Acclaimed Texas-based singer-songwriter and musician Al Staehely (Spirit, the Staehely Brothers) has released 'Post Spirit Vol. 1 (1974-1978)' - a fourteen-track album of rare solo recordings written over 40 years ago during Staehely's days in Los Angeles in the 1970's.
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 Vol. 1 (1974-1978 )' is an audio time capsule that captures the essence of 70's Southern California rock.
"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," says Staehely. "These never before released Post Spirit 1974-1978 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!"
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.
Looking back at his early days in Malibu and Laurel Canyon, Staehely laughs, “We were wide eyed- but not that innocent!”
