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The short lived second edition of Spirit

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 04/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When two-thirds of your band leaves it's bound to have an impact on your sound. After recording a number of terrific albums Spirit guitarist Randy California, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jay Ferguson and bassist Mark Andes (they formed Jo Jo Gunne)left Spirit. Drummer Ed Cassidy and keyboardist John Locke remained and with the help of Ferguson recruited Al Staehely as vocalist/bassist later Christian Al's brother joined as guitarist.



The album the quartet recorded although not up to the standards of the band's first four albums, had promise. With the shift in personnel and the decidedly Texas flavored rock 'n' roll. The quartet's only album features some terrific tunes and Al ably steps into Jay and Mark's shoes while Christian although not the same type of guitarist as Randy, does a very good job. Many of the tunes have a Southern rock flavor to them very gritty and quite different from what Spirit had tried before. The boogie rock that this edition of Spirit did ironically wasn't that far different from what Ferguson and Andes did in Jo Jo Gunne.



Collector's Choice has done a service to Spirit fans by reissuing this overlooked minor gem. The mastering by Ken Robertson is quite good and the liner notes include comments from Cassidy and Locke about this line up and their experience recording the album with the late producer David Briggs ("Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" and a frequent co-producer with Neil Young).



The album has a few weak tracks (most notably "Mellow Morning" written by Al Staehely with Jo Jo Gunne guitarist Matt Andes)but overall, it's a worthwhile addition to the Spirit tradition with some truly outstanding tracks. This new edition has a b-side that added as a bonus track. "New York City" is a solid closer that would have sounded terrific on the album. Given time this line up could have produced music equal to but different from the previous incarnation. Jo Jo GunneTwelve Dreams of Dr. SardonicusThe Best of Spirit"

Great new find for an old fan

ol'guy | 09/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been a fan of Spirit since I first heard "Dr Sardonicus" back in the 70's but I dismissed this album because of Randy's absence. It was my loss! I'm older now and I've reached a point in my collection where I'm getting some of the music I left behind (I make more money now than I did when I was 18!) and truthfully I've picked up a lot of....well, not good albums. Feedback though is a great album. It's good rock, it's a believable direction for Spirit and SOUNDS-like a Spirit album. It isn't "Sardonicus" but if you are a fan of 70's-style rock/progressive rock and a fan of Spirit then this is an album worth taking a risk on; enjoy!"