Spirit - "Nature's Way" (1970)

Spirit was an American jazz/hard rock/progressive rock/psychedelic band founded in 1967, based in Los Angeles, California.

The original lineup of the group evolved from an earlier Los Angeles band, The Red Roosters, which included Randy California (guitars, vocals), Mark Andes (bass) and Jay Ferguson (vocals, percussion). With the addition of Ed Cassidy (drums) and keyboard player John Locke the new band was originally named the Spirits Rebellious (after a book by Khalil Gibran) but was soon shortened simply to Spirit. Randy California had also played with Jimi Hendrix (then known as Jimmy James) in Jimmy James and the Blue Flames in 1966.

Cassidy was instantly recognizable by his shaven head (hence his nickname "Mr. Skin") and his fondness for wearing black. He was around twenty years older than the rest of the group (born in 1923). His earlier career was primarily in jazz and included stints with Cannonball Adderley, Gerry Mulligan, Roland Kirk, Thelonious Monk and Lee Konitz. He was a founding member of Rising Sons with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder.

The group's first album, Spirit, was released in 1968. "Mechanical World" was released as a single (it lists the playing time merely as "very long"). The album was a substantial underground hit, reaching #31 and staying on the charts for over eight months. The album displayed jazz influences, as well as using elaborate string arrangements (not found on their subsequent recordings) and is the most overtly psychedelic of their albums.

They capitalized on the success of their first album with another single, "I Got A Line On You". Released in November 1968, a month before their second album, The Family That Plays Together, it became their biggest hit single, reaching #25 on the charts (#28 in Canada). The album matched its success, reaching #22. They also went on tour that year with support band Led Zeppelin, who were heavily influenced by Spirit -- Led Zeppelin played an extended medley during their early 1969 shows that featured "Fresh Garbage" among other songs, Jimmy Page's use of a theremin has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one which he had mounted to his amplifier, and it is now widely accepted that Page lifted the descending guitar figure from Spirit's instrumental "Taurus" for Led Zeppelin's signature tune "Stairway To Heaven".

After this success, the group was asked by French film director Jacques Demy to record the soundtrack to his film, Model Shop and they also made a brief appearance in the film. Their third album, Clear, released in 1969, reached #55 on the charts. Spirit were offered the spot right before Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, but they were advised to turn it down and concentrate on a promotional tour for their third album. Record company managers felt that the festival would not be significant, as it did not seem so at that time, and so they missed out on the massive international exposure that the festival and the subsequent film documentary generated.

The group's first album, Spirit, was released in 1968. "Mechanical World" was released as a single (it lists the playing time merely as "very long"). The album was a substantial underground hit, reaching #31 and staying on the charts for over eight months. The album displayed jazz influences, as well as using elaborate string arrangements (not found on their subsequent recordings) and is the most overtly psychedelic of their albums.

They capitalized on the success of their first album with another single, "I Got A Line On You". Released in November 1968, a month before their second album, The Family That Plays Together, it became their biggest hit single, reaching #25 on the charts (#28 in Canada). The album matched its success, reaching #22. They also went on tour that year with support band Led Zeppelin, who were heavily influenced by Spirit -- Led Zeppelin played an extended medley during their early 1969 shows that featured "Fresh Garbage" among other songs, Jimmy Page's use of a theremin has been attributed to his seeing Randy California use one which he had mounted to his amplifier, and it is now widely accepted that Page lifted the descending guitar figure from Spirit's instrumental "Taurus" for Led Zeppelin's signature tune "Stairway To Heaven".

After this success, the group was asked by French film director Jacques Demy to record the soundtrack to his film, Model Shop and they also made a brief appearance in the film. Their third album, Clear, released in 1969, reached #55 on the charts. Spirit were offered the spot right before Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, but they were advised to turn it down and concentrate on a promotional tour for their third album. Record company managers felt that the festival would not be significant, as it did not seem so at that time, and so they missed out on the massive international exposure that the festival and the subsequent film documentary generated.

Read more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_(band)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• BP
• Oil
• Spill
• 2010
• Spirit
• Nature's
• Way
• 1970
• jazz
• hard
• rock
• progressive
• psychedelic
• band

[69ssrszl1]

Great song and video send it to the BP CREEPS.

[TheBacmaster]

@69ssrszl1 What a great idea! I just sent it to their twitter page.

[TheBacmaster]

BP Spill Officially Worst In US History

— By Kate Sheppard Fri May. 28, 2010 4:00 AM PDT.

Now that we know that the BP's gushing well has likely dumped somewhere between 18.6 million and and 39 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, the disaster certifiably tops the list as the worst in US history, eclipsing the Exxon Valdez.

[TheBacmaster]

It may even make it to the ranks of the worst oil spills in human history. Exxon Valdez didn't even make that list; as bad as that was, there have been 33 larger spills around the would. The idea that this Gulf spill might not even qualify for that list is perhaps the most scary prospect.

[909chuck]

Like "Fresh Garbage" and songs about our culture, the choice is whether we make the earth suit our comfort and population desires or if we try to fit ourselves into life on earth and accept limitations. Can we adapt or will we kill what we can't abide? It should be a choice. This song should give us pause in our consumption.

[sKaFiSh]

A great song with a timeless message - Skafish

[Ayterion]

Ed Cassidy Little Flower 

[SolsburyPhil]

From one of the finest experimental albums of that era. All of the songs were great; this one was absolutely brilliant. These guys were radical '70s environmentalists. 

[nippegmt]

Happy Birthday Randy! RIP

we're still trying....

[ShootingStar3158]

Last time I saw Spirit was in Rockford, IL at their Waterfront Fest and what an awesome show! I'd seen them in the mid-70s and they were fantasic but this show was ultimate. There were colored hot air balloons and the mood was just beautiful/fantastid! RIP Rancy California. Thank you for your music!!!!

[stinkykuntz]

the spill sux but i live on the mississippi coast and have fished that oil rig a few times out past Mr. Gus.I have worked the rigs when I was young and believe the reasons we watched on tv were tragic I think they were true.It does'nt make the mess any better but dont hate the player hate the game,we are junkies to far for a rehab,everything I mean everything is oil related and its too late to stop...I dont see any fix for this,and cars will be a drop in the bucket

[40ghostrider]

@steveY2K1 the bass is mark andes,who wnet on to play for heart and was ANN WILSON'S boyfreind

[joetubealong]

We are killing this earth and I give the human race about 200 more years!! Unless we start fixing this shit now!!

[judyblye1]

I cried while watching this, why didn't we stop tin the first day of the leak. Where was Obama? How could he let that spill go on as long as it did. I think this negligence alone should cost him the reelection.