We continue our look back the music of 50 years ago…..
I have kept a number of albums I originally purchased back in the early 70’s and “Homecoming”, the 2nd Lp from the group America is one of them.
I was a sucker for three part harmonies and layered acoustic guitars that came out of my radio and the single “Ventura Highway” drew me in.
The album has other pleasure though as this is probably the best finished product that Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and Dan Peek ever released.
A clean, crisp production makes the guitars ring…make the harmonies soar and cover up for the sometime, cringy lyrics that the band lets get by.
The production also plays up the contributions of notable members of The Wrecking Crew…Joe Osborn on bass and Hal Blaine on drums…especially on the driving ‘California Revisited”. Also, the bouncy ‘Don’t Cross The River” features a tasty banjo line from notable rock photographer Henry Diltz.
Other standouts for me include Bunnell’s “Moon Song” which includes an excellent acoustic guitar solo…and also Bunnell’s “Cornwall Blank” in which the electric guitars come out.
I’ve heard them compared to CSN or the Eagles and while not as political or as skilled at writing lyrics…the sound of the groups is similar. And to my mind, that’s a good thing.
