ORIG 1968 SPIRIT The Family Plays GARAGE PSYCH ORIG

$

128

CLEAN 1968 FIRST PRESS COLLECTIBLE!                                                                                                   

                             SPIRIT

    The Family That Plays Together

\                                                          USA - yellow ODE Records - Z12 - 44044

Nice, minty clean Original 1968 first pressing in gatefold cover...the 2nd great SPIRIT album features a host of cool tracks, well worth investigating...

Many of you are probably familiar with this great, underrated LA band that was started by drummer Ed Cassidy and guitarist Randy California in 1967. The roots of Spirit can be traced to prior groups the Rising Sons (who released one excellent blues rock single in the mid 60’s) and the Red Roosters. While Cassidy and California were the heart and soul of Spirit, Jay Ferguson handled lead vocals while Mark Andes and John Locke played bass and keyboards respectively.

Spirit crafted many fine albums in their day but most people cite this album along with Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus and their 1968 self titled first as their masterpieces. 'The Family That Plays Together' hit the record shelves in late 1968 and featured a wild, young guitarist in Randy California, delivering the Spirit sound at an early peak, opening the album with their biggest radio hit which doubled as a cool FM underground radio staple, "I Got A Line On You." This was the most atypical song on the album but great guitar driven hard rock anyhow. California’s leads were fantastic and innovative and there is no doubt that he was one of LA’s top rock guitarists. Some of the songs such as the dreamy It Shall Be or the heart wrenching Darlin’ If have beautiful arrangements that bring to mind Love’s classic Forever Changes album. The Grateful Dead-like It’s All The Same and the strange psych blowout Aren’t You Glad showed California’s mastery of the fuzztone.

He was clearly breaking new ground with tone and texture but for me the true masterpiece on this album is Dream Within A Dream. This song opens with some intense Hendrix influenced riffs which eventually drift into space, riding high on insane, droning bumble bee fuzz riffs that hit really hard. It’s one of the great slices of LA guitar psych and mandatory listening for any casual rock fan. For those who have not given this legendary band a chance, it is worth your while to do so.

1. I Got A Line On You
2. It Shall Be
3. Poor Richard
4. Silky Sam
5. Drunkard
6. Darlin' If
7. It's All The Same
8. Jewish
9. Dream Within A Dream
10. She Smiles
11. Aren't You Glad

CONDITION: The gatefold cover is solid on all seams, tight, collectible appearance "EX" (excellent) to M- solid on all parts = TOP level.... 

The vinyl between "EX" (excellent) to  M- which means clean and smooth - both sides highly glossy and clear...comes in the original Epic Records issued pastic baggy inner sleeve

      A cool addition to anyone's music library!

SEE: SELLERS OTher items for similar cool sounds for "head" people...

EFFICIENT/CAREFUL GRADING

All imperfections are noted both cover & record