California Blues is both
Spirit's first new studio album in six years and -- due to the accidental death of guitarist/singer/songwriter
Randy California -- its last. For its release, the ever-changing band consists of
California and drummer
Ed Cassidy, as usual the sole original members;
Matt Andes, brother of original bassist
Mark Andes, on slide guitar;
Steve (Liberty) Loria, a bassist who has been in several lineups of the band since the 1970s; and singer Rachel Andes,
Matt Andes' daughter. Original keyboardist
John Locke, credited as a guest musician, plays on four tracks. The album is, to a certain extent,
Spirit's blues album, as its title suggests, but it is really a grab bag of different material from different sources. In addition to a handful of new
Randy California originals ("California Blues," "The River," "Call On Me," "Song for Clyde," "We Believe," and "One World"), there are several covers: "Look Over Yonder" and "Red House" (in a 1993 live recording) by
California's mentor,
Jimi Hendrix; a
Cream-style arrangement of
Robert Johnson's "Crossroads";
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee's "Pawn Shop Blues";
Howlin' Wolf's "Sugar Mama" featuring
the Doors' Robbie Krieger on lead guitar; and
the Spencer Davis Group's "Gimme Some Lovin'" with
Davis himself on guitar and background vocals. And after the album proper ends with the anthemic "One World," there is an extended bonus-tracks section that includes
California's "Poem for John Lennon" and, as a treat for
Spirit fans, three low-fidelity live performances by the original
Spirit at the Magic Mushroom nightclub in Los Angeles, circa 1967 -- "Shoes Back On," "Tell Everyone," and "Soundtrack for a Moth." Rachel Andes' vocals are a good addition on the new songs, particularly the acoustic ballad "Call On Me," which is a duet between her and
California.
California Blues includes some excellent
Randy California guitar playing and suggests new directions for
Spirit that, unfortunately, the band would never be able to pursue, as well as featuring entertaining guest performances and historical curios.