Isle Of View is just a very outstanding album and The Original Tap Dancing Kid is also a solid album. That is as far as I every went with this music. Jimmie Spheeris – Isle Of View Label: Rain Records – RR001 Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered Country: US Released: 1998 Jimmie Spheeris – The Original Tap Dancing Kid Label: Rain Records – RR 002 Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered Country: US Released: 1998
I have Jimmie Spheeris – "The Original Tap Dancing Kid" LP..... it is an outstanding piece. He is an underappreciated artist .
I think Jimmie's album "The Dragon is Dancing" is sonically awesome. Very dreamy and full of fabulous sound. Great production and mixing. A joy to listen to. May be a bit "romantic" for some, but omg his voice.....
I know I have great copies of his four albums but wouldn't it be nice if there was a box set releases CD/Vinyl of his albums? Either a boxed set or audiophile releases of all of his albums on vinyl. A set with a nice book would be amazing even if it was limited, sign me up!!!
I wonder just how many out there know & love him...I guess if it was profitable, maybe a 1000-2000 limited edition run would find enough fans!!
Record Store Day should get on board. Really sick of the same artists getting the releases every RSD. More people would love his music if exposed is my experience from others I have exposed to his music.
Yes...record store day has given us many great records to coolect but it is time for some new blood! I have shared it with friends and they love him. To my ears there is something from Jimmie for everyone to love. His music is quite varied.
<moderator edit> An Evening with Jimmie Spheeris The live double CD featured 17 tracks... including several songs that were never previously released. The CD insert unfolded to a 9.5" by 14" mini-poster of rare photos and extensive liner notes from Johnny Pierce, CEO of Rain Records and Jimmie's bass player for the album. The CD was released in 2000 and is no longer available. See the news page. With the death of founder Johnny Pierce in 2005, the Rain Records label was shut down and its website went off-line. Recorded in Willimantic Connecticut, October, 1976. OOP Many tracks were extended versions of previously released songs. Three tracks had never been previously released in any form. Nothing was cut from the original master tape, which was given to Johnny by Jimmie many years ago. Tracks: MONTE LUNA PLAY THAT SONG NIGHTINGALE COME SAIL LET IT FLOW SEEDS OF SPRING TEQUILA MOONLITE EMERALD AND THE DREAM DANCE HILLS IN MY HEAD AIN'T NO USE IN WALKIN' (WHEN YOU CAN STROLL) IT'S ALL IN THE GAME ROSIE'S NIGHT OUT THE DRAGON IS DANCING SINCE I FELL FOR YOU I AM THE MERCURY ETERNITY SPIN - encore tracks - THE ORIGINAL TAP DANCING KID THE NEST In addition to Jimmie tunes you may be familiar with, the live album featured performances of songs that were never previously released on any album. "Rosie's Night Out" is a good example. Here's a transcript of Jimmie's intro, followed by the lyrics. "This next song is about a high school pom-pom girl... who went bad. Actually, she made a very good hooker in her later years... in her earlier years. "Can you hear me there? OK? Well, you must stop talking while I'm interrupting you [laughing]. Anyway, this song takes place at a very sleazy corner... perhaps one of the sleazier corners in the world. It's the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Los Palmas, in the lovely town of Hollywood, California. And there's a Bar & Grill there called Georgia's. And this young pom-pom girl I was telling you about - her name is Rosie. And this is about her night out." [Jimmie to the band: "Let's play."] Rosie's Night Out There's a Bar & Grill down on the Boulevard Where cruisers and losers meet the Hollywood stars Jukebox jivers, finger-snappin' queens They're losing their temper and looking for dreams Dreams for the lonely ones... How they come to lean on lonely lights To hotel windows and empty nights The romance out looking for a fight You're going crazy Cheap gin and movie magazines Look in the mirror - where's that high school queen? Get dressed and go out Find yourself somebody to love And here come Rosie down the Boulevard She's looking so fine - just like a movie star She walks past the counter, to the pinball machines Tossing her hair past the crazy black queens, she says Does anybody wanna dance with me? Does anybody wanna dance? Does anybody wanna dance with me? Does anybody wanna... You should have seen them slow dance All through the night Rosie in her fever Freddy with his jeans real tight In satin shoes, pushed up against a velvet blue... And out on the street, sombody's making a deal The last days of Babylon, only with a feel So come to the corner - all your dreams will be filled You can pay later Does anybody wanna dance with me? Does anybody wanna dance? Does anybody wanna dance with me? Does anybody wanna... Written by Jimmie Spheeris (c) 1976 Joebeam Music Inc., BMI. All rights reserved.
For those still catching up with Jimmie... Listen to "Let It Flow" ... and read on: Style Jimmie Spheeris, c. 1976 Spheeris primarily composed on the guitar and piano. His musical genre was generally in the folk music and singer-songwriter traditions, although later work explored jazz, rock music, jazz-rock fusion and new wave music. With few exceptions, Spheeris’ guitar compositions employed the use of open tunings, also referred to as alternate tunings. Johnny Pierce (November 30, 1953 – December 12, 2005), worked with Spheeris as a recording session and touring artist from 1973 to 1980, and wrote extensive guitar tablature regarding the tunings Spheeris used throughout his career.[6] Spheeris’ vocal range was primarily baritone and tenor, with occasional falsetto flourishes. His voice is most often described by music critics and fans as "soulful," "sultry," or "smoky."[7] Musicians Longtime friend Jackson Browne contributed backing vocals on Spheeris' 1976 album, Ports of the Heart. Recording artist Laura Nyro and Spheeris were also friends, sharing a New York City apartment for a time in the early 1970s. The following is a partial list of musicians who contributed to recordings by Jimmie Spheeris: Jane Getz, John Goodsall, David Campbell, Geoff Levin, Lee Calvin Nicolai, David Harowitz, Emile Latimer, Buddy Salzman, Bill La Vorna, Felix Cavaliere, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Bobbye Hall, Sneaky Pete Kleinow, Doreen Davis, Vinnie Johnson, John Summers, Jim Cowger, Harvy Mason, Norma Trotter, Charlie Larky, Bart Hall, Johnny Pierce, Chick Corea, Mike Mallen, Paul Lewinson, Dorothy Remsen, Henry Lewy, Morgan Ames, Chuck Findley, Robert Findley, Gary Barone, Mike Anglin, Jonathan Ellis, Stanley Clarke, John Guerin, Jay Ellington Lee, Robin Williamson, Dan Orbach, Emile Pandolfi, Richard Feves, Paul Delph, Rick Parnell, Doug Lunn, Paul Lani, Richard Burmer, Paul Marcus, Charlotte Crossley, Peter Udo, Vida Vierra, Fred Rehfeld, Terry Powers, Lavell Gibson, Michael Stewart (music legend John Stewart's brother), Arnold McUlla.[8] -wiki Discography Isle of View, 1972, Columbia 30988. Produced by Paul Leka. The Original Tap Dancing Kid, 1973, Columbia 32157. Produced by Felix Cavaliere. The Dragon is Dancing, 1975, Epic 33565. Produced by Henry Lewy. Ports of the Heart, 1976, Epic 34276. Produced by David Campbell. An Evening with Jimmie Spheeris (live), 1999, Rain Records RR005. Produced by Johnny Pierce. Spheeris, 2000, Rain Records RR006. Produced by Paul Delph. Come Back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9GegamPxpo
Jimmie Spheeris & Richie Havens together for the one and only time. Spheeris moved to New York City in the late 1960s to pursue his songwriting career.[3] The liner notes on his debut album credit friend and fellow songwriter Richie Havens,[4] who introduced Spheeris to Columbia Records executive Clive Davis. Davis signed Spheeris to a four album recording contract and his debut album was released on the Columbia label
Please watch ...such a great 24 minute synopsis of Jimmie and Lelend & the songs Leland played on... Leland Sklar on Jimmie Spheeris...Leland appeared on a couple projects with Jimmie. Some really interesting and tragic life background by Leland.
They should come up with a box set for Jimmy Spheeris. Have all his studio albums plus this gem and another disc of rarities. Even if just his studio albums I would buy with book included.
Interesting that your avatar is another fave...Tim Buckley A friend who just heard Jimmie thru me yesterday said that Spheeris brought to mind Tim Bucky, not vocally but for his versatility and jazz leanings. Spheeris indeed had a wide vocal range from baritone to tenor.
Five albums (5th would be his unreleased at the time due to his death, his last album that was finally released in 2000: "Sheeris") plus his live album...the ultimate Spheeris box!
Today, the dragon is dancing...such a stunning album start to finish! The last rack, Blue Streets is so damn great and I like to imagine Jimmie and Laura Nyro sitting around at the grand piano in their apartment in the 70's, playing their songs for each other. This one evokes the Laura in Jimmie for me (as many of Laura's songs evoke Jimmie). Blue Streets Excerpt from the unfinished documentary about Jimmie. Jungle Sweep https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxbEWBD5-y0
1984 "You must be laughing somewhere..." Jimmie Spheeris Final Studio Album: 1984 Jimmie's final album was restored on CD in 2000 and released nationally by permission of Sony Music Special Products in April of that year... 16 years after it was completed. Jimmie finished this album on the night a drunk driver took his life: 4 July 1984. Independence day. This previously unreleased material is sadly once again unavailable. See the news page. discography page | jimmie's home page Review "This CD points to the fact that Spheeris was quite willing to forge ahead in 1983 and 1984 - 'You Got,' 'Afternoon: Forever Afternoon,' 'You Will Be Coming Back' and other selections underscore his interest in the popular new wave sounds of the time. No, Spheeris wasn't trying to be Thomas Dolby, Duran Duran or Soft Cell; rather, he updates his sound by incorporating new wave elements and does so in an organic, unpretentious fashion. The album never sounds forced or contrived, and Spheeris gives the impression that he really believes in the songs. Had 'Spheeris' been released commercially in 1984 and had the singer/songwriter not met an untimely death at the age of 33, perhaps he would have been become better known. But that's only speculation; what we know for certain is that 'Spheeris' is a pop-rock jewel." Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Adam Jungle Sweep Afternoon: Forever Afternoon... Eyes You Will Be Coming Back You Got You Must Be Laughing Somewhere Decatur Street Three In Venice Hear It PERSONNEL Jimmie Spheeris guitar, piano, vocals Paul Delph prophet 10, vocals Rick Parnell drums, backing vocals on "You Will Be Coming Back" Doug Lunn bass Paul Lani acoustic guitar on "Decatur Street" Richard Burmer emulator Paul Marcus prophet 10 on "Hear It" Backing Vocals Charlotte Crossley, Peter Udo, Vida Vierra, Fred Rehfeld, Terry Powers, Lavell Gibson, Michael Stewart, Arnold McUlla PRODUCTION CREDITS Recorded during the summer of 1984 at Skyline Recording, Topanga Canyon, California. Additional recording at SoundLab, Hollywood, and Magic Bus, Malibu. Tony Braithwaite sound Paul Lani, Mark Shifman additional engineering Stephen Marsussen mastering at Precision Lacquer Darryl Golden photography and hand-tinting See the original hand-tinted cover art Rosanna Norton costume design Terry Powers hair Michael Marcus logo design for original privately pressed LP Special Thanks to Peter Udo. Brought to you by Joebeam. FOR RAIN RECORDS Johnny Pierce executive producer Frank Green digital mastering Andy Markley - art101 design & digital imaging
