Record Reviews

SPIRIT ~ SON OF AMERICA (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2755 (Barcode: 5013929475588) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1983 - 1996 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of a 2CD compilation of previously unissued tracks by the American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist, assembled in 2005 by the Spirit archivist Mick SkidmoreFind albums by this artist. It includes tracks recorded between 1983 and 1996 by guitarist Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, drummer Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Scott MonahanFind albums by this artist, with several guests participating on selected tracks, including two founding Spirit members: keyboardist John LockeFind albums by this artist and bassist Mark AndesFind albums by this artist. The compilation includes forty-four tracks, mostly written by California. This expanded edition includes a third CD with a live concert recording from 1993 (sixteen tracks), recorded by the trio of California, Cassidy and Monahan and another live track recorded in 1989 by California and Locke. The music is overall as excellent as most of the material Spirit and later California recorded during their convoluted career, emphasizing what a brilliant songwriter and guitar player he was, as well as his high awareness of social and political issues. In retrospect he surely was one of the most significant American Rock artists of all time. Skidmore’s excellent work of archiving the vast Spirit recorded legacy and the recent cooperation between him and the EsotericFind albums on this label label finally bring back to life in an orderly fashion the entire splendor of Spirit’s recorded output in superb remastered sound quality and proper historic perspective. It emerges as one of the biggest archiving / reissuing projects ever made, which of course the music of Spirit fully deserves. Wholeheartedly recommended not only to Spirit fans but all Classic Rock enthusiasts.

Updated: 20/07/2021Posted: 20/07/2021

CD 3 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ TENT OF MIRACLES (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2717 (Barcode: 5013929471788) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1990 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of the thirteenth (and one before last) studio album by American Rock band SpiritFind albums by this artist, which at the time comprised of guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, who wrote most of the material, drummer Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist and bassist Mike NileFind albums by this artist, who had a significant input to the band´s music writing or co-writing several of the album´s tunes. The reissue was re-constructed by Spirit archivist Mick SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, using materials created during the actual recording sessions, which resulted in eight of the songs present on the original release to be replaced by alternate mixes and unedited versions and leaving only four tracks untouched. The resulting album has a much clearer and coherent sound than the original. Additionally nine bonus tracks were added; some session outtakes, a demo and rehearsal and live recordings. An entire second CD was added with the previously unreleased live recording made in Amsterdam, captured before the album was recorded. The album proves that Spirit managed to continue and produce meaningful Rock music into the 1990s, being one of the very few bands that originated in the 1960s and had still something say in the 1990s. California´s songwriting and phenomenal guitar work stayed sharp and focused, which can be clearly heard here. They were also a great live band, touring extensively both in Europe and in the US, with concerts being attended by large crowds. The live material presented on the bonus CD plainly explains why. Overall this is another Classic Rock album by this great band, sadly to be over with the tragic death of California in 1996, just a month after the release of their final album "California BluesFind albums with this title". This is definitely a piece of American Rock history and considering that the original release is long out of print, this is a most welcome reissue!

Updated: 04/09/2020Posted: 03/09/2020

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS (DELUXE EDITION) ESOTERIC 2792 (Barcode: 5013929479289) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2022 This is a 2CD reissue / remaster / expanded edition of the fourth album by the iconic American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist, which comprised of vocalist / guitarist Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, vocalist / percussionist Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John LockeFind albums by this artist, vocalist / bassist Mark AndesFind albums by this artist and drummer Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist. The original album consisted of twelve tracks, mostly written by California and Ferguson. This edition adds ten bonus tracks, six of which are previously unreleased. Also added is a second / bonus CD with seventeen previously unreleased tracks recorded live at the Fillmore West in SF in May 1970. The album was curated by the Spirit archivist Mick SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative, as always, booklet accompanying the album. Skidmore was in charge of the entire Spirit reissue program on EsotericFind albums on this label records, a truly mammoth undertaking. In retrospect “Twelve Dreams” achieved a status of a cult album and obviously is one of the most important Classic Rock albums of all times. Of course all the first four Spirit albums were simply sensational, but here the group manages to reach a perfect symbiosis od many Rock styles, including Psychedelia, Art Rock and even some Jazzy / Fusiony sparks. Sadly, as it often happens with Rock groups, after a peak comes a downfall, and Spirit would never climb again to such artistic heights as those achieved here, although everything Spirit and Randy California ever recorded is worth pursuing. It is worth mentioning that Spirit were a very untypical American Rock group and musically / stylistically / intellectually found a much better reception in Europe than at home. Somehow the complex melody layers and subject matter of the lyrics resounded better in European ears, which is after all hardly surprising. Overall, this is a remarkable edition of an iconic Classic Rock album, enriched by massive bonus material and put together with great attention to detail and obvious love, and as such deserves an honorable place in any serious record collection on earth. Essential indeed!

Updated: 04/05/2022Posted: 04/05/2022

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend