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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Spirit seem to be best-known for their 'Dr Sardonicus' album, but all of their first four albums are superb. This debut sounds like the work of a more mature, yet inspired rock band and they certainly had an impressive pedigree. Drummer Ed Cassidy was teenage guitarist Randy California's (Wolfe) stepfather and an experienced jazz sideman. California, meanwhile, had played alongside Jimi Hendrix. His style was less about riffing and more about tone and substance; both man and boy were imaginative team players. Jay Ferguson provided most of the songwriting creativity and, together with the already experienced bassist Mark Andes, the looks. John Locke was the keyboard boffin whose jazzy instrumental, 'Elijah,' sprawls across more than ten minutes of this album.
'Spirit' is crammed with great ideas and benefits from an unusually dense production which lends it gravity. The most unusual items are the dramatic, staccato horn-backed 'Mechanical World,' the other-wordly 'Taurus,' renowned for giving Jimmy Page his intro to 'Stairway to Heaven' and the aforementioned 'Elijah' which may at first require patience.
Ferguson's often eerie vocal style dates the album, but is effective. Straight rock with well-crafted melody is the order of the day for most of the tracks, especially 'Uncle Jack,' while 'Water Woman' was considered good enough for a couple of obscure British bands to cover. The bonus tracks are pretty good too. 'Veruska' was later recorded for the double-set 'Spirit of '76.' This album ought to be regarded as one of the big-hitters of its era.
'Spirit' is crammed with great ideas and benefits from an unusually dense production which lends it gravity. The most unusual items are the dramatic, staccato horn-backed 'Mechanical World,' the other-wordly 'Taurus,' renowned for giving Jimmy Page his intro to 'Stairway to Heaven' and the aforementioned 'Elijah' which may at first require patience.
Ferguson's often eerie vocal style dates the album, but is effective. Straight rock with well-crafted melody is the order of the day for most of the tracks, especially 'Uncle Jack,' while 'Water Woman' was considered good enough for a couple of obscure British bands to cover. The bonus tracks are pretty good too. 'Veruska' was later recorded for the double-set 'Spirit of '76.' This album ought to be regarded as one of the big-hitters of its era.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Amazing that no one has yet passed comment of one of the finest debut albums of the 60's. Spirit had a very original and distinctive sound that meshed blues,jazz and rock in an manner that was simply stunning to the ear,which unfortunately in my opinion they seem to lose a little on later albums. The opening chord sequences of Fresh Garbage were some time back ripped off by some American female non-entity. Uncle Jack and Mechanical World are two examples of this bands creativeness. Jay Ferguson demonstrates what a great singer/songwriter he was as he wrote most of the material.
Along with Crown of Creation, the two best albums of 68 without a shadow of doubt. Buy it
Along with Crown of Creation, the two best albums of 68 without a shadow of doubt. Buy it
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Quite right, John L. Dyble. Another review to keep yours company! A fabulous debut, even if it's not my all-time favourite Spirit album. It gives a good insight into the group's original style and extraordinary range. The trio of opening tracks is fabulous. And "Mechanical World" is, quite undoubtedly, one of the group's very finest songs.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Curious and brave...
Spirit's first album is a curious, brave, but not always satisfying mixture of styles, reflecting the fairly diverse background of the group's members. Read more
Published on 10 July 2008 by nicjaytee
QUINTESSENTIAL LISTENING.
The 40th anniversary of its release seems an appropriate time to review this classic album, which I would place on a par with Love's FOREVER CHANGES. Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2008 by T. Baker
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