Been Through the Desert: America Releases “Live at the London Palladium,” “Live in Central Park 1979” and More on CD, DVD
The celebration of 50 years of America continues. We’ve already filled you about the Capitol-era Classic Album Collection, the reissue of Archives Vol. 1, and the upcoming 50th Anniversary: The Collection, but there’s more on the way courtesy of the band’s own America Records and available through the band’s webstore.
The label has recently released Live at the London Palladium, a chronicle of the band’s 2018 stand at the famed venue, on 2CD, DVD (Region 0 NTSC, viewable in all DVD players), and in a lavish box set containing both formats, a signed and numbered certificate, a 24-page book, and a replica tour pass. The concert features 23 tracks from across America’s career including hits and deep cuts alike.
Later this summer will see the first-time combo release of Live in Central Park 1979 as a CD/DVD set. Reissues of the band’s Christmas album Holiday Harmony and The Grand Cayman Concert, both from 2002, have also been released via the band’s website, as has the 2015 archival collection Lost and Found with upgraded packaging.
Live in Central Park 1979 has previously been released only on DVD; this upcoming set will mark the first time its music has appeared on CD and also include bonus material. The New York concert came on the heels of Silent Letter (the first album following the departure of Dan Peek from the band) and was preserved for posterity by Australian filmmaker Peter Clifton. The concert featured performances of such band classics as “Sister Golden Hair,” “Ventura Highway,” and “A Horse with No Name” as well as “Only Game in Town,” “Foolin’,” and “All Night” from Silent Letter.
Lost and Found presented ten tracks recorded by Beckley and Bunnell between 2000 and 2011 including the road song “Drivin’,” the reflective “All in All,” the infectious “Out on the Street,” and the moody “Many Colors,” adding up to a classic America album that (almost) never was.
All of the above-mentioned titles are available now via America’s official webstore. Select titles have been made available for pre-order at Amazon, as well; see below for links.
America, Live in Central Park 1979 [CD/DVD] (America Records, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
America, Live at the London Palladium [2CD/DVD Box Set] (America Records, 2019) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Love all this fuss about America’s 50th anniversary. Just one small caveat. The group was actually formed in 1970 as clearly stated on the front cover of the “Head And Heart” box set. So lets all celebrate America’s 49th anniversary!!
Indeed, my understanding is that the 50th anniversary celebration beginning now with 2019’s releases will continue well into 2020 and the actual anniversary. A long release party, if you will! 🙂
America’s website shows separate DVD and CD releases of the Palladium concert — are these only available through their website or will they be available elsewhere like through Amazon?
A wide release for the individual discs hasn’t been announced yet, but anything is possible. I also believe the CD and DVD are available at America’s shows.