Capitol/UMe

Capitol/UMeA new box set gathering together the albums the group America released on the Capitol Records label is coming out May 24.

America: Classic Album Collection — The Capitol Years is a six-CD collection featuring the soft-rock act’s five studio albums from 1979 through 1984, as well as the 1985 live record In Concert.

Prior to recording 1979’s Silent Letter, founding America member Dan Peek exited the group, leaving singer/songwriters Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley to carry on as a duo.

Silent Letter was the fifth consecutive, and last, America album produced by famed Beatles producer George Martin. Its follow-up, 1980’s Alibi, features many guest musicians and singers, including Toto‘s Steve Lukather, The Eagles‘ Timothy B. Schmit and Mister Mister‘s Richard Page.

The versions of Silent Letter and Alibi featured in the box set each include two bonus tracks: mono edits of the singles “Only Game in Town,” “All Around,” “You Could’ve Been the One” and “Hangover.”

1982’s View from the Ground featured the group’s final top 10 Hot 100 single, “You Can Do Magic,” written by Argent lead singer Russ Ballard. The album also included contributions from The Beach Boys‘ Carl Wilson, Christopher Cross, Schmit and Toto’s Lukather, Jeff Porcaro and Mike Porcaro.

1983’s Your Move was produced by Ballard and included “The Border,” which peaked at #33 on the Hot 100.

America’s final Capitol studio album, 1984’s Perspective, features the song “(Can’t Fall Asleep to A) Lullaby,” which Journey‘s Steve Perry co-wrote and sings on.

In Concert was recorded at a June 1985 show in Santa Barbara, California, and features renditions of hits like “Tin Man,” “I Need You,” “Sister Golden Hair,” “You Can Do Magic,” “Ventura Highway” and “A Horse With No Name.”

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.