NEW RELEASE BY JAY FERGUSON OF SPIRIT!!

 In a week of Papal transitions,

a SPIRIT from the 60's has arisen!!

Last week I was doing a deep dive into one of the most underrated rock bands ever! My favorite L.A.'s SPIRIT.

I was listening to a recording of my second Spirit concert ('76 at Gusman Hall in Miami). An evening so raucous, so loud the venue stopped rock concerts for a year or two. My god, they were smoking the dreaded marijuana onstage after all! We were right down front that night, it was crazy that night.

While listening the Spirit concert I remembered Jay Ferguson (co-singer in the original band) opened this show for his old bandmates (which was great, but sadly they never shared that stage together that night). I went looking for audio of Jay's performance from that night, but no such luck. While searching though, I was reminded of an album that came out before his big solo hit "Thunder Island" in 1977. The album was called "All Alone in the Endzone" '76. Wow! What a treat. There were more than a few tracks I remembered being played in Miami back then like "Turn it Up", his cover of Traffic's "Medicated Goo" and the title track. I'm quite surprised I've not been totally familiar with this recording, as it is chock full of assistance by Joe Walsh (another favorite) and his band at the time. It is SO Miami, and other Jay's albums come to think of it!   

Unabashedly quoting Lester Bangs "Nothing ever quite dies; it just comes back in a different form"... as I'm

bouncing around this new found Jay Ferguson YouTube page, I had to do a double take! There was a brand-new

Jay Ferguson album released only four days before!! His first new album since the mid 1980's! WOW!

"THE FAULTLINE" What great fun! I've been listening most days since my discovery a few weeks ago.

That does not happen much anymore for me, but I love when it does.

Jay Ferguson was born in Burbank, and was in a number of local bands prior to being the last member to join

L.A.'s Spirit, originally called "Spirits Rebellious", after a Khalil Gibran passage. The first recording he ever made

was with Spirit, the amazing "Fresh Garbage", a psychedelic-jazz takedown of waste, and gluttony in society

several years prior to the first Earth Day.

Spirit, whose two biggest hits were "I Got A Line On You", and "Nature's Way" (along with "Dark Eyed Woman"

and "1984") were also fronted by Randy California, aka Randy Wolfe. Randy was given the nickname "California" by Jimi Hendrix when another Randy (Palmer) was in his band Jimmy James and the Blue Flames" (at age 15), so as to not confuse him with the other Randy in the band. Mr Wolfe then proudly took it for his new last name. During that time Randy's step-father Ed Cassidy (a known jazz drummer of the era) had formed the short-lived "Rising Sons" band with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

By 1971, the original Spirit were splitting up. Randy California (guitars, vocals), Mark Andes (bassist), also an original Canned Heat member), Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion), Ed Cassidy (drums), and keyboard player John Locke. Randy kept the Spirit name alive (till his death in 1997) with a number of other sidemen, but he always included Ed aka "Mr. Skin" on drums. Randy had a new project - Kapt' Kopter and the (fabulous) Twirly Birds, (also featuring his Cassidy on drums). At the same time Jay took the Andes brothers and formed the badass JoJo Gunne, whose only big hit was "Run, Run, Run". Since the 80's, Jay Ferguson has been laying low, but he has been a prolific composer of music for film and television, and a JoJo Gunne reunion in 1992.

In April 2025 Jay Ferguson released "The Faultline", his first proper LP release in decades. 11 tracks seemingly speaking to his home Los Angeles.  

The opening track is an upbeat track "Love in the End Times"..."Two hearts on the road, on the run, we're gonna

find that last sunset", "get ready for that new sensation, hotter wetter, more than you planned" (global warming?).

Next, we get "Be Careful What You Wish For" - you just might get it. "He picked his color, he paid in cash, and

drove that new Ferrari right off the overpass". These openers along with "Living On The Faultline" set the scene

for this apocalyptic disc. This song also appeard on the '92 JoJo Gunne release.

Next, we get the fabulous "Art Guard" - "My knees grew weak, my heart was a wreck I moved closer, I could read

her badge It said, "Art Guard, my name is Madge". "I said, "I like the Cubists", but I'm more into Dada, She said,

"Try the Pointillists, you really ought a""! So fun, very off beat very much like that early Spirit material. Don't

know why but it makes me think of the classic Animal Zoo.

As I mentioned SPIRIT was/is one of my all-time favorite bands. All American, smart often deep music, that I

think is highly underrated all around. A mix of R&B, rock, psychedelic, with a touch of the futuristic, and Jazz influences- I've often said I'd stand 1969's "The 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" up against The Beatles "Abbey Road" or any other 1969 (or otherwise) LP, any time.  

I've seen Spirit (Randy's version) about 10 times, a few more than anyone else I've seen. Neck and neck with Alice

Cooper shows. Interestingly, the first show I was allowed to go to without parents was SPIRIT in Cocoa Beach at a

club in 1974, I was 14. The next year, my first major arena concert was Alice Cooper in 1975. As a matter of fact,

Spirit and The Alice Cooper Band started breaking the same time in the same place, the Hollywood Sunset strip.

I'd be surprised if they were never on a bill together.

In the mid 90's Randy and I became friendly; I sold their merch for them the last 2 shows I attended at The

Sebastian Beach Inn in Florida. My wife and I at the time were planning a new music venue, and we were hoping

to have Spirit perform. Randy liked the idea. Sadly, that never happened, in early 1997 Randy drowned saving his

son from a rip current off the coast of Oahu. Later on, when I got into radio, I've gotten to know Mark Andes a little.

Jay on the other hand, so far seems elusive.

Art Guard is followed by "She's the One". "She waits in the storm, She walks in the fire, Her smile is the rainbow Her voice is desire" A beautiful tune seemingly to his wife. I believe he and his wife have been together a very long time. From what I gather they are regular worshipers at their local church. Next up "Can't Stand Still" also seems like a love song, to a robot or online dating? "Some new sensation, Instant gratification, Total saturation, Digital medication, We’re a perfect match".  

"It's A Jungle Out There" follows more on the apocalypse theme "I watch it all on my wide screen, I hear it all on

my best stream, Is my neighbor there looking at me? What’s he gonna hear, and what’s he gonna see? It's a jungle

out there, gotta be prepared". "The Burndown",name checks dozens of punk bands with the chorus "We didn’t

want your world; We just wanted to burn things down. We didn’t want your future; We just wanted to live it all

now". This brings us to "End Times" a sort of sequel to "Love in the End Times", with similar lyrics, but there

is a twist, we hear "do do do do do do do...run, run, run" Jay uses the refrain his other band JoJo Gunne's

"Run, Run. Run". Perfect!! How fun. But also more than a little dark.  

"The Rabbit Hole" is a another fun one if not a little prescient. I've been down this rabbit hole a few weeks...I can't stop listening! "Hey everybody let's get in line. We’re gonna take a trip through space and time. Follow the leader, and follow his lines, Going down the Rabbit Hole. Six and seven and eleven make ten, You get to the bottom and you start again. There’s a red queen there, waiting for your head, At the bottom of the Rabbit Hole" Heavy man.  

We rap up this disc with "Surface of The Sun" a mid-eastern psychedelic journey, actually the whole album has

an odd psychedelic vibe, not surprising considering Jay's musical heritage. The LP's final line "A million stars

will be our lights, will be our lights". After the apocalypse? Kinda puts our petty little bullshit into perspective.

-"Java" John Goldacker '25

SAMANTHA FISH PLAZA LIVE, ORLANDO

 SAMANTHA FISH

PLAZA LIVE, ORLANDO 

Monday December 30th 2024

When Ms. Samantha Fish takes the stage dressed in her Elvis '72 studded black leather jacket and elephant bellbottoms, a Monroe ‘do, looking finer than Pinky Tuscadro , with the badass swagger of Chrissie Hynde and a white Gibson SG slung over her shoulder, you know you are in for some serious rock ‘n’ blues trouble! Bathed in a deep blue light, that’s just how she appeared, (smothered in a deep blue light) in Orlando last Monday night at The Plaza Live.

Samantha and band were there to kick out the jams, and that’s exactly how she started the show off, with a killer version of the 1969 tune Kick Out The Jams, by the MC5. A band that many considered to be very early Punk. As an aside, and possibly why she chose this number, in 2024 the infamous MC5 lost two founding members, Wayne Kramer, and Dennis Thompson. (May they rest in peace.)

After that rousing gig opener, Samantha and her band then tore into the title track of her 2015 album Wild Heart, while welcoming the crowd that was a mix of 15–65 year old music lovers. Keeping up that high pace, next was a personal fave, Better Be Lonely from 2021’s fantastic Faster disc. Samantha then said to the crowd, "You guys are lively for a Monday night!" adding, "it is Monday, right?!" The band and crowd began playing with her by shouting out different days.

The groove slowed up for a Fish classic Chills and Fever (actually it’s a cover of Ronnie Love’s 1961 Northern Soul hit, that would later be an early British hit for Tom Jones.) It's such a great song, and Samantha really makes old songs her own. My favorite is Hello Stranger, originally a hit for Barbara Lewis in the early 60’s and Later by Yvonne Elliman in the mid 70’s. All three versions are unforgettable.

Next, we heard Poor Black Mattie (a tune written by a man she cites as a major influence, RL Burnside), and then Somebody’s Always Trying (a Ted Taylor cover), Wow. Psychedelic Funk Rock Blues. Throughout the night, she often reminded me of a few other of her heroes like Benmont Tench, Keith Richards or even Angus Young.

Showing off her experimental side, Sam often crouches down for minutes at a time and manipulates her foot pedals with her hands to an amazing effect! She’s quite skilled with her feet as well.
Then, she performs Deathwish Blues, the title track from her recent collaboration with Jesse Dayton that has one of the greatest lyrics ever, “Your kiss is like a death wish baby”. It's a rocking little number that led into Bulletproof, a 2019 track from the album Kill or Be Kind, that starts off with a real Foghat/Jimmy Page lick on her cigar box - slide guitar. Then, she kicks it into high gear with a cut called Miles To Go.

Samantha switched up guitars again, slinging on her silver Gibson SE for another one of her signature tunes, Bitch On The Run. Midway through this great song Samantha slows it down, and she gets a slightly painful look on her face, almost like somebody bumming a drink, but in a sweet way. And she says, “You’re feeling good? All right. I need your help (looking pained), I’m up here working my ass off…(much applause)…and, you know earlier? When I had you guys sing Chills and Fever? Um, not trying to be critical, but um, I just feel you know you can give it a little more moxi Look, I’ll cut the bullshit. You follow me - right now right now I’m feeling it.” (Pause) “Not bad, but I’m gonna make you do it one more time, just for the hell of it for my own ego. You got this Orlando!!” And we did.

There were three songs and 23 minutes left of the show, starting with a moody Dream Girl which featured several great leads and jams, breaking a string or two. Then, a bluesy a 13-minute jam Black Wind Howlin’ (with hints of a Zeppelin sound) where halfway through she made her introductions; fantastic musicians all for sure. They've got to be. To keep up with her as she jams through a string break and a guitar switches! I imagine six white SGs back stage!
Samantha and band took to the stage for one more time with another RL Burnside penned tune Goin’ Down South, where she asked the crowd to stay standing. We were happy to oblige. This song featured more of her killer slide work, and fine finger picking. Then the performers took their bows and said goodnight. Kick out the jams indeed!

Many thank you to Samantha and her team, and The Plaza Live for all their help allowing me to cover this concert!

Here is a link to an interview I did with Samantha Fish a few years back for Public Radio WFIT. I'm hoping for another chat soon!

https://youtu.be/Ouw0F5u3ByM?si=Ey-pKYeeapcpf1k1

SWEET RELIEF TRIBUTE TO RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

 

SWEET RELIEF TRIBUTE TO

RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOTT

January 28th, 2024

Howdy Pardners! 

Whoa! The excitement was high in the lobby of the Masonic San Francisco Sunday night for the Sweet Relief: A Tribute to Ramblin' Jack Elliot concert! I'd been eagerly awaiting this concert since its announcement, for a number of reasons, not the least being it fell on my birthday. I mentioned the lobby because everyone was jammed around a few big screen TVs watching the 49ers win their playoff game. Priorities, I suppose. SF won, so the show then could go on!

Much to my delight, our first performer of the evening was a woman whom I believe will end up being the "matriarch" of folk music in the future, my friend Sarah Lee Guthrie. After some kind works about Jack and touring with him, Sarah Lee opened the show with one of her granddaddy Woody Guthrie's tunes, "Hard Travelin". Then she introduced Melissa Carper. I'd not heard of her, but she was awesome. The two duet-ed on Melissa's tune "Ramblin' Soul", while she rocked the upright bass.

Next up was Mike Beck, a fellow I'm not familiar with, but he performed a tune I'd recently fell in love with of Jack's called "South Coast" – whew!

Not many folks know that John Oates (yes, that John Oates of Hall & Oates fame) in the recent past released a very folky/bluesy album, so what a pleasure to see him show up to pay tribute to Jack! John performed a great rendition of Furry Lewis's "Falling Down Blues". Very nice indeed. 

Then we heard from Corb Lund, with a fantastic tune of his called "The Truck Got Stuck", with lyrics:

The Chev got stuck and the Ford got stuck 

But the Chev unstuck when the Dodge showed up

But the Dodge got stuck in the tractor rut,

Which eventually pulled out the Ford...

– lol, wonderful.

Peter Rowan. I'd become familiar with Peter about 25 years ago when we booked his brother at our venue in Florida. I've become a great fan of the Rowan Brothers, so what a treat to finally get to see Peter! He took the stage singing Jimmie Rogers' "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel #8)”, and claimed to have just discovered how to yodel! Next he welcomed back Sarah Lee to join him in a beautiful version of "The Cuckoo" (traditional).

In 1973 the world fell in love with a woman the folk scene had already loved for a decade, Maria Muldaur! I was right on board. So, I'm overjoyed to have seen Maria twice this past year! Earlier she did a few numbers at Wavy Gravy's birthday, and tonight she performed a few for Jack. Starting with Dylan's "I'll be Your Baby Tonight", and Blind Willie Johnson's "Soul Of A Man". Excellent choices!

That last tune started to gnaw at my emotions. But I was dumbfounded to find myself crying when Dave Alvin took the stage and started in on the powerful "King Of California". I didn't know much about Dave or this tune, but now it is a favorite. What a presence Dave has on stage, and the crowd loved him. Next, he covered Tim Hardin's "If I were a Carpenter".

One of the main reasons I wanted to attend this amazing event was to see the irrepressibly wonderful Victoria Williams, who took the stage next. As of this writing, 23 years ago tomorrow will be the anniversary of Ms. Williams along with The original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers performed at the Florida folk venue my wife and I owned - Kool Beanz. It is also the 30th Anniversary of the album Sweet Relief: A Benefit For Victoria Williams. A record of top musicians of the era covering her songs, designed to raise awareness of multiple sclerosis, and to raise funds for Victoria after she had been recently diagnosed with MS.

Victoria started into her "Opelousas" (with the refrain, “Sweet Relief” of course becoming the title of the LP). I've heard a number of versions of her song by her and others, but tonight had a real magical vibe! I did get to visit with her for 15 minutes after the show. It made my day. Love ya Vic!

Also at the Wavy Gravy party was Steve Earle, Steve showed up for Jack as well. He broke out one of the few songs Jack actually wrote (you see, Ramblin' Jack tends to wonderfully turn other's tunes into his own!) "912 Greens". We'll hear more from Steve soon in the program. Lubbock, Texas' Andy Hedges was up next, absolutely killing it on Dylan's "Diamond Joe"! 

Another big reason for attending this tribute was because I saw Rickie Lee Jones on the bill. My dad so loved Rickie Lee (coincidentally the year before she debuted, he had a look alike girlfriend!). Her first release "Chuck E's in Love" did not do much for me when it came out. I did not see what he and others saw. This was not just another pop song, it had a jazz tinge to it, with Ms. Jones' beat poet like delivery. When I did finally get it, I was all in with Rickie! 

Sarah Lee introduced Rickie Lee, and she opens with "I bet you never thought you'd hear me sing this song:...'I was busted flat in Baton rouge'..." whew! A truly funky version of Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee", funky with a funky dance! Lovley! Even lovelier was her follow-up covering the traditional "I Ride An Old Paint". I learned of this tune from the Linda Ronstadt version, so nice to hear Rickie cover it just as beautifully.

For some reason, all my favorite songs were being played tonight!! Birthday Karma? 

Joe Henry then takes the stage covering Woody's "1913 Massacre", yeah there was no holding back the tears tonight. Much of the audience seemed to be quite emotional as well.

I honestly have not known much at all about Nathaniel Rateliff. I recognized his name and voice, but was not prepared to the amazing take on Hoyt Axton's "Gypsy Moth". One of those old gems that was so far back in my musical memory. What a joy to hear. "like I said it's an honor to be here, um, man I don't normally get nervous, but MAN that song was tough to learn! BTW, this is Luke Mossman who plays guitar with me in the Night Sweats. I started to figure out the cadence of that song, but I'd be damned if I could do the guitar part, and sing it at the same time!" Then the two broke into their own tune "And It's Still Alright".

10 years ago, I had the pleasure of seeing the Jackie Greene open for Govt Mule. What a talented performer! Tonight, he covered the traditional song "Old Blue". I will definitely learn more about him.

Jackson Browne took the stage next (strumming familiar chords) taking me all the way straight back to Halloween, Miami 1976, and the Jackson/Orleans/Pablo Cruise concert. "Here's a song that Jack recorded, it's a Gary Davis song...back then if you wanted to hang around the guitar stores everyone hung around, you had to be able to play this song (violin kicks in). It was years before I knew what this song was about. If I wanna sing it now, I have to sing the rehab version!" "Cocaine" (runnin' all 'round brain) with some new lyrics, and a lil help from Steve Earle because he knew the "unrepentant verses"! Jackson then played a very moving "Far From The Arms of Hunger". He is one of the most powerful songwriters of our generation for sure.

On the bill it said Special Guests. As if the previous list was not special enough, out walks Bob Weir! The crowd start howling and yelling "wolf!" He takes the stage tinkering with equipment "I didn't get to the soundcheck today, because I was at a BALL GAME!" The guy next to me knows I'm a Dolphin fan, and shouts out "GO Niners! Right?! C'mon" - lol. Right.

I instantly know the tune. Bobby then says, "I'm gonna try something new, I'm gonna try, like our friend Steve Earle did (but I've never done this before), I gonna try to tell a story...and play guitar at the same time"...and he gives this great lead in to "When I Paint My Masterpiece". Man, I told you they were all my favorite tunes tonight! My fave Bobby vocal!

Then Mr. Weir welcomed Joan Baez on stage to join him in Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying in The Rain".

Joan took center stage. Talking about Jack and Dylan, she joyously covered Bob's "Don't Think Twice, it's Alright", and followed it with a song she wrote (one of a very few), that I'd never heard of. "Coconuts" hmmm...interesting dittie: 

Coconuts sitting in my hand

Remindin' me of my island man

And my island man sitting in his hut

Dreamin' about my coconuts.

Well then! So much fun. So great to finally see Joan, I had tickets to see her a while back but her mom (Joan Sr.) fell ill, and so she had to cancel the gig. [hmmm, so?]

Side note: I had written to Joan requesting a pair of autographs, one to auction for charity, the other to hang in our venue. Her mom answered my request with photos and a beautiful hand written letter apologizing for her handling the correspondence and not Joan personally. So I wrote her back saying no need for apologies, we were thrilled! "But, oh, btw...I remember you are Mimi Farina's mom too...I would love to have a photo to hang next to Joan's!" She explained that she was very sorry, she did not even have her own Mimi autograph! Then she added Mimi's address, and said "if you do reach out, ask her to send her mom one too!!" How sweet. Enough about me, now where was I?

 

Now we are nearing the show's finales. Ramblin' Jack Elliott takes the stage to a massive standing ovation, of course! There he was, at 94 hunched over a bit, greeting all his friends and hugging all the gals on stage left.

The legend sat down and kicked into his signature tune "San Francisco Bay Blues" – goosebumps time!! Git it you ol' cowboy!! Wow. Next off Peter Rowan equipped with mandolin kicks off "Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms" with Victoria. Then Jack took a verse, and all joined in. Truly amazing. 

I grew up listening to live folk music concerts like this on record, what an honor to be there on this night, for this this new California transplant!

The next day, I decided I should call Jack himself – I've had his number from a mutual friend. He answered!

"Hello, hello? I was sent by our mutual friend "Florida Pete" Gallagher. How are you? I was at the big concert Sunday night; it was my birthday. I wondered if I might get a few words from you about the event?" I spewed forth. There was a long pause.

Jack said, "It was the best show ever". Then a very long pause. "It was really the best show ever. There were so many friends! It took me 15 minutes to recognize them all! So many friends. I saw my old friend Jackson Browne, I didn't recognize him. He had a beard; I asked his name. Oh I told him I used to have an old friend also named Jackson Browne, but he didn't have a beard. Later I called him to apologize forgetting him, he said there were 'no worries, Jack'".

Mr. Elliott (92) then mentioned "it's been a fantastic week", although he was sad that he started losing his voice last week, especially since he has a gig tomorrow! So I said maybe we should cut this short, to save his voice, he agreed, but we both rambled a few minutes more...I then asked if we could have a proper interview soon, he agreed and wished me happy birthday!

for Dad.

Java John Goldacker