My new album 'Somewhere In West Texas' has left the gate. Thank you to the kind folks at Quarto Valley Records for helping me release this album. A special thanks to Scrappy, Chris & Fran who helped me record the album. And thank you all for your support. These songs have been written over the course of 4 decades so it's a pleasure to release them. Hope you enjoy...
- Al
Stream the album here: https://ffm.to/somewhereinwesttexas
UPCOMING SHOWS
Post Spirit Vol. 1 1974-1978
Post Spirit Vol. I 1974-1978 cover album.
14 Track Album of Rare Solo Recordings
From His Days in Los Angeles
"The '70s L.A. music scene was a special time. Today, in 2021, many try to recreate the '70s analog experience in their songwriting and recordings. I was lucky to have been writing and making music during that time. These never before released recordings from my "Vault" are the real thing- written and recorded in L.A. during that era in some of the best studios, with some of the best musicians working at that time. Enjoy!"- Al Staehely
Acclaimed Texas-based singer-songwriter and musician Al Staehely (Spirit, the Staehely Brothers) has released 'Post Spirit 1974-1978 Vol. 1' - a fourteen-track album of rare solo recordings from Staehely's days in Los Angeles. The album follows on the heels of the "Wide Eyed and Innocent" single, which debuted in late August.
While known to many as the lead vocalist, bass player, and principal songwriter on Spirit's fifth album, 1972's 'Feedback', Staehely went on to enjoy a lengthy career in bands like the Staehely Brothers, and The Nick Gravenites / John Cipollina Band, while also writing songs for the likes of Keith Moon, Bobbie Gentry, Patti Dahlstrom, Nick Gravenites, John Cipollina, Marty Balin, Peter Cox and Hodges, James & Smith and more. A segue into a successful career as a Houston, TX entertainment attorney hasn't deterred Staehely from continuing to write and perform music regularly, which he does to this day.
'Post Spirit 1974-1978 Vol. 1' is an audio time capsule that captures the essence of 70's Southern California rock.
The single "Wide Eyed and Innocent," was recorded in 1978, while the recently released re-recorded version of the song was done during sessions in Marfa, TX in 2020, offering a unique contrast between Staehely's storied history and his exciting future.
ALBUM CREDITS
1. Wide Eyed and Innocent - Guitars: Steve Cropper, Snuffy Walden (solo), Al Staehely. Drums: Gary Mallaber. Bass: Pete Sears. Keyboards: Peter Sears, Andy Kahan. Sax: Al Garth
2. Feel the Heat (4th of July in NYC) - Guitars: Steve Cropper, Al Staehely. Drums: Gary Mallaber. Bass: Pete Sears. Sax: Evelyn Rubio. Keyboards: Pete Sears, Andy Kahan
3. Chippin’ Away - Guitars: Steve Cropper, Snuffy Walden (solo), Al Staehely. Drums: Gary Mallaber. Bass: Pete Sears. Keyboards: Peter Sears, Andy Kahan. Sax: Al Garth
4. Live Like a River - Guitars: Snuffy Walden, Al Staehely. Drums: Curly Smith. Bass: Veyler Hildebrand. Flute: Jim Horn. Background vocals: Veyler Hildebrand, Renee Armand
5. Stand in Love - Guitars: Steve Beckmeier, Al Staehely. Drums: Curly Smith. Bass: Veyler Hildebrand. Background vocals: Rosemary Butler.
6. Safecracker - Guitars: Steve Beckmeier, Al Staehely. Drums: Curly Smith. Bass: Veyler Hildebrand. Background vocals: Rosemary Butler.
7. Too Long Alone - Guitars: Steve Beckmeier, Al Staehely. Drums: Curly Smith. Bass: Veyler Hildebrand. Background vocals: Rosemary Butler.
8. Without Love – Guitars: Steve Cropper, Al Staehely. Drums: Gary Mallaber. Bass: Peter Sears. Sax: Martin Fierro.
9. Coastin’ - Guitars: Steve Beckmeier, Al Staehely. Drums: Curly Smith. Bass: Veyler Hildebrand. Background vocals: Rosemary Butler.
10. Put Your Life in My Hands - Steel guitar and piano: Skip Edwards, Bass & Acoustic: Al Staehely, Background vocals: The Blackberries- Clydie King & Vanetta Fields
11. Tenderhooks - Guitars: John Staehely, Bass: Al Staehely, Drums: Curly Smith, Background vocals: Rosemary Butler
12. Wish I’d Said - Steel guitar: Skip Edwards, Bass & Acoustic: Al Staehely, Background vocals: The Blackberries- Clydie King & Vanetta Fields
13. The Lady Was a Racehorse - Guitars: Snuffy Walden, Al Staehely, bass: Veyler Hildebrand, Drums: Curly Smith, Background vocals: Veyler & Snuffy
14. All is Forgiven – Guitars: Al Staehely, Bass: Veyler Hildebrand
All songs written by Al Staehely Camp Music ASCAP
Except Live Like a River by Joe Henry and Al Staehely, Camp Music ASCAP, Cool Hand Music ASCAP
Without Love by Patti Dahlstrom, Esperadora Music BMI and Al Staehely, Camp Music Company ASCAP
Tracks 1,2,3,8 Produced and Engineered by Austin Godsey and Alex Kazanegras
Track 5,6,7,9 Produced by John Boylan, Engineered by Paul Grupp
Track 10,12 Procuced and Engineered by Alex Kazanegras
Tracks 4,11,13,14 Produced by Al Staehely
Album Design- Hill Taylor White for Primal Creative Group LLC
Cover- Photo by Nash Baker of a 1969 Jerry Ragni “portrait” of Al
Inside Photography- Courtesy of Patti Dahlstrom, Pete Sears, Al Garth
Management: Ron Stone for Gold Mountain Entertainment
Digital Marketing: J Scavo & Devon Souriall for Daemon
PR: Mike Cubillos for Earshot
Special thanks to Wilma Schindeler, Hill & Lil, Freddie Steady, Brother John, Randy Poe