CLEAR

I've perused several of the reviews here before writing this one...just a few words. First, all four of the first four Spirit albums are classics and absolutely so. One of the other reviewers described the first 3 albums as unfocused...I would disagree. Spirit was one of the first groups that was really trying to meld jazz with the rock music of their time and have it all come out as a pleasant, intriguing musical experience. They were tastemakers and all 5 members of the group contribute in an integral way on almost every song.

If you are wondering what they are like, imagine all 5 of them right up in the mix..no slouch musicians or newbies struggling on their instruments...no laying down of a repetitive groove...everyone is focused and augmenting each piece. The recording of the band is stellar. The first 3 albums form sort of a trio. The debut jazzy, a few rough edges, but also an incredible quiet vibe...experimental, laid back, relaxed even on the rockers. A little like the vibe u get off Dark Side of the Moon. Highlights are Fresh Garbage (great electric piano solo in the middle section w a great jazz walking bass line), Topanga Windows (great Jay Ferguson song...great lyrics, great drums, a piece of pure creative genius), Gramophone Man (for the jazzy instrumental parts...Randy California playing jazz guitar!), The Great canyon Fire in General (the hardest rocker here..with great over the top distorted guitar by Randy..just riding the tone of that on the edge feedback from his amp...and nice collaboration amongst the musicians), and the jazzy instrumental Elijah, a free form instrumental piece in which each member has their own chance to jam...held to gether by a constantly returning main theme. 4 to 5 stars.

Family that Plays together is even better. After the big hit I got a line on you, the rest of side 1 is surprisingly mellow and full of flavorful songs. It Shall Be with it's dual vocal introduction is just so lush and beautiful..the juxtapositiion of the voices here really makes it...same with the instrumental break on Darlin If...just bass and guitar playing a beautiful duo. I could go on...this one's a 5.

Clear..this was really a fruition of what Spirit was trying to do prior to 12 Dreams. They rocked harder, jazzed better, played looser but just as skillfully and in terms of composition, the songs and individual musicians again are top notch. Dark Eyed Woman...great hard rocker...great guitar tone by Randy...great piano and bass playing an interesting theme in the middle section where Randy plays a real screamer of a guitar solo...great percussion w Ferguson on congas complimenting Ed Cassidy on drums. Somehow reminds me of Black Magic Woman by Santana. Apple Orchard is a great, loose, horny sort of song with again all members contributing. So Little Time to Fly, great laid back feel, great lyrics about escaping the city, great piano by John Locke...watch out for overdubbed guitar heaven in the instrumental section. The band gets even looser on Ground Hog Day, with Randy playing some acoustic slide and interesting guitar lines...unusual and original. Cold Wind is a steal of Lean On...less impressive. Policeman's Ball and New Dope in Town sound a little bit disjointed. Second side has 3 incredible instrumentals. The best one is Ice...just an incredible song and here the classic influences come through. Clear is more ambient..probably a song about meditation. All 3 feature Randy on guitar, but Caught has him on acoustic (very interesting solo) and also has jazzy John Locke playing a very interesting solo on keys. 5 stars here too.