wed innocuous West Coast folk à la CSNY to post-British invasion pop (Beatles producer George Martin twiddled the knobs on many of their most enduring hits) with just a hint of psychedelic madness, managing to create something uniquely, well, American. Though many detractors may question whether a three-disc, 30-year retrospective is necessary or even palatable, it can be argued that Jane's Addiction, Cowboy Junkies, Counting Crows, Edie Brickell, and Joe Pernice's vaguely psychedelic acoustic rock wouldn't have found a toehold had their audiences not cut their teeth on the airwave ubiquity of "Horse with No Name." Sure, the lyrics were often banal ("Like the winter needs the spring / I need you") or absurd ("Seasons crying no despair / alligator lizards in the air") But Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek, and Dewey Bunnell wrote lovely songs, with beautifully interwoven harmonies and complex, interlocking acoustic guitar alchemy. It's a heavy heart indeed that can't be lightened by the guitar cascade that opens "Ventura Highway."

Though the first disk contains many of the band's most recognizable moments from their first three albums, disk 2 contains most of the box set's surprises and enjoyable moments. With George Martin, they found their Svengali, and he drove the band to write much more solid songs, fleshing them out beautifully in the studio. "Sister Golden Hair," "Daisy Jane," and "Tin Man" stand at the top of the America ouevre. Add to that the rediscovered joys of "Muskrat Love" (go ahead and laugh--it's a great song), "Woman Tonight," "Watership Down," "God of the Sun" and the dark-horse gem, "Sergeant Darkness." Disc 3 may give anti-Americans ammo as the group (minus Dan Peek) slide into the morass of adult contemporary pop (though charting surprising hits with "You Can Do Magic" and "The Border"). But the addition of early demos of "Ventura Highway" and "Riverside" and other early tracks saves it from the no-play stack. --Tod Nelson

Tracks:

Riverside
A Horse With No Name
I Need You
Rainy Day
Here
Three Roses
Sandman
Everyone I Meet Is From California
Ventura Highway
To Each His Own
Don't Cross The River
Cornwall Blank
Only In Your Heart
Saturn Nights
Hat Trick
Molten Love
It's Life
Submarine Ladies (Unedited, Alternate Mix)

Tracks:

Muskrat Love
Green Monkey
She's Gonna Let You Down (Single Edit)
Rainbow Song
Tin Man
Another Try
Lonely People
Hollywood
Baby It's Up To You
Old Man Took
Simple Life
Sister Golden Hair
Daisy Jane
Woman Tonight
Who Loves You (Alternate Mix)
Lovely Night
Amber Cascades
Can't You See
Watership Down (Alternate Mix)
Letter (Alternate Mix)
Today's The Day
Sarah
Are You There
God Of The Sun
Sergeant Darkness

Tracks:

California Dreamin'
All My Life
Only Game In Town
1960
Survival
The Last Unicorn
You Can Do Magic
Inspector Mills
My Dear
The Border
She's A Runaway
(Can't Fall Asleep To A) Lullaby
Special Girl
Nothing's So Far Away (As Yesterday)
Young Moon
Greenhouse
Mitchum Junction (Demo)
Satan (Demo)
Ventura Highway (Demo)
James Holladay (Demo)
Riverside (Demo)

Amazon.com

Long before MTV unplugged, America wed innocuous West Coast folk à la CSNY to post-British invasion pop (Beatles producer George Martin twiddled the knobs on many of their most enduring hits) with just a hint of psychedelic madness, managing to create something uniquely, well, American. Though many detractors may question whether a three-disc, 30-year retrospective is necessary or even palatable, it can be argued that Jane's Addiction, Cowboy Junkies, Counting Crows, Edie Brickell, and Joe Pernice's vaguely psychedelic acoustic rock wouldn't have found a toehold had their audiences not cut their teeth on the airwave ubiquity of "Horse with No Name." Sure, the lyrics were often banal ("Like the winter needs the spring / I need you") or absurd ("Seasons crying no despair / alligator lizards in the air") But Gerry Beckley, Dan Peek, and Dewey Bunnell wrote lovely songs, with beautifully interwoven harmonies and complex, interlocking acoustic guitar alchemy. It's a heavy heart indeed that can't be lightened by the guitar cascade that opens "Ventura Highway."

Customer Reviews:

I Don't Care What the Critics Say....America is Great!.......2006-06-22

America's career has spanned over 4 decades with a plethora of top ten singles, and top-charting albums as well. Yet, most rock critics have either ignored America or dismissed them as a "light-weight" rock group. I probably have a better chance of hitting the Florida lottery than America has being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To give an example of the "so-called" critics, Stephen Thomas Erlewine [...], gives "Highway" a 4 and a half star review. However, after praising the 3 box CD, he states, "Make no mistake-America is decidedly uncool". Well, I say to you, Mr. Erlewine and others, I really don't give a damn what you think!
I have seen America live almost a dozen times since 1972, and they always present an enjoyable, tight set. Their longevity, single/album sales, and their talent for making lovely music belie the critics' musings.

Out of 64 selections, there are some misses here, but even an unfamiliar listener can appreciate the melodic songs as well as America's unique harmonies. As one reviewer stated previously, there are a few omissions, such as the gorgeous, "I Don't Believe in Miracles",from the "Alibi" LP. But...look at all the hit singles as well as album tracks here: The requisite: "Horse with No Name", "Ventura Highway" (one of my favorites), "Muskrat Love" (which The Captain and Tenille bastardized!), "I Need You", and their last major hit, "You Can Do Magic". Album surprises include: "Old Man Took", "She's Gonna Let You Down", the infectious "Woman Tonight", "Special Girl". The George Martin-influenced, Disc #2 really stands out in this collection, surpassing Disc #1, which provides an early America history, and Disc #3, which has some new stuff and some unreleased remixes. I could go on and on, but it's almost all good.

Make no mistake, America: Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, deserve their place in Rock history. This compilation provides evidence why.

Almost all the good stuff.......2005-01-04

As a fan since the very beginning, I am delighted to finally have this collection in my possession. Many of their early recordings have been put to CD in one offering, which through the first 5 LPs (America, Homecoming, Hat Trick, Holiday, Hearts) was both their creative and commercial zenith.
Such album cuts as 'three roses', 'here', 'hat trick', 'rainbow song', 'another try', as well as several others, show off the classic harmonies and melodic signature of America.

Also included is a fairly comprehensive booklet which offers insights from all 3 members as well as George Martin about the various stages and recordings of the band.

I may be a bit stingy with just 4 stars, but given that the Hearts LP has just the 3 singles included in this compilation ('sister golden hair', 'daisy jane' and 'woman tonight') I find it quite mystifying, since both 'story of a teenager' and 'company' are fine works, with the latter being played by the band in several of their concerts which I attended. Also, they did not include 'head and heart' from Homecoming, which is a much stronger song than some of the later offerings that are included in disc 3. One other note: both their 'Silent Letter' and 'Alibi' LPs are left in the lurch as well. I guess a fan cannot truly be happy until he is given full control to make his own historical compilation.

In all, a small quibble to make. If you fancy yourself an America fan, than this 3 CD set is easily the most comprehensive offering available today.

Great collection!.......2003-09-04

Contains nearly all their hits and classic album tracks. Plus it contains several songs and versions never before released. It really needed a 4th disk to be fully comprehesive though. It is missing material from their 1998 Human Nature CD. It is my understanding that Rhino couldn't come to terms with the label that released that CD. As a consequence this collection is missing From A Moving Train, which was a minor hit in the US but a big hit overseas. But having said that, this collection is very strong and a must for America fans!

Its a must have, but yet needed more improvements.......2002-08-24

this is box set by America is one of a kind collections ive ever had, but i have some thoughts that keeps me wonder why would they not include two of their best unique ballad, according to my own poll. Their two best and most romantic songs...I DONT BELIEVE IN MIRACLES AND RIGHT BEFORE YOUR EYES.... i mean why leave me hanging and wonders why are those two are not in this complation, is it because of businesswise or maybe just a tease for those like myself to be more aggressive getting those two songs on different lp, its not a big deal but if it were included to this box set they release, i would be much happier rather than happy to own one. dont get me wrong, this is a must have collections and i personally give it more than five stars perhaps 7 seven stars, but since they left my two favorites songs out in this set, i say id give that two stars to the two of my pick one each cause they sure deserved it...

A great band which did not receive much UK airplay.......2002-06-15

I have purchased the Highway box set and am pleased with it. Like the reviewer, 'a music fan from san francisco', I am suprised more tracks from the superb album 'Hearts' are not included, but Highway does not claim to be a 'best-of' album, rather a history of the group's music.
My personal favourites are: tin man, ventura highway, and old man took.

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