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Retro Revolution Records

Spirit Spirit - 1968 - Rare Psychedelic Rock - ( Vinyl ) US Release

Spirit Spirit - 1968 - Rare Psychedelic Rock - ( Vinyl ) US Release

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Spirit Spirit - 1968 - Rare Psychedelic Rock - ( Vinyl ) US Release

a rare find !

Sleeve Condition (Out of 10) - 7 - 8 slight corner wear
Label Condition (Out of 10) ~ 10 
Vinyl Condition ~ (Out of 10) 
Side 1 - 9 one almost unnoticeable mark
side 2 - 9 one almost unnoticeable mark

BIN *199

Spirit was an American rock band founded in 1967 and based in Los Angeles. Their most commercially successful single in the United States was "I Got a Line on You". They were also known for their albums, including their self-titled debut albumThe Family That Plays TogetherClear, and Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.

The original lineup of the group evolved from a Los Angeles band, the Red Roosters, which included(born Randy Craig Wolfe; guitars, vocals),(bass) and(vocals, percussion). With the addition of California's stepfatheron drums, and keyboard player, the new band was originally named the(after a book by), but the name was soon shortened to Spirit. Before returning to his native state, California previously played withas a member ofin New York City'sin 1966. Hendrix gave Randy Wolfe the nickname "Randy California" to distinguish him from Randy Palmer, whom Hendrix named "Randy Texas".

The original lineup of the group evolved from a Los Angeles band, the Red Roosters, which included Randy California (born Randy Craig Wolfe; guitars, vocals), Mark Andes (bass) and Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion). With the addition of California's stepfather Ed Cassidy on drums, and keyboard player John Locke, the new band was originally named the Spirits Rebellious (after a book by Kahlil Gibran), but the name was soon shortened to Spirit. Before returning to his native state, California previously played with Jimi Hendrix as a member of Jimmy James and the Blue Flames in New York City's Greenwich Village in 1966. Hendrix gave Randy Wolfe the nickname "Randy California" to distinguish him from Randy Palmer, whom Hendrix named "Randy Texas".[1]

Cassidy was recognizable by his shaved head (hence his nickname "Mr. Skin", later the title of a Spirit song) and his fondness for wearing black. Born in 1923, he was about twenty years older than the rest of the group. Although his earlier career was primarily in jazz (including stints with Cannonball AdderleyGerry MulliganRoland KirkThelonious Monk and Lee Konitz), he had served as the founding drummer of Rising Sons, an early blues rock vehicle for Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

1960s

Early demo recordings by the band were produced by their Topanga Canyon roommate Barry Hansen, later known as the radio host Dr. Demento.[2] In August 1967, the record producer Lou Adler (known for his work with The Mamas & the Papas and The Grass Roots) signed the band to his label, Ode Records. The group's first album, Spirit, was released in 1968. "Mechanical World" was released as a single (it lists the playing time merely as "very long"). The album was a hit, reaching number 31 on the Billboard 200 and staying on the chart for seven months. The album had jazz influences and used elaborate string arrangements (not found on their subsequent recordings) and is the most overtly psychedelic of their albums.[citation needed] A song from the album, "Fresh Garbage", was included on the CBS sampler album The Rock Machine Turns You On, released in 1968 in the UK, Europe and South Africa, and was the UK's first introduction to the band.

The band capitalized on the success of their first album with another single, "I Got a Line on You". Released in November 1968, a month before their second album, The Family That Plays Together, it became their biggest hit single, reaching number 25 on the charts (number 28 in Canada). The album matched its success, reaching number 22. In December, they appeared at the Denver Auditorium, with support band Led Zeppelin,[3] who soon after interpolated parts of Spirit's song "Fresh Garbage" in an extended medley based around their cover of Bob Elgin and Jerry Ragavoy's "As Long as I Have You" (initially popularized by Garnet Mimms) during their early 1969 concerts. Spirit also appeared with Led Zeppelin at two outdoor music festivals in July 1969. Jimmy Page's use of a theremin has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one that he had mounted to his amplifier.[4] Guitar World magazine stated that "California's most enduring legacy may well be the fingerpicked acoustic theme of the song 'Taurus', which Jimmy Page lifted virtually note for note for the introduction to 'Stairway to Heaven'."[5] The Independent noted the similarity in 1997.[6] In 2014, Mark Andes and a trust acting on behalf of Randy California filed a copyright infringement suit against Led Zeppelin in an attempt to obtain a writing credit for "Stairway to Heaven".[7][8] Page denied copying "Taurus",[9] and the suit was unsuccessful.[10] The verdict was overturned on appeal in September 2018.[11] On March 9, 2020, the Ninth Circuit re-instated the original jury verdict.[12]

After the success of their early records, the group was asked by French film director Jacques Demy to record the soundtrack to his film Model Shop, and they also made a brief appearance in the film.[13] Their third album, Clear, released in 1969, reached No. 55 on the charts.

 

Label: Ode Records (2) – Z12 44004, Ode Records (2) – Z 1244004
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo, Pitman Pressing
Country: US
Released:
Genre: Rock
Style: Jazz-RockFusionBlues RockPsychedelic Rock

Tracklist

A1 Fresh-Garbage
A2 Uncle Jack
A3 Mechanical World
A4 Taurus
A5 Girl In Your Eye
A6 Straight Arrow
B1 Topanga Windows
B2 Gramophone Man
B3 Water Woman
B4 The Great Canyon Fire In General
B5 Elijah

  • Matrix / Runout (B Side Etch exc º, ᴘ stamps var. 1): AA-Z12-44004-2 
  • Matrix / Runout (A Side Etch exc º, ᴘ stamps var. 2): AA-Z12-44004-1 

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