You may be slightly curious, especially if you are younger and want to know why your parents have been smiling at each other for the past two weeks. Someone may have shouted you a ticket. You may have wanted to give the memory cupboard a shake up – memories of shoulder length hair, Holden HQs and vinyl records.

Or you could just simply be a fan of America.

Whether you have followed them through their wonderful career or not, it’s fair to say most would have heard at some point, their monster anthem, Horse With No Name.

It is a piece of song writing genius that has stood the test of time and was nicely placed as the encore for America’s gig in Rotorua on Friday night (Energy Events Centre, 14 December 07).

But before the ‘coup de grace’ I have to mention the supporting programme.

The night opened with something a little different: the very skilled Elena who displayed her slightly quirky talents on violin. Then the main act of Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley took the stage, with their band, to much applause and anticipation from the large crowd.

As the concert progressed it was easy to assess their contribution to world music. In a word – massive.

Ventura Highway, Tin Man, You Can do Magic, Don’t Cross the River, Lonely People, Sister Golden Hair and I Need You, were all there.

Selections from their new CD ‘Here and Now’ also dotted the repertoire. And of course, Horse With No Name provided a fitting end to a night of great songs.
 
[Review by Richard Anaru for The Daily Post - abridged]