“Wide Eyed and Innocent” a recently unearthed track from acclaimed Texas-based singer-songwriter and musician Al Staehely (Spirit, the Staehely Brothers) is out today, along with a newly recorded version of the song. The track serves as a precursor to the upcoming release of rare solo recordings from Al’s days in Los Angeles, descriptively titled ‘Post Spirit 1974-1978 Vol. 1.’ out on October 7th.

While known to many as the lead vocalist, bass player, and principle songwriter on Spirit’s fifth album, 1972’s ‘Feedback’, Staehely went on to enjoy a lengthy career in bands like the Staehely Brothers, and The Nick Gravenites / John Cipollina Band, while also writing songs for the likes of Keith Moon, Bobbie Gentry, Patti Dahlstrom, Nick Gravenites, John Cipollina, Marty Balin, Peter Cox and Hodges, James & Smith and more. A segue into a successful career as a Houston, TX entertainment attorney hasn’t deterred Staehely from continuing to write and perform music regularly, which he does to this day.

The original track ‘Wide Eyed and Innocent’, an audio time capsule that captures the essence of 70’s Southern California rock, was recorded in 1978, while the re-recorded version of the song was done during sessions in Marfa, TX in 2020, offering a unique contrast between Staehely’s storied history and his exciting future.

Looking back at his early days in Malibu and Laurel Canyon, Al laughs, “We were wide eyed- but not that innocent!”

Stream “Wide Eyed and Innocent” HERE: https://ffm.to/wideeyedandinnocent.