America to release “Half Century” box set to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Dewey Bunnell, left, and Gerry Beckley of America perform at the
Coach House in Orange County, CA, in December 2014.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift

This is amazing news for America fans, including yours truly. (Check out my review of the first time I caught America in concert here)...

America To Release “Half Century” Box Set To Celebrate 50th Anniversary!

Rare archival studio & live recordings consisting of alternate mixes, demos and rehearsals

The year 2020 marks the 50th Anniversary of music legends America. America Records is proud to release in early June the ultimate 8-disc Anniversary Box Set Half Century. Produced for release and Compiled by Jeff Larson for America Archives, Containing CD's of rare archival studio recordings consisting of alternate mixes, demos and rehearsals, including several previously unreleased tracks ranging from 1970 - 2000. Along with the re-mastered Bremen 1973 in studio performance and two CD's of Radio Interviews providing an audio overview of the band's career, along with a DVD of Super 8 “Home Movies” (1972-1975) to give fans a behind the scenes look at the early years of this enduring band.

Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.

From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America's audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans, all bearing testament to the group's enduring appeal.

“I think that the ingredients of the America sound are the basic fundamentals that translate internationally,” explains Beckley. “The Italians are huge fans of dance music, but they also love a ballad - they're romantic at heart. It's the same in the Far East. A lot of times in these countries, we see people singing along, and they don't really know what the words mean. Music is truly the international language.”

Watch the promotional film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLgUvP6PjgM&t=1s

Disc 1: London Demos 1970: All Previously Unreleased 
Early demos from the Fall of 1970 of the trio preceding their first Warner Bros self-titled album. This set represents the most complete set to date from this era recorded between several iconic London studios of the time.
1) Children (Dick James Session)
2) Riverside (Chalk Farm)
3) Rainy Day (Polydor Studios)
4) Here (Chalk Farm)
5) Satan (Polydor Studios)
6) Bummer (Chalk Farm)
7) Sea of Destiny (Chalk Farm)
8) How Long (Chalk Farm)
9) James Holladay (Dick James Session)
10) Children (Chalk Farm)

Disc 2: Bremen 1973 (Live on Air) – First Time Remastered Audio Release (Only previously available as a DVD) 
An on-air live recording of the Trio from 1973, in-between the albums “Hat Trick” and “Holiday.”  This recording has been remastered for the first time and includes all the un-edited studio banter.
1) Ventura Highway (Live)
2) I Need You (Live)
3) Don't Cross The River (Live)
4) A Horse With No Name (Live)
5) Moon Song (Live)
6) Lonely People (Live)
7) Wind Wave (Live)
8) Rainbow Song (Live)
9) Tin Man (Live)
10) California Revisited (Live)
11) Green Monkey (Live)

Disc 3: The Caribou Sessions 1976 - All Previously Unreleased 
Rehearsals, outtakes, and demos from February1976 for the album “Hideaway,” recorded at the famed Caribou Ranch Studios in the Rockies - Nederland, Colorado.  These recordings provide a “you are there” experience as these songs were being formed on their initial takes.
1 She's A Liar (Outtake / Alternate Mix)
2 Amber Cascades (Alternate Early Mix)
3 Today's The Day (Outtake / Walkthrough)
4 Lovely Night (Outtake / Take 1 Session
5 Hideaway PT 1 (Early Band Outtake)
6 Watership Down (Alternate Mix)
7 Letter (Alternate Mix)
8 Lovely Night (Buzz Studio Demo)
9 Jet Boy Blue (Outtake / Alternate Mix)
10 Who Loves You (Alternate Mix)
11 Caribou (Outtakes Montage)
12  I'm New In Town –(Buzz Studio Demo)

Disc 4: The Poison Oak Sessions 1981: All Previously Unreleased 
In 1981, between the album “Alibi” (1980) and “View From The Ground” (1982), the band recorded several songs at Dewey's home studio, Poison Oak, in Northern California. This set contains early incarnations and alternate versions of songs released on later America albums as well as unheard songs that have been in the vault until now.  
1. Sailors and Seagulls (unheard song)
2. Look at Me Now (Early Version)
3. My Dear (Early Version)
4. Sometimes Lovers (Early Version)
5. All The People - Whole Wide World (Early Version)
6. Coming On  (unheard song)
7. Now I Want Your Love (unheard song)
8. Inspector Mills (Early Version)
9. China Sea  (unheard song)
Bonus Tracks:
10. Doesn't The Time (unheard song)
11. Someday Forever  (unheard song)

Disc 5: The Alternate 90's Plus: All Previously Unreleased 
Alternate mixes from the albums “Hourglass” (1994) and “Human Nature” (1998) along with unreleased songs that came before, in-between and after these official releases. 
1. Young Moon (mix without inst. intro)
2. Call of the Wild (Alternate Early Mix)
3. Sleeper Train (Alternate Early Mix)
4. Ports of Call ((Alternate Early Mix)
5. Mirror to Mirror (Alternate Early Mix)
6. Whole Wide World (Alternate Early Mix)
7. Hope (unheard song)
8. The Hills Are Green (unheard song)
9. Horse (Interlude)
10. From A Moving Train (Single Version - edited shorter intro)
11. Wheels Are Turning (unheard song)
12. Town and Country (unheard song)
13 Moment To Moment (Alternate Mix)  
14. Wednesday Morning (unheard song)
15. Oloololo (unheard song)
16. Overwhelming World (Alternate Mix)
17. Moment to Moment (Alternate Mix)
18. Hot Town (unheard song)
19. Pages (Alternate Early Mix)
20. If It Is The End (Previously Unreleased)
21. Remembering (New 2020)

Discs 6 & 7 America on the Radio - All Previously Unreleased 
Various radio interviews stemming from 1974 - 2000's which provides a narrative and unique overview to their long career.
America Radio Interviews and Promo - The 70's
America Radio Interviews and Promo - The 80's
America Radio Interviews and Promo - The 90's - 2000's

EXCLUSIVE TO THE BOX SET! 

Disc 8 – America - Home Movies (DVD)- All Previously Unreleased 
“Home Movies” is all previously unreleased footage from the bands personal archive. A collection of very, “fly on the wall” footage, these films provide an amazing insight into the band, shot between 1972 and 1975, showing behind the scenes footage of, “Hat Trick at Home”, early attempts at making home making of music videos and various on the road activities. These films give the viewer an amazing view of historical events as they unfolded. To any America fan, the ultimate access all area’s time machine.
This DVD is EXCLUSIVE to this box set and will not be available beyond it.
Film 1) America Hat Trick at home 1: Rooftop Jam - Green Monkey - 1973 Kings Road, Los Angeles, CA
Film 2) America Hat Trick at home 2: Goodbye – 1973 Kings Road, Los Angeles, CA
Film 3) America Hat Trick at home 3: Sandman – 1973 Kings Road, Los Angeles, CA
Film 4) America Hat Trick at home 4: Hat Trick Rehearsal - 1973 Kings Road, Los Angeles, CA
Film 5) America: Bremen Behind The Scenes - 1973 (No Audio) Bremen, Germany
Film 6)  America: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 1 – 1973 Los Angeles, CA
Film 7) America: Air Studios - London Misc. Footage - 1974 London, England
Film 8)  America: Airplane High Jinx 1 - 1974 (No Audio) In the Air
Film 9) America: Airplane High Jinx 2 – 1975 In the Air
Film 10) America: Tour Plane Interview – 1975 On the Ground

For more information: https://www.musicglue.com/america