View From The Ground

''View from the Ground'' is the tenth studio album by American folk rock duo America, released by Capitol Records in July 1982.

This album marked a comeback for a group that had been generally written off since Dan Peek's departure five years before. It was a modest hit in the US, reaching number 41 on the ''Billboard'' album chart, and produced two hit singles: " You Can Do Magic" reached number eight on the ''Billboard'' singles chart and number five on the adult contemporary chart, and "Right Before Your Eyes" (also popularly known as "Rudolph Valentino") peaked at 45 on the ''Billboard'' singles chart and 16 on the adult contemporary chart. " You Can Do Magic" spent more time on the charts, 20 weeks, than any other America single.

The song "Inspector Mills" was a hit in the Philippines in the 80's and remains to be one of the known America songs in this country to date.

Reception

Allmusic gave high praise to the hit songs "You Can Do Magic" and "Right Before Your Eyes", but deemed ''View from the Ground'' "an exceptionally slick-sounding yet pedestrian album overall". They recommended that listeners instead seek out the two hits, especially "You Can Do Magic", on greatest hits compilations.

Track listing

Personnel

America
* Gerry Beckley – vocals, keyboards (2–5, 9, 10), guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Dewey Bunnell – vocals, guitars (2–5, 9, 10)

with:
* Russ Ballard – all instruments on "You Can Do Magic" and "Jody", backing vocals (1, 8)
* Chris Coté – keyboards (6, 7), backing vocals
* Jai Winding – keyboards (6, 7)
* Mark Isham – synthesizers (6, 7)
* Hadley Hockensmith – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Steve Lukather – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Bill Mumy – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Dean Parks – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Michael Woods – guitars (2–5, 9, 10)
* Mike Mirage – guitars (6, 7), backing vocals
* Rick Neigher – guitars (6, 7), backing vocals
* Brad Palmer – bass (2–5, 9, 10)
* Mike Porcaro – bass (6, 7)
* Jeff Porcaro – drums (6, 7)
* Willie Leacox – drums (1–5, 8-10)
* Alvin Taylor – drums (6, 7)
* Matthew McCauley – string arrangements and conductor
* Christopher Cross – backing vocals
* Michael McDonald – backing vocals
* Tom Kelly – backing vocals
* Chuck Kirkpatrick – backing vocals
* Timothy B. Schmit – backing vocals
* Sara Taylor – backing vocals
* Carl Wilson – backing vocals

Production

* Russ Ballard – producer (1, 8)
* America – producers (2–5, 9, 10)
* Bobby Colomby – producer (6, 7)
* Chuck Kirkpatrick – engineer (1, 8)
* Mark Linett – recording (2–5, 9, 10), mixing (2–5, 9, 10)
* David Cole – engineer (6, 7)
* Jeremy Smith – engineer (6, 7)
* Michael Verdick – mixing (6, 7)
* Wally Traugott – mastering
* Andrea Farber – production coordinator
* Susan Gilman – production coordinator
* Phyllis Chotin – art direction
* Michele Hart – art direction
* Bob Carroll – graphics
* Guy Webster – photography
* Katz-Gallin-Morey – management
* Mixed at Location Recording Service (Burbank, California) and Amigo Studios.
* Mastered at Capitol Mastering (Hollywood, California).

Charts

References

America (band) albums
Capitol Records albums
1982 albums
Albums produced by Russ Ballard
Albums produced by Bobby Colomby
Albums recorded at Capitol Studios

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