[2018-03-16] Spirit "It Shall Be: The Ode And Epic Recordings 1968-1972" 5CD box set (Esoteric UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Dec 20, 2017 4:14 pm

Description
Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new 5CD remastered clamshell box set by the legendary American band SPIRIT. Formed in Los Angeles in 1967 from the remnants of The Red Roosters, SPIRIT was one of the great bands to emerge on the US West Coast in the Psychedelic era. Featuring the talents of 16 year old guitarist Randy California (who had played guitar with Jimi Hendrix in New York the previous year), his step-father drummer Ed Cassidy along with Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion), John Locke (keyboards) and Mark Andes (bass), Spirit signed to producer Lou Adler’s newly established Ode Records label in late 1967. Their self-titled debut album appeared some months later and demonstrated the breadth and diversity of the band covering psychedelic, rock and jazz influences and featuring such legendary cuts as Fresh Garbage, Uncle Jack, Topanga Windows, Mechanical World , Elijah and Taurus (the subject of a court case decades later when it was alleged Led Zeppelin had taken the musical structure of the piece as a basis for Stairway to Heaven). The band’s follow-up album, The Family That Plays Together, spawned the hit single I’ve Got a Line on You and was one of their finest works thanks to material such as It Shall Be, Aren’t You Glad, Silky Sam and Darlin’ If. Leading up to the recording of 1969’s Clear album Spirit recorded the soundtrack to Jaques Demy’s film The Model Shop. In 1970 Spirit recorded the classic The Twelve Dreams of Doctor Sardonicus for Epic Records, from which the single Animal Zoo was taken and included excellent material such as Nature’s Way, Mr Skin, Space Child, Morning Will Come and Soldier. Sadly the original line- up of Spirit fell apart some months later leaving just Ed Cassidy and John Locke to assemble a new incarnation of Spirit for 1972’s Feedback, which saw brothers Al and John Staehely join the band on bass and drums respectively. Spirit went on hiatus soon after, although California and Cassidy would continue to tour and record as Spirit on and off until California’s untimely death in 1997.

Newly re-mastered, this anthology features all of Spirit’s recordings for the Ode and Epic labels between 1968 and 1972 and notably includes the entire mono mix of the band’s self-titled debut album (appearing on CD for the first time), the complete soundtrack to the film The Model Shop, along with original 1968 stereo mix of The Family That Plays Together, associated out-takes, singles and alternate mixes undertaken in 1991 for the Time Circle compilation. It Shall Be also includes an illustrated booklet with essay by Malcolm Dome featuring archive interviews with Randy California and Ed Cassidy.

[tracklisting][CD1]
1. Fresh Garbage
2. Uncle Jack
3. Mechanical World
4. Taurus
5. Girl In Your Eye
6. Straight Arrow
7. Topanga Windows
8. Gramophone Man
9. Water Woman
10. The Great Canyon Fire In General
11. Elijah

Taken From The Stereo Album “Spirit” Released In 1968

12. I Got A Line On You (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
13. It Shall Be (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
14. Poor Richard (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
15. Silky Sam (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
16. The Drunkard (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
17. Darlin’ If (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
18. All The Same (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
19. Jewish (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
20. Dream Within A Dream (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
21. She Smiled (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)
22. Aren’t You Glad (Original 1968 Stereo Mix)

Taken From The Album “The Family That Plays Together” – Released In 1968

[CD2]
1. The Moving Van
2. Mellow Fellow
3. Now Or Anywhere
4. Fog
5. Green Gorilla
6. Model Shop I
7. Model Shop Ii (Clear)
8. The Rehearsal Theme
9. Song For Lola
10. Eventide
11. Coral
12. Aren’t You Glad (Demo)

Taken From The Film Soundtrack “The Model Shop” – Recorded In 1968

13. Dark Eyed Woman
14. Apple Orchard
15. So Little Time To Fly
16. Ground Hog
17. Cold Wind
18. Policeman’s Ball
19. Ice
20. Give A Life, Take A Life
21. I’m Truckin’
22. Clear
23. Caught
24. New Dope In Town

Taken From The Album “Clear” Released In 1969

[CD3]
1. Prelude – Nothing To Hide
2. Nature’s Way
3. Animal Zoo
4. Love Has Found A Way
5. Why Can’t I Be Free?
6. Mr Skin
7. Sp Ace Child
8. When I Touch You
9. Street Worm
10. Life Has Just Begun
11. Morning Will Come
12. Soldier

Taken From The Album “The Twelve Dreams Of Doctor Sardonicus” – Released In 1970

13. Rougher Road

Recorded In 1970 During Sessions For “The Twelve Dreams Of Doctor Sardonicus”

14. Chelsea Girls
15. Cadillac Cowboys
16. Puesta Del Scam
17. Ripe And Ready
18. Darkness
19. Earth Shaker
20. Mellow Morning
21. Right On Time
22. Trancas Fog-Out
23. Witch

Taken From The Album “Feedback” Released In 1972

[CD4]
1. Fresh Garbage (Mono Mix)
2. Uncle Jack (Mono Mix)
3. Mechanical World (Mono Mix)
4. Taurus (Mono Mix)
5. Girl In Your Eye (Mono Mix)
6. Straight Arrow (Mono Mix)
7. Topanga Windows (Mono Mix)
8. Gramophone Man (Mono Mix)
9. Water Woman (Mono Mix)
10. The Great Canyon Fire In General (Mono Mix)
11. Elijah (Mono Mix)

Taken From The Mono Album “Spirit” Released In 1968 Previously Unreleased On CD

12. Veruska
13. Free Spirit
14. If I Had A Woman
15. Elijah (Alternate Take 2)

Recorded In 1968 During Sessions For “Spirit”

16. I Got A Line On You (“Time Circle” Mix)
17. It Shall Be (“Time Circle” Mix)
18. Poor Richard (“Time Circle” Mix)
19. Silky Sam (“Time Circle” Mix)

Taken From The 1991 Compilation “Time Circle”

[CD5]
1. Scherozode (“Time Circle” Mix)
2. All The Same (“Time Circle” Mix)
3. A Dream Within A Dream (“Time Circle” Mix)
4. Aren’t You Glad (“Time Circle” Mix)
5. Eventide (“Time Circle” Mix)
6. Model Shop Theme (“Time Circle” Mix)
7. Green Gorilla (“Time Circle” Mix)
8. Rehearsal Theme (“Time Circle” Mix)

Taken From The 1991 Compilation “Time Circle”

9. Fog
10. So Little To Say
11. Mellow Fellow
12. Now Or Anywhere
13. Space Chile

Recorded In 1968 During Sessions For “The Family That Plays Together”

14. Fuller Brush Man
15. Coral

Recorded In 1969 During Sessions For “Clear”

16. 1984
17. Sweet Stella Baby

A & B-Sides Of Single – Released In 1970

18. Animal Zoo (Mono Single Version)
19. Red Light Roll On

A & B-Sides Of Single – Released In 1970

20. Morning Will Come (Mono Mix)

Recorded And Mixed In 1970[/tracklisting]

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789TBXQ1/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0789TBXQ1/?tag=imwan-21

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

My God, am I going to buy these again? :facepalm:

Esoteric does some of the best re-mastering out there and they usually add bonus. Let's see what's offered.

I can see Geff nodding from here in Sunny Florida. :ohyes:

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

this could be very very good.

i really think randy california and jay ferguson are sinfully under-reated.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Renny wrote:

this could be very very good.

i really think randy california and jay ferguson are sinfully under-reated.

You are so, so right Renny. :thumbsup:

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

Rick A wrote:

My God, am I going to buy these again? :facepalm:

Esoteric does some of the best re-mastering out there and they usually add bonus. Let's see what's offered.

I can see Geff nodding from here in Sunny Florida. :ohyes:

As far as cd, I'm reasonably happy with the last batch of Sonys. Now if there's unreleased quality material.........

I'll look forward to learning more.

Willy Wilson · **Joined:** 22 Jan 2007 **Posts:** 939

I was thinking the same thing. Damn, do I have to buy this stuff again? The answer is, of course I do. I hope that they are giving access to more unreleased material.

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Dec 21, 2017 2:51 pm

I think we do have to buy this stuff again, guys.

Check out the details that I've just added to the first post.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Linda wrote:

I think we do have to buy this stuff again, guys.

Check out the details that I've just added to the first post.

Oh yeah, great extras. Final all-inclusive word from this band.

UK Order Total: £24.31 including mailing converted to $32.52. I'm locked in!

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

I wasn't even thinking about getting this, but the description sold me. I'm such a weak-willed sucker.

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

this is very very nice.

i wonder why the U.S. version is so much more expensive?

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Dec 21, 2017 3:55 pm

Because it's a British import. You can pre-order it directly from Amazon UK, or wait for third party sellers to stock it at Amazon USA (which will be cheapest in the end ... if you can wait).

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I need to see how much if this I have. Worthy project.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

Geff R. wrote:

I need to see how much if this I have. Worthy project.

You know you need it!!! :twisted:

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

Linda wrote:

Because it's a British import. You can pre-order it directly from Amazon UK, or wait for third party sellers to stock it at Amazon USA (which will be cheapest in the end ... if you can wait).

makes sense :facepalm:

Manmancer · **Joined:** 16 Mar 2009 **Posts:** 91

With the exception of the mono first album, it's basically a compilation of stuff that's been out on CD before (a laudable task, though, for sure). Because the first two albums haven't been in print in their original stereo mixes outside of the SACDs, this is presumably a good way to grab both (although the old, pre-Legacy CD of self-titled was fine; the Edsel of "Family" sounded like garbage). Otherwise, it seems, based on the tracklisting, to hoover up the Legacy reissue bonus tracks, the Model Shop Sundazed CD, and a few of the unique-ish things that were on "Time Circle" (oddly, the bonus track from the CCM reissue of "Feedback" is MIA).

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

That's kind of what I was thinking. I mostly need to see how much of Model Shop I have on various comps.

Manmancer · **Joined:** 16 Mar 2009 **Posts:** 91

Some of it was on Time Circle, and I think some other bits were used as bonus tracks, but this looks like the entire set Sundazed put out a few years back.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

Has anyone heard this yet? I have the Sony/ Legacy reissues of the first four albums, and I am most interested in the mono mix of the first album, but any opinions on this set are welcome.

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

You want Model Shop if you don't have it; trust me!

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Jason Michael wrote:

Has anyone heard this yet? I have the Sony/ Legacy reissues of the first four albums, and I am most interested in the mono mix of the first album, but any opinions on this set are welcome.

I just got this Jason Michael so it is going to take a bit. Most interested in is the Mono versions and what Geff has raved about, 'Model Shop'.

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Geff is so right about 'Model Shop'. My assessment, it's like a long lost Pink Floyd from the early days. Just love it!

Geff R. · 27 Sep 2006

I was blown way when I heard it for the first time recently. No idea how/why I passed it up on release.

(Probably because there is a lot of mediocre Spirit archives stuff out there, & I think i own almost all of it!)

[2018-03-16] Spirit "It Shall Be: The Ode And Epic Recordings 1968-1972" 5CD box set (Esoteric UK)

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