This is the first installment of a series of post on great albums, both new and old, well liked and obscure. If you like a record that's a good listen from beginning to end, these posts are the place to go.
Forget what you know about the rock music scene in California in the 1960's; for my money, this 1970 masterpiece from Spirit is among the least dated, richest and most creative LP releases to emerge from that scene.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1967 by Randy California (guitars, vocals), Mark Andes (bass) and Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion), their lineup was fleshed out by Ed Cassidy (drums) and keyboard player John Locke. A jazz drummer 20 years the other musicians senior who had played with Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan and Cannonball Adderley among other, Cassidy was Randy California's stepfather.
This, the fourth and last album issued by the original incarnation of this group, is at the same time tight and experimental, loose and disciplined. It manages like few other albums to balance the excesses of '60's psychadelic experimentation and pop tunecraft. Songs run the gamut from hard driving soul that give Sly Stone a run for his money ("Mr. Skin") to jazzy progressive psychadelia bathed in a plethora of tape loops ("Space Child", "Love Has found a Way") to tight hard rockers with killer fuzz guitar and harmonies ("When I Touch You", "Street Worm"), among other styles. The group also demonstrates their gentler side on songs such as the hit single "Nature's Way", the sensitive and intimate "Soldier", and the absolutely stunning "Why Can't I be Free", which recalls the best of the Beach Boys' late '60's and early '70's output. However, this does not result in a disjointed album; on the contrary, this record flows like no other. Produced by Neil Young producer David Briggs, the record is graced with clean production that only enhances the strong tunes, virtuoso playing (California codified his guitar style with friend Jimi Hendrix), and excellent vocals courtesy of Ferguson and California.
While a critical success, the album simply didn't sell. However, today, this album has stood the test of time far more than most of its contemporaries; compare this to a concurrent Led Zeppelin album and tell me which one is tighter, more creative, more tuneful and more listenable.
Check this jem out. You are in for a real treat.
Key Tracks: "Prelude-Nothing To Hide", "Mr. Skin", "Nature's Way", "Morning Will Come"
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