It Shall Be: Ode & Epic Recordings 1968-1972

"Spirit's music remains undimmed, unmatched, and untamed."I was wondering when someone would get around to gathering these albums and putting them together with remastered sound along with some extra tracks and a nice booklet--and it's finally happened. A rock band with both psychedelic and jazz overtones, Spirit released some very fine singles and albums. Besides the five original albums there's singles, outtakes, alternates, and the complete mono version of the first album which has never been issued. Also here is the soundtrack album "The Model Shop".At this late date there's probably some fans of late '60s/early'70s rock that aren't all that familiar with Spirit and their eclectic sound. Coming out of the L.A./West Coast scene, the band--Ed Cassidy-drums, Jay Ferguson-vocals, Mark Andes-bass, Randy California (real name Wolfe)-guitars, and John Locke-keyboards--released some great singles and some very good, interesting albums. Their sound encompassed rock, jazz, blues, and folk, sometimes mixed with a bit of period psychedelia. Their wide ranging sound was unique among other period L.A. bands but it also kept them from a broader fan base because they never concentrated on one sound. But the group's arranging and playing skills set them apart and the best of their albums are well worth hearing even now.Disc 1 contains the stereo versions of the first album, "Spirit" (with great songs like "Fresh Garbage"), along with the second album, "The Family That Plays Together" (with the great "I Got A Line On You"), both from '68.Disc 2 has the soundtrack to "The Model Shop" (interesting--decide for yourself), also from '68, and the album "Clear" (slightly uneven but still with some good songs like "Dark Eyed Woman"), from '69.Disc 3 features "The Twelve Dreams Of Doctor Sardonicus" (with the still classic "Nature's Way"), from '70, plus the track "Rougher Road" from the "...Sardonicus" sessions, and the album "Feedback" (with a different sound than from previous albums because of personnel changes which is a low point to my ears) from '72.Disc 4 has the mono mix of the first album which for fans of mono (like me) is a nice listening experience, different from the originally issued stereo version. There's four unissued tracks from the "Spirit" album sessions (a nice addition), plus four tracks from the "Time Circle" compilation mixes from '91.Disc 5 has eight more tracks from "Time Circle", plus five tracks from "The Family That..." sessions (also nice to have). Both sides of the singles from the '70s are here as well--"1984"/"Sweet Stella Baby", and the mono single "Animal Zoo"/"Red Light Roll On". The track "Morning Will Come" from '70 is also here, which pretty much wraps up Spirit's music.While only having a relatively limited success nevertheless with some great singles (taken from the albums, like "I Got A Line On You") Spirit never really achieved mass acceptance. During the late '60s/early '70s they were pretty much a cult band, but one that made some (still) great sounding music. Spirit is one of those bands, that when someone asks me about what music was like "back then", I tell them to listen to the first four albums and you'll get some idea of the free thinking approach bands had in those days. And while not every album included here is Spirit at their best, the best albums still sound good today.Each disc slips into a cardboard sleeve, the 18 page booklet has a good essay on the band and their music, archive interviews with Cassidy and California, a complete track list, plus period photos and repros of album covers. Everything fits inside a clamshell box.

I first played the mono CD. It was awesome. The disc included the remix of Family. I liked it. It sounded really great. I gave Sardonicus a spin and so far all sounds warmer than previous issues. I'd have to say this is worth getting even if you own previous issues.

Spirit is a somewhat forgotten band here in 2018 - that's a shame, because this box set is packed with gems. You hear a few cuts on classic rock radio ("I've got a Line on You," "Nature's Way," "Fresh Garbage" mostly), but this talented band created great LPs and great sequences within each disc. Randy California and Jay Ferguson were the main driving force in Spirit over these 5 LPs, but their secret weapon was the jazz-influenced drummer Ed Cassidy. Just when you think Spirit is a rock-pop outfit from L.A.....they veer into a jam worthy of Steely Dan or any number of real fusion jazz outfits from 50 years ago. This set gathers their first 5 Columbia albums and assorted stray cuts and it's all good. Spirit were hard to pin down, but their creative journey is very much still worth taking.

I bought the first Spirit album when I was 11 years old and they have always been my favorite band. I hope I have all Spirit and Randy California. We all know how fantastic the music on this set is, with perhaps the exception of the Feedback album. I never considered this a real Spirit album and have not heard it for decades. Now that I've revisited the album in this box set, I truly enjoyed it. Yes, I wish they had called it The Staehely Brothers with Ed Cassidy and John Locke from Spirit but if you have always dissed this album like I have, give it a listen and you may be pleasantly surprised. As for the rest, others have elegantly addressed.

This contains about everything that the original Spirit line-up recorded, other than live concerts, remastered. The sound quality is outstanding for material this old, with good separation & tonal quality. I personally think Spirit was the best US band of that era, even better than the Doors. Do yourself a favor and add this to your collection!

This is a great collection by a great band too bad it’s limited by only the Ode & Epic recordings yes we spirit fans know this when we buy it but a true complete Spirit recordings is what we really want Robert Fripp knows what this means he pulls no punches and makes you pay for what you want but that’s what we really want

Here it is-most of the Spirit one could need in a single handy box. The first five albums,including Feedback plus the mono mix of the debut,the Model Shop score and the same bounty of bonus cuts found on the Legacy reissues. A virtually perfect Spirit package.

All the Music is good. You can't go wrong when the late Randy California and Ed Cassidy are involved. A must buy from fantastic Musicians.

Excellent compilation of the greatest band of that era 1968 to 1972 I like the songs not released on the first four historic albums from the Model Shop and other unreleased cool and jazzy only downside is the packaging could have a been better but good liner notes and pictures well worth it for any music fan with an open mind

They are highly under rated. A great band and this shows what they were capable of.

Best Spirit reissue so far! The original mixes are finally released on CD with the addition of the 1st album mono version and a choice of the later Time Circle remixes.Particularly interesting is the reissue of Feedback, a usually underrated album, which sounds surprisingly good in this Eclectic crystal clear remastering.Strongly recommended to all Spirit fans!

OK. If you are buying this for a remastered audio . I can t really hear any audio upgrade OK . hey my opinion on mid range hi fi OK . extras simply superb ! Buy ! Your call !

LA MEJOR ÉPOCA DE SPIRIT (LA ÚNICA AUTÉNTICA, A DECIR VERDAD). PRESENTACIÓN Y PRECIO INMEJORABLE. ASÍ ES COMO SE PRESERVA EL LEGADO DE UNA BANDA SEÑERA DE LA COSTA OESTE, QUE HIZO TEMAS ESTUPENDOS (MR. SKIN, DEL ALBUM "THE TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS") PERO QUE APARECÍA EN SEGUNDO PLANO DETRÁS DE OTRAS LUMINARIAS...