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