The Spirit Of Sandinista

While Ellen Foley is not really a great lost artist, her album, "The Spirit of St. Louis" (Epic, 1981) is a great lost album of the 80's. Most people know Ellen from the time she spent with Meatloaf in "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", but she also spent some serious time in a two year relationship with Mick Jones of the Clash. While Ellen sang "Hitsville UK" and additional vocals on "Sandinista", "The Spirit of St. Louis" was conceived and recorded and it could just as well as been Side 1, Disc 4 of that Clash collection. The record was produced by Mick, all four members of the Clash played on the album and six songs were written by Strummer/Jones. Another Clash connection on Ellen's album was the presence of Tymon Dogg. He wrote 3 songs on "Spirit" as well as playing on the record and he also appeared on "Sandinista". 20 years later Tymon Dogg played with Strummer's Mescaleros.

Epic records was not thrilled with the collaboration and though the album achieved minor success internationally, it quickly disappeared from the shelves in the U.S. - but not as a result of sales. "Torchlight" has the unmistakable sound of the The Clash imprinted all over it.

Learn more about Ellen Foley here.

Go to the download page to get Ellen Foley - "Torchlight"