Spirit Trail is the sixth studio album by American pianist and singer Bruce Hornsby, released by RCA Records as a double CD in 1998. The cover artwork depicts Hornsby's uncle, Charles Hornsby.[Liner notes, Spirit Trail.]
The album blended instrumental tracks with the story-telling, rock music, jazz, and other musical forms Hornsby had delved into over his career. Over the two discs, Hornsby wove a tapestry of varied textures, from the fervent spirituality and almost gospel music dirge of "Preacher in the Ring, parts I & II," to the catchy chord progressions of "Sad Moon."
Spirit Trail has been often mentioned to be one of Bruce Hornsby's best albums. Several tracks, notably "Fortunate Son", have since become fan favorites and staples at Hornsby's concerts.
Among other homages, the song "Sunflower Cat (Some Dour Cat) (Down With That)" sampled and looped the main lick from the Grateful Dead song "China Cat Sunflower."
Track listing
All songs by Bruce Hornsby, except where noted.
In territories other than the USA, the album was released as a single disc, omitting the tracks "Sunlight Moon", "Listen To The Silence" and "Funhouse", and with a different running order.
Musicians
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Bruce Hornsby – vocals, grand piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, Electric organ, Korg Wavestation, Minimoog, dulcimer
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J. T. Thomas – organ
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David Bendeth – guitar
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Jerry Garcia, on guitar, is sampled, posthumously, on Disc 2, track 7.
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Adam Larrabee – guitar
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John Leventhal – guitar, bouzouki
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Michael Mangini – guitar
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Wayne Pooley – guitar
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Matt Scannell – guitar, mandolin
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J. V. Collier – bass
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Skoti Alain Elliott – bass
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John Pierce – bass
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Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion
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John Molo – drums, percussion
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Shawn Pelton – drums, percussion
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Bobby Hornsby – shaker
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Ernesto Laboy –
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Bobby Read – clarinet, flute,
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Tim Streagle – trombone
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John D'earth – trumpet
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Ashley MacIsaac – violin
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David Mansfield – violin
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Colette Coward – backing vocals
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Kyle Davis – backing vocals
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Debbie Henry – backing vocals
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Joe Lee – backing vocals
Production
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Produced by Bruce Hornsby (Tracks #1, 2, 4-13, 15-17); Bruce Hornsby and Michael Mangini (Tracks #3 & 14).
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Production Assistance – Melissa Reagan
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Production Coordination – Sue Tropio
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Engineers – Wayne Pooley (Tracks #1, 2, 4-13, 15-17), Skoti Alain Elliot (Tracks #3 & 14) and Mark Needham (Tracks #4-7, 11 & 12).
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Second Engineer (Tracks #3 & 14) – Sharon Kearney
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Mixed by Wayne Pooley (Tracks #1-13, 15-17) and Skoti Alain Elliot (Track #14).
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Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
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Art Direction and Design – Bruce Hornsby and Kim Biggs
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Photography – Danny Clinch
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Liner Notes – Chip DeMatteo
