Label: Epic Records (US), EK 65003
Style: Rock, Art Rock
Country: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Time: 54:20
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 313 Mb
Charts: US #63, UK #29, CAN #49. US: Gold.
Spirit was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1967, and the Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus was their fourth album. It was produced by David Briggs, well known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse.
The band consisted of Randy California (guitar and vocals), Ed Cassidy (drums), Jay Ferguson (vocals and percussion), John Locke (keyboards) and Mark Andes (bass and vocals). The final concert with this original lineup was in 1971, after the band had toured the album, though there were later reunions. The second great phase of the band, this time initially built around Randy California and Ed Cassidy, with Barry Keane on bass, began in 1975, with the classic Spirit of ’76 album.
The Twelve Dreams Of Dr. Sardonicus is a musically wide-ranging collection, bringing together rock, psychedelia, jazz, and at points a genius pop sensibility. It is also an album in many ways ahead of its time, with environmental concerns woven into a number of the songs.
The introductory sequence of Prelude – Nothing To Hide, written by Randy California, is a primary example of many of these elements coming together, in perfect harmony. A gentle acoustic melody accompanies Randy singing these very prophetic words:
"You have the world at your fingertips.
But see what you done to the rain and the sun.
So many changes have all just begun to reap.
I know you are asleep".
"Wake up...." is then sung in unison as a call to action, before the band burst in with the full-on attack of a modern rock anthem. A heart-stopping instrumental section has Randy’s California’s slide guitar shift into psychedelic overdrive, panning furiously between the speakers, as he and co-vocalist Jay Ferguson whoop over the top of the music. John Locke’s piano phrases provide an arresting musical counterpoint throughout the piece, and a final fade-out has a short burst of brass playing in the style of the Beatle’s Sgt. Pepper.
Nature’s Way, another Randy California composition, is a beautiful heartfelt ballad. A particularly striking line in the song is:
"It’s nature’s way of telling you, soon we’ll freeze. It’s nature’s way of telling you, dying trees".
Other album highlights include John Locke’s Space Child, with its jazzy piano and synthesiser, and Ed Cassidy’s syncopated drum figures. It actually has the acid jazz feel of the band Galliano, which is a signifier of how forward-looking this music is.
(atthebarrier.com/2022/02/28/spirit-twelve-dreams-of-dr-sardonicus-album-review/)
01. Prelude - Nothin' To Hide (03:43)
02. Nature's Way (02:40)
03. Animal Zoo (03:10)
04. Love Has Found A Way (02:42)
05. Why Can't I Be Free (01:05)
06. Mr. Skin (04:01)
07. Space Child (03:25)
08. When I Touch You (05:37)
09. Street Worm (03:43)
10. Life Has Just Begun (03:29)
11. Morning Will Come (02:50)
12. Soldier (02:50)
13. Rougher Road (bonus track) (03:17)
14. Animal Zoo (Mono Single Version) (03:10)
15. Morning Will Come (Alternate Mono Mix) (02:50)
16. Red Light Roll On (bonus track) (05:41)
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