I recently pulled out my dusty copy of The Twelve Dreams Of Doctor Sardonicus from Spirit and almost forgot just how good that album was.
So many elements of psychedelic prog were used on that recording that I'm a bit surprised that it didn't somehow wedge itself into the prog rock conversation at some time or another.
Played the S**T out of this album. Everything transitions very well and has high emotional peaks. Randy California and John Locke really shine on this one. There is a cinematic sound to the arrangements that add drama.
I am a big Moody Blues fan, but when I saw Spirit as second bill to the Moodies it was clear they were the better live band. I thought it was funny that the band turned around and played a whole song to the seats behind the stage. This was around the time of Twelve Dreams. I later was a fan of Jo Jo Gunne who proved that they were just as good at good ole r'n'r.
Big love.Superb, beginning to end.
"please do not understand me too quickly"-andre gide
It's a fantastic album, and like the band itself, has never gotten the recognition deserved. I don't consider it prog but with the cinematic arrangements mentioned above there is a valid argument that it could be. I'm glad I got to see Spirit live back then. They kicked ass. Before one song Randy California was imitating Jimi Hendrix on guitar and doing a very fine job!
Last edited by philsunset; 04-12-2014 at 08:03 PM.
Truly great album. Randy's "Nature's Way" is timeless. Still sounds great today, and the message is just as powerful today as it was more than 40 years ago.
Lou
Looking forward to my day in court.
This one and the "live" release from the '70's saw regular rotation on my turn table back in the day... Thanks for reminding me... I'll play it this weekend..
Great stuff. Randy was one of the best.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
Yup 12 Dreams doesn't let up a single second ... even the calmer moments raise pure hell....Originally Posted by walt
I played my vinyl until transparent, my tt's stylus a µm away from piercing thru...
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
Twelve Dreams is a classic I never get tired of.
Very good album, though i slightly favour the previous 3 over it.
One of my all-time faves. Reminds me of how great rock was when there were NO labels.
My favorite of the original 4 albums.
Not a bad track on the album.
Lots of great songs, but "Mister Skin," man...WHEW.
I absolutely love that track.... really fun too....
But that's what's great about that album.... the overwhelming fun athmosphere all over it
my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.
Their best album. I also like some of their early proto-Crimson stuff ("Elijah", "Now or anywhere").
Notice any similarity between The Flame (Cheap Trick) and Natures Way? hmmm..
My only complaint about Spirit was Randy's live singing. He just couldn't carry a tune very well. In the grand scheme of things, though, it's a minor complaint. We lost him way too early. Very tragic.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
Love "Nature's Way"!
"Alienated-so alien I go!"
Great song.Listening to it,I'm holding my breath for a couple reasons.
I remember hearing it for the first time 8 years after it was released. My university roommate played it and I was completely in shock that an album of that magnitude had never crossed my path before. Very close to perfect.
"The woods would be very silent if the only birds that sang were those who sang best..." - Henry David Thoreau
#2 after the debut, but I equivocate about how big the distance between them is. Caught them in '68 opening for BS&T. Good times....
Hell, they ain't even old-timey ! - Homer Stokes
I liked this album a lot back in the day. Will need to revisit. Been a long time...
Saw them at the Rose Palace in Pasadena California in August, 1969. This was just before Woodstock. Ten Years After opened for Spirit and played the same Woodstock set. Frickin' great show! Then I was at the famous first reunion, where they threw a very drunk Neil Young off the stage and the last original band reunion in a park in Fountain Valley California in the early 90's. IMO the original line-up was one of the greatest West Coast psychedelic bands to emerge in the 1960's, and "Twelve Dreams" one of the eras best releases. Listen now, as it HAS stood the test of time. RIP Randy, John and Ed. You will never be forgotten!
Day dawns dark...it now numbers infinity.
Respect
That sounds interesting.
"The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"
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