Holiday (America album)

Holiday is the fourth original studio album by American folk rock band America, released by Warner Bros. Records in June 1974 (see 1974 in music). The album was produced in London by noted Beatles producer George Martin.

The album was a big hit in the US, reaching number 3 on the Billboard album chart and being certified gold by the RIAA. It produced two hit singles: "Tin Man" reached number 4 on the Billboard singles chart and went to number 1 on both the adult contemporary chart as well as the Radio & Records chart; and "Lonely People" which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard singles chart and also hit number 1 on the adult contemporary chart. Several other songs received radio airplay on FM stations playing album tracks, including "Baby It's Up To You" and "Another Try".

History

Bandmember Dewey Bunnell was thrilled at the prospect of working with Martin as producer. He was quoted as saying that it "was great working with George. It was like we knew each other. We were familiar with the Beatles, of course, and we had that British sense of humor."^[1] In a separate interview, Dan Peek recalled to Circus magazine: "Gerry (Beckley) had been in England, and we'd talked about using George Martin as our producer. He's such a hot arranger, thinking about all the stuff he's done. There were several other people we wanted to use, but that idea sort of flashed and George was available." ^[2]

Reception

In his Allmusic review music critic Mike DeGagne noted the affect of George Martin's production on the album as well as the rebound from the failure of Hat Trick, writing "this album as a whole ascertained that the group was definitely showing their true potential once more."^[3]

Track listing

1. "Miniature" (Gerry Beckley) – 1:12
2. "Tin Man" (Dewey Bunnell) – 3:27
3. "Another Try" (Beckley) – 3:16
4. "Lonely People" (Dan Peek, Catherine Peek) – 2:27
5. "Glad To See You" (D. Peek) – 3:42
6. "Mad Dog" (Beckley) – 2:33
7. "Hollywood" (Bunnell) – 2:49
8. "Baby It's Up To You" (Beckley) – 2:24
9. "You" (D. Peek) – 2:25
10. "Old Man Took" (Bunnell) – 3:10
11. "What Does It Matter" (Beckley) – 2:18
12. "In The Country" (D. Peek) – 2:58

Personnel

• America (Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell and Dan Peek) - Bass, Keyboards, and Guitars
• Willie Leacox - Drums and Percussion
• George Martin - Producer and Arranger
• Geoff Emerick - Engineering
• Peter Henderson - Tape Operator
• Gary Burden - Art Direction

References