American hearts

Last Sunday's car boot sale was a busy one (despite the cold) but unfortunately I came home empty-handed.  There were no gems to found hidden away amongst the usual piles of Mantovani, James Last and Englebert Humperdink and so today I thought I'd talk about a particular favourite used-vinyl find.

A couple of years ago I was in a local charity shop when I found a filthy-looking record in a scruffy plain card sleeve - so of course I had to take a look!

It turned out to be an album called 'Hearts' by America; a band I'd heard of but then only knew the song 'A Horse With No Name' (not on this album).  Once cleaned up, the LP was in fine condition and I played it a lot over the next few days.  I can't tell you how much I now love this.  It's the record I reach for when I'm feeling a bit frazzled, tired or stressed and it never fails to stop my teeth from grinding or my brain from twitching.  It almost always leaves me feeling calm and clear-headed.

America - Hearts (1975)

Like most of America's output it's fairly light folk/country rock.  Their fifth studio album, and the second to be produced by George Martin, it reached no.4 in the US in 1975 and produced three singles; the fantastic Sister Golden Hair, Daisy Jane and Woman Tonight.

I'm always on the look out for more of their records at boot sales and charity shops - I mentioned their album Hat Trick last year here.


The CD version was never released in the UK so I bought a US import via eBay, as it's a record I don't ever want to be without!  Top tracks:

America – Daisy Jane         America – Half A Man         America – Company  

America – Woman Tonight      America – Seasons




The guitar intro to Sister Golden Hair was apparently unashamedly nicked from George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord'.  I forgive them.

Americana

Sunday's boot sale was a big one, no doubt due to the glorious weather.  There was a fair bit of vinyl to flip through and I came home with four LPs.  The first was America's uninspiringly named third album Hat Trick (50p).

America - Hat Trick (1973)

Uninspired name, yes, but not a bad effort, although not as good as the later album I have of theirs, Hearts.  Hat Trick wasn't a huge seller compared to some of their other releases, perhaps because the songs are more chilled and less rocky.  I like their harmonic, California sound.  Funnily enough all three members were born and grew up in the UK, sons of American airmen stationed here, and British mothers.  They recorded their debut album in London and only moved to California for the recording of their second (Homecoming).  Fave tracks:

Spotify:  America – Wind Wave            America – Rainbow Song

Next I got Creedence Clearwater Revival's Hits Album (1981) for £2.  It's one of a staggering 14 compilations released over the years, compared with just seven actual studio albums.  I guess they're radio favourites the world over, so their greatest hits comps sell very well.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Hits Album (1981)

These guys are actually from California as the cover would suggest, although their sound is more Southern bluesy country-rock.  With 20 tracks crammed onto one disc I was spoilt for choice but here are a couple of faves:

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son   Creedence Clearwater Revival – Born On The Bayou

I'll post the other two albums later this week.

Rain, what rain?

I rolled up early at my local fortnightly car boot sale yesterday only to be greeted by a sign reading "cancelled - too wet" and an empty field bathed in glorious sunshine.  Either the organiser hadn't seen the forecast for a dry morning or was referring to the state of the ground, which may well have been pretty soggy from Saturday's downpour.  Anyway, we set off up the coast to another boot sale and I got this first for just 50p:

Flanders & Swann - At The Drop Of A Hat (1957)

Michael Flanders and Donald Swann wrote and performed brilliantly comic songs in the 50s and 60s.  The comedy duo Armstrong & Miller do a loving pastiche of them in their TV sketch show (see youtube) with the same level of charm and wit but much ruder! 

This live performance was recorded in 1957 at the Fortune Theatre, London to an enthusiastic audience.  Songs include 'A Gnu', 'The Reluctant Cannibal' and my favourite, 'Design For Living' which is laugh-out-loud and still holds true today.

Spotify link:  Flanders & Swann – Design For Living

Next I got History - America's Greatest Hits for £1:

History - America's Greatest Hits (1975)

This American Folk Rock band had their biggest hit with the Neil Young-apeing 'Horse With No Name' but there is much more to them than this radio favourite.  Here are two of my faves:

America – Sister Golden Hair                            America – Daisy Jane

I got two more albums yesterday; I'll post them later in the week when I've had a chance to listen to them.