SPIRIT: Live at La Paloma

Spirit

Live at La Paloma

© 1995 WERC CREW

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Classic rock ensemble recorded live at the La Paloma Theatre and featuring a mix of Spirit classics, Hendrix covers, spontaneous and adventurous jams.

tracks

2 Life Has Just Begun
3 Magic Wand
4 Give a Life Take a Life
5 La Paloma Jam-Electro Jam
6 1984
7 Jamaica Jam
8 Super LA Paloma Jam
9 Natures Way
10 Sadana
11 Mr. Skin
12 Hey Joe
13 I got a Line on You
14 Prelude - Nothing to Hide
15 Like A Rolling Stone
16 Going Back to Jones
17 Living in this World

notes

Recorded at the sold-out La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas, Ca., this 70 minute program features a mix of Spirit classics, Hendrix covers, spontaneous and adventurous jams, 3 previously unheard new titles, and as a bonus, a new studio version of Nature's Way. Victoria Williams, in a duet with Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum, covers Spirit's Nature's Way on her latest release, Loose. Guitar wiz Jeff Healy does "I Got A Line On You" on his new Cover To Cover CD, and Grammy Award winner Christopher Cross is covering Nature's Way on his latest CD Window.

"The Doors were all right -- but for many rock fans in the late 60s, the band that really mattered was Spirit". This quote by Jim Washburn of the LA Times voices the opinion of classic rock fans the world over. Spirit, the legendary California group featuring Randy California, First broke on the scene with their incredible first album featuring a remarkable assortment of jazz, rock and blues. Over the years the band continued to perform in various arrangements until Randy California's death in 1997. The band retains a loyal following and new releases have made Spirit more popular than ever.

Classic Rock

"The Doors were all right - but for many rock fans in the late 60s, the band that really mattered was Spirit". This quote by Jim Washburn, Los Angeles Times is the common opinion of classic rock fans the world over. Strongly influenced by Jimi Hendrix, the legendary California group first broke on the scene with a ground-breaking first album released in 1968, featuring a trademark mix of jazz, blues and rock forays. Over the years the band continued to perform in various arrangements until Randy California's death in 1997. The band retains a loyal following and new releases have made Spirit more popular than ever.

One of the first bands to typify the late 60's California sound, Spirit has long remained an exciting and innovative example of just how wide the rock spectrum can be. From Ed Cassidy's status as the oldest working drummer in Rock and Roll (Cass recently edged out Ringo Star and Ginger Baker in the Reader's Poll in England's New Musical Express for best drummer of all time), to Randy's tenure as a 15 year old guitarist with Jimi Hendrix, Spirit has an incredible history and a wealth of stories. Randy California, stepson of 60's Jazz drummer Ed (Cass) Cassidy, played with Jimi Hendrix, who gave him the nickname, for three months in New York, Soon after the band was formed, Spirit's musical accomplishments became legendary. The original band played together until 1971. Between 1971 and Randy California's accidentaly death in 1997, Spirit released several additional albums with varying lineups. In some of the latter work, Randy California performed all the parts except for cameo appearances by other members. REFLECTIONS OF SPIRIT In 1965 jazz drummer Ed (Cass) Cassidy was playing gigs with Ry Cooder and Taj Mahal in a group called the Rising Sons at the Ash Grove in Los Angeles. It was here that Cass and Bernice Pearl met and were soon married. A year later Cass took the family with him to New York City when he went to play some jazz gigs. With high hopes they loaded up the 'ol yellow Chevy which they called "The Yellow Submarine" and headed across America. When they arrived in New York City Cass discovered that stepson Randy's guitar had been lost in shipping. Randy went to Manny's Music to replace his guitar. He was only 15 when he met Jimi Hendrix. "Jimi was playing a Stratocaster in the back of the store and our eyes met and there was instant spiritual contact" recalls Randy. With the boldness of a teen, Randy asked Jimi (not knowing who he was) if he could play that guitar. Jimi complied and was so impressed he invited Randy to play with him at his gig in the Village that night. The Marquee read "Jimi James & The Blue Flames." For the next three months, five sets a night, Randy played in the band. "It was an incredible experience," says Randy. "A lot of people don't know this about Jimi, but he was one of the most gentle and generous people I've ever known." To distinguish Randy from the other Randy in the band, Jimi started calling him Randy California and the name stuck. After three months Jimi was ready to go to England to put together another band and he invited Randy along. His parents refused to let him go...he was only 16 years old! This was right before the Jimi Hendrix experience. Jimi never forgot the friendship.

reviews

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  • author: Bil Smith

    This is a great album with quality sound. Spirit has always been dear to me and have enjoyed them since 68-69. This one captures live performances that unless you went to some of the clubs to see them you would have missed but this has captured them at their best. This was a hard one to get at a good price but CD Baby did a great thing for all of us. Although most think that 12 Dreams is the best of all I think that Clear is the most together and is Pink Floyd gendre and quality.

  • Why aren`t there more live Spirit albums???
    author: John S. Cramer

    This is the much anticipated live album that only took 17 years to arrive. Back in 78, Spirit released Live Spirit[classic live Spirit in 2 formats-live at the Rainbow Theatre in the U.K. and live at Miami and Tampa, Fla.]Both these albums were great both musically and the classic Spirit lineup of Randy,ED and Fuzzy Knight were surpassed by none at the time.There were 2 song selections that were different between the U.K. and U.S. version of these out standing albums[ for the U.K. version it was Looking Down and Downer- for the U.S. it was Rock & Roll Planet and These are Words.]The remaining songs are similiar on both albums and the song selection is available on Spirit Live Rainbow 1978.I mention this disc in contrast to all the wonderful Studio discs that Spirit and R.C. have given us Throughout the years. It saddens me to think that their music never gets the attention it deserves. The true measure of any band is how well they perform on stage.Spirit always shined in this arena and La Paloma is Just another testimony of How well Randy, Ed and Scott continued to effortlessly perform live on stage and bring a new audience and generation of fans to their fold.

  • Great show!
    author: Al

    Great show from the 90s. Would love too see a live recording from the late 60s early 70s Sprit come out. Very underated band. RIP Randy California.

  • Great Live Performance!
    author: Ronald

    I think that this is Spirit's best live CD. My favorite songs are "Like A Rolling Stone" and "1984". Randy's guitar playing and Ed's drumming are top notch.

  • WOW !!!
    author: Sumus Unus

    A definite flashback ! True to their original sound.If you liked Spirit in the early years you will really appreciate this album. A must for the true rock collection ! A+++++

  • author: Gerhard from Germany

    A great concert and 100% memories!!! Thank you very much, CD-Baby. I´ve got the CD yesterday. All was absolutely perfect. I have so much fun to hear this great Spirit concert with a mix of old and new stuff in such a brilliant sound. It was a great pleasure to communicate with you.

  • Great live disc!
    author: Bubba

    Great example of the later day Spirit. Recording is great and the performances are wonderful.

  • brings back great memories
    author: metalman282

    quality is about as good as it can get for the era which ain't bad, song collection is great

  • A great live set featuring classics and new stuff!!
    author: Paul

    Features a live rendition of Give a Life,Take a Life.A true rarity,and worth it all by itself!!!Of course,other all-time Spirit classics 1984,I Got a Line,Mr.Skin(never saw that on a live Spirit release),Natures Way,the also rare Life Has Just Begun(another favorite from 12 Dreams!!) delivered in top notch performances with GREAT sound plus live covers of Spirit live favorites Hey Joe,Rolling Stone and a number of other new tracks that are top rate songs.All in all another "must-have" disc for Spirit fans and a great turn on for newcomers to these great artists,and at an incredibly low price for such a QUALITY release!

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