Continuing their expansive remastering of the Spirit back catalogue, Esoteric Recordings follow the recent Euro-American Years box with the latest reissue Son of America, a two-disc compilation of 44 unreleased tracks originally released back in 2005 after Spirit frontman Randy California’s tragic death. Compiled by Spirit archivist Mick Skidmore, this triple disc set augments the original double album released back in 2005 with a third disc, consisting of a complete concert recorded for Radio-KPFK in April 1993 featuring the Randy California, Ed Cassidy and Scott Monahan line-up in full flight.
The first two discs are assorted recordings made by Randy and numerous collaborators for various projects that never came to fruition and so they don’t necessarily flow like an album. However, as an archive collection they are perfect additions to the catalogue, showing the methodology and intent behind Randy’s composition skills.
The final disc, here for the first time is an incendiary live performance, interspersed with inter-song commentary and questions from the radio presenter, and it shows the band relaxed and on fine form. The Spirit power trio of founder members California, Cassidy and Monahan are on fire in the live performances, with cuts like Elijah, Fresh Garbage, Mr Skin, 12,000 Miles and a superb cover of Red House. California’s guitar soars throughout, and he’s perfectly in sync with his musical foil and collaborator Cassady, whilst Monahan was a perfect addition to the band and they trio gel so well, bouncing off each other and bringing the songs to live in a contemporary fashion, without losing any of the magic.
- Randy California / guitar, vocals
- Ed Cassidy / percussion, drums
- John Locke / keyboards
- Jay Ferguson / guitar, vocals
- Mark Andes / bass, vocals
- Matt Andes / guitar, vocals
- Scott Monahan / keyboards, vocals
- Mike Nile / bass, vocals
- Janet Wolfe / backing vocals
- Bruce Gary / percussion, vocals
