Search - Randy California :: Shattered Dreams

Shattered dreams does not match other splendid randy califor

still wandering | missoula, montana United States | 04/04/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"well - i am just getting through the second listening of this cd which is an import from germany with copyright release date given as 1997. there is minimal information on the recording of these 11 tracks and no exact dates. Most of the material are studio recordings and there is a live version of "hey joe" which starts the cd and is, to me, its best track. Ed Cassidy plays drums only on two tracks and Larry Knight - bass; and John Locke back Randy on one of these tracks. Most of the tracks are stated to have been recorded at studios in London and Los Angeles - no dates given - but the backing musicians listed are Preston Heyman - drums, percussion; and John Pearce - drums (but likely bass). These studio songs are well played and overall make pleasant listening, but there are no real stand outs here - warning there is that "1980's sound/ambience" to them - but I like the simple guitar-bass-drums, clean sound. Some synthesizer background for violin sound is present on several tracks. As usual, there is that nice guitar work sprinkled everywhere and sometimes the "little things" Randy sometimes liked to have in his recordings are added here and there. Lastly, many tracks fade out - too bad - this to me takes away from the cd which contains only 47 min. 11 sec. of music. This cd is not essential - other archival releases of spirit and randy california are much better."