SPIRIT: Tent of Miracles

Spirit

Tent of Miracles

© 1990 Dolphin Record Group

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

Classic "California" rock by the legendary 60's group Spirit, including greats like Neglected, Emotion, Imaginary Mask, Love from Here and Deep in This Land.

tracks

1 Borderline (Cassidy)
2 Imaginary Mask (California/Nile/Cassidy)
3 Stuttgart Says Good-Bye (Cassidy/California)
4 Deep In This Land (Nile)
5 Zandu (California)
6 Love From Here (California)
7 Ship of Fools (Nile)
8 Burning Love (California)
9 Tent of Miracles (Nile)
10 Logical Answers (California)
11 Old Black Magic (Nile)
12 Neglected Emotion (California)

notes

Classic "California" rock by the legendary 60's group Spirit, recorded at the beginning of the 90's -- including greats like Neglected Emotion, Imaginary Mask, Love from Here and Deep in This Land.

"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

Please log in to review this album.

  • Great [Power Trio Spirit-California,Cassidy and Nile]
    author: John S. Cramer

    I know I`m guilty of rating all Spirit discs 5stars;but as I`ve said,there no bad Spirit albums-only different.Tent Of Miracles-released in 1990-is another dynamic Spirit classic.From the rhythmic percussive drumming of Ed Cassidy on Borderline through Burning Love,Tent Of Miracles,Old Black Magic or Stuttgart Say`s Goodbye. Love From Here and Logical answers are personal favorites.This is one album that definately has that early Spirit feel.Eight of T.O.M.`s tracks appear on the posthumous release [Spirit- Live From The Time Coast]. Live or studio, this is a great and very creative period for Spirit-a must for any Spirit fan.

  • Solid Effort
    author: Ronald

    This is a great CD by Spirit. Mike Nile's bass playing and singing fits in very well with Randy and Ed's sound. I consider this to be Spirit's "power trio" phase. It's good, solid rock and roll.

  • Could have been the follow up to Dr.Sardonicus
    author: Robert Routson

    If for no other reason other than to complete your Spirit collection buy this for Burning Love,Stuttgart Says Goodbye and Tent of Miracles.This cd would have been the perfect follow up to the Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus[I love Feedback].Play Twelve Dreams and then Tent of Miracles and hear what I mean.

  • Two more BIG cents to add about this great piece!
    author: Paul Stevenson(again)

    I got cut short before,so I wanted to also add some comments on Randys'writing and playing on this album which is nothing short of some of his very best!His two handed tapping technique on Borderline,his blistering outbreak on his own Love From Here,his slinky soulful bends and tremolo work on Niles'Ship of Fools,his own pulsating Burning Love,Niles'Old Black Magic and Deep in This Lands'wailing,protesting wha-wha(not out of date when used like this!) a song that brings to mind the matriarchal Native American tribes struggle against injustice and lies while reminding that their strength is in their spiritual roots,and Randys' always insightful explorative expressions of public policy(Logical Answers)and self examination(Neglected Emotion)are present in the great,compassionate,epic style one can always expect from him(check out No Time to Pretend,The Prisoner,Center of Truth,Rapture in the Chambers,Green Back Dollar and many many others of his) This great album;and it is an album in the true sense of the word;features a one album only lineup that worked incredibly well together and even more incredulosly went almost unrecognised by critic and fan alike! Do yourself and your music collection a big favour,if I may be so bold and not rude,GET ONE BEFORE THEY'RE GONE FOREVER!!! THIS DISC SMOKES!!! Paul(overtly excited and proud to be a Randy C. and Spirit fan)Stevenson WHEW!!!

  • Rythmic,driving,and progressive! Bluesy,folkish,spiritual! only Spirit could do
    author: Paul Stevenson

    This would be a great intro. to a phenomonal group!Recorded at bassist Mike Niles own studio in Malibu,this crystal clear album smokes!!!From the opening cut"Borderline",to the Nile title cut on which the band really blend beautifully together in a rythmic,spiritual tour de force(check the inimitable Ed Cassidy drum work,Randy's palm-muted rythm and fluid melodic leads with Mikes'driving floating bass runs!)to the also Nile penned closer"deep in This Land"and you'll see what I mean!Top shelf stuff!If you ain't clappin' with them at the breakdown at the end of "Tent" you most definitely must get your groove back!Paul S.

email

Please log in to email this artist.