Nature's Way '91

AMG Review of Nature's Way '91

William Ruhlmann
All Music Guide

This 41-minute disc seems to be a single that got out of hand. In the wake of Epic/Legacy's Spirit compilation Time Circle (1967-1972), the band decided to assemble its own archival collection of previously unreleased vintage recordings and came up with Chronicles 1967-1992, which included some re-recordings of old Spirit songs, among them a version of "Nature's Way" cut as a duet between Spirit member Randy California and Sara Fleetwood. This disc leads off with and is titled after that re-recording (a photograph of California and Fleetwood even adorns the cover), and the added songs include two other tracks from Chronicles 1967-1992, "Darlin If" and "Genetic Dreams," plus the title song from Spirit's 1990 album, Tent of Miracles, and an otherwise unavailable track, "Fallen Hero," which seems to be a heartfelt tribute to President John Kennedy. The music makes up about 18 minutes of the disc, but the other 23 minutes consist of what sounds like a radio interview with California and fellow Spirit member Ed Cassidy, who talk about the new recording of "Nature's Way," the assembly of Chronicles 1967-1992, and the band's origins and plans for the future. Essentially a promotional release, the disc nevertheless gives considerable insight into the bandmembers' views of their history while including some good music.