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America in Dublin America show that good songs and glorious melodies can still lift the spirits. America National Concert Hall, Dublin It has been 37 years since Horse with No Name propelled America to the top of the charts. At the time, other musicians congratulated Neil Young on his No 1 hit; such was the similarity between this new band and Young’s vocal style. For all their success, the band America has lived most of its life in the shadows of the band to which they are so indebted. America are a fluffier, lighter version of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; big on soaring harmonies, light on the troubled politics of our world. That said, the band came to Dublin – for their appearance in Ireland – buoyed by a critical reappraisal. And the notion that they just might be hip, after all these years. America have been winning some impressive new friends, who insist the band’s song-writing talent is under-appreciated. Their latest album Here and Now, produced by Smashing Pumpkin James Iha features other luminaries such as Adam Schesinger of the Fountains of Wayne and Ryan Adams. You see the confidence soaring through the band as they rolled out the hits and some decent tunes from their new album to a sold out audience.The band has been playing some 100 gigs a year since the early 1970s; these guys have little to learn about stagecraft and presentation. It helps that singer Gerry Beckley is such a warm presence as he introduces the songs and rolls out the memories. His partner Dewey Bunnell brings the audience to its feet with Tin Man, the first song the band recorded with George Martin as producer. Martin would go on to produce seven albums for the band but Tin Man, Dewey’s cryptic take on The Wizard of Oz, remains a stand out. Other hits – Sister Golden Hair, Ventura Highway, Lonely People, and Don’t Cross the River – were rolled out with an infectious enthusiasm. There was the real sense that Beckley and Bunnell – ably supported by their long time band – were enjoying the ride. The band encored with (what else?) Horse with No Name. But by then the audience was already on its feet and this fine venue was rocking. It was Neil Young who said that music will not change the world. Maybe that’s true. But America show that good songs and glorious melodies can still lift the spirits. SEÁN FLYNN  |
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