The Family That Plays Together [Repertoire] [Remaster]

Performer: Spirit
Engineer: Eric Wienbang; Armin Stiener
Distributor: Infinity Entertainment Gr

Notes: The 1996 reissue of THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER includes 5 tracks that were not included on the original release: "Fog," "So Little To Say," "Mellow Fellow," "Now Or Anywhere" and "Space Chile." Spirit: Randy California (vocals, guitar); Mark Andes (vocals, bass); Jay Ferguson (vocals, percusion); John Locke (keyboards); Ed Cassidy (drums, percussion). Compilation producer: Bob Irwin. Recorded between March 11, 1968 and September 18, 1968. Includes liner notes by Randy California. Personnel: Randy California (vocals, guitar); John Locke (keyboards); Ed Cassidy (drums, percussion). Recording information: 08/27/1968-09/17/1968. Arranger: Randy California. Spirit's second album continued the band's melding of rock, folk, and jazz elements. It includes the group's biggest hit, "I Got a Line on You," which still sounds fresh decades after its release. Producer Lou Adler brought in noted jazz arranger Marty Paich to orchestrate a number of the set's songs, including the dazzling "Aren't You Glad," which features fuzzy and sustained guitar notes flying through a classically rendered piano figure. Underneath, a bed of strings drifts in like weather, powered by a propulsive beat and shower of hooks. As is the case with Spirit's self-titled debut, THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER finds Spirit at the exuberantly confident upswing of its career. This winning original lineup stayed together for two more albums (CLEAR and the masterly TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS) before disbanding. On this, the second Spirit album, the group put all of the elements together that made them the legendary (and underrated) band that they were. Jazz, rock & roll, and even classical elements combined to create one of the cleanest, most tasteful syntheses of its day. The group had also improved measurably from their fine debut album, especially in the area of vocals. The album's hit single, "I Got a Line on You," boasts especially strong harmonies as well as one of the greatest rock riffs of the period. The first side of this record is a wonderful and seamless suite, and taken in its entirety, one of the greatest sides of Los Angeles rock. The 2007 Repertoire reissue also boasts some excellent bonus tracks. "So Little to Say" is one of Jay Ferguson's finest compositions ever, and the jazz-inspired instrumentals such as "Fog" and "Space Chile" showcase pianist John Locke as one of the most inspired and lyrical players in the rock idiom to date. All in all, a classic album and a true landmark. ~ Matthew Greenwald

Q (11/94, p.149) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...the most graceful, musically, and melodic of the West Coast psychedelic bands..."

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.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25