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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Spirit was formed with the intention to combine jazz, rock, classical, and folk with a mystical orientation. Led by the family duo of Hendrix-inspired guitarist Randy California and his uncle, jazz drummer Ed Cassidy (whose shaved head--some 20 years ahead of its time--was the band's visual focus), Spirit had a few idiosyncratic hits such as "I Got A Line On You." The band didn't reach its prime until Twelve Dreams, after which they promptly broke up. A loosely constructed sci-fi concept album, it contains the band's biggest hit, the ecological "Nature's Way" (complete with booming kettle drums), the surreal rock of "Animal Zoo," and the orchestral psychedelia of "Life Has Just Begun." Bristling with ideas, energy, and California's meaty guitar, Twelve Dreams exemplifies the best of the late '60s experimentalism. --Steven Mirkin
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Spirit were breaking up when they recorded this masterpiece. I have been listening to it since the 1970's and never get tired of it. If you like Hendrix style inventiveness, 60's pop, and the West Coast sound, you have a great surprise in store. Lots of hooks, sound effects, guitars turning corners at high speed. Charismatic axeman Randy California is no longer with us - he drowned while saving his son at sea. The group were into a religious path called Urantia if you want to know what made them tick. Lots of mysteries, enjoy the Doctor's prescription.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The average number of stars will never change from 5. If you like Spirit then you love this album. I owned two vinyl copies, listen to my cd copy regularly, yet every time I play it I am surprised and delighted by each new track. It was put together to flow perfectly across two sides of vinyl, with a pause after "Mr Skin" (turn it over) building to a definite ending at "Soldier". Shame about the bonus tracks on the cd then . . .
The melodies are massive, its beautifully sung, and every other instrument is creative and inventive, fitting in with a band sound to enhance the songs. There is no pulp on this album, no "this is a nice groove so we'll sit in it", instead there is evidence everywhere of drummer Cassidy's jazz leanings pushing things where you didn't expect. I have a lot of great albums, but if I had to name my favorite then 12 dreams and American Beauty would just have to fight it out.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This is Spirit's finest hour, and that means pretty fine. A rollercoaster ride through musical styles as well as mood, ranging from playful (Animal Zoo) to elegiac (Soldier). This is a masterpiece and belongs in the pantheon of great rock albums, but has gone unrecognized as such for over thirty years. If you don't know it, you ought to.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
I had the LP but it got lost years ago when moving house ... It has stood the test of time and still sounds fresh,It is one of those albums that has lyrics that command your... Read more
Published 19 days ago by James Witty
5.0 out of 5 stars
a blast from the past
loved this when it first came out on a Long play record, i would recommend this for all ex hippies.
Published 1 month ago by M. J. Thornton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, unique band and album
I'm not sure if I can do justice to this album. Spirit were an iconic band with a unique style and sound. Lots of strange effects and other-wordly - OK - trippy, sounds. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Vivien
5.0 out of 5 stars
Acid Rock rocks!
Early 70s Acid Rock still rocks today - loud, grungy guitar riffs, crazy lyrics, crazed screaming in last track! Wild, upfu, just a total delight. Read more
Published 4 months ago by UnrulyJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fab
Love this album long time. So much that it's taken me twenty years to find out what it was from just the first few words!!! Great track. : )
Published 10 months ago by N. Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the All-Time Classics.
One of the best Albums ever to be recorded. Intelligent, with a Very High level of Music craft, it takes you on a journey and is a complete joy. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mild Dill Hotpot
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb album and not dated
This has always been one of the great albums and all these years later it shows no signs of aging at all. Read more
Published on 12 April 2011 by Mike Davey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing, masterpiece, no doubt
A masterpiece by maybe the most underated rock band of all times.
Beautiful songs, from the first to last.
Believe me, i'm not a stupid fan, this is a great great record.
Beautiful songs, from the first to last.
Believe me, i'm not a stupid fan, this is a great great record.
Published on 20 Jan 2010 by Daniele Betti
5.0 out of 5 stars
Timeless
This is a blend of melody and various musical styles, recorded by a band at its peak, then fashioned by guitar wizard Randy California and (Neil Young) producer David Briggs into a... Read more
Published on 14 Dec 2009 by John Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greater than a lot of "new bands"
I am a "younger" person into "good" music. I am also in the fortunate position to know a few "older" people, who are also into "good" music. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2008 by Birdman
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