June 5, 2009 Playlist

Best of the Classic Albums of the Week
"Groovy Greats"
(Pledge Drive!)
 
"Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus" by Spirit (1970)
CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Spirit  "Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus"  1970 (USA)
Spirit was one of the greatest and most original rock groups of the 1960's, though for some reason they've never really risen above "cult status", even during periods when their style of music comes back into vogue.  Some of Spirit's key influences were Jimi Hendrix (guitarist Randy California briefly played in Jimi's Greenwich Village band before he became famous), jazz (drummer Ed Cassidy and keyboardist John Locke were older cats from that scene) and of course the "west coast psychedelic sound" that they are usually associated with.  Dr. Sardonicus was their 4th record, and the last one with the original line-up.  Though it failed to sell when it was first released, it continued to grow in popularity throughout the 1970's and eventually led to reissues of their earlier albums and singles, and California and Cassidy reforming the group around 1975.  Also of note:  this album was produced by David Briggs, who birthed many classic Neil Young & Crazy Horse albums.  (Neil himself turns up a couple times in the Spirit story -- they had all lived in the same area of Topanga Canyon in California for a while.)
Here's video of a later version of Spirit (California & Cassidy with some other guys) performing a popular tune from this album, "Mr. Skin".  And here's part of a fan documentary compiling clips throughout the group's career, including earlier hits and near-misses like "I Got A Line On You" and "Fresh Garbage".
 
Artist Song Album Year Country
The Jimi Hendrix Experience Burning of the Midnight Lamp Electric Ladyland
CLASSIC ALBUM - Feb 18, 2009		 1967 USA/UK
Jefferson Airplane Martha
  / Wild Tyme (H)		 After Bathing At Baxter's
CLASSIC ALBUM - May 3, 2006		 1967 USA
The Human Instinct Black Sally Stoned Guitar
CLASSIC ALBUM - Aug 30, 2006
 1970 New Zealand
Blue Cheer Babylon Outsideinside
CLASSIC ALBUM - Aug 15, 2007		 1968 USA
The Monks Oh How To Do Now Black Monk Time
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jan 30, 2008		 1966 USA/Germany
 
 
The Beatles Blue Jay Way Magical Mystery Tour
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jun 18, 2008		 1967 UK
The Rolling Stones Gomper Their Satanic Majesties Request
CLASSIC ALBUM - Feb 28, 2007		 1967 UK
The United States of America Garden of Earthly Delights The United States of America
CLASSIC ALBUM - Nov 4, 2008		 1968 USA
Hawkwind Adjust Me In Search Of Space
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jun 6, 2007		 1971 UK
Aphrodite's Child Babylon 666
CLASSIC ALBUM - Mar 29, 2006		 1972 Greece
   
 
Spirit Nature's Way Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
(NEW) CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1970 USA
Spirit Animal Zoo Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
(NEW) CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1970 USA
Spirit Love Has Found A Way Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
(NEW) CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK		 1970 USA
Spirit Girl In Your Eye Spirit
CLASSIC ALBUM - Mar 19, 2008		 1968 USA
Love Alone Again Or Forever Changes
CLASSIC ALBUM - Apr 26, 2006		 1967 USA
Grateful Dead China Cat Sunflower Aoxomoxoa
CLASSIC ALBUM - Aug 2, 2006		 1969 USA
   
 
Pink Fairies Uncle Harry's Last Freakout Never Never Land
CLASSIC ALBUM - Feb 7, 2007		 1971 UK
Sir Lord Baltimore Pumped Up Kingdom Come
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jan 25, 2006		 1970 USA
The Stooges 1970 Fun House
CLASSIC ALBUM - Sep 6, 2006		 1970 USA
   
 
MC5 I Want You Right Now Kick Out The Jams
CLASSIC ALBUM - Apr 9, 2008		 1969 USA
Muddy Waters Mannish Boy (I'm A Man) Electric Mud
CLASSIC ALBUM - Mar 8, 2006
 1968 USA
Amon Duul II Eye-Shaking King Yeti
CLASSIC ALBUM - Sep 13, 2006		 1970 Germany
Silver Apples Lovefingers Silver Apples
CLASSIC ALBUM - Mar 28, 2007		 1968 USA
 
  
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band Old Fart At Play Trout Mask Replica
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jul 26, 2006		 1969 USA
The Seeds Rollin' Machine A Web of Sound
CLASSIC ALBUM - Dec 10, 2008		 1967 USA
Can Oh Yeah Tago Mago
CLASSIC ALBUM - Mar 22, 2006		 1971 Germany
Patto Peter Abraham Roll 'em Smoke 'em Put Another Line Out
CLASSIC ALBUM - Sep 19, 2007		 1972 UK
Neil Young & Crazy Horse The Losing End Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
CLASSIC ALBUM - Apr 19, 2006		 1969 Canada/USA
 
  
The Velvet Underground & Nico All Tomorrow's Parties The Velvet Underground & Nico
CLASSIC ALBUM - Dec 3, 2008		 1967 USA/Germany
Amon Duul II Wide-Angle Made In Germany
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jul 23, 2008		 1975 Germany
William Shatner The Transformed Man The Transformed Man
CLASSIC ALBUM - Jun 14, 2006		 1968 Canada
          
   
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