Jimmie Spheeris' followers swore up and down that he deserved to become as famous as Neil Young or Jackson Browne-and in a perfect world, he would have been much better known in the singer/songwriter field. But when his sensitive, contemplative debut album, Isle of View, first came out on
Epic in 1971, it was hardly a big seller. Nonetheless, Isle of View (which Rain reissued on CD in 1997) did earn Spheeris a small but extremely devoted cult following, and it isn't hard to see why his followers thought so highly of him. Acoustic-oriented selections like "I Am The
Mercury," "For Roach" and "The Nest" are superb-when you aren't admiring Spheeris for being such an expressive, charismatic vocalist, you're loving his way with words. Spheeris' lyrics had a very poetic quality, and the more you listen to these songs, the more you get out of them. Anyone with a taste for introspective singer/songwriters would have a hard time not cherishing Isle of View.
Tracks:-------
Isle Of View :01. The Nest - 4:04
02. For Roach - 2:48
03. Monte Luna - 3:04
04. Seeds Of Spring - 3:52
05. I Am The
Mercury - 4:59
06. Long Way Down (L. Nicolai) - 4:40
07. Let It Flow - 3:22
08. Seven Virgins - 2:58
09. Come Back - 4:43
10. Esmaria - 5:48
The Original Tap Dancing Kid :11. Beautiful News - 2:45
12. Shirtful Of Apples - 3:17
13. Open Up - 3:03
14. Streets Of The Harbour - 2:52
15. The Original Tap Dancing Kid - 3:31
16. Sweet Wahini Mama - 2:56
17. Keeper Of The Canyon - 3:19
18.
Soul Tumbleweed - 3:02
19. Long Way From China - 4:09
20. Village Vapors - 2:48
21. Moon On The Water - 2:38
Personnel:---------
Isle Of View :Jimmie Spheeris - Guitar, Piano, Vocals
Geoff Levin - Guitar
David Campbell - Violin, Viola
Lee Calvin Nicolai - Flute, Bass, Guitar, Backing Vocals
David Harowitz - Piano On 'Monte Luna'and Tracks 6-10
Emil Latimer - Conga
Buddy Salzman - Drums
Bill La Vornia – Drums
The Original Tap Dancing Kid :Jimmie Spheeris - Acoustic Guitar, Piano, Vocal
Felix Cavaliere - Piano, Organ, Backing Vocals
Russ Kunkel - Drums, Tambourine
Leland Sklar - Bass
Geoff Levin - Electric Guitar, 12-String Acoustic Guitar
Bobby Hall - Conga
Sneeky Pete - Pedal Steel
Doreen Davis - Backing Vocals
Jane Getz - Celeste, Piano, Backing Vocals
Vinnie Johnson - Drums
John Summers - Bass
Jim Calgar - Flute
Harvey Mason - Drums
David Campbell - Fiddle
Norma Trotter - Tap Dancing
Charlie Larkey - Bass