Rich, I got a note from Gerry saying that they were on at 11 am for a parking lot party. America is the first band to play followed by several other bands but he didn't have any other details.
Down, girl! LOL.
Have a SAFE New Year, everyone!
ShariL <><
Sure Genevieve! I'd nibble on bacon and chew on cheese, as long as I got my nose nuzzled and my fancy tickled . . . LOL
Dear: Gerry, Dewey, Willie, Michael, Brad and of, course Bill & Pete:
I just wanted to wish you all of very Happy, Healthy and SAFE New Year. Looking forward to seeing you in the summer or sooner !!
Maureen
PS - Gerry & Dewey, I really like the new songs-hope to hear them in 2002 - maybe ? ;-)
The only information I've been given is that the concert is at 11 am at the Rose Bowl. That means that is is NOT part of the Rose Bowl game because the game is played in the evening. Perhaps it is part of some pre-game festivities. JimNak, can you give any more details?
I know this is off topic, but the concert calendar lists a show at the "Rose Bowl" on January 3. Does this mean the Rose Bowl Game? This seems like a pretty big deal. Does anyone know the details? Just curious.
Rich
Yes, sure! Your work place is just "PERFECT".
I'm a language teacher. I teach literature, civilization... & a bit of grammar too, to students from13 to 20 years old. I'll check your link with my younger pupils, so thanks for the tip.
Enjoy your vacation. My best to you & your family. BFN.
>>I'd like to know what the quotations in five languages on her book exactly are ...<<
I don't know off the top of my head, but I will check and let you know, when I return to work ( I am on a MUCH NEEDED VACATION!) The statue coming to life sounds cool, and the globe DOES descend. hmmmm....
BTW, I don't know what you teach, but if you have teens, have them visit the "Teen pages" section It has some cool links ( and our teens'cape area is incredible!) I work in a pretty neat place, don't you think?
I want to apologize to everyone here for favorable comments I made a couple of weeks about Harbor. I'm sorry if I offended anyone on the America Fans Chat Folder for liking America's music.
KevinS.
KevinS.
"HANGOVER" - Need I say more?
Happy New Year Everyone.
World of Light
Garden of Peace
Ports of Call
Not a bad choice indeed, Robyn! Very nice frieze.
I also liked the Globe Chandeller very much as well as the Statue of Civilization symbolically holdind a book & a torch (tipped with a flame resting on a turtle). I'd like to know what
the quotations in five languages on her book exactly are ...
But I can imagine this statue coming to life & being associated to the image of the globe in a potentially amazing video clip.
Playing God by Gerry Beckley (I know, it's not "America") but I thought this tune would make a cool video...... & since Phil Hartman is no longer w/us have Steve Martin do his part. Garden Of Peace would be another one for me....
EVEN THE SCORE- No need to have Dewey or Gerry in this video. Just show the actual news footage of our B-52s and B-1s blasting the vile Taliban straight to allah.
Andy
If you want to "visit" my perfect place for the pages Video, you can see the Art and architecture of Central Library on the web. Go to www.lapl.org, click "about lapl" go to "Central Library" and follow the "art and archtecture" link. I think the Ivanhoe Freize would be a great place to start. They only show a portion of it here, but the mural itself takes up an entire room.
You can have anything that you desire....Make your dream video!
(Second thought)
There are strong images I'd like to exploit -if I had to direct the all thing- in songs like ONLY GAME IN TOWN.
But I'd also love to make a video clip for PORTS-OF-CALL. I know the song speaks for itself though.
Actually, a very difficult choice to make, don't you think?
Hey Ingrid,
Would you accept a part if you had to be "Nibbling on bacon, chewin' on cheese"?
Like Captain and T......or maybe Duran Duran....LOL
I have got two videoes
1.-You Can Do Magic- The beginning shows pictures of the "boys" through time and the ending shot is 2001 with Dewey and Gerry(plus the band) on stage with everyone from the board singing the song to them.
2-Hope-Showing support from all over the world(firefighters/police/ and everyone from Sept 11th). That video I would love to see. I can see the last shot of an American flag with people in front with candles singing the last line "You gotta hope, you're gonna win the fight".
Have a Happy New Year all!
(I'm going to sneak this in
anyway my b-day is 1/1 so
my wish is for.......)
Muskrat Love - imagine - Dewey could don (sp?) a sailor's cap, wear dark glasses and play the piano. Gerry would, of course, do the lead vocals. Maybe wear something frilly. Can you say MTV? I'm thinking major awards.
j
Ingrid!!!!!!!!...Ooooooooh baby.......LOL ;)
Angie
Molten Love, starring Me and Dewey. (Hee, hee!)
I think that WHEELS ARE TURNING would make a great video. The guys on the tour bus, the different states and landscapes they see from their windows. Plus the song ROCKS!! -Pat
^*^*^*^*^*^*HAPPY*NEW*YEAR^*^*^*^*^*^*
to Gerry and Dewey and all fellow AMERICA fans!
Nice question Angie & good idea Robyn...
As for me, I'd choose a very recent one & my heart would go to World of Light because of the little note of hope at the end. It helps keep the faith.
My best wishes for the Year 2002 to all of you on this board, and to the best band with the best voices in the world: have the Happiest New Year ever.
I may not be able to make my dreams come true this year (that is see America onstage) but I'll put "patience" on my resolutions list. I've been waiting for 15 years to see Dewey & Gerry live again, so I hope we, people in Europe, will soon be given an opportunity to welcome them & tell other fans about their shows here!!!...
"Hot Town"!!!
WHat song would I like to see as a video? Pages! and I have the PERFECT LIBRARY FOR IT ( roflmho)
A Happy and safe New Year to everyone.
Happy New Year to all of you on the board and to Dewey and Gerry. I was on another board and someone talked about VH-1 classics and they had a video of America playing AHWNN from 1972. So here is my question...What America song would make a great video. You are the director so what is the song/video about....Saw the Hope video....can't remember if there was a video for You Can Do Magic....memory is a little bit fuzzy about the 80's.LOL.
:) Again Happy New Year all!
Angie
Does anyone know how the voting proceedures are handled for inducting new members?? And if so, how can we cast our votes, and where??
Our guys certainly qualify and deserve to be included in w/these other legendary artists---------and long before now!!! Diana
Jeff, I noticed on the cover of "Shoulda Been Country" that it had "Volume 1" printed on it near the bottom. Hmmm, I wonder what's on Volume 2? More America hits, perhaps? Yes, someone likes America; they have good taste, I'd say! :0)
I too saw another "America" band's CD a year or so ago. It was the Spanish band with the same name. I wonder how they got away with that?
I'd guess you're right Johnny. There were 16 songs on the CD and 3 of them are AMERICA songs...I'd say somebody likes AMERICA. huh?
By the way, a few years back I was going through CD's at a used record store in Parkersburg, WV and found a CD by another AMERICA. Probably should have bought it.
Johnny, if I get the SHOULDA BEEN COUNTRY CD I'll let you know about it.
JB
Bruce, LAY DOWN MY LIFE is my 3rd favorite on the CD following NOW AND FOREVER and COLOUR OF YOUR DREAMS which has great sounding acoustic guitars on it!
As for your post not being AMERICA related...I'm sure D.B and G.B. appreciate their fans appreciation of other artist music.
Anyway, the song NOW AND FOREVER has been going thru my head for years. Why I didn't buy it until now is beyond me. Actually, my Daughter bought it for me for Christmas.
JB
Remember that other band from the 60s also named "America"? One of their songs from that American International Records 45 is King and Goffin's "Don't Forget About Me". So Bruce, it is sort of America-related after all.
Jeff, that was a very interesting CD, "Shoulda' Been Country", that you mentioned! If I were to bet though, I'd say "I Need You" is probably Gerry's...it's just a feeling since Rimes' was pop and country.
Jeff, I have owned "Colour Of Your Dreams" since it was released. I really like "Lay Down My Life". I was once lucky enough to be introduced to Carole King and get a picture taken with her. She is a true musical genius. I don't think most people realize how many hits her and her ex-husband, Gerry Goffin wrote, since most of the songs were hits for other artists. Oh, sorry,--- this isn't an AMERICA-related post! Just felt the need to comment Jeff!
Oh yes! I'd take a trip on a jet plane to hear America play with a symphony. One of my concert dreams.
For anyone interested... I found a CD at amazon.com called SHOULDA BEEN COUNTRY by various artist. Three songs on the CD are titled YOU CAN DO MAGIC by Jeff Allen, VENTURA HIGHWAY by Tim Buppart, and I NEED YOU by Cindy Greene. Since there were no sound bytes for the songs it's possible I NEED YOU is the Leann Rimes version...who knows?
...got some CD's for Christmas. ICE CASTLES soundtrack, COLOUR OF YOUR DREAMS by Carole King...have always liked the song NOW AND FOREVER. Also, got EHRU CLASSICS by Chen Jun.
Carry on....JB
As many of you know and have seen, the trio (well, not Dewey actually) is pictured on page 18 and 19 of the "Highway" booklet wearing their America tour jackets along with John Wayne and Bob Hope wearing theirs.
If I were in charge of assigning the number(s) that were sewn on the trio's jackets back then, I would have chosen "29" for Gerry being that it's his favorite number; "77" for Dan being that it was his last year with America (would have required having a crystal ball though); and "1" for Dewey...no explanation necessary!!! :0)
It has been so hectic for me - but now that i've winded down, I'd like to greet the band, their families, each and everyone here and your families, too A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! Here's to an even greater year of America music and concert dates! More power to SL and this fans page, and to our most favorite group in the whole wide world! AMERICA Forever!!!!!
Yeah, I agree with Cincinnatti, how do they rate anyhow?
You are right, a lot of real good looking shows already set for 2002, but as always there will likely be a bunch added as the year commences. Don't count out that triple header in Cincinnati, maybe w/the symphony ? The AMERICA shows at Performing Arts Centers are always outstanding.
Jimnak -
The early schedule for 2002 looks interesting with some great sites. The Westpac Trust Centre & TSB Bowl of Brooklands, Stone Mountain Park, Humphrey's, Indianapolis and Sandy, Utah look to be the
ones to see until they show up in Colorado. The fans in NZ & Australia will be in hog heaven to get to see many concerts by AMERICA. Little River Band puts on such a great show during their US tour, so now AMERICA can return the favor to those fans. Should AMERICA not stop in Colorado next year, I guess I will have to go to Mesquite or Sandy for my fix. Should be many more listings for 2002 coming so will keep the faith. Still wish they would play Red Rocks, tho.
Here's some information from Guillermo Albelo, our friend and fellow America fan in the Canary Islands (on the island of Tenerife). Earlier this year his record company (Tabaiba) held a music competition called the FESTIVAL INTERNETCIONAL DE LA CANCIÓN DE TENERIFE. About a month ago the song contest awards ceremony was held and it was recorded by TVE, the Spanish Television Channel 2. If any of you are interested you can see photos, etc., of the gala by going to www.tenerifesongcontest.com and then clicking on the GALA 2001 link. By the way, I was one of the judges for that contest. If you click on the JURADO link it will list the judges and you'll see my name listed there.
Guillermo's band, Etcetera, has recently released a CD called "Venus". If any of you want to listen to some soundclips of the songs on that CD (A HORSE WITH NO NAME, I NEED YOU, TIN MAN, VENTURA
HIGHWAY, SISTER GOLDEN HAIR, LOOK AT THE STARS..., HELEN, etc.) you can do it at www.ecbrecords.com/Sel_Esp.asp?category=internacional. Simply look for the songs by the group ETCÉTERA and then click on the headphones. There are three pages worth of songs. To get to the second and third pages, click on the button at the bottom of the page that says Siguiente (which means Next).
Guillermo also pointed out to me that 2002 is the year of the HORSE. He said that it would be a good name for the tour: YEAR OF THE HORSE TOUR-2002. That's good, but I think I'll stick with my Mirror to Mirror title on my concerts web page.
In two weeks ECB Records (Barcelona) will launch a new CD of Guillermo's other band SALSARRICA. It will be a Greatest Hits CD which includes 18 of his songs. He's going to send me a copy so I'll let you know about it after I get it.
to the few hearty souls who joined me this evening.
First off, hope everyone got what they wanted (or deserved) for Christmas.
Following the format, I'd drop Hideaway Part I, Watership Down and Do You Know She's Beside You, adding Sgt. Darkness, Are You There and God of the Sun. None of Dan's songs from Harbor make the cut.
And just to make it official, though I said as much a few days back, give me Alibi from the Capitol era and drop Your Move (except for "My Dear").
PLease join me this evening for a chat. The chat room opens at 5 Pacific, I willbe in around 6:30 or so. Hope to see you there!
Thanks, Jim.
The plans are for a little time off in December, a well needed rest indeed. But whooh 2002 starts off the quarter w/some very big shows.
AMERICA live, nothing like em' ever was !
Does anyone know if the guys are playing New Year's night. Doesn't list anything on the tour schedule. Could it be that they get to be "real people" this New Years and spend it with their families? Just curious.
Ate too much, drank too much. Paying for it today.
j
Just wanted to say a late Happy Holidays to everyone! I hope you all had a relaxing and safe day....and a Happy New Year! Hope to see AMERICA at the Sparks Nugget sometime SOON in 2002!!!
Erin :o)
Yes, Happy Holidays and "Seasons" Greetings All! HarborIng good cheer but ain't expecting nothin' but a chunk of coal...again. That's what bad boys get and batgirls too, huh, Ing?
(A special "Seasons" greeting to Bruno and to lurker Noel. Ciao from across the way, Bruno! Noel, I hope you have a great one!) :0)
driving to my house about two hours ago. I was a couple of minutes away and had the local "Light Rock" station, which I don't listen to much, on in my car. A traditional Christmas song began and I thought, "I wonder who that singer is; nice voice . . ." A verse or so later I thought, "That almost sounds like Dewey." A verse or so LATER I thought "Okay, that really sounds like Dewey." A verse or so later, Gerry's unmistakable voice took the lead. I was Dee-lighted; it was "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by America. It gave me the chills; what a wonderful Christmas Eve surprise, from FM radio no less!
Happy Holidays America fans. Buon Natale e Buon Anno Nuovo Bruno. Good bingo joke Johnny; I hadn't heard it before. : )
Ingrid.
To Gerry, Dewey, Woodz, Willie, Brad and their families, and to all my friends on this board...especially around the world :0)
Happy Holidays to you all and to all a good night.
Enjoy and let there be Peace amongst us all.
Please contact me asap THANKS!
Sleeper Train and Wheels played back to back. Two of Deweys FINEST!!!!!!
I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and GOD BLESS all the people in the military around the world.
To Gerry,Dewey,your families and all on the site Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Steve
Buon Natale
Merry Christmas
ciao Steve, Ingrid, Johnny and to all
bruno
The "b4" part of "Twas the night b4 Xmas" reminds me of a joke/riddle I heard recently. It's quite likely many of you have already heard it, but here it is for those of you who haven't:
Question: How do you clear out a Taliban bingo gathering?
Answer: Shout out "B52!"
Nice job, Mr. Holiday!
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the place...not a creature was stirring, not even a spoon.. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!
Instead of what I would like to see put on the playlist I would like to see the playlist put on Vancouver. That's what I'll be wishing for.
j
NOW SUE and GARDEN OF PEACE
As I sit here looking at the crystal blue sky over Denver, Colorado, temp about 32, listening to "Highway", I'd like to wish you & yours a very Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year. Looking back over the years, AMERICA has thrilled me, mystified me, encouraged me and comforted me thru daily life. But, so far I'm still kicking and credit that to AMERICA'S music and live performances. NOTHING in the world is better than hearing AMERICA'S music whether live or on record. So, keep up the good work for many more years, and to those on this Chat Folder may your days be merry and bright. Those of you who are married make sure and buy flowers for your wife, hug your kids, kiss your wife and above all, be proud to be an AMERICAN.
For next years' concerts, I would like to see Green Monkey, Submarine Ladies, Muskrat Love and Rainbow Song put on the play list. What would the rest of you like to see on the Playlist?
A merry Christmas to all here. Relax and listen to some good music.
j
Dropped from Hideaway:
Dewey - Hideaway Part II
Gerry - Who Loves You
Dan - She's Beside You
Promote from Harbor:
Dewey - Down to the Water (though it really doesn't fit with Hideaway's winter setting, I think it is Dewey's best song from Harbor)
Gerry - God of the Sun (ditto above)
Dan - Hurricane
Merry Christmas to everybody! I'm still waiting quitely for that America Christmas album!
Picking a favorite is tough. But it would have to be Alibi followed closely by View From The Ground
Least liked: Perspective - it sounds like a soundtrack from a cheap B movie. There are a few good songs on it, but overall it is my all time least favorite America album Duo or Trio.
I found it very interesting. I too would love to read a similar story from Dewey and Gerry's point of view. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Dan is doing his best to provide a true picture (warts and all). But the picture was taken from Dan's perspective. I think it would be interesting to her the other perspectives too. But thus far only Dan has decided to open his heart and bare all.
I hope Dan keeps going with the story into his solo career and he and Dewey and Gerry working together on some of his solo albums. There evidently was at least a partial reconciliation. I would also like to know after All Things Are Possible was such a big hit on AC and Christian stations, why did it take Dan nearly 5 years to release a second solo album? He lost most of the momentum he had with ATAP.
Thanks Chris for the wondergul "holiday" gift. Well done, as always.
As we go toward the end of this year that has changed us all so profoundly, mya I wish each of you , posters AND lurkers a joyous holiday and a safe,peaceful New Year!
I can't help but wonder the other 2 sides of the story...
Shayne
When the day breaks something begins, when your heart aches do you give in?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to Everyone. -Pat
"On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me,
a partridge in a Willow Tree Lullaby......"
Chris- Very imaginitive and creative.
Have a nice "Holiday"! -Pat
Here 'tis, my Xmas tome;
DEWEY
From songs of the desert to feeling free
You taught us to see things differently
Right from the start, back in '72
Those early songs we knew, were written by Dew
We were livin' by the Riverside
Living life on the high tide
You see beauty all around
The moment lost can still be found
You're still riding on the dark horse
(You know, the one with No Name .....lol)
Letting life take its course
Now step back inside, you've got nothing to hide
By taking life like a big long ride
No dues left to pay, you can rest at ease
In your Garden Of Peace
GERRY
When was it, 1979, when it was all on the line?
Hey, Never Be Lonely Gerry, it'll be just fine
From Moment To Moment, you can be lost and found
You, more than anyone, can turn it around
You have to make it on your own, we've all been there
But people need you just as you need people
And it's nice to know there is someone who cares
Especially when it's a Sister Golden Hair .... lol
Leaving the child behind, the young apprentice
Would soon show the masters what he had learned
And somehow, the youth that left, never returned
Some of the greatest songs would come from your head, heart 'n hand
And you would become a driving force behind the band
The hard yards, the million miles of track, the fans to please
At this Xmas 2001, you've earnt some peace
DAN
You've turned many nights to day
From that early Rainy Day to today
But what went wrong along the way?
You made up the triangle, why didn't you stay?
California Revisited sentenced you to a lonely life
A hell on earth, tempered at last, when you found an Oz wife
Remember when you lived on the corner of Follywood and Fame?
We remember you for much more
No worries mate, no need to even the score
You've flown with the Eagles and hit the floor
We're with you now, waiting for an Encore
Above all, you've earnt your release
For you've lost and found your God Of Peace
AMERICA
As individuals, I only know you through your songs
But there's enough there to know you well
As America, you achieved the rarest feat
You conquered our hearts and minds, your victory complete
God bless all countries, all fans who post here
Hope you enjoy this tome at this special time .....
Chris
Most liked: Hard to pick - like Alibi/VFTG/Silent Letter about the same, depends what mood I'm in.
Least liked: have to agree w/ John Lussier - Perspective, followed by Your Move as a close second. I also never listen to Perspective - just can't get into it. Only listen to Your Move on rare occasions.
My overall favorite duo album by far is Human Nature for many reasons. Not the least of these is that I feel that many songs hearken back to their earlier trio years - Wheels, FAMT, Pages, Wednesday Morning, Moment To Moment. I think any of these songs would have made a good fit on any of their first five albums.
I also think that Hoiday and Harbor were the weakest trio albums, but I still like them very much.
Sorry for the long post. I have been away from the Chat Folder for quite a while and had a lot of opinions to weigh in on!
Hope Dewey, Gerry and The Guys and all of you Posters and Lurkers have a great Christmas!
Alan
Fave: Silent Letter
Least Fave: Perspective
Yule Tidings to all of my other family here on the board.DanC
Most like: Silent Letter and Alibi (I know it's 2 and I'm cheating. Exhange rate, remember)
Least like: Perspective and Your Move -never listen to either anymore.
Best- Alibi
Least-Your Move(Honey...yuck)
Only like two songs from that CD The Border/My Dear
Happy Holidays....Hoping for some America goodies under the tree!
To every one on the chat board...Dewey/Gerry and the band! Peace.
Angie
Chalk it up to the perils of writing off the top of one's head! Thanks for the correction. Next time, I shall endeavor to be more precise.
From Hideaway I would dump Dewey's "Don't Let it Get You Down," Dan's "She's Beside You" and, I'm sorry Chris, but Gerry's "Watership Down." It's a nice tune, but it, to my ears, doens't belong on a rock album. "She's a Liar" gives the Lp some much-needed rock sensibility.
As for what I'd "promote" from Harbor, it would be Gerry's "Monster," Dewey's "Are You There?" and Dan's "Don't Cry Baby."
It was easiest to delete Dan's song from "Hideaway" because I didn't think any of his "Hideaway" tunes were particularly inspiring, but "She's Beside You" was easily the lamest. It was toughest to "promote" one of Dan's tunes from Harbor, because I didn't think any of them were very good. Needless to say, on my own Hideaway/Harbor combo tape, which I've dubbed "Highlights '76 and '77," Dan and Gerry's tunes dominate. I think only "Today's the Day" and "Jet Boy Blue" from Hideaway survive from Dan's catalogue, and only "Don't Cry Baby" and "Slow Down," the latter for a sort of comic relief, turn up on this compilation.
Best liked: Silent Letter
Least Liked: Perspective
I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year.
Mark
Best-Liked: Alibi (a very easy choice for me)
Least-Liked: America In Concert (only because of no new songs).
Drop from "Hideaway":
Dew - Hideaway Part I (It's great but we still have Part II)
Ger - Watership Down (Although I really like the version on Highway)
Dan - Can't You See (It reminds me a lot of Don't Cry Baby)
(Side note: In Mexico, an America 45 was released with the following four songs with the titles in Spanish. They were Today's The Day, Amor de ratita [I don't know the English translation but maybe someone here does. Is it Who Loves You?], Amber Cascades, and Hideaway Part 2).
Promote on "Harbor":
Dew - Political Poachers
Ger - Sergeant Darkness
Dan - These Brown Eyes
Which of America's albums from their period with Capitol Records would you rate as Best-Liked and Least-Liked?
Best-Liked: Alibi
Least-Liked: View From The Ground
Lot's of Peace to all fans, the band, Steve and Morey Management people.
My Ode To America is nearly ready for Santa to deliver - It's called TODAY AS ALWAYS , hope it is thought provoking to all fans.
Chris
I think it was Speech who suggested last week that it would have been better if Warners/Martin/the guys had taken more time to bring out their albums after Hearts.
Now I thought this was a good idea and was wondering - what songs would you drop from Hideaway and 'promote' from Harbor if you had the chance?
To make it easier, let's say one song each from Dew, Ger and Dan must be dropped from Hideaway....
I'd drop:
Dew - Don't Let It Get You Down (... it did)
Ger - She's A Liar
Dan - She's Beside You (found it hardest to pick a Dan song to drop)
Promoted tracks:
Dew - Political Poachers
Ger - Sgt Darkness
Dan - These Brown Eyes
Yeah - I'd like Hideaway a whole let better now, even though I always thought it superior to Harbor. At least it was more upbeat and all three guys had one outstanding song on it - Today's The Day, Amber Cascades and Watership Down.
Chris
Hang in there Janice !
Keep fighting , Janice! all our love is with you.
I forgot to say: Janice, that is great news!!!
Speech, "You Were On My Mind"? We all know you meant "And Forever" though, but it's sort of like when someone recently wrote "Sara" instead of "Sarah". Picky, picky, yes! :0)
I think Hideaway is the weakest (2 1/2 stars), weaker than Harbor (3 stars). But they are both a definite notch below the five 5 star albums that preceeded them.
I can't comment on the America Live album. This was the last WB album, I believe.
I didn't like "Harbor" too much when it first came out and for a long time thereafter but have since come to enjoy it a lot more. I agree with the person who said Gerry was operating full bore on "Harbor" (my words not theirs but basically the same meaning).
I think "Sgt. Darkness" is wonderful as most everyone here does. It seems to my ears that Gerry's voice sounds different on the song though. Even so, I like that sound. It seems to add something to the song as well. Do you all hear the difference too or is it just me? I find the lyrics "Once a miser, twice a son" to be quite mysterious and fascinating!
Regarding "Silent Letter", I thought it was a great first album for the duo and should have had some hits. I do remember hearing a few cuts from it on the radio. I remember hearing "All Around" for sure.
I like to wish the entire "America" gang a Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year!!!!! Keep "America" rockin threw out the many New Years to come. Have a safe and a happy holiday. Keep Jammin... Mel :)
I have to chime in on the Harbor-Alibi discussion.
For my money, "Sgt. Darkness" is one of Gerry's best songs. But the rest of Harbor, frankly, was a letdown. "God of the Sun" was OK. "Hurricane" was a fine song, other than the tepid brass. "Are You There" was ruined, for me, by the break at the end -- "Who are you going to be? What are you going to be?" -- that had nothing to do with the rest of the song. All in all, Harbor sounded like it was made by a group of guys who went to Hawaii for R&R and decided to make a record as an afterthought.
On the other hand, I'd rate "Alibi" as the best album of the duo era. "Might Be Your Love," "Hangover," "Survival" and "Don't Believe in Miracles" are all strong songs, especially live. "Human Nature" is their strongest effort since.
For what it's worth, I'd rate "Your Move" as the band's weakest album (although "My Dear" was interesting), followed by "Harbor" and "Perspective."
Just pausing to check in after a grueling week in Houston..I feel like a pin cushion. Received a wonderful early Christmas present that the Gleevec is working! There is an article in Time magazine about this "wonder drug" that is used for leukemia but also for "rare gastro cancer", (which is mine). Anyway, I am encouraged and feel that my prayers are being answered, along with everyone else who has been praying for me.
I just finished reading Chapters 53 and 54..and am on the edge of my seat. I am so glad Dan is continuing his biography and want to thank him publicly for the very nice message I received from him. Thank you, Mr. Peek.
Will be spending a wonderful Christmas here then heading off to Walt Disney World for a week with the kids (oh joy) for New Years.
Merry Christmas to all and thanks to all who are so kind to keep in touch with me.
Let's don't get carried away. I never compaired Harbor with the White album. I agree that it is their weakest effort as a trio, however I still think it is a good album and I like it better than Silent Letter.
Maybe it's the case with all of the group's releases, but I am struck by how clearly defined the response to Harbor tends to be. Folks either seem to really like it or they seem to think (like myself) that it was a really slouch effort, audaciously packaged, and a depressing end to the Warner era.
I don't know, though. If I keep reading testimonials about Harbor, I may eventually be forced to reassess it. Who knows? Maybe it's really the guys' "White Album" and I just haven't grasped it all these years.
I've always liked Silent Letter. "One Morning" "All Around" "No Fortune" are among my faves. I would love to hear Dewey perform "one Morning" in concert -- preferably unaccompanied by the rest of the band. There were a couple of misses on the album, but I think it had some great work. I actually prefer "Silent Letter" and "ALibi" to some of mid-seventies stuff and possibly even more than VFTG.
Rich
I couldn't stand Silent Letter when it first came out. I was very disappointed with the album. To me it sounded like they were trying too hard. Like a batter determined to knock the ball out of the park so he swings as hard as he can and misses. Over the years it has grown on me a little, but it is still not one of my favorite albums. The production is excellent and it does have some really good songs like And Forever, One Morning, and Foolin'. But I still like Harbor better.
I second that ... "One Morning" plus "You Were On My Mind," "Tall Treasures" and "1960" are among my favorites. Now, that last one is an example of how Gerry's flare for a sometimes cloying line or two works for me (unlike on, say, the sticky "Sarah.") In its sheer earnestness, the song gets over. Someone wrote on this site that they were a bit thrown, upon first hearing "Silent Letter," by the sound of America without Dan P. I miss him, too. But the record has grown on me over time and I think the cream of it takes its place among the best stuff America has done. I've said this before, but I hear echoes of mid--period Dan Fogelberg on "Tall Treasures," and I say that as a compliment. Although Dan's later work disappointed me, and his sometimes reticent attitude toward his fans sometimes grates, I think he stands with America in the "criminally underappreciated" category.
Hsilent Hletter has always been my favorite (or at least one of them) albums. One Morning. Doesn't get any better.
I always thought the title "Silent Letter" was a wry tip o' the cap to the letter H, often silent in spoken English!
I think Pat's post sums it up pretty well - this is all a relative, subjective argument. While I line up with the "Non-Harbor" group, a lot of the reason would be that I "discovered" them early and grew along with their music. I could detect a falling off in their creative output after Hearts. Perfection can't last forever. Their first five albums are more to my liking, but that doesn't mean that I dislike everything from Hideaway ... far from it. I am also certain that other fans favour their later work along with the duo albums too.
After all, if we all thought the same way about America (or anything) then life would indeed be depressing, just like Harbor .... just kiddin'; I've actually been playing it this week to give it its due, and I must admit some of Gerry's and Dan's songs are not bad, despite the all pervading feel of impending gloom it seems to hold (for me).
PS Felt good this morning to wake up to the sweet sounds of GB and Sister Golden Hair at 6am on the clock radio. Thought I was dreaming again and it kept me feeling good all day. And now I am in "Holiday" mood (Holiday could have had some 'heart' and been a hat trick too you know as SGH was penned before Holiday was released), anyway, an Ode To America is being penned, so watch out for it here before Xmas ........ I'll try to make it different, so at least someone here might like it....LOL
Chris
I have only one thing to say about Harbor: "Slow Down" and "Down to the Water." Ugh.
Dan- your post made me laugh, because I disliked Silent Letter more than I disliked Harbor! I remember being VERY upset, listening, for the first time, to an America album without Dan Peek. I'm comfortable with the way things are now, but at the time I truly BELIEVED that America was not America without Dan Peek. It would have been the equivalent of Paul McCartney leaving the Beatles and the remaining 3 members continuing on as 'The Beatles'! Impossible! I was also upset that America had discontinued using the "H"-title. I guess I wasn't ready for change. The music had taken on a more middle-of-the-road, mainstream sound. Dewey sang in a new gruffy voice that I was unaccustomed to hearing. I missed the way they use to sound. I also missed Dan's lead vocals, his harmony vocals, his lead guitar playing, his cool harmonica playing, and most importantly, his incredible songwriting. I simply MISSED DAN! So, sad to say, Silent Letter holds a lot of sad, sad memorys for me. -Pat
I have only one thing to say about Harbor...Sergeant Darkness. Wow.
Erin :o)
Happy Friday!!!!
Hmmm ... I didn't think we were bickering. I thought Kevin's last post very graciously summed it all up: basically like-minded people can agree to disagree. But it's also fun to argue your respective positions. Sometimes you end up seeing something in another light. (Although I continue to hold fast to my view of "Harbor.")
And I agree. Taste is ultimately the issue. I will never disrespect another's view of this stuff, because it's all in the eye and ear of the beholder. By the way, I enjoy "Silent Letter" a lot. It represented a quantum leap from the last two Warner LPs, to my ears, in songwriting. It seemed that falling out with Warner Bros. got the guys' creative (competitive?) juices flowing.
perfect encapsulation of my reaction to Harbor as well ... "Are You There?" to me was the sound of disillusionment ... the polar opposite of the effervescence that characterized their previous work, even on songs that were reflective. I, too, was then thrilled to witness their creative and commercial re-emergence. No one ever said that artists with the kind of longevity America has enjoyed (earned) isn't going to issue a missfire or three among all the great work. I mean, look at the career of Neil Young.
You lost interest too quickly, Pat. A little patience and you would have discovered Silent Letter, a damn good album, I might add. I'm not a professional writer but I can sum up in one word what you guys are bickering about, oops I mean chatting about; taste.DanC.
Hello everyone,whilst I agree with most on this chat folder that "Harbor" was a shocker in almost every sense,bloated production and namby pamby lyrics."Alibi" suffers from it's eighties production values, but the tunes were first class, perhaps where Sir George Martin really scored was with "Holiday" and "Hearts" those two albums have managed to sound timeless.What's interesting is "America's" return to the sound that made them so popular in the first place on "Human Nature" several tracks right out of the top draw.If America are to record a new album should they put themselves in the hands of an outside producer? and should they use Brad,Willie,and Woodz to greater effect,after all "Silent Letter" was another gem.
Goanna, I'm still waiting to receive confirmation from Morey Management. Perhaps they're all taking a well-deserved vacation and we won't find out until after Christmas. However, I promise I'll pass the information along just as soon as I find out.
Does anyone know where I can get my hands on a copy of LITTLE SISTERS OF THE GRASSLAND by SEIJI OZAWA and the BOSTON POPS ORCHESTRA. ...been looking on the net off and on for quite awhile.
Robyn, I think UNCONDITIONAL LOVE with two acoustic guitars, a bass, and shakers would sound pretty neat.
carry on...JB
I bought Harbor the week it was released. Disliked it then, and dislike it now. What was Dewey thinking when he was writing Political Poachers? Was he trying some sort of alliteration excersize? That's the kind of song a songwriter writes after writing a zillion songs and then wants to try something new and different. Nothing wrong with experimentation, but I would have kept that song in a desk somewhere. And I'll be the first to admit that I don't have a clue what that song is about. I couldn't get into Dan's "bob-shoo-wops" either. I couldn't believe that this was the same songwriter who wrote Lonely People, and Half A Man. Yes, this was an end of an era album for America. I sensed something was wrong when I first heard 'Are You There'. I thought that Are You There was one of the stronger songs on Harbor but the lyrics were prophetic. "The day we lost our voice with little choice, I can't explain, an act of agony". To me, this was Dewey talking about how America lost their creative edge. "..we came around and sang our song....for memory", God, it's like he's describing the end of the band. "...the show was never seen." "..or is it misery?", "...all the time I lost..", and then the final question: "But do you care?". I got the impression that Dewey was asking if anyone cared for their music anymore. Really, at this point I was starting to lose interest in this once great band. Thankfully, they never gave up and proved to me how great they really are with Hourglass and Human Nature. -Pat
I love "Monster". Anyone noticed the similarity between "Monster" and "A Place in the World for a Gambler" by Dan Fogelberg? You probably know that Gerry played guitar on that also great Fogelberg cut. Don
I agree with you for the most part "perspective is a weak album, some of the songs are , to me, unlistenable. I do like "Can't fall asleep..." "5th Avenue" and Fallin' off the world" but the rest...
Hi Steve,
Could please confirm for me if the concert for Sydney is the only one that the guys will be performing whilst in Australia???? I hope not!
However, the OZ promoter Paul Dainty has on his website http://www.dce.net.au claims that it is the only OZ concert.....
I think there will be quite a few dissapointed OZ fans if this is the case>>>..... Considering New Zealand has 3 concerts,,,, no blight on our NZ friends.... hopefully I'm wrong.... Please advise.... thanks
"I also think it's great that you are willing to be critical of the band on this Chat Folder. Too many cheerleaders leads to the problem Dan was talking about in his last chapter. I too have been critical of their work and have been scorned for it."
Agreed, Kevin. Sometimes I need to reach for the Extra Strength Tums when I think about Perspective. UGH!! Most of America's CDs have brought me to tears at one time or another, but Perspective managed to do that for all the wrong reasons. Also, I'll never be able to deal with that blasted artificial drum machine.
As for Harbor, I happen to love it...even Dan's material. His voice doesn't bother me at all. Besides, if all Harbor consisted of was Sgt. Darkness and Monster, with the rest of the CD consisting of cows digesting their food, I'd still call it a masterpiece. LOL
I'm not defending "Golly, Dad..." because that is one lyric I'm sure Gerry Beckley would like a mulligan on. But, there are a whole lot of other songs that are considered classics with really weak lyrics. You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time... Obladee Obada life goes on... Da Do Da Do, Da Da Da Da... America songs as well. I don't think I Need You is a lyrical masterpiece, but the lyrics are perfect for the song.
I'm a writer too. I know all about the stresses of deadlines and burnout and always trying to top yourself and stay current and what it's like to create under a microscope. And while I like a song when it drops you to your knees lyrically, I also appreciate a song just for being singable.
Again, this is a difference of opinion. It's a subjective thing. I think the album was enjoyable in a different way.
I also think it's great that you are willing to be critical of the band on this Chat Folder. Too many cheerleaders leads to the problem Dan was talking about in his last chapter. I too have been critical of their work and have been scorned for it. But that's not going to stop me from doing it in the future. That's what I like about this Chat Folder. We can talk about what we like and don't like about the band. You're not going to convince me I'm wrong, and I'm not going to convince you you're wrong.
I know you don't think that sales are an indication of quality. Hat Trick stiffed. Alibi stiffed. A lot of America albums have stiffed. Most of them are pretty damn good.
KevinS.
As a whole I really like this album. I hadn't listened to it in about a year and it's a lot better than I remember!
Oh, I *know* i'm gonna get flamed here:
This whole discussion of Harbor started with Dan's bio. In my opinion, the only bad part of this effort, ironically, is Dan's voice! Sorry if I offended anyone here. Dan is singing out-of-tune on many of the tracks, notably "Slow Down", and "These Brown Eyes". He seems to
really be struggling on "Don't Cry Baby": "A man came in with a violin...".
"These Brown Eyes" and "Don't Cry Baby" are great tracks too! "Sargeant Darkness", "Sarah" and "Monster" are some of the trio's best
work also.
-David
Sure. Double-tracking, overdubs, etc. are one thing.
What I meant by "lean and mean" was: no hokey strings, no oboes, no tin whistles, no cheesy sound effects, no ooo-bop-shooo-wop harmonies, no tape loops running backward, etc.
Just a straightforward, state-of-the-art (for the mid-70s) rock production.
""Half a Man" show that Martin and the band also knew when to leave a tune lean and mean."
Half a Man is an awesome track, and it's cetainly "mean", but I don't think its very lean. George Martin added tons of background vocals, and combined with the busy mix of horns, it's a production that sounds more crowded than lean. That's not criticism, that's a compliment.
Andy
I'm closing down my school computer for Christmas break, and just wanted to send out to all, best wishes for a safe and restful holiday!
To all of you who I have met face to face, I hope to see you in 2002!
To those I have not yet met, you feel like "family" to me.
To Gerry and Dewey and crew...Thanks for bringing such joy into my life!
On the issue of comparison with the first three records, agreed.
However, a couple of points.
1. Production flourishes aren't the only issue. Inspired songwriting counts, too. If you listen carefully to the lyrics Gerry, Dewey and Dan crafted for LPs one through five, there is, in general, evidence of stronger writing. If you want to put lyrics like "Who loves you when you're feeling down, just like you're the only one around" (Hideaway) or "You've got to live, you've got to give, you've got to tell everyone that you know, 'til you know she's beside you" with the sharp observations of their earlier, and for that matter later, work, be my guest.
I'll take them as evidence of weariness and a lack of time to write. (As someone who writes for a living, I've been in both of those boats.)
2. George Martin produced "Holiday" and "Hearts" and, from where I sit, struck a winning and appropriate balance on those records with his production flourishes.
The touches on "Old Man Took," for example, on "Mad Dog," the "Miniature" section before "Tin Man," etc., all enhanced the songs on Holiday without deep-sixing the album.
Same for "Hearts," with the flourishes added to "Seasons" and "Old Virginia," for example. Plus "Sister Golden Hair" and "Half a Man" show that Martin and the band also knew when to leave a tune lean and mean.
I'll grant you that this is all highly subjective stuff, but you can't convince me that the manner in which strings, gauzy harmonies, obtrusive horns and other touches were larded onto the songs of "Harbor" somehow represented a promising artistic direction for these guys..
It was filligree, maybe out of a misguided belief in making the LP's sound a Beatle-esque tapestry, maybe to attempt to pump some life into songs the guys knew were weak.
For me, it has nothing to do with maturity or artistic growth or anything else.
Great albums are great albums and weak records are still weak.
The mass market is often assailed by critics for its lack of judgment, but in the case of "Harbor," I think the proof is in the outcome -- it stiffed.
You can't compare any of the George Martin-era America albums with the pre-George Martin albums. The first three albums were production masterpieces because of their sparceness. Of course putting their work in the hands of a guy known for his production flair was going to change their sound. Harbor to me was just another step in that change. Hardly anything they did with George Martin sounded like the stuff they did beforehand. But that's what the guys wanted. You can't put a meter up to the work and get a reading and say, "oh that's a five, but this one's a ten." It's all subjective. For me Harbor is about the place I was in my life then as much about the quality of the music. Some people like America's Human Nature. I think it pales in comparison to their earlier work. For me, it's bad production decisions. But the thing about America is their songwriting, vocal and musical abilities have always remained top notch and always overcome all the adversities.
KevinS.
Thanks to all who were able to join me last evening for another interesting chat!
Also, regarding the song Ventura Highway, I always thought that the people in the song were talking about GOING to Ventura Highway, not that they were already there and as Dewey did live in England, why wouldn't an English idiom sneak into his subconciuous from time to time? ( side note there is no actual "Ventura Highway" in California, there is a Ventura FREEWAY, but it's nothing to wax rhapsodic about!-- I always think he must have been thinking of Pacific Coast Highway))
I, for one, said "Harbor" is a weak album.
If you need specific gripes, try these:
1)wretched over-production ... every available space filled -- overloaded, even -- with strings and hokey "oooo-waaah-oooo" harmonies, etc..
2) lyrics rife with forced-for-the-sake-of-rhyme verses and/or cloying sentiments ("Golly Dad, she was the best one that I ever had" from "Sarah").
And, I'm sorry, "Down to the Water" sounds like the words were dashed off on a cocktail napkin in the hotel bar.
3.cheesy horns, horns that sound like a parody of the "Hawaii Five-O" theme, on the otherwise promising tune "Hurricane."
4. The plastic disco of "Slow Down."
5. a general air of ennui, melancholy and waning energy, almost unrelieved throughout.
To my ears, the songs "Monster," "Sergeant Darkness," "Now She's Gone" and "Political Poachers" (despite its lyrical obviousness) all survive.
That said, I don't see how anyone could appreciate the precocious wisdom and originality of the band's earlier lyrics -- to say nothing of the sublime harmonies and musical invention of those earlier LPs -- without owning up to the declining inspiration obvious on "Harbor."
I believe even Gerry has acknowledged in recent years that the well had run dry around this time.
Consider the lyric from "House of Cards" on his Van Go Gan solo LP:
"It seemed the more I got around, the less I had to say ..."
I love America, but I have to be realistic: not everything the guys ever committed to vinyl was inspired.
Has this topic been covered????? I've recently received the 2 versions of Gerry's Van Go Gan albums. I've gotta say I really like the "Remix" version "Go Man Go". Gerry's track "Kiss of Life" should have been nominated for a Grammy. It sounds like it would be perfect for a love movie. Gerry... 10 / 10 mate, we can't stop playing it....
Didn't Dewey live in England...maybe I am mistaken, or am I just wishing for a Jet Boy Blue. Could that be a blue pill. I wonder!
A bad rain storm? Aaaaaa, let's see...yeah, yeah, that's the ticket...a British slang for a bad rain storm used in a song about a highway not located in Britain but in California. Right, right!
Aw, come on Jaw, you can't fill in my name (yet). Thanks a lot, son, just the same. :)
Talking about pigeons, I use to race homing pigeons in the late 70s but never had one named Fred (or Freda). Some (none of mine unfortunately) could make it back home before sunset from a distance of 500 miles when released at sunrise the same day! That's a lot of flappin'! "Homecoming Harbor" was the name of my loft. I remember the wife of one of the racing club members saying my loft's name was a strange one. I thought to myself, "You wouldn't understand."
(Hi Freda!)
let me see...what is that pigeons name...fill in the blank here_________...just kidding Johnny. LOL
I'd pick Baby It's Up To You as a single over Another Try. Not because I like it better or because of any other reason than you asked me to pick one and I did. I remember when Holiday came out, Rolling Stone reviewed it. Rolling Stone wasn't favorable except for Baby It's Up To You, which I recall them liking because it seemed like early America to them. They're both great songs.
By the way, who the heck said Harbor was a weak album? Gerry really kicked it into overdrive on that one. His five songs are all masterpieces. Dewey's Political Poachers and Are You There were among his most thoughtful songs ever, and Down To The Water is bouncy and spontaneous. The only song from Dan I don't care for is Don't Slow Down. His other three songs are among his strongest. My only complaint about Harbor is I wish Dewey would have had a half dozen more songs on it. I like the Dewey songs.
What I mostly love about Harbor is that it's the end of an era.
KevinS.
Right you are! The dictionary of Brittish slang states that it is a term for a very hard rain. That IS what you meant wasn't it Johnny?
I've heard "purple rain" is a slang term for a bad rain storm in England. Anyone know if this is true?
<<Do you work for Oliver Stone??? (snicker)>>
Hey Beech, "Let he [or she] who is without sin, cast the first Stone." Hey, stop it...no fair aimming below the belt. LOL!!!
Actually Beech, Stone's "JFK" movie was quite accurate! A whole lot more so than our government's Warren Commission version of what happened. I'm a JFK assassination buff!
By the way, I like the peppier version of "Another Try" a whole lot better as played in concert verses the slower album version.
Although Robyn hasn't posted her opinion, I believe she likes "Another Try" better than "Baby".
Goanna, yeah, "Old Man Took" is great! It too has some very interesting lyrics. Huh, Sir Dewey? (wink, wink)
I guess that'd be a no...lol
Sorry, I had a "thingy" surgically removed from my foot yesterday. I am still on painkillers (ugh) until I have to DRIVE TO KNOXVILLE (950 miles for anyone who cares..lol) on Friday at FOUR IN THE MORNING. I'm sorry for not being here much the last couple of months (I hear cheering...rofl) but after January 4th I PROMISE.......
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
I've always been a "Baby It's Up To You" fan, also. I'll bet it WOULD have been a good contender,,,,,,
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
Hey Johnny,,,,,,,,
Do you work for Oliver Stone???? (snicker)
((((C= J/K
TkH<-------+=! No Boundary
Just a reminder to join me this evening for a chat about things America. The chat begins at 5 Pacific time ( Beech, are you going to make it?) Hope to "see everyone there!
Although it is lyrically so slight that it threatens to evaporate, "Baby It's Up to You" would have been my choice for a Gerry single. "Another Try," is the more interesting song, but when did that ever qualify a song for airplay? (Incidentally, "Baby It's Up to You" got played in heavy rotation, right alongside Aerosmith's "Same Old Song and Dance" and Elton John's "Ticking," and the like, on FM rock radio in Philly in the summer of '74.)
Baby, if it was up to me ........ lol. It's Baby for mine. Always loved it, always will.
I also often wonder why many America songs did not get more airplay (refer to my Hidden Treasures list). Also wonder why History came out so early - was it Sir George's decision/Warners/the guys?
John Corbett comments on History in his great Complete History series, but I cannot recall that Dan mentioned it in his bio, not in detail anyway. I'd be interested to learn more about why it was released in 1975? It was probably at the height of their popularity - reason enough I guess, and it has introduced many fans to the group - so "History" will view it as timely. Their biggest selling album, I believe, it would have been even better if Riverside was on it along with Amber Cascades and Today's The Day.
But that is history now.
Chris
errrhh, sorry, that's "Miniature"!!! DOH!
Hi Johnny,
I'd have to say "Baby" get's the vote..... but on the flip side, Dewey's "Old Man Took" would have to be one of my top 10 favourites of his, You can really feel the personal experience within that song. In my opinion, One of the highlights of the Holiday album is the "Miniture" composition by Gerry and subsequent blending into "Tin Man" which gives a sense of anticipation.
"Question: If you could have been the person at Warner to authorize the release of an America song, which one would you select of Gerry's from "Holiday"? "Another Try" or "Baby It's Up To You"?
Hmmm...Among Gerry's compositions on Holiday, WHAT DOES IT MATTER is my favourite, but I doubt it ever had "hit" potential as a single. For that reason, I'd go with BABY IT'S UP TO YOU.
My local radio station ( Arrow 93) has a section on their website where loyal listeners (like me) can "score the songs" It gives you a chance to rate the songs they play, so they get a feeling as to what they should keep and what they should ditch. This week " Ventura Highway" was one of the songs! I voted "love it" natch! Now if I can figure out how to get more dedicated listeners to say the same.
Angie- Dan's work with Brian Gentry and Ken Marvin in the band PEACE is outstanding. Their 3 CDs: "Stronger Than You Know", "Peace", and "Under The Mercy" are excellent. Besides having an obvious America influence, I can hear a distinct Beatle's influence as well. Dan's vocal harmonys, guitar work, and harmonica playing are on full display. Some songs have a Christian message. The song: "Crazy Over You" from the CD "Stronger Than You Know" is as good as anything Dan's ever done with America. -Pat
I liked Electro Voice best, though it has never been released on CD. I thought it was his strongest solo effort, but I like them all. Of the ones that are available on CD I like Doer of the Word best. I think his solo stuff is similar to his America stuff, but it has evolved. The same could be said for Dewey and Gerry too. Compair Hourglass and Human Nature to the first two albums. Same guys, similar sound, but different too.
Though choice since they both are very strong songs. I remember both songs received a lot of airplay on stations that played album cuts. But I would give the edge to Baby It's Up To You. And if it hit the top 10 I would have released Another Try as a fourth single from the album!
Although "Hat Trick" wasn't a commercial success in comparison to the two previous America releases, "Holiday" could have also been a hat trick. As we all know of course, Dewey had a hit with "Tin Man" which reached #4 and Dan had his song "Lonely People" that reached as high as #5. If Warner had released one of Gerry's songs from "Holiday", I feel pretty confident that he too would have had a hit. I think "Another Try" and "Baby It's Up To You" had tremendous potential. It's apparent that Gerry and Dewey think very well of both songs since they're still on the playlist to this day.
Question: If you could have been the person at Warner to authorize the release of an America song, which one would you select of Gerry's from "Holiday"? "Another Try" or "Baby It's Up To You"?
Both are wonderful songs. My choice would be "Baby".
could we name the horse maryjane! I wonder
Thanks Bones and Johnny.
Somehow I don't think I'll find HIDDEN TREASURES under my Xmas tree
this year - maybe next....LOL. But had some good news - my son is coming back from London to visit - arrives Xmas morning - couldn't ask for anything better than that, except maybe that he is bringing a COMPLETE GREATEST HITS with him - it's been ordered, so here's hoping!
JOHNNY - I DUNNO', I THINK I'M GETTING USED TO CAPITALS NOW; DON'T WORRY 'BOUT HELP IS ON ITS WAY - COMPLETE GREATEST HITS IS ON ITS WAY!
...... RIGHT BACK TO ME .....LOL
CHRIS
In my opinion,"All things are possible" is the best of his solo releases,and that was his first one. It does include "Love was just another word" which Gerry & Dewey sing on. The title cut was both a Pop and AC hit. "Doer of the word" came out next,around 1984. Title cut is similar to "You can do magic" which was also mentioned in an earlier post. This release is overtly more Christian/religious themed than "All things",but includes some fine songs as well. Both Titles are now available on CD as well. "Electrovoice" is the 3rd release,from 1986. Includes his re-working of "Lonely People" and a fine ballad called "A new song". "Crossover" came out in 1987 and the title cut plays off the old hit "Don't cross the river"(Crossover the river,I'll be waiting on the other side.....) I feel thats the best song on that 4th release. those titles are not presently available on CD. "the best of Dan Peek" was a compilation covering titles from the 4 solo LP's and I have not seen that on Cd either. Otherwise,"Bodden Town" and "Driftin'" are widely available via Dans website,and you should be able to pick up the first two there as well.
Get a tape of Electro Voice or the Best of Dan Peek with reworked version of Lonely People. Also best of has Gerry singing on Doer of the Word and both Dewey and Gerry singing on Love was Just Another Word.These were on Dan's first 2 solo efforts.Doer of the Word reminds me of You Can Do Magic. I am still hoping that these will get released to CD. All of Dan's releases contain some songs that you just want to stick Gerry and or Dewey doing background harmony and vice versa. Sorry to have rambled on
Regards Brad
I promise NOT to post again tonight! "Help is on ITS way" and thank goodness! LOL
"Help is on it's way" is being USED, rather. Note the Aussie way to type out a song title, huh Chris?
Chris, I think your choice of songs were great. I'll buy a copy! By the way, lyrics from Little River Band's song "Help Is On It's Way" is being using in a TV commercial here in the States. I don't remember the company but I'll be sure to make note of it next time and I'll report back. I'm not sure that it's even LRB singing but the lyrics I definitely recognize. Is the commercial being aired there?
Angie, I have only 2 of Dan's solo releases, "All Things Are Possible" and "Doer Of The Word". It's hard to compare Dan's America songs to his Christian ones. I enjoy both of the releases that I have, but I know a number of America fans here might not. I advise visiting his website and listening to some of his soundclips to get an opinion for yourself.
I'll just throw this out for everyone to ponder:
Wishin' on a falling star
Waitin' for the early train
Sorry boy, I've been hit by purple rain
No comment is necessary or sought, but if anyone here thinks "purple rain" is bluish-red colored water falling from clouds, then we've got us "a pigeon by the name of ____________ " (merely fill in your name). :0)
On to the next topic!
Holiday - Keep the faith. Hope you mailed your post to Santa.
I'm hoping there will be more Wisconsin venues for "2002". So far there is only one listed at Lake of the Torches Casino. How about Milwaukee again or Sheboygan? Better yet a concert in Green Bay or Appleton, Wisconsin.
Could anyone give me an opinion about Dan's solo efforts(Are they different than when he was with America or is it the same?). What CD they like the most? Songs and so forth. Which one would you advise me to buy? Thanks:)
Angie
I guess some things are just taboo and really don't matter. I've never thought of the lyrics in to each his own in that way (I still don't) but, I guess everything is open for interpretation. KEEP THE FAITH..
Yes Robyn, "...sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" according to Fraud...I mean Freud, but the key word is "SOMETIMES".
What I previously mentioned about "To Each His Own" was merely a theory as I stated. HOWEVER, I FIRMLY stand on the belief that there are a number of other slang terms within America's lyrics and particularly within one or two other songs from "Homecoming" and "Holiday". I certainly DON'T mean to embarrass Dewey, Gerry, or Dan, our musical heroes. I guess it's not "politically correct" to touch on the subject even though Dan discusses it in his latest episode. I just thought since they wrote the lyrics and this being a chat folder, the topic would be open for discussion, but I get the feeling it's not. Even so, I can be very content knowing that the guys have slipped in slang terms (and I'm not talking about "To Each His Own") that THIS fan can CLEARLY recognize! :0)
Johnny, interesting theory. I had never heard "writing on their sleeve" used in the way you described it. However, I must say I much prefer the definition I gave my 6 year old to yours! lol I think what suprised me most about her question was the fact that she wasn't just singing along, but was actually listening to the lyrics and trying to make sense of them.
"And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar" ( quote attributed to Freud)
sorry to go off-topic here but I was hoping someone might know....
I am trying to find a 2000 New Zealand movie on video—"Jubilee" (starring Cliff Curtis). It looks like there is also something out called "The Making of Jubilee." From what I've gathered, these are not available for purchase on VHS. Is that true? Please e-mail me if you can offer any information. Thanks!
I had a dream last night - ok it's an old line, but it's true!
After my first dream was answered about the upcoming Feb 25 show in Sydney (got the ticket!) , my second dream is for an album featuring NEW MATERIAL IN 2002..... YES - NEW NEW NEW MATERIAL.
Now I know that fans tend to want a lot, and we are lucky to have our guys performing and writing new songs in 2001. I just feel that the Definitive Album, while great for sales and America's overall standing, does not really do much tio satiate the true fans appetite for NEW SONGS.
Therefore, what I had in mind was a new album in three parts as follows:
PART I - HIDDEN TREASURE
This would consist of five or six America tracks that have not received their full recognition in the past. Perhaps they could be reworked eg. I would love to hear a longer version of RIVERSIDE first up, perhaps Dewey can add a couple of verses, giving us a 'long play' 2002 version - I am sure Dewey could add some great additional lyrics to this song as I believe he has already done in live concerts.
The second Dewey song would be NOTHING'S SO FAR AWAY cowritten with Mumy and Haimer. I can still remember finding this song 'hidden away' on Encore in the early 90's. It's a great track IMO.
Next Gerry reworks GOD OF THE SUN by introducing a long accoustic intro and switching the chorus to become the verses. The ponderous start to the original version could then become an instrumental middle section followed by a repeat of the first 'verses'. The horns can go, replaced by more bass drum.
Next is RIGHT BACK TO ME which definitely deserves another airing.
Finally, a fifth track would include Dan - it would be great to see SIMPLE LIFE reworked - imagine the trio getting together in the studio to recut this track with stronger, more uptempo harmonies, and better production than the original which is a little slow and painful with Dan's voice only. I have not heard this track other than on Real Audio which has very poor sound quality, and I can't hear any vocal backing - was there any? Anyway, maybe I am dreaming about Dan's re appearance - it would be a great touch though, I believe!
PART II - HIDDEN IN CONCERT
This section would feature 5 covers performed live in concert - I have not seen (or heard) America do any covers other than MUSKRAT LOVE - we can leave that out for now, but would love to see a handful of covers together on one CD eg.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
THINGS WE SAID TODAY
WEATHER WITH YOU
plus 2 of my favourites -
DISTANT SUN
Something by CSN&Y - how 'bout SOUTHERN CROSS?
PART III - HEAR NOW
Five new songs - this is what we want - although I would accept WORLD OF LIGHT and PARADISE here as they are not presently available outside the U.S.A.
So what do you think? Good idea or not so good? If good, what tracks would you like to see in PARTS I and II?
I also promise to make this the last long post in a while - at least until around Feb 25 next year anyway ....... LOL
Dreamin' Doc
Thank you Robyn!!
the phobicman site is , alas, no more. You can find updates on his iuma site http://artists3.iuma.com/IUMA/Bands/the_late_Walter_Phobicman. Matt's site says he hopes to launch a new page soon ( note to mB, hurry up please!)
Does anyone have a link to Matt Beckley's website(The late Walter Phobicman)?By accident my link got deleted from my bookmarks!Thanks for your help.
I just bought our Sydney tickets over the phone, the minute they went on sale. The first two rows were unavailable. I wonder who got them.
The venue is an elaborately decorated 1929 picture palace so it will be a very different location to the other venues where we have seen America in Australia in the past.
We are disappointed that the advertising says "FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!" We were really hoping that after the long journey to Sydney there would have been more than one show. Just as well we bought the New Zealand tickets!
We have much to look forward to over the summer.See you in New Zealand and Sydney, Gerry and Dewey.
Yes, the subject that just wont go away ;)
Anyway, as a whole I really like this album. I hadn't listened to it in about a year and it's a lot better than I remember!
Oh, I *know* i'm gonna get flamed here:
This whole discussion of Harbor started with Dan's bio. In my opinion, the only bad part of this effort ironically, is Dan's voice! Sorry if I offended anyone here. Dan is singing out-of-tune on many of the tracks, notably "Slow Down", and "These Brown Eyes". He seems to really be struggling on "Don't Cry Baby": "A man came in with a violin...".
"These Brown Eyes" and "Don't Cry Baby" are great tracks too! "Sargeant Darkness", "Sarah" and "Monster" are some of the trio's best work also.
-David
Johnny,
I have no basis to say that you are wrong, but I certainly HOPE that you are.
Interesting...like you say...to each his own!
In Kim's post #20164, she said the following, "...I thought it ["they just got caught with writing on their sleeve"] was another way of saying someone got caught cheating or possibly lying."
I replied with post #20165 saying, "...I have a whole different theory about 'they just got caught with writing on their sleeve' but it's not appropriate to say here. I had always thought it was a slang term."
After reading Dan's last episode earlier today, maybe now it's not so inappropriate to say what I really think the meaning is of "they just got caught with writing on their sleeve". In his latest episode, Dan talks about all the drugs that were available to them. As we all know, the guys were huge rock superstars in the early to mid-70s. Anyone who thinks they didn't dabble with substances back then is extremely naive in my opinion. I have no doubt though that all that stuff is now history and doesn't occur today.
Going back to Dan's Episode #31 ("Head And Heart Games"), Dan said, "'To Each His Own', is a wistful reflection on the separate paths that beckoned to each of us. Gerry had laid the threat of leaving the band on Dewey and me from early on in the game and that theme recurred in Gerry's writing. Head games were played out in our songs, hidden messages passed. Nobody would say it aloud, but the three of us were each rich fodder for writing inspiration to the others. In translating these hidden cues was mystifying and intriguing at times and the stream of consciousness style of writing that allowed one so much leeway with meanings kept everyone, the public included, ignorant of the true meaning of a lyric."
Having said all that, the following is my opinion and that's all it is. The lyrics to "To Each His Own" are "Familiar faces that I've seen/Turning red and turning green/They just got caught with writing on their sleeve, I guess I'll leave".
I think the person Gerry is writing about is Dan. Perhaps Gerry had seen enough of Dan's self-destructive behavior that Gerry wanted to depart from the band and perhaps seeing Dan with "writing on his sleeve", it was enough to cause Gerry to want to leave.
As I said, I think "writing on their sleeve" is a slang term. Slang for what? I think it's slang for needle marks on a drug user's arm. You may think I'm crazy. Maybe I am for thinking so.
As I said above, it's naive to think substances weren't used and if they were used back then, they were sure to have been included in the lyrics of some of America's songs. If you think differently, put this in your pipe and smoke it: Take the Doobie Brothers for example. Their band name, doobie, is a joint.
I hope Dewey, Gerry, and Dan don't hate me for posting what I have, but it's naive to think superstars of rock didn't dabble at least some. And, it's naive to think that the guys didn't apply some of these slang terms in their lyrics back then.
Seasons crying no despair
Alligator lizards in the air, in the air
Did di di di dit...
The R&R HOF is so political. Entry is not based on accomplishment, but how "cool" the media elite think you are or were.
Yes, I know that station but here is the strangest thing--I just came in -turned on radio (liteFM in NY) and am reading your post and on comes SGH!!!! Strange!!!!!!
Anybody who lives in the metro NY area knows that WCBS-FM is the biggest oldies station in the country. Every morning at 9:30 they play a contest called the backwards oldie. They play a popular song backwards for a few seconds and you have to guess the song. If you're the first one with the right song you win a prize. Yesterday's backward oldie was Sister Golden Hair. Unfortunately, somebody beat me with the right song, but I never heard SGH backwards before so it was worth not winning.
What's up with the rock & roll hall of shame. How can artists like Issac Hayes and The Ramones get in and not America. I heard the guys put on their usual great show at the hall of fame, so maybe that will help for next year. Did Chicago ever get in? How in the world are they not in. They dominated the 70's & 80's with many top 10 and top 40 songs and many many number 1 albums. I think both America and Chicago got the ol' "SHAFT", ha ha.
Seasons Greetings to every one and congratulations to Steve on landing a new job.
Mark
Thanks Steve, nice shirts there but unfortunately no tour shirts....darn!
Michelle, the only America t-shirts that I know of that are for sale can be found on the VenturaHighway.com web site. The link to get there is: http://www.venturahighway.com/store.html
"I did get to see the interview/question & answer session before the show and believe me when I tell you, it was a treat!!! 200, maybe 250 seats - about 1/3 of them empty"
interesting....since as I and others stood outside at 6pm we asked if there were any empty seats for that and were told there weren't any. I'm still trying to figure out why the Rock Hall was so determined not to sell tickets that could have and should have been sold. Not only that there were people watching the concert from outside of the building and we both know that there was still room in there that they could have attended. Great concert but handled poorly by the Rock Hall.
I gotta disagree a bit with the review, I was there.....yeah it was a good concert and great seeing the guys after 5 long years but the concert only lasted an hour an a half, lots of songs weren't played although hearing WindWave and Baby its up to you for the first time ever in concert and Hangover for the first time in 21 years made up for it. The crowd was very subdued, not your typical crowd at all, if the majority of people in attendence owned more than the History cd I'd be suprised. I was the only one wearing an America shirt...most concerts you see the range of shirts and can sit there and say "got that one, that one, that one....wow what concert did I miss that I don't have that one". The crowd stayed seated the entire time and you could tell the first 5 rows (Xerox people) were almost about to leave before they played A Horse With No Name. This was an event geared towards corporate sponsors and Rock Hall contributers not to the fans of the band. Very few tickets were released to the public and there wasn't much publicity surrounding it at all. There was plenty of room in standing room only and yet the Rock Hall refused to sell tickets to those standing outside watching the concert in the cold outside of the building....I went out halfway through to smoke a quick cigarette and there were people begging for tickets out there and would have probably paid a premium to see half the concert indoors. I hope that this performance is a sign of good things to come...being inducted into the Rock Hall hopefully but I hope their next concert in Cleveland is geared towards their fans rather than corporate sponsors. Last night really made me long for those concerts at Shooters even though I did have a good time and am grateful that I was among the few lucky fans to actually manage to get a ticket. T-shirts were not sold....is there anyway for me to get a 2001 t-shirt?
Thank You for the response Steve!
Since it was filmed, maybe someday it will surface on tape or something, I would love to hear their version.
Goanna, I don't know when the other dates will be released. I found out about the Syndey date from a fan in Sydney. I'm guessing that I'll get the official list from Morey Management around the end of the year. However, I'll check with them to see if I can get it sooner.
Hi Steve,
When do you think the other dates will be released (Melbourne)???
Interesting response Johnny! Does anyone else out there interpret those lyrics differently?
Ya'll have a great weekend!
Kim
The show was sponsered by Xerox
Eddy,
Gerry sang lead on "I Need You" which he said was a tribute to George Harrison
I'm looking forward to Driving Rain, wasn't able to get it yet, have to wait till Christmas, I enjoyed one of his last efforts, "Flaming Pie"
I'm also VERY JEALOUS on missing AMERICA's version of Harrison's "I Need You" (being a big BEATLEFAN!) I bet they did an excellent job, THANX for the reviews. I wonder if their going to keep that on the set list for awhile, or if this was a "one time thing", also was wondering who took the lead vocal on this great Beatle tune. (both maybe?)
Wow, lots of great and different topics on the folder this morning.
Thanks CJ for the great review.
Funny about your "Three Roses, two roses, etc", Chris H. As far as asking the guys about "Wheels", I see them only once in about 10 years so someone else would need to accept "the assignment" who sees them more often.
Wholeheartedly agree with you about the "Rock Hall of Shame", Red Oak! But really, I think Brenda Lee is worthy if anyone among the ones mentioned. Tom Petty, maybe. The others, geez!
Kim, I have a whole different theory about "they just got caught with writing on their sleeve" but it's not appropriate to say here. I had always thought it was a slang term.
Now going to check out that review link Steve posted.
Last night driving home To Each His Own was playing, and when the lyric "they just got caught with writing on their sleeve" was sung my 6 1/2 year old daughter piped up and said "you can't write on your sleeves, you'll get in trouble", I then had a dickens of a time trying to explain that I thought it was another way of saying that someone got caught cheating or possibly lying. Not sure if she quite understood, but it was an interesting conversation!
Here's a link to a very positive review of America's two concerts at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (thanks to Dave Balletto for the link):
http://www.clevelandlive.com/music/plaindealer/index.ssf?/xml/story.ssf/html_standard.xsl?/base/entertainment/10083258321357760.xml
America will be at the State Theatre in Sydney on February 25, 2002. More Australia dates and venues coming soon.
Just saw the list of performers to be inducted in to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next March,2002. Isaac Hayes, Brenda Lee, The Ramones, Tom Petty & Talkin Heads. What kind of drugs are these members doing to come up with this list? Get a grip people and at least honor AMERICA & BOB SEGER before they die.........
A lot of the posts this week have concentrated on the guys' lyrics.
Firstly, I believe that if Harbor did not feature so many dark and introspective songs, it would have produced a hit. God of The Sun came very close, but being an upbeat song on an otherwise dark album .... ah well, what might have been in other times.
Second, we were talking about Wheels Are Turning - I still think Dewey would have written most of the lyrics, despite Ger's name appearing first. It just sounds like a Dewey desert song with Dewey word pictures throughout - maybe a good question to pose to the guys Johnny?
Third, it seems that "old age" may see some verses or words forgotten in concert according to red oak - I liked that line about 2 Roses were bought .. ha ha, maybe ..
3 Roses were bought, I'm losing my mind
2 Roses were bought, I'm going blind
1 Rose was bought, it was all I could find ........ just kiddin'
Actually, I know all too well about this 'over 50' business!
Looking forward to Sydney, somewhere between February 20 and 28 will suit me just fine - I don't care how many words they leave out.
Chris
Paul McCartney's new CD Driving Rain is a classic. I bought it when it first came out two weeks ago and it's been playing non-stop since. The reviews have been phenominal, too. Just a simple, four-piece band filling out some wonderful McCartney songs, nothing overproduced, nothing fake, no BS. A number of songs sound like they could have been Beatles tunes. In the latest Time magazine, the one with George Harrison on the cover, there's a review of both Paul McCartney's and Mick Jagger's new CDs. They really liked McCartney's and were underwhelmed by Jagger's. Maily because Mick has now been infected with the same dibilitating virus that has crippled America's music of late. The electronic drums. In panning Jagger's newest album, Time sums it up with,"the strongest feeling it drives home is that old guys and drum machines don't mix." Here's hoping the producer of any subsequent America songs has a subscription to Time Magazine.
I always thought Harbor was great. A lot of it had to do with the time in my life it came out. Other than the disco beat put on Don't Slow Down, it was wonderful from beginning to end. What amazes me about the album is that every song could have been a hit, yet none was. Harbor is just pure pop. A great America album.
KevinS.
Too bad they didn't open the concert up for anyone to attend. Who sponsored this event anyway? Since Dewey is about to hit the BIG 50, we'll have to be more lenient to his absent-mindedness concerning song lyrics. I don't know if I'm ready for 2 Roses Were Bought With You In Mind, tho.............
I believe the interview revealed a chance meeting compliments of Sir George Martin. In the same place at the same time - they ended up doing lunch. Dewey related a story about "going to George's house". A walk up a long road to a looming structure - ended up being just the gatehouse. He said the house was even better. Apparently through the years, they did keep in touch and were friends. The story about I Need You was funny too - the Boys had an opportunity to relay their "regrets" for taking George's title - George whispered in a low voice (you had to hear Gerry tell it) - "it's ok, I got it from someone else. . ."
All in all, the evening was just grand. I did get to see the interview/question & answer session before the show and believe me when I tell you, it was a treat!!! 200, maybe 250 seats - about 1/3 of them empty (and imagine, I couldn't buy a seat) - even from the back wall, I don't think there was 50 feet between me and Dewey & Gerry! David Spiro (sp?) interviewed the Boys on everything from how they met to inspiration, the Rhino collection, the fact that both have sons in the commercial/mini infomercial, influences, the rise to the top, levelling off, songs that made it, songs that didn't, songs that should have - trust me, it was 45 minutes of fan heaven. Too bad more fans didn't get to experience it!!! They did play a few "snips" of tunes - the room was just filled with the music - really something else. The next time something like this comes up that interests my tastes, I don't care how much it costs. . .
Oh, yeah - the show was great!!!! I know I saw a "set list note taker" just behind me - thanks for the details, I get so wrapped up. . .
Still reeling in Cleveland!!!
Chris
Thanks Guys,
You've quenched my curiosity, I thought it may have had something to do with Horse, but I couldn't quite remember... Jimbob, is the Harbour video you got in NZ still available???
Would love to hear the details of Gerry meeting George Harrison for the first time. How about it, Steve?
Sounds like there were other times they met.
Great review!
Well,I just returned from seeing America at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame here in Ohio and what a great show.The show was just slightly over 1 1/2 hours.The big surprise ws after playing "I Need You",Gerry told the stor of the first time that he met George Harrison and then they played George Harrison/Beatles song "I Need You" and it sounded fantastic.Before "A Horse With No Name" Gerry and Dewey were presented with Rock Hall Of Fame jackets and then Dewey presented the Rock Hall with a certificate and an American Flag that they received when they were on one of the islands in the Indian Ocean that the B-52's took off from and flew over Afghanastan.They flag was actually on one of the planes that flew over the country.They sounded really good and the local tv channels were there for a short time filming.The entire show was filmed so hopefully in the near future it will see the light of day for all to enjoy.Th set list was as follows:
1)Riverside 2)Ventura Highway 3)You Can Do Magic 4)Don't Cross The River 5)Daisy Jane 6)Wind Wave 7)Another Try 8)Three Roses 9)I Need You 10)I Need You (Beatles Version) 11)Baby It's Up To You 12)Wheels Are Turning 13)Tin Man 14)The Border 15)Woman Tonight 16)Only In Your Heart 17)California Dreamin' 18)Lonely People 19)Hangover 20)Never Be Lonely 21)Sandman 22)Sister Golden Hair 23)A Horse With No Name
Dewey forgot to sing thesecond verse of "Horse" and didn't realize it.We were close enough that we could read Gerry's lips when he said "You left out a verse" and Dewey said "I did?".It was a wonderful show and i feel that they just get better and better every year.
Thanks! I know that Dewey seems to use imagery to describe his environment around him...That's what I like the most about his songs. And maybe it was his thoughts on a journey(tour bus)& going home? As I was reading the lyrics I was imagining what it would be like on a tour bus going through different states or countries. Seeing places and scenes out your window(Okay...From A Moving Train now comes to mind and Sleeper Train) But anyway. Here is one passage"Step outside and take a breath of the mornin'. And the wind will tell you which way to go. You are the needle on the compass for certain. The missing map has come back to your door". I am lucky to work with someone who likes to sing America songs...and he sang that song this week.
Thank-you Robyn....
I know that all of you could help me!
Angie
The 'drag race' is indeed off the Central Park video, although it is more the two guys driving side by side, rather than racing. Gerry is in a black Porsche 911 which was a new model at that time, and Dewey is driving a black Porsche from around 1955. Gerry looks across at Dewey quite reguarly, something he probably wouldn't do if they were racing. I watched the HARBOR video again, and what struck me was what a tremendous body of work the guys had achieved up to that point while still being so young. Gerry had only just turned 24! I got the video from Mickey Rat videos, for those interested.
I do seem to recall what John mentioned about the drag race being on the live Central Park recording. The cars were Porsches (sp?), I believe. I also recall reading that Gerry owns/owned one as pictured on page 66 of the "Highway" booklet.
(It may not have been clear, but my last post was a spoof on the name, Osama bin Laden.)
I think the drag race was taken from footage from the "Live In Central Park" laserdisc, of all things. I recall footage of the two racing in the desert to the tune of AHWNN. It's been a while since I've seen it.
john
As Chris mentioned "Wheels" was co-written by Gerry. I tend to think the majority of the song was written by GLB. Here's my theory:
On all the "Human Nature" songs that Dewey wrote that has Gerry mentioned in the credits, Dewey said during an interview that Gerry helped him with the bridge, I think it was.
On "Human Nature" songs like "Town And Country", "Pages", and "Oloololo", Gerry's name appears AFTER Dewey's. I take it to mean that Dewey wrote the majority of each song and Gerry assisted.
However, on "Wheels", Gerry's name is first and Dewey's is second. If it's an error listing Gerry's name first, I would think a correction would have been made the same time songwriting credit was corrected regarding "Hot Town".
On the "Human Nature" cassette notes, it has Gerry as the writer of "Hot Town" with Poison Oak publishing. We know Poison Oak belongs to Dewey right, not Gerry. The "Human Nature" CD notes show "Hot Town" was written by Dewey.
So, it appears that the CD notes were corrected for "Hot Town". If the majority of "Wheels" was really written by Dewey, wouldn't you think the credits would have been corrected when the credits for "Hot Town" were? Whether the majority of "Wheels" was written by Gerry or Dewey, the song sounds GREAT with Dewey singing lead!!!
(A fellow fan sent me this very funny note this morning that I just have to share whether it occurred or not----->"Oh someone ban Lad".
Hi Nina. And a damn good wardrobe mistress at that!
Some things are better left unanswered. :0)
They also thought "Henry the horse" was heroin, on The Beatles "Benefit for Mr. Kite", even tho- I never seen heroin "dance a waltz"
(doesn't even make sense) Lots of lyrics can be misread, like for MANY years we allways thought that the chanting at the end of "I Am The Walrus" was: "everybody smoke pot", until Lennon mentioned in an interview that they were saying "everybodys got one".....
I'm just curious....how the heck do some of us know what's inside Dewey's left hand pocket on his America jacket?!?! I was going to guess: a pen! I feel so out of the loop! I've got dibs on being the group's wardrobe mistress, and "I" didn't know about the stitching!!! Fess up Johnny and Ingrid!
Goanna, the "drag race" scene you described, I remember seeing on television during the program "Under The Covers" which is about Henry Diltz (photographer of album covers and other album-related photographs) and Gary Burden (album cover designer). "Under The Covers" is available on CD-Rom, I believe.
I love Dewey's work on HN, Hourglass ain't bad either - oops, been listening to a line ".... the world don't owe me no living"...LOL. It was a classic line though - and it worked. Dewey has said that he got the tune first, then tried to find some words to fit the beat. Perhaps that's why he was able to come up with most of the band's early hits. And I can remember Bunnell - Bunnell - Bunnell all over the first songs on the first album.
I see that WHEELS was co-written by Ger, but I am sure that Dewey would have come up with "You are the needle on the compass for certain
The missing map has come back to your door". Anyone got any ideas? Are they heading north now that they've got their map back? It doesn't matter - it just sounds great!!
I also have a very soft spot for PAGES:
"So step inside and find the other you"
I think Dewey himself is doing just that with his great lyrics.
Chris
:
I agree with Robyn. Dewey has indicated time and again that his word paintings are, as often as not, inspired by actual events and not necessarily intended symbolically or metaphorically. Some of us cruising along a desert two-lane might see a big, ugly bird pecking at some remains. Dewey sees a "black crow with an indigo glow on the highway." I suspect the same was true of his "Sleeper Train" imagery. In retrospect, a lot of the perceived cryptic-ness and mysticism of the Beatles' lyrics we can now surmise was inspired more literally than anyone wanted to believe. I mean, everyone went "nudge, nudge, wink wink" when Paul McCartney sang about "fixing a hole" on Sgt. Pepper. Knowing what we now know about Paul's lyrical muse (I still love him, despite his trite, spotty solo stuff), he probably was actually sprucing up his house with a little home repair when he wrote that tune.
Could somebody tell me what in the song Horse With No Name leads one to believe it is about heroin? I know horse used to be slang for heroin, but its more common use was in reference to the animal. So other than the word horse, what in the song could imply heroin use? It seems pretty clear to me that the song has an environmental message rather than a drug message. Now if you want a song that sounds like a drug trip, take Pigeon Song.
Hello everyone...
I remember seeing a clip from a video sometime ago, 2 or 3 years back, of a track the guys had performed to. In the clip there was a Porche & a Ferrari/Corvette (not sure) and they were playing chicken on the road. Does anyone know what I'm talking about??? and is the clip available on the net anywhere.
P.S. If I dont post again before xmas, have a safe and happy one to all our mates in the U.S. of A...... form the crew downunder. Looking forward to Feb OZ concerts.
Liked 'em!
Ing.
Although Jessica doesn't post here very often at all, she did last night. It's always nice to hear from a fellow America fan especially from the other side of the world, so Hi Jessica!
I think 30 years hence, Dewey might say something, as I think Dewey is a very forthright person. But the environmental message of HWNN is what I believe Dewey was trying to get across. Unfortunate that "horse" is a slang term for heroin.
Whether "Horse" is or isn't about heroin, does anyone really think Dewey would say, "Yeah, it sure is about heroin." No offense intended, Robyn (or Dewey). :0)
to all who were able to join me this evening! Beech WE MISSED YOU! I know your daughter's solo was a triumph!
I hope to see more people next week. Try to stop by for a chat if you can!
Geez Jeff that story has been going around as long as the song has been around.. Dewey says it is not.
I am going. I'm looking forward to it.
Also, I have a side bet on whether or not Horse with No Name is about heroin use. Can you clarify?
Like the best of Deweys writing, the images from Wheels are like flipping thru a bokk of pictures, very fast. You just get images. The basic idea of Wheels, I believe, is what is is like on a tour bus going across the American Southwest.any spcific phrase you'd like to discuss here Angie?
Is anyone out there going to the concert tomorrow night.......I'll be there!
Anyone would like to help me get a clue I'll be your best friend. Could someone explain the song Wheels Are Turning by Dewey and Gerry to me.Meaning and images.Please! Thank-you:)
Angie
Hi, Johnny.
Think it's high time we put an end to those sordid accusations. Let's get some evidence first & we''ll eventually catch that cyberpunk we're all looking for.
In the meantime, here is a little reminder of what we all should / shouldn't do on this board IMO.
Ten Commandments of electronic correspondence :
1. Thou shalt include a clear and specific subject line.
2. Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum thou needest.
3. Thou shalt read thine own message thrice before thou sendest it.
4. Thou shalt ponder how thy recipient might react to thy message.
5. Thou shalt check thy spelling and thy grammar.
6. Thou shalt not curse, flame, spam or USE ALL CAPS.
7. Thou shalt not forward any chain letter.
8. Thou shalt not use e-mail for any illegal or unethical purpose.
9. Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially from work.
10.When in doubt, save thy message overnight and reread it in the light of the dawn.
And, here's the Golden Rule:
That which thou findest hateful to receive, sendest thou not unto others.-
Solstice lover here...(lol)
My daughter composed her OWN SOLO for the first ever Pompano Beach H.S. Band Holiday Concert, so I'm afraid I will NOT be in attendence again tonight........I swear my Wednesdays HAVE to lighten up soon...I'm missing a good chat.....)C=
TkH<----------+=! No Boundary
WVIC aired the entire album the day it came out......That was the last I heard of it over the waves. (Went right out and bought it, too!)
TkH<-------+=! No Boundary
I'm very sorry everyone that Ladd continues to falsely accuse me here. He needs to get over all of this. I want to mention the following just in case anyone might believe Ladd's accusation:
Thank goodness for Genevieve's post #20012 where she said she received a possible tainted message with my old e-mail address. She helps prove my innocence because she states the truth that she and I have never corresponded with each other. Genevieve's e-mail address is not obtainable by clicking on her name nor did anyone gave me her address yet she received an e-mail message allegedly from me. So, anyone who's openminded can clearly see I'm not intentionally doing what I'm STILL being accused of. Yes, this is getting VERY boring. However, "I've got this feeling that today's the day" that someone is going to be banned from posting here any longer. He was very kindly asked to chill but he chose to thumb his nose instead. That speaks volumes to me!
Just a reminder, if you are not too busy celebrating Hanukkah or hitting the malls for Christmas, Solstice or Kwannza, please join me this evening for a chat, after 7 pm Pacific time!
A jolly holiday to all!
...You see, there's this person (entity?) here that stole Johnny Yee's old email address (what that means or how it is possible, I don't know) and that person (entity) is the one that sent a virus to my 2nd email account the other week (and my first one 100 times during the last year) even though I had never sent Johnny an email from that address. Yeah, there's some kind of cyberthief who visits the America board every day that's doing this. It's not Johnny himself. This cyberthief comes here all the time and that is the person who has sent us all 5,000 virus emails.
No, no, wait--and the fact that Johnny came on here and claimed he didn't see clear and obvious links to this 2nd email address of mine clearly proves his innoncence. Really, isn't that logically obvious?
Ha, ha, ha... Come on, Johnny. Doesn't it get boring after awhile?
Happy Holidays to all you America fans! And here's hoping for a virus-free 2002! After a zillion posts of people irritated at receiving these viruses, I think me may just get our wish. :)
-Ladd
So glad Ingrid didn't see that little faux pas about dong music, she would have a dream about Dewey, get all flustered, buy 3 roses and Lord knows what after that!
oops! Sorry DanC. Doing music...boy is my face red!
Sand for snow?
DEAL, LADY!!!!!!!! (C=
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
Not long ago, Jeff B mentioned Art Bell's late night talk show playing "AHWNN" between segments of the program. On the program last night was someone (a US Army Retired Major) who provided the following information about the sender of the anthrax letters. Who knows how accurate it is if even at all, but I think the following may be interesting to see if it turns out to be correct.
The Tom Brokaw anthrax letter originated from:
1. An individual male, residing in the vicinity of State College, PA, mailed the Tom Brokaw anthrax-laced letter. He is solely responsible for the act.
2. The letter was prepared in a basement and/or garage lab, at his residence, where the biological agent and feedstock are maintained.
3. This person is employed at the College of Agricultural Sciences locate on the University Park campus of Penn State University, or the adjacent Penn State Research Park.
Time will tell. Back to America topics. :0)
wow! just finished listening to this and it feels like i've gone through a flashback of my life! brought back very good memories and feelings and reminded me of the songs i've forgotten but loved...
thanks to whoever put the montage together!
I must have been good this year - coz it seems that I'm going to get my wish: America concert dates in my area! Hope to see you there, guys - after 4 years!!!!
Anyway, Happy Holidays to all the untiring, inexhaustible and wonderful people in this site! God bless you all, and specialy Steve L. for keeping this site alive and kicking for fans like me to come back to, wherever we might be, whatever happens.
Just like with the songs - I enjoy other artists with very different music style and of various genre - but i always return to America songs. Through times of many downs and too few ups, my Hat Trick album and greatest hits collection are with me. In the subway going to work, in the bus on my way home...always there. Sister Golden Hair strikes a sad chord for me nowadays, but in some way, singing along to it also comforts.
I'm so looking forward to that show in March!
WOW!, back at ya, Ing!!! I really didn't think anyone would get the answer right. YES, it is my understanding that the guys each have their last name stitched in their left pocket with the brownish thread stitching in cursive. In addition to their last name, there's a white tag in that left pocket with their last name typed on it right after the word "Style". Underneath "Style" is the jacket size. Underneath the size is the jacket maker's name "Kaye Bros./Chicago.
Good going Ing you smart thing! You're cleaning up on these triv matters.
Like I always say, the songs have whatever meaning we choose to ascribe to them! It's a beautiful song, any way you look at it! I never thought of it as to a child! Nice thought Kade!
I HEARD from someone who SHOULD know that the beautiful "All My Life" was inspired by MB's mom, Eleanor. I'd not thought of it as a love song for a child -- I like that too.
WOW! A Johnny Yee trivia question to which I know a partial answer! Bruno (a fan from Italy) will be so proud of me!
In the left pocket of Dewey's tour jacket is stitched "Bunnell." (Feel the soft yet decisive curves of the thread . . .) Thus, I would conjecture that inside Dan's pocket is stitched "Peek" and inside Gerry's, "Beckley."
What say you, oh great trivia master?
Dong music? DanC.
I remember hearing "God of the Sun" on the radio. Now the only place I hear new America is in the elevator or the super market. To bad, they really do deserve more air play than their greatest hits. I'm just glad they are still together dong music and are so accessable.
Hope everyone has a cool yule and many merriments this holiday season. KEEP THE FAITH...
I don't know why, but "Now She's Gone" reminds me of an LRB song.
So what do we have from the bottom of the Harbor wreck?
I say it that way, because if you compare Hat Trick and Harbor - both did not deliver what they promised in the packaging and the timing of their delivery. They were vastly different people under different circumstances and under different direction when Harbor went down compared to pulling off their fabled Hat Trick. I think if we could only have one of these albums, most of us would favour Hat Trick over Harbor.
Hat Trick represented a band going places, Harbor represented the end of the voyage. It was a Harbor harbinger, for it ushered in a duo and a solo career.
Dan's post Harbor mood must have become more positive, whether that was from finding God, the islands or getting away from the DAN+GER, only Dan can tell us, but All Things Are Possible always seemed like his personal release from some sort of hell, much like All Things Must Pass did for George H.
As for Dan's singles, I am still surprised that he described his Harbor contributions as some of the best tracks he put down for the group (Episode 49). I don't think many (or any) of us would agree from a fans point of view. The BIG difference was that Dan was looking out for Dan on Harbor, whereas on Hat Trick and all the earlier albums, they were working in the same direction. The seamless nature of Hat Trick, the album and Hat Trick the song - different but somehow still the same, comes from that cohesive talent being pooled into a successful outcome - a unique album. The splintering with DAN+GER started to come through for me after album #3, their two directions becoming more perceptible with each passing album. You also witness how Dewey's creativity was constrained, he was at least able to get away from the DanGer by living in a different city.
So, back to the question - singles from Harbor. I would just pick all of Gerry's songs from Harbor - it shows that he either worked the hardest/got more creativity going or both. I believe that these posts of the last few days seem to be mentioning Sergeant Darkness, Monster, God Of The Sun, She's Gone (I notice it's Now She's Gone on the album cover) and Sarah more than Dewey or Dan's songs.
Chris
Does anyone know if All Of My Life is a love ballad or written about the love for a child. I think it could be taken both ways,but it was recorderd around the time MB was little(I think!) Just curious about your thoughts!
Hello everyone,Harbor I must say was a huge disappointment gloriously packaged but as they say "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" and led to a down turn in America's popularity.I prefered Hideaway over Hearts and the UK's New Musical Express gave it rave reviews,interestingly enough whilst America were in the UK to promote Hearts a national newspaper "The Sun" ran a competition to name the follow up album to Hearts,the winner would recieve an all expenses trip to Disneyland and the runners up a copy of Hearts.By the time America reached UK shores they were promoting "Hold me Tight" not Sister and were never to be seen on stage in the UK ever again,although there was talk of America playing with Elton John and the Eagles at Wembley stadium.
"Now She's Gone" is a rocker, I agree. One of MY favorites from Harbor
I could definitely go for "She's Gone" as a 45 release. It rocks!!!
I am reading it now ( along with the latest Paula Woods and a bio of Jackie O) I will let you know what I think.
Man this Harbor discussion is going on forever. And it is considered by most to be one of America's weaker efforts. Just think what would happen if we got into a discussion about one of America's better albums. Anyway just for the heck of it, I checked out Harbor and rated the songs from my favorites to my least. Just go down the list pulling singles from top to bottom until you have a hit:
God Of The Sun
Hurricane
Don't Cry Baby
Monster
These Brown Eyes
Now She's Gone
Sarah
Sergeant Darkness
Down to the Water
Slow Down
Political Poachers
Are You There
How about "She's Gone" (but retitled "Count On You") as the first single from Harbor followed by Dewey's "Are You There?" and then "Monster." My theory here is basic: after the radio-friendly "Hearts" LP faded from the public memory, we got "Hideaway" and its decidedly mellow (melancholy?) moderate hit, "Today's the Day." By 1977 the collective conscious was thirsting for one of those airy, upbeat, summer-esque America singles in the manner of "Sister Golden Hair." Enter "She's Gone" (again, retitled "Count on You.") Then, after that warmed up the public palate, you could have followed with "Are You There?" which would tend to connect the mass public recollection to the past glories of "Tin Man" (sorta). Then mioght come "Monster" which, while a bit melancholy itself, is engagingly so. It kind of conjures up the acoustic bliss of those first few America hits, with the double-tracking and the close harmonies. Oh, well. As you can see, no one was consulting me on this singles-release business back in the 70s. Perhaps a different singles line-up wouldn't have mattered. But we sure can see where the plan, as it was carried out, got the album. I picked up Harbor for 47 cents at Peaches Records a year (or maybe even less) after it was issued. Incidentally, if anyone knows where I can get my mitts on that promo video documenting the making of "Harbor," please let me know. I find it a seriously flawed LP, but I still listen to it, and I'd love to catch up to the promotional video.
Hi.
I was just wondering if you've read that Greene book I mentionned to you some time ago? Speech's reference to the song & particularly to the"Golly Dad" passage just reminded me of that little chat we had on the other board. I'd like to know what you think about that idea of mine that the book inspired the song.The lyric seems to match the novel perfectly IMO, but of course, this could only be mere coincidence!...
Two opinions are better than one, so let me know...
Wow, it's a very tough choice regarding the song we'd each pick as the one song to be released from "Harbor". All of Gerry's songs are so very good on the album. I like all of GB's songs. I think I'd have to stick with "God Of The Sun" because of it's upbeat tempo. Gerry, however, doesn't think too, too favorably of "GOTS" according to what he said in the "Highway" booklet. I think my favorite Gerry-penned tune from "Harbor" is "Sgt Darkness" though.
Regarding a Dan-written song, I think it was the right choice to have selected "Don't Cry Baby" as the potential hit single. My favorite of his from the album is "Slow Down", however. I like that hurky-jerky (sp?) style. It reminds me somewhat of "Woman Tonight".
I really like 2 of Dewey's 3 songs. I agree with what Speech said about "Down To The Water". It sure would have been nice to have had a 4th song by Dewey.
I'm not sure if Steve or John C wrote the following about "Harbor":
"Gerry and Dewey learned to scuba dive there and everyone had some tourist-like distraction such as learning to surf etc. The guys made patches for their tour jackets with a guy on a surfboard and used the aforementioned phrase [Harry Goes Surfing] to describe any silly attempt to seem like a local!"
So that's where that "Harry Goes Surfing" patch came from as seen in the "Highway" booklet (pictured below Disc Three). Also, I sure have wondered who is whom on the "Harbor" poster especially the women pictured there.
Regarding the guys' tour jackets, here's a triv question. I think it's a toughie! I'm not 100% sure about what I'm going to ask, but I'm 98% sure, so here it is:
What can be found in the left pocket of Dan, Dewey, and Gerry's tour jackets? I imagine the answer can be a number of things, but I'm thinking of something in particular that's probably still there to this day.
(No Ing, it's not your phone number) :0)
please, thats SERGEANT DARKNESS; you wouldn't say soldier John is a Sarvicemn, he's a Serviceman. I wonder if Stev is taking off for mis-spellings.
While I can't say that Harbor is the greatest CD on America's resume, I can definitely say that Sargent Darkness is as good a song as any one song they wrote, with Monster being a close second. I doubt that Monster would have had much potential to be a successful single, but it still my personal second favourite on Harbour. By the way, wasn't the country going through that putrid disco nonsense craze at the time that Harbor was released? If so, Harbor never had a chance :(
Andy
Jim, I understand how you feel about "Sarah" without the "h". Your examples were good ones. They made me smile. Marshall, though, was just posting it the way it appeared in Steve's notes. So, it just goes to show it happens to the best of us. It's Daryl Hall and John Oates' gal whose Sara as in "Sara Smile".
Marshall, that was a great post and an excellent question at the end. I'd like to also know what DAN song we would have selected for release if we had the power back in '77. I'll have to think about that one myself. I don't recall ever hearing a "Harbor" song on the radio.
please no more, that's SARAH with an "H".
You would never call Steve Lowry - Stev, would you ?
or Madonna, Madonn ? "H" is very important to AMERICA's music in more ways than one.
I liked Harbor better than Hideaway, but neither were not as outstanding as the first five albums (I think most would agree). America set such a high standard, the letdown was inevitable I guess.
I saw America in March '77, right when Harbor was released. Hurricane, Sara, God of the Sun, Slow Down were performed and were great. Especially Hurricane (sounded much better live than on the album).
I remember being surprised that God of the Sun was the single released, since it was not as strong and really nose-dived. Steve's info on Harbor says that
Three singles were released:
God Of The Sun / Down To The Water
Don't Cry Baby / Monster
Slow Down / Sara
I don't remember ever hearing "Don't Cry Baby" or "Slow Down" (both Dan's songs) on the radio. If these were in fact both released as singles, I wonder if they were done as last ditch efforts to appease / reconcile with / placate Dan. I believe he left the group in 4/77, one month after I saw them all in concert.
Marshall
P.S. If singles for Harbor were up for voting to re-release, which would you vote for?
My votes
Sara (despite the "golly, Dad")
Sargent Darkness
I'm another that liked HARBOR.I didn't find it til probably '82, but as I had only recently discovered the band, I was hungry for anything from them. From memory it was only certain record shops where the albums could be found; more of the little shop down an alley, the owner being a real enthusiast of 'good music' as opposed to the big chains. I loved the whole presentation of HARBOR, the wonderful photos which made everyone SEEM they were having a good time. The mood of the album is sorta dark, yes, but thanks also to the songbook of the album, I always thought of it as a real 'sunny' piece. I mean, GOD OF THE SUN always put me in a good mood. Willie's drumming is splendid on that track. Last year I got a 20 minute promo video narrated by Phil Hartmann on the making of the album. IMO, SILENT LETTER is superior!
Hi Everyone. We got back from Hawaii today after an all night flight and I'm still trying to get things organized before I start my new job tomorrow. Hawaii was beautiful but the BYU game wasn't ('nuff said about that). Good thing I didn't go there just for the game. Tery (Beechlady), I left the 80 degree beaches on Oahu for the 30 degree snow of Utah. I like them both but I think I could have used several more 80 degree days. Ladd, I assure you that Johnny had (has) no bad intentions regarding the virus. How about chilling out and dropping it? I haven't read Episode 53 yet but I will shortly. Thanks to everyone who dropped me a note while I was in Hawaii! Aloha. --SteveL
Talking about Dan's contribution to America and especially the last two trio albums, I'll just borrow some of Dan's lyrics to address this continued annoyance and thanks Shayne for bringing the first song to mind for me.
For you my dear lad:
Smile away these blues
I don't care if I'm (falsely) accused
Now he's gone, (he's gone way too far)
I don't mind (if he's left me scarred)
AND
You're a fool and you know it
Done your best not to show it
But it's all over
You're through
Ladd Boy Blue
Stop, stop while you're still ahead
You've got a lot to learn
You're still so young
Listen to what your mama said
(I've rec'd a number of personal messages from fellow America fans (thank you all) who know my e-mail address telling me to just ignore Ladd's posts. One person even called Ladd a "duck". Oops, I'm mistaken but it was very close to "duck".
alt 155. Remember NOT to use the number pad, but the numbers at the top of the keyboard. I had to get to my office where I keep the list!
Hey Beech...Not trying to make anyone jealous...just sharing the "marshmallow-y" scene outside! As a matter of fact, by January I'll be the envious one, considering your balmy Florida climate. If you send me some sand, I'll send you some snow?
Speechwriter..I don't remember alot of radio air play for "Harbor" here in Massachusetts either. Even when the band played in Boston, DJ's played more of the old stuff rather than cuts off the "new" album.
Yeah, you had access to my second email address. With just one click. That proves your innocence? How do you figure? It proves that you were able to send me another virus from your email account with considerable ease. And you talk about that email account of yours being "dead" for some time now. Hell, it's got a lot of life the past 2 years for a dead thing.
hmmm ... what else could you do ... you could take a cue from others who have gone before you -- the Monkees, the Beatles, Badfinger, Creedence Clearwater and the Guess Who come to mind, for starters -- and recognize that the "midas touch" lies in the unique chemistry of your band and that, in 90 percent of these situations, those who walk away from thriving pop groups rarely achieve anything even remotely like that level of success (or fulfillment) on their own. Now, Dan was unique. He evidently didn't care about that any more. In fact, he appeared to have renounced it. But I wonder if, in retrospect, there might not have been room for Dan and everyone else to get a little of what they needed to sustain as a trio had everyone taken some time to cool out. Happily, the split did not presage the tragedy that befell my other favorite band, Badfinger, who left a body of incredible songs and the sad memory (for fans)of two suicides.
To anyone out there who remembers, did the Harbor songs get played on the radio where you were? Here in the Philly-New-York metro region, the LP was a radio stiff. I remember, after the (relative) letdown of "Hideaway," that I wanted to hear something from Harbor on radio just to get a flavor, but the songs just didn't get played. As for the production flourishes from George Martin and the ubiquitous "ooooo-weeeee-oooo" harmonies, I think most tunes on Harbor suffered for it (save for "Monster," which is wonderfully evocative of that first LP's "less is more" approach). I probably would have liked "Hurricane" without the Hawaii-Five-O horns and I think I'd have been able to swallow the cloying lyrics of, say, "Sara," without the gloppy strings. Then the song might have had a fresh-faced melancholy about it, kinda like Brian Wilson's "Caroline, No." I just have a hard time envisioning the guys walking out of the final playback party for Harbor thinking, "Yeah, we've really made a killer record here." There. I promise not to utter another word about Harbor.
What I find interesting is that Harbor (or Harbour up here) was seen by Gerry, Dewey and Dan as a disappointment. Many of the fans also view it as one of their weaker sessions (all relative of course. I am sure we would all take Harbor over 95% of the "music" out there these days). I don't have the song list in front of me but doesn't Highway have quite a number of tracks from Harbor on it? I wonder why they chose those tracks for the boxed set given the songs that could have been selected.
Just a wonderin'
j
I liked Harbor. I agree that it is probably the weakest of the trio albums, but I didn't think it was a bad album.
I really liked 3 of Dan's 4 songs from Harbor. The only one I didn't care for was Slow Down (I dislike most disco songs). I thought any of Dan's other 3 songs were good enough to be considered for a single, and if I'm not mistaken Don't Cry Baby (which was originally titled Don't You Cry) was released as the second single from the album. I really liked Hurricane and at the time in 1977 thought it should have been released as a single. Though I agree, I thought George Martin over-produced the song, the horns are just too much. But the basic song itself I have always thought to be one of America's best rockers. These Brown Eyes is a catchy pop song that I think also deserved single consideration. Though I always thought that God of the Sun was the strongest commercial song on the album and was justified in being selected as the first single. Btw, wasn't Slow Down also released as a single? My biggest surprise with the album was that none of America's singles from it even charted. I would have thought that God of the Sun and Don't Cry Baby would have at least cracked the top 100 for a few weeks considering that America was still one of the top acts in the world when it was released in early 1977.
To be honest, if anybody's material was slipping on Harbor, I thought it was Dewey's. I liked most of Dan and Gerry's stuff on the album, but thought that Dewey's three songs were probably three of the four weakest on the album. It was disappointing to me at the time, especially considering how strong his stuff was on Hideaway (in my opinion).
That's the beauty of this stuff. They've left it for us, flaws and all, to draw from as we see fit. My solution to the "Harbor" dilemma has been to cull from it the few tracks that satisfy. And my gripe with the LP isn't that it was reflective or dark in its mood. (Arguably, so was a great deal of Hat Trick, but I love that record from end-to-end). It's something else that's hard to put your finger on, but which has to do with palpable psychic exhaustion and the sound of people not trying much anymore. If you've ever been close to a couple that was coming undone and pretending for the outside world that they weren't, that's kinda what I mean. Anyway, it suits me fine to cull "Monster," "She's Gone" (woulda been my pick for a 7-incher to try and float this LP), "Are You There?" and "Political Poachers" and, blending them with a clutch of tunes from "Hideaway," pretend that the boys issued one good, solid LP -- instead of two tepid, uninspired ones -- before going their separate ways.
I also confess to liking Harbor! Dark and brooding at some points,playful at others. Shayne,your song quote made me laugh, as I went around humming "Now she's gone" when my evil boss transfered!
Well, I, for one, really liked HARBOR. I'm surprised no one mentioned GOD OF THE SUN in regards to great songs from the album (maybe someone did and I missed it). That song, Don't Cry Baby (first song I ever slow danced to), Sergeant Darkness, Sarah, These Brown Eyes and Are you There are classics to me.
Maybe it was because I was so underwhelmed by HIDEAWAY.
I do agree with the sentiment that SILENT LETTER was a better recording, but it was also a much different record (3 part vs. two part harmonies).
Shayne
Smile away these blues, I don't care if I'm accused...
I'm a Harbor-dweller.
I like departures, the darker and moodier the better. It shows me unexpected sides of things/people. Yeah, there are a couple of songs that aren't in my top 10 list, but on the whole it's "pretty good" (PP is a GREAT song IMHO)! I agree with Speech and Chris about Dan, though. His "Never Found The Time" was my personal Dan-apex and not much else could top that one!
Just another $.02 (forgetting that command again and too lazy to find where I stored the instructions...rofl-sorry Robyn!)
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
OH NINA....JUST RUB IT IN,,,,OK?????? (LOLOLOL)
Ok, I'm jealous....anyone wanna send ME some snow?
TkH<-----+=! No Boundary
I remember the Harbor album (as depressing as it was!) as getting me through my final semester of college! It must have echoed MY depression at the time...doing my student teaching at a pretty rough inner city school, after a WONDERFUL student teaching experience in
a small town Kindergarten. Gerry's song, "Sarah", remains one of my favorites to this very day. Wish I could hear it in concert again...maybe someday!
It FINALLY snowed here in New England...our first snowfall of the season. Makes everything look more Christmas-y! Wish you all could see the view from my classroom window. The sun is sparkling off the snow covered trees and roof of the gazebo in the park across the street. Just lovely. Wish I was home writing out my Christmas cards instead of here, at work!
While Harbor seems to be depressing many of us, I am aware that equally, many fans on this folder regard it as a good America album. I respect those who like this album, I just cannot share their enthusiasm for it. Also, in my rush to be the first to post here about '53' (it was a late night), I am surprised that nobody has picked me up on calling 'Moving Train' an album - good grief, it was late and I should have proof read, so apologies in advance for those that were wondering what I was on about....LOL
I always find the discussion here re Harbor very interesting. The album is an enigma to me (an ennui to speechwriter, and I agree with your post on this topic by the way), an enigma because it was for 20 years an album that this fan did not know even existed. When I came across 'another trio' album during my born again America experience some 5 years ago, you can imagine the expectations when I took that newly discovered album home. I guess that I was setting myself up for a big disappointment; it did have a heavy and somewhat suffocating air about it from that first listen, a feeling that Dan has now clearly outlined in '53'.
From Riverside to Harborside in just over 6 years - what a contrast in moods; I believe that it is both literal and metaphoric that they chose 'Harbor' as the title. Hawaii must have seemed a safe haven to drop anchor for another album. But a Harbor is both a destination point and a departure point. By the time our guys reached that safe anchorage, it was obvious that they were on two different voyages. It was the destination for one, the end of the trio journey, but the start of new directions for the remaining crew of the good ship America. I am sure that Dan will go on to tell us that it was also the start of a new journey for him, but sadly the ship did lose a valuable crew member that cannot be replaced.
But by the way Ingrid, I agree re Steve Perry and Dewey too - but then again, I was just listening to another Steve tonight - Steve Stills sounding very much like Dewey on his tracks from American Dream from the late 1980's - would love to hear those two voices together ....and doesn't Dewey just keep getting better?
Chris
I agree with your observation on the tone of chapter 53. There is no doubt in my mind that, with the various stressors involved and substance abuse in the mix, behaviors were probably ugly on occasion and interpretations of actions were probably less than charitable. However, as I say, I think the choice to not release any of Dan's work as a single at the time could be defended on artistic and commercial grounds, even if he still declines to accept that. On the other hand, I have a tough time believing that anyone was being objective about the product at that stage, or it wouldn't have been issued in the form it finally took. I still have to admire Dan, though, for his continued willingness to share these (obviously) painful recollections so that we can gain some insight. At the same time, I've known enough couples and others who've become estranged to understand that, if they ever chose to, Gerry and Dewey could provide some compelling "perspective" of their own that would round out the picture.
I would have to agree with you speech...that Harbour LP was a little depressive, however, Dewey's "Political Poachers" would have to be the one track that stands out in this lot, a strong attempt to challenge the "Establishment" and you can feel this in the lyrics.
I don't know though if I'd agree with Dans remarks regarding... "Dewey and Gerry had put the kibosh on it" statement. Do you still feel that way Dan???. We all know what a "Divorce" can do to ones soul, some of us experiance this personally, however,if we are to take what you've said at face value, then there seems a bit of resentment and discomfort in the tone of this chapter... wouldn't you agree?
Johnny said: "I can . . . see Dewey and Perry (Steve) teaming up for a whole CD . . ."
This yummy confection would be at the TOP of Batgirl's Christmas list!
Kevin S. said: "I always thought Dewey was god."
Well, I'm a goddess; how perfect is THAT?!"
Hi Robyn,
Dan's words didn't sound disrespectful to me either, just found that funny, unaware the word was used in America. I also found it a good excuse to launch some invitation...
I am sure Dan meant no disrespect when he refered to the "spitual bouillabaisse" he may just as well have said "spiritual hash" or "spiritual stew" just a metaphor for something with lots of things mixed together. You must admit bouillabaisse sounds more exotic ( at least to this American!)
I second that one, Bones! I love Sarah, but All My Life tops it as a love song IMHO.
Jimnak, I'll place "All My Life" over "Sarah" any day of the week.
I was touched by the candor of Dan's 53rd installment and will forever respect him for baring so much of himself. I also love virtually everything he cut with America until 1976.
However, I have to say this: in my mind, "Hurricane" did not make a strong contender for a hit single from Harbor. I mean no disrespect to anyone involved, and I like to think my pedigree as someone who has loved and supported these guys throughout their careers is established. That said, I was depressed and disappointed by Harbor. "Hurricane," to my ears, was cheesily overproduced, with the hokey horns that sounded like something from an episode of "Mannix" or some other TV detective show, and the "hurricane" noises, to say nothing of those less-than-subtle harmonies (check out early records). I think the choice to not issue "Hurricane" as a single was a sound one. Frankly, each of Dan's tunes for Harbor was, I thought, evidence of waning inspiration. "Slow Down," to me, sounded like plastic lounge disco and these days is as dated to my ears as a Velveeta-orange "Travolta" suit (I don't think Boz Scaggs envies this tune). Gerry and Dewey's stuff didn't fare a whole lot better, either. I thought "Sara" was a beautiful song until the first verse was over. Then came "Golly Dad" and I was outta there. "Down to the Water," from Dewey, may have been intended to be fun, but it sounded to me like filler dashed off after a night partying on the beach. Only "Monster" and "Sergeant Darkness" from Gerry and "Are You There?" and "Political Poachers" from Dewey sounded like songs that involved any real inspiration, and Sir George very nearly deep-sixed even these gems with his hammy-handed production flourishes (and I loved his work with the Beatles). In short, I feel the record was slipshod, dashed off, and at the time, real evidence that ennui was setting in. I say this only because, as much as I was moved by Dan's honesty and the depth of his unhappiness at the time, I can see that neither he nor anyone else, it seems, was standing back from things far enough to really hear what they were putting together. Dan thought he should have had the LP's first single. He shouldn't have. George Martin thought he was doing the songs
a service with his production. He wasn't. Dan ... you did a lot of great stuff. But the contribution you made to Harbor isn't one of them. Sorry if I've offended anyone with this posting. Like I say, I love the overall body of work and I continue to live and die with America. But Harbor frustrated me and I couldn't let Dan's posting go by without commenting.
As Genevive said, at least the split was PUBLICly amicable (unlike some that come to mind).
It's SO hard (looking back) to get a grasp on the meaning of life when your only in your teens and twenties, ESPECIALLY when your doing this very "ADULT THING" (making it in the music BUSINESS). You must surround yourself with unquestionably loyal (to YOU) people in ALL aspects of your career, otherwise you'll get the bend-over treatment! Imagine yourself at 19 being courted by people you've only read about, giving you things (i.e. drugs, $$$$, blather) you've only LUSTED after!!!!! I could imagine one burning out fairly quickly being HIGH on all that! After hearing EVERYONE around you telling you HOW GREAT you are day after day, year after year you could possibly start believing it. What other options do you have with that type of behavior? (yeah, yeah, there's ALWAYS OPTIONS-but unless your Ghandi or Buddah or Christ, the will power's a little on the nigh side of karmic experience....)
Anyway, I caiiiiiiiiiiin't wait for 54!
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
Well, sorry ! my own spiritual bouilabaisse didn't deserve double posting !..
You're correct ! Interesting & very moving episode...
Sort of "Within me, Without you" story type (yes,....just winking at you, my Sweet George) & full of unexpected events too. I think I'll never be able to listen to "Don't Cry Baby" in the same way as before... That's a terrible story : the hurricane, a man's death in the cabin next door, the nightmare & subsequent sleeplessness... These are events that would have any one of us change our perception of life.
Yet, the allusion to a "machination" seems to me both in contradiction with Episode 49, & slightly exaggerated. I have a deep respect for Sir G. Martin, & i'm not sure he would have sacrificed Dan's song if he had thought it to be such a great commercial hit ? A commercial success under the name of America would have been one to the benefit of the band, I suppose.
As for the three guys, they all had to protect their interests, which is understandable. Dan is so right to compare this part of his life to a divorce, cause in most divorce cases, both parties are often to blame. But in a way i'm proud the members of our beloved band solved their "splitting case" with much more dignity than many other bands.
I also found it very funny to notice the allusion to our French culinary "patrimoine"(heritage) -though with a negative connotation which i think really inappropriate- in Dan's expression "spitual bouillabaisse". I would like it so much if I could invite him to a have a bouillabaisse on "Le vieux Port" in Marseilles, cause I'm sure he would agree to re-consider his funny metaphor ( & no "double-entendre" here ! ).
You're correct ! Interesting & very moving episode...
Sort of "Within me, Without you" story type (yes,....just winking at you, my Sweet George) & full of unexpected events too. I think I'll never be able to listen to "Don't Cry Baby" in the same way as before... That's a terrible story : the hurricane, a man's death in the cabin next door, the nightmare & subsequent sleeplessness... These are events that would have any one of us change our perception of life.
Yet, the allusion to a "machination" seems to me both in contradiction with Episode 49, & slightly exaggerated. I have a deep respect for Sir G. Martin, & i'm not sure he would have sacrificed Dan's song if he had thought it to be such a great commercial hit ? A commercial success under the name of America would have been one to the benefit of the band, I suppose.
As for the three guys, they all had to protect their interests, which is understandable. Dan is so right to compare this part of his life to a divorce, cause in most divorce cases, both parties are often to blame. But in a way i'm proud the members of our beloved band solved their "splitting case" with much more dignity than many other bands.
I also found it very funny to notice the allusion to our French culinary "patrimoine"(heritage) -though with a negative connotation which i think really inappropriate- in Dan's expression "spitual bouillabaisse". I would like it so much if I could invite him to a have a bouillabaisse on "Le vieux Port" in Marseilles, cause I'm sure he would agree to re-consider his funny metaphor ( & no "double-entendre" here ! ).
Chapter 53; A much more entertaining episode Mister Peek, in my humble opinion anyway. See, I'm not always critical.DanC
DITTO, jimnak!!!!DanC.
I just listened to both versions of this beautiful tune and, not to beat a dead horse or anything, but it is inexcusable that this was left off the Highway box. What a great hidden gem by our band.DanC.
but HARBOR contains one of the greatest love songs of all time - SARAH by the legendary GERRY BECKLEY. don't forget SILENT LETTER, the true follow-up to HARBOR ?
Confirms what we already thought - Harbor is a depressing album. Songs like These Brown Eyes, Don't You Cry, Sergeant Darkness and Are You There are close to a 10 on the 1 to 10 scale of melancholy lyrics.
All the trio contributed to the feeling of "disquiet" as Dewey refers to it on his Highway liner notes to Are You There? Even though Dan blames himself (Episode 47 - "I don't like being with me" and Episode 49 - "I take full responsibility for tearing the group apart"), they were all going in different directions, they had grown together and then apart, it is never a one sided coin.
Dan contributed some great songs on all the trio albums. He wrote my personal favourite America track - Lonely People. Hideaway featured their last top 20 hit - Dan's Today's The Day. Dewey said that Dan's lead guitar on Are You There from Harbor was one of the best he ever did. However, the last two albums featured more internalised anguish, mainly from Dan - he said about Can't You See (Highway liner notes)- "I knew I was restless ... and suffering more, and having more times of happiness and sadness". Substance abuse, health problems and a low self esteem - ok, we read it all before in Episode 49 - My Stop.
So now Dan asks - don't you think .... of what it might be like if we had hung together. If the three of us were there, what would go to tape?
Well, yes Dan - we all think about that. I also think that D & G think about it, but as Jimmy Buffett says - there is no point in trying to reason with hurricane season (especially "Dan's Hurricane" maybe). But hey, I am agreeing with Dan - the music is timeless, we all have your great songs put down on tape together when it was all for one and one for all. And yes, it is a pity that all that had to end, but we still have America with D & G who must take all the credit now for going on with the job, putting out such great music for us fans - I rate many post trio albums like Alibi as better than Harbor - far better in fact, and Hourglass and Moving Train as even better again. I guess that just leaves Dan wondering what it would have been like to still be a part of that success.
Chris
No, Johnny, sorry your stupidity does not prove you an innocent man--only Billy Joel is an innocent man. I re thought the whole thing out and spoke to my lawyers---since you almost infected one of my most valuable material posession a multiple of times--I am suing you. I have agreed to settle out of court if your side agrees. Just send me all your "America" memorabilia and music. You will then be in the clear with me. Just think of it as "AMERICA" fan fights back!!!!
LOL!! LOL!!
...neck pain demons BE GONE! There, you should feel better now. LOL!
Something was pointed out to me yesterday afternoon by Terry T that I was not aware of. Although I asked that we move on, I want to mention the following only because I want to clear up any remaining doubt if there is any and especially with Ladd.
As you all remember, Ladd said yesterday that he rec'd second tainted message from me that I had "intentionally" sent but this time to his SECOND e-mail address. And remember how I asked Ladd how it was possible for me to do that NOT KNOWING what his second e-mail address is? Well, Terry pointed out to me that Ladd's second address is obtainable merely by clicking on Ladd's name. WOW, I felt pretty stupid and very shocked! I was under the assumption that Ladd was posting to the folder using the same address that he had a year ago or so, leveritt.afa.org. I had NO IDEA that he was using his second address, ladddc@aol, to post to the folder. I had no idea because I NEVER CLICKED ON HIS NAME to send him any such tainted message as accused. I thought he was using the SAME e-mail address that he had a year ago. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked him how it was possible for me to obtain his second address!!! Does my stupidity help prove my innocence? Okay, okay, I can hear you all thinking, "No, your stupidity just proves you're stupid, stupid!" :0)
Brad, "Last Two To Dance" is available to listen to here. On the home page, click on "Songs" under the "AMERICA FANS" banner. There's a studio version as well as a live version. "LTTD" is one of my favorite America songs...maybe because it's so true to life for me personally. I think the song is VERY moving.
Hello, everyone. I have not posted lately and have been playing catch up on reading all the messages. Thanks, Steve, for the link to the Hope video. I just got around to watching it and throughly enjoyed it. It has always been my favorite from Hourglass. A question: Does anyone have a copy of "Last Two to Dance"? I have never heard it and would love to get a copy. Thanks, Brad
Well, as 'co-webmaster' of the Christopher Cross chat board, I can tell you that it all depends on whether a concert-promotor has contacted America's agent to book them there!
No, Diana, due to gross oversite and mass stupidity, America has not YET been inducted. It is my personal hope that they will be inducted VERY SOON! I hope that the show they are doing on 12/13 is an indication that this long overdue honor is in the works!
Well.... I'm embarrassed to admit, I'm not sure if America has already been inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame yet?? I have a feeling they were, and if so ------------- When?? Thanks for your help on this one. Diana A.
When is America going to play in HOUSTON?? PLEASE! PLEASE!
Welcome back beech!
jimbob thanks for the geography lesson! we get snow here in So Cal once in a blue moon!
Another round of "Thank Yous" to all who sent condolences and cheering words to me after my Step Dad's passing. I promise once I get the crap cleaned up in my house (after having my Dad down here to babysit the kids/dog/cat for a month) and my "affairs" put back in order I'll start on a background or two.....maybe even a new idea or two!!!!!
TkH<-----+=! No Boundary
ROFL, John L. I do believe that it's only worth $5.12 currently...
>>>"Heritage" was actually suggested by our very own Ms. Beech from the start, I believe.
That's why the memo was distributed that they couldn't USE "Heritage", cuz I HAVE THE COPYRIGHT ON IT....roflmao! J/K!!!
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
Hi again--I appreciate your responses as to where I can find it----I'll have to read and comment---if you guys can stand anymore "critiques"----ha! Been really busy w/Holiday stuff, but looking forward to being a more active member SOON. Diana
I'll give you a $1000.00 Canadian for the belt buckle. Oh, wait a minute. I think that works out to $6.37 U.S.
j
Hey Goanna! Good to have another fan from "down under"! I see you are the same age as me! Wont be in NZ for Xmas as Im going to Sydney for close on a month.My sister has lived there for about 15 years, so its almost a second home. Dan wrote in his bio how he loves Sydney, and I have to agree. Whenever I come back from there, Auckland, which is our biggest city, seems like a real backwater. Though at Americas Cup time, it really takes off! The only time I have been to Melbourne was last year for the Formula One Grand Prix, which was fantastic! From the little I saw of the city, I love it! Better weather in those few days than we ever get here. Funny how the heat in different countries is different; The sun here is more fierce than Sydney and Melbourne, even though the air temperature may not be as warm. Robyn, it doesnt snow in Auckland at all but during winter we get rain, and lots of it! Also in Dan's Bio, he talks of Christchurch being like walking into Twin Peaks. He may not be too wrong; the winters I have spent there make an English winter seem warm! And Johnny,you are correct with our flag colours!
Yes, it was me. I was serious even though I knew the answer-perhaps if I added three more zeros to the amount, I would have had a chance
:(.
That's right Johnny, I paid $65 for the buckle after an antique dealer had just handed me $65 for a light fixture. Right- I saw the buckle on his belt! My girlfriend thought I was nuts for paying $65 but-- well you guys can certainly relate!
Goanna, you can view the America belt buckle on this site. Go back to the home page. Underneath the "America Fans" banner, click on "Museum". From there, click on "Miscellaneous Room" located on the left. A photo of the buckle is located on the left and three down.
Regarding finding one for sale, it's a very rare item. I don't know of one that anyone would part with. Besides Gary Bickmore, America fans Jim R and Bruce Martin each own one. Bruce acquired his right off the waist of an antique dealer who was wearing it just because he thought it was cool and not knowing it was for America the band. That was a very cool story Bruce relayed to us about 2 months ago, I believe it was. I think Bruce said he offered and got the buckle for $65. Jim R last said his is not for sale and understandably so. I remember someone here offered Bruce $100 for his, but I'm not sure whether he/she was serious or just kidding. Was it you, LisaRose?
On the last page of the "Highway" booklet and below disc 3, there's an item of Dewey's that looks like a belt buckle but it's different than the one Gary Bickmore owns. Could it be a paperweight instead? Does anyone know? The size of Gary's belt buckle is 3.5" x 2".
Johnny...Thank you...you're so cool! (Dewey and Gerry would approve), I'm glad that we finally could talk.
Hi Erin,
Have you heard what the situation is on the guys coming to OZ? have they been booked yet? wer'e waiting in heated anticipation. LOL.
PS. Sorry everyone, for being a hog (lizard) on the chat folder tonight.... your probably still all snoring in bed anyway!!!
Hey JimBob,
Try living in Melbourne at the moment... The Weather is absolutely crazy, this time last year we were sweltering in 40*C temp. I think i was in a pair of Boardshorts & a Billabong singlet. Now, I've just gotten home from work and it's barely reached 16*C today.... bizzarrrre to say the least the weather reports say it's the coldest December in Melbourne on record (150 yrs). Anyway, what are you guys doing for Xmas in NZ???
Johnny,
What's the go with the belt buckle? Is there one available & where? or if someone has one how much do I need to part with to obtain one? is it an Ebay thing?
Jim Bob, like John L, you may not be from America but you're an AMERICAn. And, like the US flag, isn't the New Zealand flag red, white, and blue?
to the few who were able to join me this evening. I enjoyed talking to you!
More than just one Doobie------>Doobie Brothers, rather. That "post" finger is just too quick!
Oh, a big lug! In my family, the gumba/gomba is Howard...my brother Howard Yee that is.
No Robyn, no Sopranos or Super Mario Brothers here. The Doobie Brother though! "Rockin' down the highway...."
well jimbob, we in CA are in warmish weather around 70. Do you get snow in July or is it just chilly like in LA? ( forgive MY IGNORANCE!)
That's Gomba, paisano! Johnny don't you watch the Sopranos or play Super Mario Brothers? a big lug, at least in My family that's what it meant!
Johnny, I know you want to move on, but I have to say you are a real asset to this board and you have always made me feel most welcome, me not being from America. And I always appreciate your emails! It interests me that there is such a big thing about the first album appearing without HORSE only cos most of the second hand albums available in NZ DONT include it. Must all be imports. I much prefer it without HORSE cos that recording is just not as good. I noticed that no recording of that song ever sounds as good as anything else on the album it appears on. Funny to read of some of you guys in snow; I dont mind the cold, but man, its nice to be sittin' in the sun, drinkin' a beer as I just have been! Its Thursday evening down here already, y'see! Been listening to HIGHWAY and the CD has just clicked over to STING'S new one. Its good too!
LOL, Howie! I'm not sure what a GUMBA is, but if it's anything like Gumby (or Gumbie???)...that's scary! :0)
Goanna, I understand your name now. I've seen a goanna or two on TV hosted by the Aussie crocodile hunter Steve, but I didn't know the spelling of the word until now. That Steve is one crazy but brave guy who's a lot of fun to watch. His wife is an American, I believe. She's a crazy but brave soul, too!
Yes, the logo on the box set would make a great-looking belt buckle. The actual AMERICA belt buckle is VERY cool!
"Heritage" was actually suggested by our very own Ms. Beech from the start, I believe.
Oh, that reminds me of something I forgot to mention in my previous post that I think is VERY important so please forgive we for the revisit. Regarding the person Beech suspects is behind "my troubles", I personally don't believe he is as I stated before. Without any evidence, I don't want to cast any blame on him because that would be doing the same thing that has been done to me. I no longer hold any animosity toward him. I think he knows he did wrong. Everyone (well most everyone) deserves a second chance.
It's that new musical sensation.....
It's Johnny & The Viruses....
Doing his #1 top charting hit....
"Email, don't fail me now"
You mess with Johnny, you mess with all us GUMBA'S..
CAPEESH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL
Angie, some of the items I've owned from years back but a majority is indeed from eBay as Kim stated. As far as Gerry's next solo CD, I have no idea. I'm just a lonely AMERICA fan living in a redneck town in southeast New Mexico. Jimnak, I'm sure, can tell us about the status of Gerry's next solo CD since he's in major contact with Gerry and Dewey.
Kim, I never knew it was you that I was bidding against for that AMERICA album without "Horse". And yes, the money spent on AMERICA items can certainly add up quickly...too quickly!
John L, Americans were the target only but you would qualify as an AMERICAn! So shall I? :0) Just kiddin', of course.
Eddy and Lisa, thank you very much for your support and your very kind words! I truly appreciate it. I prefer, however, that we all concentrate on AMERICA topics and not on me. So, if we can move forward from here, I'd be most happy.
Angie, I recently discovered e-bay (yes, I always seem to be a day late & a dollar short!) and was able to get the Homecoming music book for $5 (somewhat used but still in pretty good shape) and an America Deluxe Anthology book for $15 (brand new). I also got 6 America 45's for $5. I managed to obtain all this within a five day span. I even ended up bidding against our own Mr. Yee for America's 1st lp without HWNN. (Unfortunately we both lost out) I have since sworn off e-bay as I decided I would rapidly be heading for the poor house at the rate I was going! They do have lots of neat America things though. I saw tour programs, some kind of guitar autographed by Gerry etc. It definately takes awhile to sort through all of it though.;)
Kim
gee, Johnny. You've never sent me an email virus. What did I do to offend you? Don't you care? Everyone else has one? How come I don't rate? Huh? Huh?
j
I think it is appropriate to get out "You Had To Be There", the old live Buffet album, and enjoy "God's Own Drunk". A truly hilarious story only Jimmy could tell.DanC.
I have to come to the defense of Johnny, it's pretty obvious that someone IS trying to crap on him. I too got one of these e-mails quite a few months ago (nothing recently) & I also remember someone
"picking" on him on this board not to long ago.
I've allways found Johnny to be very nice in his posts, & just a big fan of a great band: AMERICA.
IF (& I did say IF) someone is behind all this, & Johnny & Beechlady have an idea who it is, expose this "person" , I think ALL of us have a right to know just who this sicko is. (and maybe even report him/her, if that is possible!) I think if we find out who it is, & prosecute, that would put an end to all this.......
I can't believe that someone can actually think that you are doing this on purpose? You are right--you are the victim and I think you are being pretty nice to those that accused you of actually doing the crime. How dare them? I cannot tell you how many other viruses I have gotten over the years--from MY BEST FRIEND and even one from MY BROTHER.
Hi Johnny! I do have a question for you...Where do you get all the America records-45's and stuff? Are most of them yours that you bought when the band started and have you collected along the way. I never seen some of the promotional stuff even when Human Nature came out. And I've been looking for an America songbook or the chords for guitar. Saw it once in Coconuts and never saw it again...damn!LOL:) Oh well....Do you know if we heard any news about Gerry's solo CD that he was working on? Just questions if you don't mind me asking!
Dennis, like Ladd, I never sent you an e-mail message whether virus-tainted or otherwise. Please read my post #19998. It will help explain to you why I never replied to your message sent to me at Yeehaa@Leaco.net and that's because I don't access that e-mail account anymore. I haven't been able to for the past 4 months. The virus killed it dead. Well, my attempted removal of the virus killed it, to be totally accurate.
Beech, in fairness to him, I really don't think "Mr. Happy" is behind this. As intelligent as he is, I don't think he would be able to obtain Ladd's second e-mail address nor Genevieve's. I don't know for sure but that's what I believe. There is a second wave of the virus going around according to what I've heard on the news so I believe this is the case here with everyone who's been sent the messages.
Folks, I am very, very sorry that you all have received virus-tainted messages linked to my old e-mail address. I can't explain it any more than what I have. Either you can believe me or you can think I'm so evil that I would do such a sad and sick thing. All I can do is to tell you all the truth. I can't do anything more.
I have had a disagreement or two with some fellow fans here but I always address people directly. I don't resort to underhanded tactics. I, too, am a victim of all of this. Please think about this: Why would I intentionally send my fellow America fans virus-tainted messages? Don't you all think I would know each one of one would post to the folder here and it would result in my name being smeared? And as I mentioned in my last message, how would I be able to obtain Ladd's second e-mail address and Genevieve's address too since it's not obtainable by clicking on it?
Oh Ladd, ol' ye of little faith! Again, I am very sorry to hear that you are still being pestered by that e-mail virus linked to my name. But please "believe in me when I say" I am not intentionally sending you virus-tainted messages. Just for the record, I e-mailed you first a year ago or so because I enjoyed reading your bio that you submitted to Steve. You kindly replied back and I appreciated that. I wrote you a follow-up message hoping to chat some more about America. I never received a reply from you but that was okay by me if you didn't want to correspond with me any further. Maybe you now think I was angry that I didn't hear back from you a second time and that my response was to send you numerous virus-tainted messages. If this is what you think, you are very, very mistaken! I have never written to you after my second message I sent you a year ago.
Let's think this out LOGICALLY. You said in your message, "I HAVE NEVER EMAILED JOHNNY YEE FROM THAT ADDRESS [ladddc@aol.com]. NEVER." You are correct Ladd, you never have. I have NEVER received a message from you with that address. So Ladd, please tell me and everyone else here how it's possible that I would be able to obtain your second e-mail address? You're giving me way too much "credit" for being some type of computer whiz. A Wen Ho Lee I am not.
Genevieve said she received a message allegedly from me. I did not send Genevieve any message. I don't know what her e-mail address is even if I wanted to. This is what makes this virus so hideous; it apparently infects other e-mail addresses without it coming directly from the person initially infected.
So Ladd, you are mistaken in saying, "This one is proactive all the way." I hope what I have said above proves to you that I am being totally truthful with you and everyone here when I say I did not nor have I ever intentionally sent anyone virus-tainted e-mail messages.
Geez! Now I see another message posted on the folder about this damn computer virus. Arrrrh!
HELLO???????????????
I think that it's pretty OBVIOUS that Mr. Flamer is trying to crap on Johnny again. This IDIOT lurks the folder (-now, a while back he was pretty "active" and thought HE was the BIGGEST FAN...) and does this crap just to piss everyone off. He caused trouble about 5-6 months ago and is now apparently trying to spread some of his Holiday Cheer again. Just DELETE anything from Johnny if you're afraid of infection. If it's IMPORTANT enough, Mr. Y will probably post in here! This idiot also tried some crap on me and IGNORING and TOSing his heinie is the BEST way of getting rid of him......
TkH<-------+=! No Boundary
Greetings fans! I too received a e-mail several months ago with an attachment from a johnny Yee that would have done major damage to my system and it totally unusable!!This is not the way to deal with differences in opinon and is illegal! Please Johnny if it was you....stop and communicate your opinion in an intelligent manner way....words and that will could sway people to your thoughts if they are positive and usefull...if it was you and when you never answered my e-mail it makes me wonder? You will harvest what you sow or in physics ever action has a reaction depending on that action! Lots of Love & Many blessings to all America Fans of all Spiritual philosophies Be Well,DenRA (Dennis Proffitt) ps; link at bottom goes to Goldeneaglevideo the first e-mail will take you there also
Oh Steve......
Here's one vote for the SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TkH<-----one of your Floridiot friends...lol....+=! No Boundary
Greetings fans! I too received a e-mail several months ago with an attachment from a johnny Yee that would have done major damage to my system and it totally unusable!!This is not the way to deal with differences in opinon and is illegal! Please Johnny if it was you....stop and communicate your opinion in an intelligent manner way....words and that will could sway people to your thoughts if they are positive and usefull...if it was you and when you never answered my e-mail it makes me wonder? You will harvest what you sow or in physics ever action has a reaction depending on that action! Lots of Love & Many blessings to all America Fans of all Spiritual philosophies Be Well,DenRA (Dennis Proffitt)
Great news Steve--am so happy for you. Have a blast!!! In order to protect yourself against the virus--you should read Johnny's post from last week which told you to block any emails from him. That seemed to work for me.
Hey there Steve, that snow you got in Utah sounds great to me. Im a skier and Utah has the best snow in the world. Good luck in your new job and enjoy that sun over there on the islands.
I also wanted to congratulate you. It didn't take you long to turn the wheels of fortune ! What an efficient (job) hunter you are! Take advantage of the Hawaii sun, cause you might soon get overworked again with this site to run & your new job.
Wish you the nicest vacation & for the near future (sic), the best possible boss !!! Genevieve
Hi!
Also got a message with your name, Johnny, but no subject .
Thought it could be an infected mail (which it probably was) so I deleted it immediately, without checking the content. Since I have never E-mailed you, & you haven't sent me anything either, I shouldn't have been exposed to it, unless I got the virus through messages coming from some people sharing this board , themselves already affected ( having been in contact with you )and unware they might be spreading it? Is it a likely scenario ? I don't know... But I had a few direct contacts with Am' fans in the last few days.
I just hope noone is trying to do some bad job to prevent us from expressing ourselves?
Anyway, Johnny would you be so kind as to confirm on this board it was no message from you. Thanks so much.
Is it Wednesday already? Yep! Join me this evening for a chat about things America The Oficiall start time is 5 Pacific, so you east coasters can get to chat before midnight! Hope to see you there!
I love margaritaville.com....i visit that site ALMOST as much as this one...
erin :o)
ps...congratulations, steve! hope you're enjoying your vacation! i'm so jealous...we have a foot of snow on the ground!
No big surprise, but yesterday, there was yet another virus waiting for me in my email from ol' Johnny Yee.
And here's the interesting part of it. When I originally emailed Johnny Yee a year ago or so, it was from my leveritt@afa.org email address. Since that time, I've received a virus email to that account every two weeks or so.
But this time, the virus was sent to my ladddc@aol.com address. I HAVE NEVER EMAILED JOHNNY YEE FROM THAT ADDRESS. NEVER. So it is now patently obvious that this isn't some type of "automatic response" thing that he has nothing to do with. This one was proactive all the way.
And is it still tired? Yeah, it was the first time.
-Ladd
Holiday, that's cool all JB fans coming out of the woodwork.
All JB fans go to this website...www.radiomargaritaville.com
Not only do they play JB and various artists music....ready for this
America fans, don't be jealous (because I am) they broadcast all of
JB's concerts and when he's not touring they play old concerts from the 1980's, 1990's and the past 2 years of concerts. And with certain software, you can record the concerts, and I have done that very often
and they sound pretty good too.
HL
.... also weighing in as a Buffett fan with Leaky, Howard and Robyn.
Jimmy has been known for political incorrectness; his irreverent humour makes it all worthwhile. Now what was that other song: "My Head Hurts, My Feet Stink and I don't Love .....". But, hey that was back in his 1975 drug induced rebellious era. I believe that he has mellowed with age - how old is he now anyway, 55 or 56?
Chris
Ahhhh Johnny,,,,
Thank you for jolting my memory. If I had of read the Ian Samwell interveiw a bit better I would have picked up on it....still be good as a belt buckle though don't you think??? LOL...
Oh yeah, "Goanna" is not what it sounds like either. It's not actually "Go - Anna" as some may have thought. It's Goanna (reptile)! In OZ we have these big lizards in the bush that get to about 8ft, called "Goanna's" it's Aboriginal for "Lizard",,, I think... it's a long story and I want bore as to why the name goanna, but anyway, I was chased up a tree by a goanna, who wanted to fight me over my steak sandwich!!!, I'm 41, with a wife, 3 kids & a mortagage... and happy to be alive! I've travelled nearly all of Australia and we love "America"
Thanks everyone. I'm in Hawaii right now and going to enjoy every minute until I get back and start at my new job. I have a friend who's letting me use her laptop tonight. She and her husband are here cheering for BYU, too. If she lets me use the laptop on other nights, I'll continue to check in. Thanks again to everyone! --Steve
P.S. When I left Utah this morning it was snowing hard and about 35 degrees. When I landed in Honolulu, it was breezy and 78 degrees. Hmmm, I wonder where I'd rather be????
Goanna said in her message #19947: "Could someone tell me where the logo on the 30 year box set comes from? or is it a once off that was made for the box set photo, is it an actual belt buckle?"
Goanna, it is the former and not the latter. Here is what Gerry said about the logo:
"What is funny is the way that the logo lays. Instead of laying flat, it's slightly rounded, because they took the logo image from the cactus shot, which is from a naturally curved cactus. You can see the slight curvature along the edges."
Hope that answers your question....Johnny
Sorry Angie that you wrote me and I never responded (not having received the message, of course). You must have thought I was being a snob. I'm sorry you received the tainted message but I'm glad you now know why I didn't respond.
To Chris regarding the 3rd America member, yes, I think Kyle Vincent would fit in nicely but I don't think Steve Perry would at all. His personality and musically accomplishments would overshadow D&G's, I think. I can, however, see Dewey and Perry teaming up for a whole CD much like Gerry did with Robert Lamm and Carl Wilson. I think some wonderful music could be created between the two!
That explains why....I clicked on your name months and months ago. Sending you an e-mail...never hearing back I gave up. So I found it strange that I saw this in the mailbox and deleted because I remembered everyone else getting it....Thanks:)
The box set was originally titled "Heritage" in the states as well as in Australia.Why the name change to "Higway" I don't know,but as far as I know the track listening is identical on "Heritage" and "Highway"
...acoustic guitars, some piano and a bit of percussion. Yep.
jb
Congrats on the job.Glad to hear that it didn't take too long for you to get it.Have a great vaction.
Steve
Angie, my former e-mail address was "yeehaa@Leaco.net". I no longer use it. I use a hotmail address now. I have been using the "new" address exclusively for the past 4 months even though it looked like I was using the Leaco address here on the chat folder when my name was clicked on. If anyone attempted to send me a message using that old address, I didn't receive your message.
As mentioned before, I don't know how or why some folks here received virus-tainted messages that appeared to be from me during this latest occurrence. Angie, I don't remember ever corresponding with you personally. Perhaps we have or perhaps you attempted to write to me by clicking on my name.
Last night, I asked Steve to make it so no one can click on my
name in an attempt to correspond with me. If anyone wants to contact me who doesn't have my hotmail address, he/she can post a message here and I'll certainly write back.
Going back to the virus-tainted messages from my old e-mail address, the address is not exactly the same as my former one. Whoever this devious person is that devised this virus, he/she alters a person's address. My former address was "yeehaa@Leaco.net", right? The tainted messages appear with an e-mail address that is almost identical except for a slight alteration. A space now appears before the e-mail address. So Angie, you probably received the message from "_yeehaa@Leaco.net". My name still appears with the address even though I didn't personally send it.
As mentioned in my message to Ladd, I am not intentionally sending anyone virus-tainted messages. So, if anyone receives any messages from "_yeehaa@Leaco.net" or any form of the address, please DELETE it immediately. It would probably be wise to also block any future receipt from that address, but I'm sure this sicko will devise another altered address that's some way associated with a person's original address. It wouldn't surprise me if folks start receiving tainted messages with my name associated with a hotmail address! Back when I was being anonymously flamed, the sender used a hotmail address with Woodz's name in an attempt to lure me to the live chat box! That just proves how warped some people can be.
(Cathy, I sent you my hotmail address as you requested but I never heard back from you. If you want me to re-send, just let me know.)
Back to AMERICA topics, PLEASE! :0)
For anyone to think that Dan is going to write an auto-biography and not include his 'religious conversion' must not know Dan or is intolerant.
And concerning his comments about 9/11, he DID NOT say he thought it was God's punishment, he merely put forth the QUESTION as to what 9/11 was all about.
You're right. Religious discussions are a waste of time. Discussions about freedom of speech are not. That's why we're all able to be on this site right now, casting our pearls ... I don't care that Dan is out there articulating his (occasionally strident) religious views. I worry when folks start hinting that he shouldn't.
Boy, that didn't take too long, w/your talent & personality I knew that someone would grab up on you right away!
CONGRATULATIONS!!
just listening to the boys version of "hark the herald angels sing"
and wishing there was a whole America Christmas cd. maybe next year
they could put one together. they could call it "holly" (the 'h' thing)and keep it simple with just acoustic guitars, some piano
and a bit of percussion. what about it? should we encourage dewey
and gerry to give a christmas cd in 2002?
Steve, that's great news. Thanks for sharing it with us.
All our positive energy worked out for you.
Have a great vacation in Hawaii :0)
Talk to you when you get back.
Weighing in as a fan of Jimmy..
Your post made me laugh ( of course Siter Mary Mac used to tell me I'd burn in Hell for that!)
WOOHOOO! Congrats Steve. Enjoy your vacation!
Leaky, I think the only Buffet fans here are me and you...
F R U I T C A K E S.........is what you're referring to...Right?
Oh yeah, alot of them running around these days, especially on the web!
Where's the church, who took the steeple
Religion's in the hands of some crazy ass people
Television preachers with bad hair and dimples
The God's honest truth is it's not that simple
It's the Buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me
It's the Muslim in him, she's Catholic ain't she?
It's that born again look, it's the wasp and the Jew
Tell me what's goin on, I ain't got a clue
Half baked cookies in the oven
Half baked people on the bus
There's a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us
Some folks like icing, some folks like cake
Some swim in the ocean, some paddle in a lake
You can get into Beethoven, you can groove on Jimmy Reed
But keep it simple stupid
All we really need
(Jimmy Buffett)
sorry guys :-)
-CONGRATS TO MR. L on a hurdle well crossed! (C=
-Hey, if one doesn't own a sense of humor, WHAT'S THE POINT?
-+=! Works every time.
TkH<--------+=! No Boundary
I got something this morning looked like a virus or something deleted it any way. yeehaa@leaco.ne? Was it yours? Just asking....
Way to go Steve!
Cool!
Have a great mini-vacation!
Way to go Steve!!
john
Congrats Stevo ! another employed person !
Better plan your next AMERICA show, 2002 is shaping up to be quite a busy year. Glad AMERICA is gaining some rest b/4 2002.
Tomorrow morning I'm leaving early for Hawaii and I likely won't be able to post anything here until I get back on the 10th (unless the hotel we stay at has Internet access). In any case, I wanted to let everyone know that I was offered a job this afternoon and I accepted it tonight. So when I come back from Hawaii I'll be gainfully employed once more. Thanks for all your positive vibes and encouragement!
It's cool that we're approaching 20,000 posts. I think the very first post was made in April of 1997. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then!
Good thing you posted your second message, Joe. Otherwise, you too could have been labeled an "E-mail Terrorist"!!! :0)
Joe, although your first post wasn't directly at me, I appreciate your second post. It's very nice.
Hey, we're quickly approaching post #20000 as pointed out to me by Terry T!
Now that I think about it ,what I said was very un Christian like. Kevin has every right to say what he thinks and I regret my earlier post Joe K
I am sure that as usual, Kevin is trying to be clever. However I take great offense at the comments you made concerning Dans last chapter. You should read it. It means a great deal to him and me. If God is not there then we are truely doomed. Some day Kevin you may have someone reading these words back to you in front of the Almighty. " I was just trying to be clever" will ring pretty hollow then..................Joe K
Steve...Wow never knew that...always assumed that there are a lot of high tech jobs. I work in health care and there is a shortage of therapists/nurses/etc... Hoping that you hear from someone soon. Wave at the BYU Cougar football game...Hawaii sounds so nice. Can't complain in NJ we have been having some nice weather...but we are looking forward to throwing some snowballs around. Have a happy holiday Steve. Thank-you for running this site(I don't know where I would be without it!)...good things will happen soon for you!
Going to the Beatlefest site to see if they have something up about George...Miss him much.Angie
PS-I'm going back to read
Dan's post with a clearer
head.
Kevin said: Besides I always thought Dewey was God.
It's very easy to think that Kevin since "Dewey" and "Yahweh" sound quite similar.
In my opinion, the best post thus far is Kevin's statement, "Religious arguments are a waste of time."
God spelled backwards is still man's best friend. "Dewey" spelled backwards (Yewed) is still close to "Yahweh". I think you're on to something there, Kevin! :0)
I'm not a religious person. After 6 years of Catholic School, I've done my time. Isn't it ironic how you can find heaven and hell in the same location? I've always thought Dan was an incredible musician, singer and songwriter. That's what I bought into. I relgiously bought his solo work in spite of the religious references. (I bought the Beatles Revolution without feeling the need to overthrow a government, or Elton John without feeling a need to sleep with a man.) I have yet to read Episode 52, and after reading these comments, I'll skip it. I've been rapped in the knuckles in the name of God enough. But I still support Dan's music and the message of his work, religious or otherwise, 100 percent. Dan is, was and always will be a founding partner and major contributor to the best band I've ever heard. Religious arguments are a waste of time. Besides I always thought Dewey was God.
KevinS.
We were all so disappointed when Dan cut off his story a while back and I think some of us were hoping we’d get a personal glimpse into his thoughts at the moment he decided to changed his career path. I think that’s what he was doing with this episode.
I didn’t feel like he was preaching directly to me but more like he was providing his "supporting evidence" for why he thinks people turn to religion when they are at their lowest. I’m sure a life-changing decision like that is hard to transfer to words so he was quoting and using examples to get the meaning of it across.
I honestly don’t think he meant anyone in particular deserved the 9/11 tragedy. As with a lot of people who have read Revelations or Nostradamus-type literature, when a natural disaster happens or a war erupts, people think a prophesy is coming true. You know, like a Noah-and-the-flood sort of thing.
If Dan was truly that low in his life, then I’m glad he took that route instead of killing himself with drugs and drink. I mean, it’s more than just his Web site to do with what he wants, it’s his life story in his words, and I don’t think it was meant for us to agree or disagree with or to feel comfortable with. It seems he feels religion saved—his—life…that’s pretty major stuff!
I went back and read it again after all the comments started posting and I can see where people are coming from. I honestly hadn’t given it much personal thought when I first I read it because if I were reading it as an entire book in my hands, I’d just assimilate the information into the whole story. Perhaps it’s the feeling of directness from an isolated, posted entry rather than a book structure that makes it hard to take. Not sure.
Okay, I hadn’t planned on typing that much. Sorry!
or, even MORE directly:
http://www.danpeek.com/bio/ep_52.htm
duh-oh! now why didn't I think to tell her that! always on top of things Steve. Have a wonderful vacation. I hope good news will await you upon your return
Diana, you can also find a direct link to the latest episode (which currently is #52) in the "What's New" section of the America Fans Home Page.
You are on the right path Janice, keep the faith and good luck.
Welcome Diana. Go to www.danpeek.com. it's Dan's web page.
If you don't mind, I would like to comment. I promise not to preach. I can "so relate" to what Dan is saying. I too, have felt like the proverbial jerk. I have had nothing, and I have had excess. Having excess does not fill the void when something is missing in your life. I have a good paying job and a nice car..a nice home..but I don't have my health and am now in Stage 4 cancer. Illness can be a blessing..sound strange? I don't feel bad..the chemo I am taking is not making me lose my hair and I have the time to be home! I get up early, do bible study, watch the sunrise, take a walk..my life is so peaceful. I end the day with a "sunset walk", a fire in the fireplace and more inspirational reading. Never in my life have I had the luxury of this lifestyle. People who have never "had" to work may not be inclined to make the most of their day..to not thank God for the days you feel good enough to even get out of bed. Dan found peace in his life...I am finding peace in mine..using the same means, but a different journey.
I, too, squirmed a bit reading Episode 52, but so what? If we insist on tacitly inviting our artists to open their skulls and give us a window seat on their psyches, we're bound to end up with "too much information" sometimes. Regarding the spiritual Dan (and I am not a religion-on-my sleeve Christian at all), I'll take "Forgive You, Forgive Me" or "All Things Are Possible" to the chilly sentiments of Episode 52. But I'd rather have a new LP of secular tunes from Dan in any case. One other thought. George Harrison, at the absolute apex of his fairly public spiritual quest, could be rather dogmatic. However, one thing that always endeared him to me was that his LP prosletyzing was generally laced with a healthy dose of humanity. Maybe I missed it (and I'm sure someone out there will call me on it if I have). But I don't think George H. ever held out the likelihood of violent damnation for those who followed another path. He may have taken a subtle shot now and then -- "beware of soft shoe shufflers" and "greedy leaders," for example, but I think his overriding message was one of tolerance, love and compassion. Again, though, I don't think we can expect to seek the unvarnished truth from our artists without being left to feel uncomfortable -- or even angry -- once in a while at what we get.
Thanks for the heads up..I am on my way to read it. I too, will not be surprised by it's content. It was Dan's chosen path..and speaking on a personal note, it is my path as well. I yearn for understanding and guidance and I find it in daily bible study. It warmed my heart to see Ronnie perform in the Christmas performance at our church last night. And it helped me just this morning as I tried to console him about the loss of our lizard that many of you know about..(Yep..Mr. Lee died last night.) It is a sad day and we will have a "funeral" for him. Just this weekend I picked up a brochure at the church about explaining a loss of a pet to a child. God knew Mr. Lee was dying even though we didn't, and provided the means to help me help my child cope. Off my soapbox..have a wonderful day.
I read where there is to be a minute of meditation for George Harrison today. Please participate.
Janice
Me again,
must have been tired last night, the George song went~ "If you don't know where your going, any road will take you there"
All I can say is Dan knows his bible in and out. Not going to comment on it but the bible does tell the truth and nothing but the truth. What Dan wrote is what came from the bible, believe or not, one has to decide for himself.
I would have to agree with you John. After reading Dan's 52nd episode, I felt like I'd just been beat over the head with a 10lb Bible.
Whilst I can appreciate Dan's revelation and the enormous pressure he must have felt during his last days as member of the group, in short, it really is - his - journey. I don't mind being preached too but not bashed over the head. I know I'm probably a sinner (irrespective of what religion) we all may follow... but I think for that episode it may have been more apt for Dan to give us an overall view rather than in introspective ram down the throat. Then again, it's his website, so i guess he's got the right to convey his thoughts the way he want's. I also can't help thinking what effect to the relationship this would have had between all 3 guys when Dan went through this. I can't help but think how D&G felt when confronted by this situation. It must have been extremely difficult and gut wrenching,,, you see, when this happens to someone, it not only effects them in person,, but also those around them which can also be unbearable.
Hi-------I'm new to the Chat Folder, and wanted to know where I can find/read this "controversial" Episode 52. Thanks!! Diana
Steve...How is the job hunt?
Since you asked, Angie, I'll give a brief summary. There are a few high tech jobs available where I live but there are hundreds and sometimes thousands of applicants for each job. I have interviewed with 4 companies so far and may have an interview with a 5th company in a week. Tomorrow I'm having a second interview with one of those first 4 companies (they're taking me out to lunch). I'd say that things are looking good. If I don't get an offer in December, I think that some new jobs will open up in January or February.
By the way, I'm still cheering for the undefeated BYU Cougar football team. On Tuesday I'm heading to Hawaii for a 6 day vacation which will include their final regular season game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (on ESPN2 for those who want to watch it - I'll be sure to wave at you). So, I'll be out of touch for about a week. The laptop I used to take on the road with me belonged to Volera so I don't have that anymore. --SteveL
I caught that interview w/George, infact, watched it a couple of times, that one song he did...geez.... now I can't remember, something
about the road to anywhere (God, my mind went blank) anyhoo, it was a beautiful song, wish I would have recorded it on Video. Now that he's gone, it feels weird hearing songs like "All Things Must Pass" We truly lost a great artist.....
ok, because of the threat of anthrax, the annual holiday cards to service people has been cancelled. so, anyone who wants to send a note, please go to www.support-a-servicemember.com It's a good thing!
I don't know why episode 52 has come as a surprise to anyone. Dan has been preaching through music and on stage for much of the last 25 years. I would have been surprised if he hadn't included an episode 52. Most world religions are exclusive of other religions. Most (note I said MOST no ALL) claim to be THE way or at least the BEST way to God. This is nothing new in Christianity. Jesus hinself said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No on can come to the Father except through me." Pretty exclusive words. Islam also teaches that the only way to please God is through Islam. Christians and Jews will be cast into hell according to Islam. Now there are moderates and liberals in every religion that do not believe in the exclusiveness of their religions.
Let's don't confuse tolerance with acceptance. To be honest, I'm a Christian and agree with what Dan has said in episode 52. I believe what Jesus said when he said he was the way. However, I am tolerant of other religions. Everyone has the right to practice or not to practice any religion of their choosing. Now I may not agree with their religion, but they certainly have the right to practice it. That is tolerance.
Are you intolerant of someone sharing their beliefs if they don't fit your world view?
PS. Dan didn't say Sept 11th was chastisment from God. He said he didn't know if it was or not. I don't believe it was.
Wow...Episode 52 was like a bolt out of the blue. To tell you the truth I was expecting more on the America story and how he relates to it now. Not a sermon. I think I was surprised at his view about religion in general.
PS-Steve...How is the job hunt?
PSS-Missing George...Here Comes The Sun...
I hate to express a kneejerk reaction but I got bored reading Psalm 52 and just wished, about half way through it, to be able to hear some of Dan's damn fine guitar work on a new album of new tunes.DanC.
P.S. Come to think of it I had the same reaction with Episode? #51
Hello everyone,interesting to note that domestic release of the box set in Australia has been retitled to "Heritage".Unfortunately no other details are available.
Robyn,
You're right ! Episode 52 is on DAN'S site.
Far from me the idea of judging the suffering man he was then but i'm not sure he is right now to use the showcase HIS site is, & his connection to the band to express his religious interpretations, knowing some people could take his saying literally.
Actually, it's not the part that comes from his heart that makes some of us uncomfortable, it's the passage that seems to emanate from a somehow manipulated mind that hurts & shocks. Beechlady's right too : maybe Dan should stop reading between the lines.
Well, brother Tom DID warn that Dan got into talking about his strong beliefs. Personally, I feel that Dan's belieffs have given HIM strength and he wants everyone to feel the peace he does. He does not realize that this does not work for everyone the way it did for him. It IS Dan's page and he can say what he wants. Dan's bio speaks from his heart and is bound to make some of us uncomfortable.
Ah, I knew this was coming (grin)....
I respect ANYONE'S right to follow ANY religion. Any guide post that one needs to become more spiritual is wonderful! What I have a gripe about is when someone starts to DIS other forms of religion. I guess that's why I don't follow any religion. ALL religions are one man's rules to follow God. Spirituality is YOUR GOD/SPIRIT/LIFE FORCES rules. I believe that the Koran (help me out here if I'm wrong) stated "There are as many paths to God (i.e. or spirit/life force) as there are grains of sand. I think if Mr. Peek was TRUELY listening to his heart and not reading inbetween lines he would understand that. BUT, once again it IS his pages and HIS opinions. I still find them VERY insite-ful (and not inciteful)! Being raised a Christian I always thought that you are to Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged.....
Just a thought....
TkH<-----+=! No Boundary
While I think it's great that America gets to play there on the "big day", it's too darned bad that it has to be for the National Championship this year(i.e. not the Big Ten/Pac 10 champions). I DISLIKE the BCS.....yuck. U of Miami? YUCKY....lololol
TkH<------+=! No Boundary
I really respect Dan as an artist, both with America and as a solo artist. Although I am not a religious person, I have always respected Dan's religious experience and his willingness to share his joy of faith. However, I have to agree with Terry and Genevieve that Episode 52 was "crossing over" into a form of preachiness and absolutist rhetoric I don't particularly care for. Even though Dan has the right to put whatever he wants on his website, I don't think that dismissing the religious beliefs of over a third of the people on this planet with a couple of glib statements is appropriate or necessary to tell his story. When the events of September 11th happened, we were all effected, and people dealt with it in many ways. Some turned to their Christian faith, other to their Muslim or Buddhist beliefs, while others merely turned to the flag and expressed patriotic sentiment or became closer to their families.
Finally, I just want to express my absolute rejection and condemnation of Dan's statements that the September 11th attacks were "chastening or correction" of for any purpose. Any "religion" or "god" that uses the lives of thousands of innocent lives as a "gesture" or "message" is one that I would want to stay as far away from as possible. I thought that's what we're fighting against in Afghansitan.
john
Thanks, Genevieve, for having the courage to be the first one to post on this topic. I've been kinda stewing ever since I read Episode 52. It's not that I wasn't expecting it to take the turn it has, either. That was only a matter of time. I only truely hoped that preaching it would not become...let alone preaching to the exclusion of others. If I read it correctly, he says that the God of all Muslims isn't real. We're talking a lot of people there. I didn't hear a peep about Krishna, either. Krishna seemed to do fine with George Harrison and a few (hundred million) others. Buddhism ain't going away, either. I wish Dan would just chill sometimes because I love the guy, his talents, his contribution to AMERICA, and his music in general. Shucks...this always happens. I grow up on certain songs/groups, get to love the music, then get too much information. I wish he wouldn't feel so guilty or feel that he has to confess to us...that's something that can remain private and still be positive. No song of his or any he ever participated in that I've heard have ever sounded un-Christian to these ears...and they rocked. I'm a firm believer in freedom of speech but also in separation of CHURCH and STAGE! After all, this is America.
Hi there!
Hope you're all having a great weekend.
Though I don't mean to disburb AM'fans during their precious time off, I'd like to know what you all think of Dan's 52 (?) . Reading it made me feel "ill-at-ease" (to the point of using this euphemism)...
Don't mistake me! I'm a great admirer of Dan's work usually but that preaching of his didn't quite convince me, & made me question his tolerance.
Excuse me if you think I'm provocative, it's not my goal here. I just can't help remembering an article (I have kept) from R&F magazine dating back from the mid-80's, in which Gerry called Dan a "Jesus Freak", thus explaining their separation in 77.
Now I probably need to be reassured: is Dan going a little too far
or am I misinterpreting his words about God's relationships to the Jews, the Xtians & the Muslims? Apart from explaining his need to put an end to a purposeless life (at the time) i don't understand why he had to add this particular passage.
Maybe you'll be able to help (again)?
Thanks Johnny, I'd almost forgot about the question myself! I posed the question of a possible third band member (and I agree - the duo is doing just fine), as a way of generating more new material and a CD of new songs. Of course, Russ Ballard did this in VFTG and the result was that America again had chart success. Even though You Can Do Magic is not every America fans favourite song, I like it a lot - both as a song and for the fact that it put America back up there where they belong. The association with Ballard also led to Dewey having a great song in The Border.
Much like George Harrison was able to team up with Dylan, Petty and Orbison, I wonder if there is a new America trio waiting somewhere out there ........
Hey Johnny, what about Steve Perry or Kyle Vincent?
Chris
Could someone tell me where the logo on the 30 year box set comes from? or is it a once off that was made for the box set photo, is it a an actual belt buckle?
good job Howie!! (can I call you Howie?)
hey, did anyone catch the VH1 replay last night of their 1997 interview with George Harrison? Great interview if you missed it, following the interview George played three or four songs on acoustic guitar ending the set with "All things must Pass"
Wow. They really covered that tune? It's tough to fathom Gerry and Dewey performing a song that refers to "bringin' in a couple of keys."
Please tell me they never covered, like, "Crystal Blue Persuasion."
Answer is....Coming Into Los Angeles, bringing in a couple of keys...
Ever hear Arlo's version of this at Woodstock and talking with the audience, whew, what a square he was tring to fit in with the "In Crowd" Hey, man they closed the New York State Freeway man", etc. LOL
I saw the movie a long time ago, I remember it being weird, but it was hilarious.
Last time Dewey, Gerry and band performed this song was in 1998 in Brazil, also Woodzy's niece came up on stage and joined them on stage.
What a cute niece you got there Woodzy! It's was televised over in Brazil at the time, and the huge crowd loved them!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"You can get anything you want (excepting Alice) at Alices rest......movie version...LOL Am I the only one who saw that?
On a somber note. I greatly admired George Harrison. he not only was a great mucisian,he also seemed to be a great person and had a good sense of humor.
In the late 70s during the early years of Saturday Night Live Lorne Micheals did a comedy skit offering the Beatles,now get this... $2000.... to appear on SNL. How he did that with a straight face is beyond me but he did. A couple of weeks later George was a guest on the show. The show began with Lorne explaining to George that "ALL" the Beatles had to be there to collect the $2000 bucks. I guess you had to be there but it was really funny. George will be greatly missed here but heaven has a great new addition to its band. Joe K
ok, this should be easy, "At one time America sang, as part of their live show, one of Arlo Guthrie's songs other then Alice's Restaurant", what song was it?"
Chris (aka Holiday) asked several weeks ago who we thought would've been a good replacement for Dan...not that the duo isn't doing just fine as they are, right Chris?
I think Tom Kelly who sang background vocals on "Alibi" and "VFTG" would have been an excellent choice. He was a member of a band named Fools Gold. I think Howie said the band was Fogelberg's backup band or something similar to that.
Tom Kelly sings lead vocals; writes excellent songs; plays acoustic and electric guitar as well as bass. Plus, he wouldn't overshadow Dewey or Gerry like some other potential member might. I think Timothy B would've been a good choice too. He sure proved to be with the Eagles! On the other hand, with the duo as D&G, it means more of their songs on a CD but if only those CDs would come a little more often.
(See Chris, I didn't forget your question!)
Long before I had ever heard of America, Sarah, Jewel, Chantal Kreviazuk, Dido, The Moody Blues, etc..., I went through a two plus year period in high school when I listened to nothing but the Beatles. The only non-Beatles music that I listened to during that time was the post-Beatles solo recordings.
During a time when the whole world seemed to be sucked into the 80s ultra techno synthesized energizer bunny drum machine sounding poop, played by idiots with blue mohawk haircuts, the Beatles were a personal refuge for me. The fact that the Beatles were ancient history to others in my age group didn't matter one bit.
While I eventually broadened my musical horizons, the Beatles provided the soundtrack to more than two years of my childhood. With the passing of George Harrison, I feel as if a part of my childhood received a huge footprint on it. I will sorely miss him.
Believe it or not, I've never heard "Alice's Restaurant" before. So I did some checking on the Internet and found out all about it and also found a RealAudio version of the song that was performed live fairly recently. Here's a link so you can listen to it: http://www.arlo.net/massacree/set2_56k.rm. It's over 23 minutes long and fairly big so it will take a while to download if you're connected via modem but it's well worth it. --SteveL
They go on at 11 am so they won't be part of the half time show (the game is played at night). I'm trying to get more details but my guess is that they're part of some concert prior to the game.
According to Pollstar, AMERICA is scheduled to appear at the Rose Bowl on January 3rd. I assume they will be the half-time show or at least part of it. Congratulations, this is BIG!!!!!!