Clear [PA]

Performer: Spirit
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: Spirit: Randy California (vocals, guitar); Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion); Mark Andes (vocals, bass); John Locke (keyboards); Ed Cassidy (drums, percussion). Recorded between 1968 & 1969. Includes liner notes by Randy California, John Locke and Jay Ferguson. Spirit's third album CLEAR SPIRIT follows the approach of the group's previous two albums, with a mix of hook-filled rockers ("Dark Eyed Woman"), moody and symphonic compositions ("Cold Wind"), socio-political rock songs ("1984"), and jazzy ballads ("Give a Life, Take a Life"). There are also instrumentals by keyboardist John Locke (including the gorgeous "Ice") and the revved-up blues of Jay Ferguson's "Ground Hog." Though it lacks a hit single to match that of the band's previous album "(I Got a Line on You"), CLEAR SPIRIT is nonetheless a further step forward for this ambitious band. However, it proved to be the last Spirit album produced by Lou Adler. The group next teamed up with David Briggs for its masterwork, TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS, the last album before the original lineup disbanded.

Entertainment Weekly (11/08/96, p.69) - "Seekers of esoteric musical thrills might do well to investigate these reissues of this all but forgotten West Coast band's late '60s/early '70s albums....unlike many latter-day chops flaunters, these guys mostly kept to the four-minute mark, so that even the unsuccessful experiments are mercifully brief." - Rating: B+

Spirit was one of the most talented and most overlooked groups of the 1960s West Coast psychedelic crop. They utilized jazz influences, folk-rock song structures, and the visionary, mind-bending guitar work of Randy California to create some of the most unique, intriguing music of the era.

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