HEARTS, which I am also glad to have, is definitely my most favorite album by AMERICA, eventhough they seemed to be moving further away from their original style of music. GERRY BECKLEY's piano ballad DAISY JANE is an outstanding beginner, and DAN PEEK's HALF A MAN is an outstanding guitar rock song that also features the soulful female singers and a brass horn section. Unfortunately, this is when he sounds like he is stoned out or something. His WOMAN TONIGHT is also a excellent rock tune with DEWEY BURNELL's talk box guitar, keyboards from DAN that I can only assume, and alternating vocals from all three singers, along with the female singers. I was surprised to learn about DEWEY playing the talk box guitar on this song when I first read about it from the liner notes of the COMPLETE GREATEST HITS album. Although all three guys can play lead guitar, they just happen to leave most of the lead guitar chores to DAN. MIDNIGHT and BELL TREE are great acoustic ballads. DAN's TOMORROW is a excellent piano ballad with the harmony vocals, organ, and orchestra, and Seasons is an excellent closing acoustic ballad by DEWEY. The other songs are great too; however, the highlight of this album for me is DAN's acoustic ballad OLD VIRGINIA that reminds me a whole lot his song LONELY PEOPLE. I love the way DAN sings on this song, along with the acoustic guitars of DAN and DEWEY, GERRY's piano, and the orchestra arrangement. Plus, I love to play these two songs by DAN back to back on my 12-string acoustic guitar. My only complaint about this cd is that DAN's SIMPLE LIFE is not available on this cd version. Like I suggested for all new and old-time AMERICA fans, forgot the HISTORY GREATEST HITS album from 1975 and buy all the AMERICA albums from that time period, or you will miss out on a whole lot of outstanding songs. The two albums HIDEAWAY and HARBOR (the last with DAN PEEK) that come after HISTORY are also good albums. More importantly, every AMERICA album from the 1970s should be available in the UNITED STATES on cd so music lovers do not have to pay twice as much for imports, but I just glad I got all of these cds with DAN PEEK.

America's second colaboration with legendary Beatles producer, Sir George Martin. While not as polished as their first album with Martin (Holiday), this is still a very strong album. Contains the number 1 hit Sister Golden Hair, along with two other hits Daisy Jane and Woman Tonight. Also contains several album cuts that received a lot of airplay in the 70's including Bell Tree, Midnight, and Old Virginia (which would have been a hit had it been released as a single). It is a shame that this album has never been released on CD in the US. It was a big hit in 1975 when it was released, sold a million copies, and was produced by George Martin! Maybe Rhino will come to the rescue in the near future!?!

George Martin didn't work with just anybody-and the talent of this band almost rivals the Beatles.This band is criminally overlooked nowadays.I think if they put out one of those ULTIMATE collection deals , and ran the commercial all the time-it would sell like crazy, and make people realize how great this band is/was.I've had this on LP for years, and then finally found the Japanese CD in 1994.This is their best album, but certainly not because of Sister.For reasons of Seasons,Story of a Teenager, Old Virginia, and Company.Seasons starts off with a horn solo making you think it will be a classical song- but what it really is, is their best written and most complex song ever, with time changes pleasing to even this jaded drummer.Company works great with the constant pauses of tabla, you dont know quite where they are going with it, until the chorus kicks in .Old Virginia is one of those semi-country songs, great for sing-alongs like Black Water by the Doobie Brothers, or even their own Lonely People.People In the Valley has a modern alternative sensibility long before there was alternative.Half a Man, and Woman tonight are the only songs on this CD that are not 100% great.Unfortunately the great picture of the Bay Bridge on the inner sleeve of the original LP doesnt show in the CD booklet. Mastering to Cd went well, but I still slightly prefer the warmth of the bass and midrange separation more apparent on the vinyl.I have their box set and it hardly covers this album.They added a bonus track SIMPLE LIFE to the Japan version.PS< yes I can hear the SUMMER CALLING , that's why I moved to Florida!

There is not one bad song on America's "Hearts". I grew up listening to this album and was so glad to finally find it on CD on your website after many attempts to find it elsewhere. America was comprised of 3 equally talented young men who all show their gifts on this CD. With each having their own style of music and lyrics that compliment one another, they give the CD variety that works well together. I don't think we ever knew at the time that their music and words could have such a lasting impact on us forever. I cherish the memories created by the talents these men cared to share.

This has to be one of the best America albums to date. It is one of those cd's that you put on and let play all the way through. A must have for America fans