The vinyl version was released in 1973 after the original line up of the band broke up. Jay Ferguson and Mark Andes had left to form Jo Jo Gunne. Randy California had taken time off after a horse riding accident and the record company was looking to cash in on their past successes. With the release of this album and after releasing the popular song Mr. Skin from the album Dr. Sardonicus , the bands popularity grew again. Dr. Sardonicus was creatively their most critically acclaimed. It shows on this Best of album with 5 of the songs coming from the Dr. album.
It also includes a song that kind of got lost when first released in 1968 called 1984. The lyrics brought up controversial images of the George Orwell novel of the same name. The radio stations had for the most part boycotted this strong song due to its content. I also really like the song Mechanical World. A psychedelic wonder with haunting vocals and instruments. Their original break through chart hits, I Got a Line on You and Natures Way were a part of this line up as well.
Altogether a great album for those who like their music on the psychedelic side. Here's one of their best.
3 comments:
Love it, Dan! Great post on a band that I like a lot and hadn't thought of in awhile.
Spirit were very underrated. The 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus is a wicked album.
I have to concur with Sean regarding The 12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. But I also really enjoyed The Family That Plays Together and Randy California's solo album, Kaptain Kopter and the Fabulous Twirly-Birds.
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