[2017-07-07] Spirit "The Family That Plays Together" numbered ltd. ed. hybrid SACD audiophile remaster (Audio Fidelity)

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:07 am

Description
The Family That Plays Together was released in December 1968. On this, the second Spirit album, the group put all of the elements together that made them the legendary band that they were. The Family That Plays Together displays the band's ability to play beyond the genre of psychedelic rock. Jazz, rock & roll, and even classical elements combined to create one of the cleanest, most tasteful syntheses of its day. 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.

Ed CassidySpirit's songs covered about every subject under the sun. The first half of the recording is a wonderful and seamless suite, and taken in its entirety, one of the greatest sides on Los Angeles rock. The SACD includes 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. Tracks such as "It Shall Be" and "Silky Sam" demonstrate the ease with which the ensemble can incorporate jazz into their idiosyncratic form of rock, while "Jewish" and "Aren't You Glad" show the band's competence in exploiting both world music and jam rock.

The album's title was inspired by the stepson-stepfather relationship between guitarist Randy California and percussionist Ed Cassidy.

All in all, a classic album and a true landmark.

Tracklist
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
Bonus Tracks:
12. Fog
13. So Little To Say
14. Mellow Fellow
15. Now Or Anywhere
16. Space Chile

Produced by Lou Adler
Mastered by Steve Hoffman and Stephen Marsh
SACD Authoring: Stephen Marsh at Marsh Mastering

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HJ7GJH/?tag=imwan-20

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I hope this has the Sony bonus tracks. Music Direct's pre-release listing shows it as 11 tracks only. Either way, I'll be buying all 4. One of my fav bands.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed May 03, 2017 1:42 am

Bump: Added the cover image to the first post. (And it does show that the bonus tracks are included.)

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Music Direct changed their listing to reflect the same. They obviously made a boo boo on the first listing. I will be buying all 4 of these. Hopefully someone wil have a good sale. (The new APO B, S & T SACD box is $150. That is out of my price range! $37.50 a disc........)

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Pre-ordered both of these. I really want them. I'm waiting to see if the Prince is going to have a hi-res option before I spring for the cd set (though there's still the issue of the dvd......).

I also want the Peppers, but don't have the big $'s Capitol/EMI/Warner etc is asking for it.

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Jun 25, 2017 7:02 pm

The pre-order price has dropped by $5, and is now $24.99:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072HJ7GJH/?tag=imwan-20

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

MD is now showing a 6/30 release date. I hope they're right; I want my SACD's!

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Music Direct has changed shipping date from 6/16 to 6/23 to "Ships in 4-6 weeks". I'm wishing I would have ordered from Import cd's when their sale was active.

I think I'm done with MD. This is AWFUL cs. The only email I've received was a form letter response to my question about shipping date a couple weeks ago.

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Jul 08, 2017 4:55 am

Bump: Added the description and mastering details to the first post.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I sure wish mine would ship. I'm up to 3 emails & 2 phone calls. Will be doing more on Monday. This is really getting frustrating.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I have received both my Spirit SACD's for tonight's listening. I'll let you know Geff what I think.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I got the first one today; just not Family yet. It hasn't shipped; they billed me Wednesday & have supposeldly had it since Thursday.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Loved the first one but this one is going to take multiple listens.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Have you never heard it before? It probably is the least accessible from the original band; but I love it.

I'll be playing the debut tonight after I finish the Ed Wood biopic (Depp) Blu-ray I also got today.

Possibly Depp's best work.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I did Geff, and it's good don't get me wrong but the first was such a stellar. It's been awhile since I heard "The Family That Plays Together" I need to play it again independently.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

"I Got A Line On You" was the first song I ever danced with a girl to. I was probably 13 or 14.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Geff R. wrote:

"I Got A Line On You" was the first song I ever danced with a girl to. I was probably 13 or 14.

Well there you go. :wink:

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Music Direct still hasn't shipped this. I am likely done with them other than for blowout sales or limited MFSL releases.

ranasakawa · 26 Jan 2007

Amazon.com took 2 weeks to ship a few CDs & a book (all in stock) to Staten Island NY!
I paid extra for postage too!

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

They've seemed slow to me lately, also.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Arrived today. Seems they forgot to send me a shipping email AND forgot to update my account on the website.

I'm sad to report that I am pretty disappointed with the sound quality of both of these SACD's from one of my favorite bands. Like the debut, this appears to have the original mix, with the CD having a remix; though in this case the SACD sounds SLIGHTLY better on the couple songs I compared.

I'm not planning on running DR #'s on this one. Both seem to have been poorly recorded; there is a significant amount of distortion on both the CD & SACD.

This has 2 of my Spirit favs; I Got A Line On You & It's All The Same. I don't know if this can be improved (I hope so, though I don't think I can afford to buy the original Spirit catalog a 5th time.............).

ranasakawa · 26 Jan 2007

Geff R. wrote:

They've seemed slow to me lately, also.

I played my Sony CD version of The Family That Plays Together and I have to say it's nowhere as great as the debut album Spirit, the songs just aren't the same quality as the debut album.
From memory the 3rd album they did is very good, I'll drag that out and have a listen next.

[2017-07-07] Spirit "The Family That Plays Together" numbered ltd. ed. hybrid SACD audiophile remaster (Audio Fidelity)

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