[2019-08-30] Spirit "The Complete Potatoland" 4CD box set (Esoteric UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Jun 22, 2019 3:00 pm

Description
• A new official re-mastered 4 CD clamshell boxed set featuring all of the recordings made for the Potatoland album project by Spirit, alongside a host of previously unreleased live recordings from 1972
• Includes booklet with new essay
• Replicates the original “Adventures in Potatoland” comic book

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a 4 CD clamshell boxed set that gathers together all the recordings made for the classic “Potatoland” album by SPIRIT. The album was born in 1973 following the release of guitarist Randy California’s “Kaptain Kopter and the Fabulous Twirlybirds” album (made shortly after his departure from Spirit). To promote his solo album California assembled a band to tour featuring original Spirit drummer Ed Cassidy and bass guitarist Larry “Fuzzy” Knight. Initially playing concerts in the Los Angeles area, the trio recorded two live performances at the studios of KPFK-FM in September 1972. Soon after the trio reverted to the name Spirit to undertake live work in Europe. Following these concerts Randy California and Ed Cassidy began work on the album “The Adventures of Kapt. Kopter and Commander Cody in Potatoland”.

The recordings were offered to Epic Records (who had released the Spirit albums) but they were rejected by the label. The recordings remained consigned to the vaults whilst a reactivated Spirit recorded a series of albums for Mercury Records between 1975 – 1978. Whilst in England on a subsequent solo tour, a fan presented Randy California with a petition of 5000 signatures requesting the release of “Potatoland”. Inspired by this, California revisited the original master tapes and overdubbed new parts to the music and the album saw a release in this form in 1981 on Rhino Records in the USA and Beggar’s Banquet in the UK, where it peaked at number 40 in the album charts.

This new edition of “Potatoland” gathers together both the original 1973 version of the album and the 1981 release, along with 2 CDs of the complete KPFK-FM radio concerts from 1972, all newly re-mastered. The set also features 21 bonus tracks comprising studio out-takes, demos and two songs recorded live on the BBC TV “Old Grey Whistle Test” show in 1973. The set also features an illustrated booklet with an essay by Spirit official archivist Mick Skidmore and a replica of the “Adventures in Potatoland” comic book included with the 1981 album release.

Tracklist
[CD1]
The Original Potatoland:
1. Introduction 1984
2. Exit 27
3. Turn To The Right
4. Everything Talks To Me (Donut House)
5. Fish Fry Road
6. Natures Theme
7. Information
8. My Friend
9. Walking The Dog
10. Giant Potatoes
11. Lonely In Potatoland
12. Nature’s Way
13. Salvation: Matter Of Time Suite
14. 1984 (Reprise)
15. Oil Slick-Million Years: Suite
16. Information Reprise
17. It’s Time Now
Bonus Tracks:
18. You Know
19. Donut House (Alternate Version)
20. Walkin’ The Dog (Alternate Version)
21. Ain’t That Too Bad
22. Mr. Skin (Live – BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 10th April 1973)
23. Turn To The Right (Live – BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 10th April 1973)
24. Interview With Randy California And Ed Cassidy (9th April 1973)
25. Fish Fry Road (Live – Austin Texas 7th May 1979)
26. Day Tripper (Live – Austin Texas 7th May 1979)

[CD2]
Potatoland – The 1981 Version:
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
Bonus Tracks:
12. Salvation
13. Morning Light (Alternate Version)
14. We’ve Got A Lot To Learn (Alternate Version)
15. Potatoland March – Midnight Train
16. Turn To The Right (Alternate Version)
17. Potatoland Theme (Alternate Version)
18. 1981 Interview With Randy California

[CD3]
Kapt Kopter Live On KPFK FM Radio, Los Angeles, 13th September 1972:
1. Introduction Dialogue
2. Veruska
3. Miss This Train
4. Band Introductions Dialogue
5. Get Out My Life Woman
6. Walkin The Dog
7. Hi- Heel Sneakers
8. Fixin’ To Die
9. Ain’t That Too Bad
10. Live For The Day
11. Happy
12. Free As The Wind
13. I Don’t Want Nobody
14. Devil
15. Shotgun
16. Melting Into The Furniture

[CD4]
Kapt Kopter Live On KPFK FM Radio, Los Angeles, 6th September 1972:
1. Veruska
2. Miss This Train
3. Walkin’ The Dog
4. Get Out My Life Woman
5. Ain’t That Too Bad
6. Jam / Happy
7. Hi-Heel Sneakers
8. Downer
Bonus Studio Tracks And Rehearsals:
9. Sunrise (Studio Cut)
10. Man In Love (Demo)
11. Brian Berry Blues (Rehearsal)
12. ECDAB (Rehearsal)
13. Z (Rehearsal)
14. Boogie Woogie All Night Long (Studio Cut 1972)

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T4RYNVT/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T4RYNVT/?tag=imwan-21

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

While I haven't heard most of the bonus tracks, don't expect the original band, Kapt Kopter, or the 3 piece of Randy, Ed & Larry Samuels. IMO, Potatoland may be the worst album RC released during his life time.

ranasakawa · 26 Jan 2007

No live version of Fresh Garbage :sigh:

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Jun 27, 2019 9:15 pm

Both of the pre-order links are now active:

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T4RYNVT/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T4RYNVT/?tag=imwan-21

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I am grabbing this, I like all of the periods of Spirit's career, I only own the original CD so there will be a ton of material I have not heard.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Aug 28, 2019 12:30 pm

Bump: Updated the cover image in the first post to the full packshot.

[2019-08-30] Spirit "The Complete Potatoland" 4CD box set (Esoteric UK)

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