SPIRIT: Potato Land

Spirit

Potato Land

© 1987 Line Music

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Classic "California" rock by the legendary 60's group Spirit -- featuring a comic strip "The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potatoland". Lots of fun on this album with song titles related exploration of obscure areas of the tuber-fill

tracks

1 We've Got A Lot To Learn
2 Potatoland Theme
3 Open Up Your Heart
4 Morning Light
5 Potatoland Prelude
6 Potatoland Introduction
7 Turn To The Right
8 Donut House
9 Fish Fry Road
10 Information
11 My Friend

notes

Classic "California" rock by the legendary 60's group Spirit -- featuring a comicstrip "The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potatoland". Lots of fun on this album with song titles related exploration of obscure areas of the tuber-filled countryside. The CD has a special booklet which contains the comic in a series of panels alternating with song lyrics and photos.

"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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  • Potatoland
    author: Dee D'Errico

    I was a fan of Spirit since the first four albums. This one really amazed me, though. It is almost as if I could hear Monty Python saying "And now......for something completely different!" I love it; and what a trip it is. I am looking forward to many more years of listening to it.....and, now I am dying to listen to the "other Potatoland" realease.

  • Epic band
    author: Gao

    Spirit was one of the greatest bands ever. I first became aware of them when their concert at Rockpalast, Essen - Germany was sent directly on most European Tv channels one legendary night back in 1978 Potatoland are a dream, as all their albums are. Once I start listen to Spirit's music, I can't stop. Its a totally divine sound.

  • Kozmic BlissThrough Potatoland-1st 16 minutes Awesome.
    author: John S. Cramer

    This Zappa-esque,Floydian satire on American society and Govt. is simply one of the finest albums ever made.Because of the release of Original Potatoland,Spirit critics tend to look down at the significance of the material released on Journey:We`ve Got A Lot To Learn,Potatoland Theme,Open Up Your Heart,Morning Light and Turn To The Right are among the best Randy California inklings ever made.Randy had a definative habit of making great music on every album he made. Journey Through Potatoland is another testimony of the diversity of this wonderful human being.Buy Journey and Original-cost for both about $32-A Must for any Spirit fan.

  • The best Spirit album?
    author: Paul Ross

    A close call as to whether this is the best Spirit album. For me it is neck and neck with Farther Along but I suppose that I have to give Potatoland the winning vote as it contains the first Spirit song I was ever aware of; I saw and heard them play "Turn To The Right" on The Old Grey Whistle Test in the early 80s and was blown away. I recently bought the "Complete Potatoland" CD but it missed the songs from what was the 1st side of the LP and I didn't find it as satisfying as this release because it missed those tracks and some of the editing from different sources is noticable. IMO this is the version to go for.

  • Remember when...
    author: Leaver

    Randy's first swing at a thematic album is a treat. I can remember listening with the album and following along with the comic book 20 years ago. Now my kids enjoy the same pleasure sharing in the adventures of Kaptain Kopter and Commander Cassidy! A must for Spirit fans.

  • I will never look at a potato the same way!
    author: Frank Forbes

    Good songs, great horn arrangments, electronic drums in 1973. I can hear traces of the Beach Boys, The Byrds, Alan Parsons etc. This is really well written material if a bit odd at times kinda like Zappa. I swear I even hear a Disco Marching beat in the Potatoland Theme. Oh my god did Spirit invent Disco or were Randy and ED psychic.

  • Some note worthy stuff here....
    author: PJS

    Randy and Ed trippin' the light fantastic in their own private idaho long before anyone ever heard THAT tune!! Fish Fry Road is my personal favourite from this one,showcasing Randys'rythmic guitar mastery. This piece also reminds me of a phenominal number on Randys' solo Euro-American album where he expresses regret about a breakdown in his relationship with a VERY well known friend of his.( not Jimi,either) Love these guys,they're great!!!!

  • kida goofy ... but sounds great!
    author: cpc

    I had this record when I was in high school (a long time ago). I lost the record and I never thought I'd hear "My Friend" again. This song is worth the price of the album itself - a great and poignant pop-rocker. A lot of the rest of the record is a little silly, but the first three or four songs sound great, and the "comic book" portion includes some very clever allegories (donuts=casual sex).

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