Randy California - The Euro-American Years

Spirit leader’s early 80s solo recordings collated

West Coast historian Mick Skidmore continues his trawl through the archives to bring the world further angles on the late, lamented Randy’s remarkable career. And though it’s exactly a decade since the flamboyant singer/guitarist died, there is clearly still a market for his music, even if 70-plus tracks is a rich meal to stomach at one sitting.�The four-disc set kicks off with Randy’s 1982 Euro-American album, issued here on Beggars Banquet, and which sounded lost amid the NWOBHM with which it coincided. This will probably be the least interesting for fans, as it is also the most familiar. Parts of Disc Two surfaced on Line (without Randy’s approval) as Shattered Dreams, but this is boosted here by a goodly helping of unreleased demo recordings

Disc Four is a collector’s bonus item of rare tracks and more demos, while the remaining disc is a three-piece Spirit caught live in late 1980/early ’81. Though there are relatively few signature tracks present, the likes of 1984, Turn To The Right and Wild Thing will ring bells with most. Retailing at the price of a single disc, this is well worth a punt for any Spirit/psych fan.

Acadia/Evangeline | ACAD 8141 (4-CD)

Reviewed by Michael Heatley
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