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

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 -9one almost unnoticeable mark
side 2 -9one almost unnoticeable mark
BIN *199

Spiritwas an Americanrockband 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 theirself-titled debut album,The Family That Plays Together,Clear, andTwelve 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 includedRandy California(born Randy Craig Wolfe; guitars, vocals),Mark Andes(bass) andJay Ferguson(vocals, percussion). With the addition of California’s stepfatherEd Cassidyon drums, and keyboard playerJohn Locke, the new band was originally named theSpirits Rebellious(after a book byKahlil Gibran), but the name was soon shortened to Spirit. Before returning to his native state, California previously played withJimi Hendrixas a member ofJimmy James and the Blue Flamesin New York City’sGreenwich Villagein 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 withCannonball Adderley,Gerry Mulligan,Roland Kirk,Thelonious MonkandLee Konitz), he had served as the founding drummer ofRising Sons, an earlyblues rockvehicle forTaj MahalandRy Cooder.

1960s

Early demo recordings by the band were produced by theirTopanga Canyonroommate Barry Hansen, later known as the radio hostDr. Demento.[2]In August 1967, the record producerLou Adler(known for his work withThe Mamas & the PapasandThe 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 theBillboard 200and 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 overtlypsychedelicof their albums.[citation needed]A song from the album, “Fresh Garbage”, was included on theCBSsampler albumThe 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 bandLed Zeppelin,[3]who soon after interpolated parts of Spirit’s song “Fresh Garbage” in an extended medley based around their cover of Bob Elgin andJerry Ragavoy’s “As Long as I Have You” (initially popularized byGarnet 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 athereminhas been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one that he had mounted to his amplifier.[4]Guitar Worldmagazine 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 Independentnoted 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, theNinth Circuitre-instated the original jury verdict.[12]

After the success of their early records, the group was asked by French film directorJacques Demyto record the soundtrack to his filmModel 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.

Tracklist

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