America DEFINITIVE POP

Personnel: Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley (vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, bass guitar, background vocals); Dewey Bunnell (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Clydie King, Jessica Smith (vocals); Joe Walsh (guitar); Henry Diltz (banjo); Tom Scott (saxophone); Jim Ed Norman (piano); Robert Margouleff (synthesizer); Hal Blaine, Willie Leacox (drums, percussion); Dave Attwood, Kim Haworth (drums); Chet McCracken (congas); Tom Walsh , Ray Cooper (percussion).
Recording information: Air Studios, London, England; Caribou Ranch, Nederland, CO; Ka Lae Kiki Kauai, Ha; Morgan Sound Studios, London, England; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA; Record Plant, Sausalito, CA; Trident Sound Studios, London, England.
Arrangers: George Martin; Jim Ed Norman.
For this thorough 2006 collection, Rhino Records compiled the finest songs by America onto two discs. The chronologically ordered 30-track set wisely focuses on the folk-rock group's 1970s heyday, beginning with that notorious dose of Neil Young-worship that is "A Horse with No Name" and moving on to lesser-known tunes such as the plaintive "Sandman" and the delicate "Tin Man," all of which showcase the ensemble's breezy vocal harmonies and light acoustic arrangements. While there are more concise America compilations available, this anthology is ideal for listeners wanting more than just the hits.

• Format: CD
• Genre: Pop