Album Club: 17.04.12: Spirit - 'Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus' (1970)

[The Grand Wazoo]

Album Club 17.04.12: Spirit - 'Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus' (1970)




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Wikipedia:
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This is the fourth Spirit album - it was a bit of a slow burner because it had the lowest chart position of all of their albums released up to that point, but after five years, it eventually went platinum & it remains their best seller. It was way ahead of its time in many ways, not least because of the way the studio manufactured pseudo-psychedelia effects seemed somehow much more than the apparently randomly selected array of noises that had appeared on previous releases by other bands up to that time.

Spirit were formed in 1967 and evolved out of a band called The Red Roosters. Needing a drummer, guitarist Randy California teamed up with his uncle, Ed Cassidy, who'd already had a career in bands with some of the giants of jazz: Thelonious Monk, Cannonball Adderley, Roland Kirk & Gerry Mulligan for starters. He had also been instrumental in starting a band called Rising Sons with two likely looking lads called Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

California had already played in a little band called Jimmy James and the Blue Flames and had been strongly influenced by the band leader, his friend and fellow guitarist who later became known as Jimi something or other.

Spirit's first three albums sold well and were quite influential - take a listen to the track called 'Taurus' from their first album & then listen to 'Stairway to Heaven'.

The album took almost a year to make, partly because California had a horse riding accident, but also because of building personal tensions within the band, which caused a split soon after its release. Neil Young's favourite producer, David Briggs, got the job of sitting at the desk.

There wasn't really anything else like this record at the time of it's release, it's kind of loosely conceptual; the tracks are portrayed as dreams and they are exquisitely sequenced - an art that as been almost lost in the age of the iPod. Doctor Sardonicus was the studio mixing desk! It has a wee bit of Moog synth in it ('Love Has Found a Way' & 'Space Child'), the songs are pretty thoughtful and there are moments of true beauty captured in the grooves.

I got into it around the same time as I discovered Love's 'Forever Changes' and I consider it to be just as monumental a statement as that album. High spots for me are the best known track, 'Nature's Way', 'Animal Zoo' and 'Why Can't I Be Free'. I love the meaty brass section in 'Morning Will Come', the big kettle drum sound in 'Natures Way' and the harmonies in 'Nothing to Hide' but it's really one of those albums that should be listened to in the round - one of the reasons for AoS's Album Club.

Like all the albums I've championed so far in Album Club, I think it's been greatly overlooked as time has gone on.

I commend this record to the house.




Note - If you're listening to the album on Spotify, then be aware that the original release had 12 tracks (the 12 dreams) so the rest are slightly out of context

[John]

Its been a long time since I listened to this albim at the time I did not get into it be interesting to see where I am now
]I have found memories watching Randy play at the Marquee a few times very Jimi inspired sets

[Beechwoods]

I'm more than familiar with the track 'Morning Will Come' due to its inclusion on the CBS 'Together' compilation, which was absolutely formative in the development of my musical tastes... but I've never checked out the album. A very good choice, Chris

[Audioman]

Just listening on Spotify. Sounds good. For some reason I never investigated Spirit so this material is new to me. Just checked and this and other Spirit titles have been reissued by Sundazed. Chris your going to cost me more money !

http://www.sundazed.com/shop/product...75667e4c32cbdc

[John]

I quite like this its funny how taste sometimes changes over the years.Some nice guitar work and remember Randy playing some of this stuff at the Marquee many years ago

[The Grand Wazoo]

Chris your going to cost me more money !

Excellent!
I'd recommend '12 Dreams', their first (self titled) album, 'The Family That Plays Together', and 'Clear' in that order.

[The Grand Wazoo]

I quite like this its funny how taste sometimes changes over the years.Some nice guitar work and remember Randy playing some of this stuff at the Marquee many years ago

I saw him in the early 80's in Brighton, it was a great gig and as you say, there was no confusion over who was his strongest influence!

[Bazil]

I've got a Best Of Spirit album in the loft, never really got into it.
Just Googled the cover and its not this one:-

[Reid Malenfant]

I quite liked this, it reminded me of something that I have, but I don't know what it is right now

I actually wanted to turn it up, but then I remembered I'd get loud adverts all of a sudden I might actually give it another spin again soon.

7/10, had a bit of life to it!

[MartinT]

For some reason I can't play this through Spotify and my Touch as I get "This track is not available in your region", so I'm listening on the computer. This album is good and I don't know how I've overlooked Spirit all these years. Your comparison with the much better known Love is a good one. Think I'll have to buy the CD to play it on the 'big rig'. 8/10 from me.