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.
The album blended instrumental tracks with the story-telling, rock, 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 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." Spirit Trail considered "very Southern" themes with "songs about race, religion, judgment and tolerance" and "struggles with these issues"—notably on "Sneaking Up on Boo Radley," which references the character from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
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
Bruce Hornsby – vocals, grand piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, organ, Korg Wavestation, Minimoog, dulcimer J. T. Thomas – organ David Bendeth – guitar Jerry Garcia, on guitar, is sampled, posthumously, on Disc 2, track 7. Adam Larrabee – guitar John Leventhal – guitar, bouzouki Michael Mangini – guitar Wayne Pooley – guitar Matt Scannell – guitar, mandolin J. V. Collier – bass Skoti Alain Elliott – bass John Pierce – bass Matt Chamberlain – drums, percussion John Molo – drums, percussion Shawn Pelton – drums, percussion Bobby Hornsby – shaker Ernesto Laboy – congas Bobby Read – clarinet, flute, saxophones Tim Streagle – trombone John D'earth – trumpet Ashley MacIsaac – violin David Mansfield – violin Colette Coward – backing vocals Kyle Davis – backing vocals Debbie Henry – backing vocals Joe Lee – backing vocals
Production
Produced by Bruce Hornsby (Tracks #1, 2, 4-13, 15-17); Bruce Hornsby and Michael Mangini (Tracks #3 & 14). Production Assistance – Melissa Reagan Production Coordination – Sue Tropio Engineers – Wayne Pooley (Tracks #1, 2, 4-13, 15-17), Skoti Alain Elliot (Tracks #3 & 14) and Mark Needham (Tracks #4-7, 11 & 12). Second Engineer (Tracks #3 & 14) – Sharon Kearney Mixed by Wayne Pooley (Tracks #1-13, 15-17) and Skoti Alain Elliot (Track #14). Mastered by Tom Coyne at Sterling Sound (New York, NY). Art Direction and Design – Bruce Hornsby and Kim Biggs Photography – Danny Clinch Liner Notes – Chip DeMatteo