Ports of the Heart [Original recording remastered]

Jimmie Spheeris | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 27, 1999)
• Original Release Date: April 27, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: Rain Records
• ASIN: B00004RI8P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,092 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Child from Nowhere

2. Emerald and the Dream Dance

3. It's You They're Dreaming Of

4. Captain Comes Cold

5. Bayou Eyes

6. It's All in the Game

7. Hills in My Head

8. Whirlpool

9. Sweet Separation

10. So Darkly Fall the Shadows

11. Nightingale Come Sail

12. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jimmie and the Band Hit Their Stride in the Studio, May 7, 2000

By 

John Mclaughlin (San Francisco, California, [e-mail]) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ports of the Heart (Audio CD)

Ports of the Heart is Jimmie Spheeris' fourth studio album, and the band he put together between the early 1970's and 1976 when it was first released really shine on every track.

The music itself is reminiscent of the amazing and delightful first album, Isle of View; but the sound is more electric rock than the accoustic folk feel of their first outing. Years of touring and playing live to appreciative and attentive audiences really show in the band's chops--and it's a real shame the musicians (Bart Hall-drums, Geoff Levin-guitar, Johnny Pierce-bass, Jim Cowger-flute) aren't better known (Geoff Levin is one of the most underrated guitarists alive). An impressive number of session artists also worked on this album, including Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, John Guerin and Jackson Browne.

A surprising addition to the magic of the melodies and lyrics of the songs Jimmie crafted for this album are two covers: "It's All In The Game" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Jimmie didn't write 'em, but these performances sure prove he owns 'em.

If you already have one of Jimmie's at-long-last-finally-released CDs (thanks, Rain Records!) and are looking to pick up a second, try Ports of the Heart. It's a great listen.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful tunes that are a grand growth for Spheeris., February 7, 2004

By 

S. Granger (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ports of the Heart (Audio CD)

I never found this on vinyl. In fact I thought there were only three Spheeris discs. How wonderful it was to find out that I was wrong. While Jimmie's first three records kept a kind of similiar tone, Ports seems to have lost a bit of the 60's hippy flavor for more of a joyous heart. Each of Spheeris' discs are masterworks of musical art, but Ports is amazingly fresh. Even after all these years I found myself listening over and over to this disc. I previously thought my love for the old records was related to all my memories but after getting Ports I realized that it's not just me. This is some great music.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but shoulda been better, January 17, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ports of the Heart (Audio CD)

Of the Jimmy Spheeris "albums" this wasn't the best, but sometimes, anything by a great artist is better than nothing. Most people who listened to Jimmy thought "Isle of View" (aka I Love You) was his best, with "The Nest" and "I Am The Mercury" as the highlights. Even in the 70's it was in the cut-out bins(does anyone remember those?)... but a "real find" for those who knew what to look for. If you don't have this, it's worth a listen, and then cry out for the label release "Isle of View".

Sadly, he died long before more people could discover him and his talent.