In the summer of 1975, America- the band, not the nation- was having its moment. Fresh off the release of Holiday in 1974, and a greatest hits album in ’75- which, only a few years into the group’s career, was, at best, a marketing strategy, and a winning one- the group, centered around the trio of Dan Peek, Gerry Beckley, and Dewey Bunnell, was nearing its apex. What better place to hit the high than at the Hollywood Bowl?

Toss in, for added measure, the supreme talents of producer George Martin conducting a symphony orchestra, and you have this exceptional live document finally released nearly five decades later. Martin had just become acquainted with America, having helmed the band’s highest-charting, Holiday, and his orchestral touches here are lovely, if spare. The orchestra opens the set with “Minature,”- one of about a half-dozen Holiday tracks that dot the 20-song setlist. Then, the band, proper, kicks in with “Tin Man,” and the show is underway.

Immediately apparent is a mix that favors the rich vocal work of the trio, with the Bowl crowd plenty enthusiastic, if seeming a little distant; likely there was no audience mic and their approval is captured only by stage mics. Nonetheless, the energy and risk of a live performance is all here, even steering into a bit of arena rock as Peek exercises his electric guitar late into the appearance. Otherwise, it’s an evening of pleasantly placid California rock, easing down “Ventura Highway,” or crawling into the dark corners of “Hollywood.”

The then-and-forever classics are in place, as well, whether the novel “Muskrat Love,” or empathetic “Lonely People,” or the care-free breeze of “Sister Golden Hair.” As for live recordings, this one is terrifically extracted and presented, showing off what made this ensemble special in performance, beyond its reputation for great songwriting. And with a final, parting “Horse with No Name,” America rides off into the sunset, or, at least, down Sunset, capping a stellar night in Hollywood.