Releaser: thewall
Extractor: EAC 0.99 prebeta 4
Read Mode: Secure with NO C2, accurate stream, disable cache.
Codec: Flac 1.2.1; Level 8
Source: Original CD
Artwork: Full Scans 300dp
General info
From the first few moodily incisive notes of 'Fresh Garbage', you can tell you're hearing something very special, not to mention original. It and 'Mechanical World' (deep, slow and dark), link to the way our psyches were enmeshed in the reality of the Vietnam War, without mentioning it as such. There are beautifully judicious string arrangements flowing in and out of 'MW' to soften the tone somewhat . . . for in this their earliest period, Spirit was all about healing.
'Uncle Jack' is like [the Who] without the rough edges.
'Taurus' is gorgeous NewAge instrumental music (slowly-evolving acoustic guitar solo with string section) way before the genre came of age, and better than much that came after it (SewAge).
'Girl in Your Eye' is a gorgeous love song in [again, slowly-evolving] raga rock, with sitar and flutes playing at the heart, and at the edges of time, respectively.
All these songs stand solidly on their own, as do the next five, each rating at 5 stars.
Lastly, Elijah is their free-flowing jazz improv number, where each band member gets to stretch out and take an extended solo. The last four tracks are bonus tracks added for the CD release.
On the original 11 songs, the writing is of the highest quality, as is the playing. The band is very tight-plus each piece varies in style and tone.
Note: the young Randy California probably played fuzz-tone lead guitar in a more subtle way than anyone; his double-stop solos in the minor (etc.) mode are unbelievable. His stepfather (the one with the shaved head) was the drummer, he brought his well-traveled jazz sensibilities to the group's efforts. Electric piano and bass round out their usual instrumentation, all played tastefully and with relaxed energy.
[Amazon user]
All songs written by Jay Ferguson except noted.
1. "Fresh-Garbage" - 3:11
2. "Uncle Jack" - 2:44
3. "Mechanical World" (Mark Andes, Jay Ferguson) - 5:15
4. "Taurus" (Randy California) - 2:37
5. "Girl in Your Eye" - 3:15
6. "Straight Arrow" - 2:50
7. "Topanga Windows" - 3:36
8. "Gramophone Man" (Mark Andes, Randy California, Ed Cassidy, Jay Ferguson, John Locke) - 3:49
9. "Water Woman" - 2:11
10. "The Great Canyon Fire in General" - 2:46
11. "Elijah" (John Locke) - 10:42
12. "Veruska" (Randy California) - 2:50*
13. "Free Spirit" (John Locke) - 4:27*
14. "If I Had a Woman" (Randy California) - 3:11*
15. "Elijah (Alternate Take)" (John Locke) - 9:42*
*Bonus Tracks
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