【簡介】

在1972年很受歡迎的Ventura Highway是America 民謡揺滾樂團Homecoming專集中的一條歌。它有名的前奏是Gerry 的創作，再和Dan 用兩把六弦吉他搭配成的共鳴和音效果，而非我以前一直都以為是由一把十二弦吉他獨自彈奏的，主唱Dewey Bunnell則負責彈節奏（Rhythm）。

America 民謡揺滾樂團由主唱Dewey Bunnell，Gerry Beckley, 和Dan Peek（後來退出）組成。三人都是美軍空軍人員子弟，因為父親派駐英國皇家空軍（RAF） West Ruislip基地，唸同一所高中互相認識後才組團，身在國外也難怪取名為America。

雖然他們的音樂經常被樂評嘲笑，他們的單曲與專集卻都賣的非常好，連披頭四的製作人George Martin都與他們合作，出了七張專集。

除了Ventura Highway之外，名曲有”A Horse With No Name”， “Tin man”，”Lonely people”，”Sister Golden Hair“， 另文介紹。（節譯）Wikipedia 

【心語】

Ventura Highway指的是溫圖拉高速公路（Ventura Freeway），是南加州從溫圖拉（Ventura ）到帕薩迪那（Pasadena）的101號公路。

這條歌以輕快的切音節拍完美的展示木吉他清晰明亮的迷人共鳴聲音，是木吉他的經典代表作，更有在公路上高速前行的感覺，唱岀心中何時歸去的感觸，我們開車在高速公路上奔馳時，也常常任由思緒跳接，天馬行空的不停穿梭。

小時候家父毎隔幾個月都會在週末時到台南市營業所視察業務，順便帶著全家到廣州羊城小食打牙祭。我念念不忘那經熱油澆過，不油腻且帶有強烈葱香的葱油雞，和香嫩可口附有薑片的蠔油牛肉。飯後由司機開車走省道回新營鎮，在路上時最喜歡做的是觀賞天空中浮雲的各種形狀，任由幻想決定看起來像什麼，正是歌詞中的Alligator lizards in the air ， 不過我可從没見過細長型的浮雲。

【歌曲】Ventura Highway - America (Lyrics)

【歌曲】Ventura Highway - America

【歌曲】America - Ventura Highway (LYRICS + FULL SONG)

【歌詞】

Ventura Highway
America

Note: "ho" means hammer on, and "po" means pull off, and "sl" means slide.

To really do this song right, you need at least two guitars, and the one doing the riff
should be a twelve string. I've charted it for 2 guitars Rhythm Guitar, (Rhy) and lead
guitar (Lead). All riffs are done by the lead.

(Riff 1)

HiE---5---ho7---po5-----------------------------------------------------------|
B-----------------------7----5----ho7----po5--------------------5-------------|
G---------------------------------------------------6---6---sl7---------7-----|
D-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|

(Riff 2)

HiE---5---ho7---po5---------------------------------------------------------|
B---------------------7----5----ho7----po5--------------------5-------------|
G------------------------------------------------6---6---sl7---------5------|
D---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
A---------------------------------------------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------------------------------------------------|

(Intro)
(lead) Riff 1| Riff 2
(rhy)   G    | D

(Verse 1)
            (Riff 2)
G         Dm
Chewin' on a piece of grass, walkin' down the road.

(lead)                   (Riff 1)

(Rhy)  G    Dm
           Tell me, how long you gonna stay here Joe? 
(lead)       (Riff 2)

(rhy)    G          Dm
Some people say this town don't look good in snow.

(lead)    Tacet until end of chorus
(rhy)     G  Dm
You don't care, I know.

(Chorus)

G         Dm
Ventura highway in the sunshine

  G                Dm
Where the days are longer, the nights are stronger than moonshine

G   Dm        F#m
You gotta go, I know

G    Dm
'Cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair

  G     Dm
And the days surround your daylight there

G   Dm
Seasons crying no despair

G     Dm
Alligator lizards in the air 

G
In the air

(Do the intro, except switch riffs one and two with one another.)

(Verse 2)

(Lead)       (Riff 2)
 (Rhy)    G         Dm
  Wishin' on a fallin' star, waitin' for the early train

(Lead)                 (Riff 1)
 (Rhy)    G        Dm
  Sorry son, But I been hit by Purple rain

(Lead)          (Riff 2)
 (Rhy)     G          Dm
  Aw, c'mon Joe, You can always change your name

(Lead)    Tacet
 (Rhy)    G      Dm
  Thanks a lot son, just the same.

(chorus)

To get the timing right with the words, you'll have to listen to the song.

Also, if you have 3 guitar players, if the 3rd plays the same riffs that the lead plays,
except 3 frets higher, it gives a really nice sound. You don't need a 12-string, but it
helps.

-Reno