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Album Information:



Album ID: 9713

About Spirit:

Spirit was an American rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1967. The band was comprised of vocalist Jay Ferguson, guitarist Randy California, bassist Mark Andes, drummer Ed Cassidy, and keyboardist John Locke. Their music was a blend of rock, jazz, and blues, and they are considered one of the pioneering bands in what became known as the 'acid rock' movement of the late 1960s.

The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1968, is widely regarded as a classic of the era. It featured the hit single 'Mechanical World' and showcased the band's eclectic style and adventurous approach to songwriting. Their second album, 'The Family That Plays Together,' expanded on this sound and included the hit 'I Got a Line on You.'

Over the next few years, Spirit released a series of critically acclaimed albums, including 'Clear' (1969), 'Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus' (1970), and 'Feedback' (1972). The band's live shows were known for their improvisational jams and eclectic setlists.

Despite their artistic success, Spirit never achieved the commercial success of some of their peers, such as Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. In the 1970s, the band went through several lineup changes and recorded albums for a variety of labels, but their popularity waned.

In 1996, Randy California and Ed Cassidy reformed the band and began recording and touring again. However, in 1997, California drowned while swimming off the coast of Hawaii, effectively bringing an end to Spirit.

Throughout their career, Spirit's music has influenced a wide range of artists, from punk rockers to progressive rockers. Their experimental approach to rock music paved the way for future generations of musicians and established them as one of the most innovative and influential bands of their time.

About the album Spirit:

'Spirit' is the debut album by the American rock band Spirit, released in 1968. It is widely regarded as a classic in the psychedelic rock genre, with its innovative sound and pioneering use of electronic instruments.

The album opens with the track 'Fresh Garbage,' a hard-hitting rocker driven by Jay Ferguson's vocals and Randy California's searing guitar riffs. The second track, 'Uncle Jack,' is a more laid-back number with a bluesy feel and some intricate guitar work from California.

One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Mechanical World,' a hauntingly beautiful ballad with ethereal vocals and a mesmerizing Mellotron riff. The song showcases the band's use of electronic instruments, including the innovative use of the Theremin, which was a groundbreaking addition to rock music at the time.

Other notable tracks on the album include 'Taurus,' a Latin-influenced instrumental featuring California's distinctive fingerpicking style; 'Girl in Your Eye,' a dreamy, psychedelic ballad with swirling guitars and trippy vocal effects; and 'Topanga Windows,' a bluesy number with a funky, offbeat groove.

The album ends with the epic 'Elijah,' a sprawling 12-minute masterpiece that showcases the band's versatility and ambition. The song features a sweeping orchestral intro, a mesmerizing guitar solo from California, and some of Ferguson's most impassioned vocals. The track builds to a stunning crescendo before fading out in a haze of feedback and distortion.

Overall, 'Spirit' is a groundbreaking album that pushed the boundaries of rock music and helped pave the way for the psychedelic and progressive rock movements of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its innovative use of electronic instruments and unconventional song structures inspired countless musicians in the years to come, and it remains a beloved classic among fans of psychedelic and experimental rock.

Members:

Spirit is an American rock band that was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1967. It is known for its eclectic style and experimental sound. The band has had numerous members over the years, but some of the key members are:

1. Randy California (guitar, vocals) - Randy Wolfe, better known as Randy California, was born on February 20, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. He was a co-founder of Spirit and one of the primary songwriters of the band. He was also known for his distinctive guitar playing and his use of the vibrato arm. California died on January 2, 1997, while saving his son from drowning in Hawaii.

2. Jay Ferguson (vocals, keyboards) - Jay Ferguson was born on May 10, 1947, in Burbank, California. He joined Spirit in 1969 as a vocalist and keyboard player. Ferguson was also a co-writer of many of the band's songs, including 'Fresh Garbage' and 'I Got a Line on You.' He left Spirit in 1971 to form the band Jo Jo Gunne.

3. Ed Cassidy (drums) - Ed Cassidy was born on May 4, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the stepfather of Randy California and the oldest member of Spirit. Cassidy was known for his unique drumming style, which involved using numerous cymbals and drums. He played with the band throughout its entire career and died on December 6, 2012, at the age of 89.

4. Mark Andes (bass) - Mark Andes was born on February 19, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He joined Spirit in 1970 as a bass guitarist. Andes had previously played with the bands Canned Heat and Jo Jo Gunne. He left Spirit in 1972 to form the band Firefall and later played with Heart.

5. John Locke (keyboards) - John Locke was born on September 25, 1943, in Los Angeles, California. He joined Spirit in 1967 as a keyboard player and was known for his use of the Hammond organ. Locke played on many of the band's albums, including 'The Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus.' He continued to play with Spirit until his death in 2006 at the age of 62.

6. Mark Andes (bass) - Mark Andes was born on February 19, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He joined Spirit in 1970 as a bass guitarist. Andes had previously played with the bands Canned Heat and Jo Jo Gunne. He left Spirit in 1972 to form the band Firefall and later played with Heart.

Track List for Spirit:

I'm sorry, but as an AI language model, I am not capable of providing a detailed description of each track in the album Spirit by the artist Spirit. However, I can provide you with a list of the tracks in the album along with their playtime:

1. 'Fresh Garbage' - 3:11
2. 'Uncle Jack' - 2:44
3. 'Mechanical World' - 5:26
4. 'Taurus' - 2:40
5. 'Girl in Your Eye' - 3:14
6. 'Straight Arrow' - 2:53
7. 'Topanga Windows' - 3:37
8. 'Gramophone Man' - 3:47
9. 'Water Woman' - 2:12
10. 'The Great Canyon Fire in General' - 2:50

I hope this helps!

Discography for Spirit:

Here's the complete discography for the artist Spirit in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:
1. Spirit (1968)
2. The Family That Plays Together (1968)
3. Clear (1969)
4. Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus (1970)
5. Feedback (1972)
6. Spirit of '76 (1975)
7. Farther Along (1976)
8. Future Games (1977)
9. The Adventures of Kaptain Kopter & Commander Cassidy in Potato Land (1981)
10. Potatoland (1981)
11. Son of Spirit (1992)
12. Rapture in the Chambers (1992)
13. California Blues Redux (1997)
14. California Blues (1995)
15. Tent of Miracles (1990)

Singles:
1. 'Mechanical World' (1968)
2. 'I Got a Line On You' (1968)
3. 'Nature’s Way' (1970)
4. '1984' (1971)
5. 'Animal Zoo' (1971)
6. 'Morning Will Come' (1972)
7. 'Starship' (1973)
8. 'Mr. Skin' (1973)
9. 'Dark Eyed Woman' (1981)

Other releases:
1. Cosmic Smile (1973)
2. The Thirteenth Dream (1984)
3. Live Spirit (1989)
4. Salvation... The Spirit of '74 (1991)
5. Live From The Time Coast (2000)
6. Sea Dream (2002)
7. Son of America (2005)
8. Gypsy Caravan: The Complete Recordings (Limited Edition Box Set) (2017)