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David Smyth picks the UK comeback of Seventies folk rockers America as his gig of the night.
America
Apollo Hammersmith, W6
The most recent UK sighting of the material of Seventies folk rockers America was the appearance of their 1972 hit Ventura Highway on a Guilty Pleasures compilation.
In their homeland, however, it appears an affinity for the band is considered far less embarrassing.
The names involved in their first new album since 1998, released this week, are a roll call of hipness - Ryan Adams, Nada Surf, James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins and country rock group My Morning Jacket all pop up, while the most fruitful songwriting partnership has been made with Adam Schlesinger of tuneful pop-rock band Fountains of Wayne.
Suddenly, admitting to loving A Horse With No Name seems far less shameful.
(0870 400 0700) Tue 13 Mar.
Reader views (1)
America confirmed they have been writing and can play some of the best tunes in the last 40 years. If the bladders of the 50-something audience had been as tight as the 'boys' playing - a continual procession of blobby, often pony-tailed old timers wandering from auditorium to bar to convenience - appreciation might have been even warmer. Think the Eagles, Poco, Crosby Stills and Nash, Herman's Hermits, roll them into one, then add a bit, and you're warm. But no one is close.
- Andy Smith, Chelmsford, 14/03/2007 14:14
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