I was the recording engineer on this song, done at Abbey Road, Studio 2, the same studio used by the Beatles for nearly everything they did. Russ Ballard was the writer of the song and the producer for this session. Russ played every single instrument on the recording, beginning with programming a Linn drum machine, following that with playing two acoustic rhythm guitars, grand piano, electric guitar, percussion, and all the backround vocals except the high voice in "You know darn well when you cast your spell...." which was me. Russ wanted a different vocal texture in that section and I had also much experience as a session singer. When the track was finished, Gerry and Dewey came to the studio to record their vocals parts. Several weeks later, Russ flew to Miami where he and I mixed the final version you hear here at Criteria Recording Studios.
Well, thank you so much for helping to bring us this gem that, along with the rest of the America catalog, has brought us years of beautiful music and a lifetime of memories. How does it feel to see the younger generations exploring it? It must be surreal! 🎶🎵 ❤️
I spent the 80s and 90s in studios and gigging. I witnessed the advent of MIDI and sequencing as the digital age took off. I remember the linn drum, the Simmons drums (bloody awful) and DX7 along with the various Korg and roland drum machines etc. I play 7 different instruments myself and after getting thoroughly pissed off with the politics of bands I started recording everything on my own. Oh how much easier and quicker it is. Great high falsetto dude and a really sweet mix.. I had a mate who could sing really high and clear. We called it his castratto voice 😂 great hearing from a fellow muso ✌️♥️🇬🇧
How amazing! They are an incredible band. Love their sound. Thanks for the back story and for your great work! I heard David Cassidy played a lot with them and were great friends!
America is one of my favorites. I always reach for that volume button. I love all the sounds they produce. The well crafted harmonies are so rich. I can remember watching these guys on different shows through the 70’s and 80’s and thinking they just seemed nice. Something in their smiles. I’ve always been a big fan. They’re still out there making music and touring. “All My Life” is one of their most beautiful songs. You guys would love it. Super sweet. You can’t go wrong with any of their music though. ♥️
You have to really love and appreciate good music to know the value of this kind of music and music from the late 60s into the 70s. The past several years alot of music is just angry. Not all of it, alot though. Music from this period makes you feel it in your soul and just leaves you humming about your day 😀
Jordan, you are so right and what I miss most these days is there are not the harmonies like back in the 70s and 80s. There are also fewer groups today. I completely agree how great it is when multiple singers harmonize and bring such a great sound!
Same. 💗 Although I think listening to it at such an formative age jinxed me for future relationships. I'm the sister with the golden hair... they aren't ever ready for the altar... and some part of me always finds that ambiguity tragically romantic -- even liberated -- thanks to 70's love songs. 😕 Another great song -- "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" by England Dan and JFC -- is an even bigger culprit in my noncommittal notions of romance. 🤦♀ Whenever a guy I'm dating hits that point where he can't quite take the leap, I never put up a fight, I never manipulate. I just adjust my expectations and either take it or leave it. I don't really know how to do anything else. 🤷♀ Fifty one years old and not a single proposal.
When I hear their music it takes me back to a easy time in my life. I'm 70 now and hearing this again,well all I can say is Thank You for the memories!!!
America also did the theme song to the 80s film the last unicorn called "the last unicorn.". It's a 80s animated fantasy film so it's not scared to have scary parts of the film!
Sister Golden Hair is one of my fav songs , I Need You , The Border , Tin Man , Lonely People , Ventura Highway,Today´s the Day, etc , etc ........many great America´s Songs ¡¡¡¡ .......but at the same time the most underrated Band ...... un misterio para mi , no me lo explico
One of the reasons this band had such a great sound way back then is they had the late George Martin that made the Beatles. They say that he was the fifth Beatle.
Such an awesome band! I can't thing of a song I heard by them I didn't like. This is a later song by them but one of my top three faves. You hit another great song to react to. I so appreciate you guys!
Love the early 80s sounds of these groups , America, ToTo, Hall and Oats even Christopher cross etc, harmonies subtle electronic, electric guitars and uplifting nd the groups seemed to get along, share the song and be uplifting!
As much as we loved the 70s songs that would have been considered America's heyday, we reaaalllly loved this comeback in 1982! Was wonderful to see them on the charts again with this airy, fun song. Another strong contender for a "Top Ten Favorite 80s Songs" list.
@@magneto7930 can't argue much with that. I loved their 70s songs, BUT this one still holds a very fond place in my heart due to my outsized love of 80s music.
This was a hit in 1982. The 1983 World Series champion Orioles had "Orioles Magic" as their theme and this song would be blasted out at Memorial Stadium. That was their last championship. Maybe they should start playing the song again. :)
I first saw America in September 1971 in Southampton UK. They were supporting Cat Stevens. It was a great concert. Gerry, Dewey and Dan sat of their stools passing the guitars around. They did most of the tracks from their first album. Made me go out and buy it
Absolutely spot-on analysis again, you both are very good at this. This channel reminds me more and more of the music presentation shows I used to enjoy back in the 70s & 80s. I Love it!
America has a huge catalog. 50 years worth. You can't go wrong with anything you choose. The band member on lead with this song is Gerry Beckley. He has some wonderful solo work as well.
Gerry and Dewy are still touring and until the pandemic, played at least 100 shows a year for the past 50 YEARS!! A good friend has been their lead guitar player since 2019 and I can say after going to multiple shows to see our friend play, that Gerry and Dewy are some of the nicest people and while their vocals aren't as sharp as they used to be, for 70-year old's, they sound pretty darn good and the band is smokin'!!! Definitely check out some of their earlier hits - Ventura Highway (has one of the most iconic guitar parts - Janet Jackson even sampled it), Sandman, Tinman, Horse with no Name, Sister Golden Hair, Don't Cross the River, all great hits!! So glad you've discovered them!
Billiant musicians and fabulous songs! Try 'Ventura Highway" and "Sister Golden Hair." Wonderful songs. But there are plenty more. RIP Dan Peek. Very sad that he left us way too soon x
Saw them back in the 70’s at Mississippi River Festival on SIU Campus grounds. So many great artists played there and it was lawn seating. Bring your sleeping bag and a cooler! So blessed to be a teenager back then.
@@lwh7301 I honestly don’t remember. I lived near SIU and went to alot of MRF concerts in my teens, and it was general admission on the lawn. ‘75-‘79 covers my teenage years. Now I’m curious myself & will have to see when they were there.
@@lwh7301 I did a little research. MRF ran from ‘69-‘80 ! Lawn seats $2 initially. Musical artists from classical, contemporary, rock, jazz. Even Bob Hope was there. i have an old MRF cardboard poster and a few of the programs somewhere. You were there prime time and somehow didn’t get to see any shows, and I was just a wild teenager who literally lived down the road from there and got to experience many. Life is strange, and I’m sorry you missed out on MRF while you were there. It definitely shaped my early years and promoted my love of music. Blessings to you.
They have lots of hits. Sister Golden Hair, Ventura Highway, Tin Man, and Lonely People and their hits that need to be checked out! Great band, great music
I was in the US Air Force and stationed in Wiesbaden Germany in 1970 -1973, Horse with No Name came out and it was an instant hit with the GI's. We found out that they were military dependents, their Dad's were military stationed in England. Great group with a fairly large portfolio of music.
Jordan, you NAILED it. Music today can not compete with the plain musicality of what my generation had growing up. I so miss being able to turn on the radio (not just Sirius XM) and listening to the various songs one after the other and not having to turn the station due to vulgarity, irritating noise, yelling, etc. I feel sorry for young people today who don't get that growing up.
A friend of mine is president of a tiny volunteer run radio station and they have a few shows I listen to because they play whatever is requested and they have no swearing in their music. They have shows that play the stuff I we grew up on. You can find them on steaming apps for radio like tuned in. The station is Amherst Island Radio 101.3 if you live in the Kingston Ontario area. I listen from Thursday evening, Friday from 5-11pm, Saturday 1-3 7-10 and Sunday 7-9pm.
Thanks for your great review guys. Other good songs that they did are 'Ventura Highway' and 'Tin Man'. They went from being a trio to a duo when one member (Dan Peek) left the group.
Some other great songs from America: "Lonely People", "Sister Golden Hair", "Ventura Highway" and "Tin Man". If you're familiar with The Wizard of Oz, you'll appreciate the Tin Man reference.
Love America!! Have seen them twice now. And, Horse With No Name, was a favorite for my son when he was very young! He died in 2018. Always think of him when I hear it. A young man who knew great music! ❤️
America was really popular in the 70's as well. Songs like, Tin Man, Sister Golden Hair, A Horse With No Name......awesome songs! Another 80's Group called Mister, Mister. Please please listen to Broken Wings. You will love that one for sure. Very profound song xoxo "Alan Parsons Project." is a group with similar vibes as "American." There's a songs, "Eye In The Sky," and "Games People Play," are a couple to listen to.
The lead singer on this track is Gerry Beckley, who also sang lead on America’s hits “I Need You” (1972), “Sister Golden Hair” (1975), “Daisy Jane” (1975) and “Right Before Your Eyes” (1982). The guy with the beard and striped shirt playing acoustic guitar next to Gerry is Dewey Bunnell, who sang the lead on “A Horse With No Name” (1971), “Ventura Highway” (1972), “Tin Man” (1974), and “The Border” (1983). Dan Peek, the other original member of the trio, had left the group by the time “You Can Do Magic” came out in 1982. He sang lead on the hits “Don’t Cross The River” (1972), “Lonely People” (1974) and “Today’s The Day” (1976). They’re one of the few bands where three different band members wrote and sang lead vocals on songs that reached the Billboard Top Ten.
You two should see them live. There are not many bands left touring that had hits as far back as 1970. They have performed every year since then on the road and are great live. I am sure you'll have an opportunity in the next 12 months to see them somewhere near Tulsa as they love to tour. See them while you still can. It's a great vibe and always a friendly audience. (America doesn't have bad fans.)
I absolutely love America! I used to have a few of their albums on 8 track back in the day. A song no one seems to react to by them is "The Last Unicorn" off of the soundtrack of the Last Unicorn. They also do a few others for the soundtrack and they are all really good.
That is what I was about to say.....They did the Bulk of the songs to the soundtrack....I was ALSO Going to suggest to the two to REACT to the main song,Myself: Rob And Amber: Give"The Last Unicorn",The Song,I mean...A TRY..You know,react to it..I love the Song! Concider it,ok?
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! I love America!!! You guys have done their first song < HORSE WITH NO NAME> came out around 71, then , I believe this was their last one, around 83. Please do VENTURA HIGHWAY, SISTER GOLDEN HAIR and TIN MAN, with Tin Man it is best understood if you have seen the classic movie " The Wizard of Oz", which is my favorite movie of all times.
They are a voices first music second group. They never let the music overwhelm the voices. Also Sister Golden Hair also has an upbeat theme. They are a very overlooked group from that time. One of my all time favorites.
grew up in the 70's and 80's,,,,,one of those groups i would hear on the radio when my mom would play her big ole stereo in the background during the day,,,early 80's on this one,,,,was in junior high at that time,,,arcade video games was it around this time
Ah yes! I used to have this going in my car for the longest time! My Fav America Song: Ventura Highway. Saw them in concert at the park years ago. Very cooool.
I consider America's music a huge part of my 70's life sound track as a kid/teen. Three words: SISTER GOLDEN HAIR; song in my top 15 all-time favorite songs. Thanks for another great reaction guys!
And just a little history on them. They met in England when they all went to a Department of Defense School named London Central High School and started singing together then. After high school they started the group and called it America. And that is why they were recording in England at Abbey Road. They do sing well together and I have always loved their music. Of course, I Amy be a bit biased as I also went to London Central High School, only it was after they had graduated! 😊
Alabama is a group that you need to listen to next. 40 #1 songs gives you a great variety to chose but I would suggest you start with "Mountain Music" and then "Love in the first degree".
So glad you covered Ventura Highway… my buddy moved to SoCal from Canada, he now lives just off Ventura Highway. We crank it every time he picks me up at LAX
I saw them live at age 18 with my husband, saw them live again at age 62 with my daughter!! I love American, only the 2 original singers left, but they are the best! I personally love Tin Man, I Need You, Sister Golden Hair Surprise, Only In Your Heart & To Each His Own
In 1970 I was 10 yrs old. By the time they came out I was in High school and graduated 1978. We went from the 60's Elvis and the Beatles to the coolest music of getting high and listening to great chill out music to Disco.
Tin Man is a must, Ventura Highway, Sister Golden Hair, Lonely People, Daisy Jane, Don't Cross the River, I Need You, Sandman, and all the Last Unicorn songs. These are a few of their many hits. Great band, mellow sound and just fantastic music.
This was one of the first 45's I ever owned. That's a record for you youngsters. :) I still love the song because it reminds me of my childhood when I was discovering music...and magic.
I love you guys and don't know how you find something positive in every song you listen to. I'm sure there are some songs that just aren't to your taste and probably not something you will listen to again but yet you still say good things about the song and artist. I think it's great and watching you really brightens up my day.
Looks like you two haven't reacted to 'Magic" by Olivia Newton John...Its an awesome unique song it came out around the time of this maybe 2 yrs earlier💞💯❤🔥💋
