It's been a while since we've had a thread like this. Basically, the idea is to talk about those songs that don't get discussed a lot. Songs that rarely if ever get played in concerts. And unlike Morning Dance, Freetime, Old San Juan, Whitewater, Birks Law, etc., aren't universally loved by everyone.
Now that I've set the general parameters, I'll tell you why this came to mind. I'm playing Stories Without Words, which, while I've always liked it, it was a bit "out there" relative to what I was used to when it was released in 1987. I've always liked every song, but not as much as I did the songs from all previous releases or Rites of Summer.
But as I listen today, one under-appreciated track is a very powerful piece of music. I'm talking about Early Light.
It's haunting intro, the mellow melody, Julio's emotional solo and Jay - woo! - his ad-lib during the fade.
On one hand, it's a very strange song. On the other, it's mind blowing.

Hmmm...Joy Ride is my fave from that album...ehh...yes..album...all my vinyls are here right next to me. Some other ones that i call "b side favorites" are:

No Man's Land
Double Take
Guiltless....one of my faves from Tom!!
P.G.
Sunflurry...I think they played it here back in '85
Sweet & Savy
Oasis...this song...i never ever get tired of listen to.

Those are the ones i remember for now......

Man!! how can i forget "Del corazón"!!!




Nice Topic!!

I now like Doubletake and can play it myself. It took some getting used to. The intro was annoying at first, but now I love it. As of late, I've started to listen to:

Group Therapy
Lost and Found
Swing Street
Claire's Dream
Pyramid (I think it's in 6/8 or 7/8)
Monsoon (It's on a newer album, but debuted on "Eye Contact".
I like No Man's Land
Sweet 'N Savvy has been a favorite (All are favorites :))
Fine Time To Explain
Philly (Love the Schuman!)

I haven't gotten used to the Spyro Gyra ablum, but I guess I should expose myself to it more.

This is a great topic. Glad you thought of it!

Yes, Mr. Incognito, you SHOULD get more exposure.

Mmmm, Sweet and Savvy.
That's one of the few, apart from Morning Dance and Catching the Sun, that I've heard on radio - not counting stuff I've loaned to the campus station at MVSU. Way back in the day, the jazz station at - Shannon, help me out here - Jones College (?) in Jacksonville, Fla., played Sweet and Savvy and Cafe Amore pretty regularly.
Also, it was on the setlist the very first time I saw Spyro Gyra in concert: Caesar's Tahoo, late summer 1987, shortly after the release of Stories Without Words. I don't remember the entire set, but other songs they played that night were Bittersweet, Old San Juan, Serpent in Paradise, the first three tracks from Stories, and of course Morning Dance.

Never got the chance to see Spyro Gyra live, so I will go with "Chrysalis" on the Stories without Words album for one of those type songs. Usually though I am standing up by then, and dancing around to "Joy Ride" because by that time, the music just has to make you move around.

Three Wishes and Dreams Beyond Control are in this week's rotation.
A few tracks to mention:
from TW:
- Jennifer's Lullaby .. I've always loved this piece. It has a slight Getz/Gilberto/Jobim feel to it.
- Inside Your Love .. just a really nice groove, cool bass line, Dave on the marimba, textbook soulful ballad.
- Gliding .. just listen and enjoy
from DBC:
- Patterns in the Rain .. I know a lot of fans don't like vocals on these recordings, but this one's my favorite. A nice reggae beat, and one of the few songs predating Bonny B. where if you mute the voice, it still sounds like Spyro Gyra.
- Waltz for Isabel .. another to just listen and enjoy
- Kindred Spirit .. beautiful orchestral piece by the Schuu.
- Same Difference .. rocks
- The Delicate Prey .. the soprano is my least favorite saxophone, but here's one of those songs where Jay separates himself from the pack on this instrument. (But then, he pretty much always does, eh.)

Another thing about Dreams Beyond Control, it's not my favorite album, not even close. But over the years, it seems I'm more reluctant to take it out of the "now playing" rotation than most others. I think I've finally figured out why.
It was Scott's second recording with the group and Joel's second full album. DBC represents their strongest joint impact from the first song to the last.

End of Romanticism
Pacific Sunrise
Pyrimad. These 3 are sectional, angular, hard charging. In the case of PacSun--a very important track. THE bridge I walked over to jazz from my Dylan/Zeppelin/Beatles/Who/Stones/Floyd/Yes/Genesis/Montrose/Sabbath/Rush/Purple roots!!! Peace. Paul

Valentinos-great track from one of the bands best and most consistent records. 'Silver Linings' and 'Freefall' I love these two hidden gems rarejy mentioned here. Classic--the way the vibes into synth break seems to borrow from guitar into synth break of Silver Linings. PAUL

Would humbly like to add to the already mentioned songs a few that belong to the loooong lost of my favourite songs. Obviously I will not list ALL of them, I think the list would have at least some 40 songs !!! I am not really a radio listener , I am also assuming you mean American radio stations ( I live in Europe) so apart from the obvious songs I don't really have an idea which are more or less known or popular or more played on radio stations.

No limits
Slow Burn
Counterpoint
Westwood moon
Wind worriors
Summer Fling
Breathless
PG
Heartbeat
Harbor Nights
Sueño
Telluride
Amber Dream
Alexandra

American radio.
However, Julian, this discussion is mainly about songs that don't get talked about much.
A short list of songs that at one time or another, several of us have talked about includes Morning Dance, Heliopolis, Freetime, Old San Juan, Incgonito, Captain Karma, Whitewater.
Feel free to contribute anything, but mostly, this is about those other songs that rarely get mentioned.