Spirit Dreams

1. Spirit Dreams - Doowi

2. Gathering - Uwan Bullima

3. Ancient Legends - Rawal Woggheegui

4. Milky Way - Warrambool

Tracks:

Prelude - Nothin' To Hide
Nature's Way
Animal Zoo
Love Has Found A Way
Why Can't I Be Free
Mr. Skin
Space Child
When I Touch You
Street Worm
Life Has Just Begun
Morning Will Come
Soldier
Rougher Road
Animal Zoo (Mono Single Version)
Morning Will Come (Alternate Mono Mix)
Red Light Roll On

Amazon.com

Spirit was formed with the intention to combine jazz, rock, classical, and folk with a mystical orientation. Led by the family duo of Hendrix-inspired guitarist Randy California and his uncle, jazz drummer Ed Cassidy (whose shaved head--some 20 years ahead of its time--was the band's visual focus), Spirit had a few idiosyncratic hits such as "I Got A Line On You." The band didn't reach its prime until Twelve Dreams, after which they promptly broke up. A loosely constructed sci-fi concept album, it contains the band's biggest hit, the ecological "Nature's Way" (complete with booming kettle drums), the surreal rock of "Animal Zoo," and the orchestral psychedelia of "Life Has Just Begun." Bristling with ideas, energy, and California's meaty guitar, Twelve Dreams exemplifies the best of the late '60s experimentalism. --Steven Mirkin

Customer Reviews:

It's "Nature's Way" for all of us to buy the CD!.......2007-06-02

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" I am often asked to review and give thoughts on various 60's and 70's rock and roll albums.

Spirit unfortunately is a secret that has been too well kept. Sure a few have heard the amazing "I Got A Line On You" and "Nature's Way" from this release but there was so much more.

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus is the best introduction to their actual studio recordings if you have decided to procure something along with a "Best Of."

Randy California's guitar will stand-out not only for his intricacies but the ability to tastefully perform rock, psychedelic, jazz and all in between. Take note of how well versed he was.

The consistency and even flow of the record will be obvious when you first hear "Nothin' To Hide." Spirit enters the Grateful Dead realm with the pretty "Why Can't I Be Free" and throws some psychedelic sounds our way with "Space Child."

The remastered version sounds very powerful. You can check out the strong fidelity when listening through the cool Amazon sample feature.

Pay homage to Randy California and make this a proud entry in the CD collection.

Be well always,
Craig Fenton
Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

The soundtrack of my dreams.......2007-03-09

In 1973, I was an un-soldier stationed at a remote U.S. army outpost in South Korea. We lived in metal Butler huts (hooches), 12 people per hooch; and most of the guys in my hooch were draftees like me. We spent a LOT of time sharing aromatherapy materials and listening to all kinds of music, including Eddie Kendricks, Pharaoh Sanders, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Al Green, Donny Hathaway, the James Gang...and Spirit.

Many nights I would fall asleep with the Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus playing in the background, over and over again, on a small portable cassette player that had been left running because someone had been too stoned to turn it off. The player was set up to auto-repeat every time it reached the end of the tape, so this album was literally the soundtrack of my own dreams for months. I never got tired of it. It's magical music.

These songs have always been out there just sort of weightless, floating above all of the other tunes in my musical subconscious. I've never completely figured out the lyrics to "Nothing to Hide" or "Life Has Just Begun" -- the lyric translations submitted online are just laughable -- but it doesn't matter. My own personal soundtrack has changed over the years, so I hear different things now than I did when these 12 songs first got under my skin, 34 years ago. Sardonicus still gives me goose bumps today.

Very Pleased.......2007-02-05

Very pleased with the purchase of this har-to-find album. Delivered in great condition.

Amazing.......2006-08-02

As I wrote in a review of the Family which plays together, I am not sure if this is better than the 2nd and 3rd albums, (The Family and Clear), I love this album and go around singing Nature's Way, Love has found a way, Animal Zoo and especially the very short, Why Can't I be free, which to me sums up the late 60s and 70s as well as any Dead song.

They captured the spirit of the time so perfectly that I have never gotten tired of their best songs. I thought Clear was the perfect album with its wonderful instrumentals and since each song flows so perfectly into the next while some of the 12 Dreams don't fit in so perfectly but who cares?

This is amazing music which you really have to have.

"I've been given the shaft".......2006-07-22

After hearing this album, I must conclude that I was a deprived child. What else could explain why, after coming of age in the late 1960's and early 1970's, I never heard this album in its entirety until I was 52 years old? There I was, living at a Midwestern college campus in the early 1970's, and the counterculture failed to introduce me to this classic work of rock and roll art? Oh, sure, they'll tell you that I heard the highlights on the burgeoning underground FM radio sites of the era... but does that really account for such a collosal oversight? I think not.

Throughout my half-century on planet Earth, the spirit of 'Spirit' has been summed up in the songs 'I Got a Line On You' and 'Nature's Way'. Suspecting that these exceptional compositions may represent the mere tip of an iceberg of delights, I acquired a ten-track 'best-of-Spirit' compilation a couple years ago. While the music was good enough, my curiosity was satisfied that the band must have been a cult favorite, such as Arthur Lee's 'Love', and I had missed Spirit's Revelation. I kept hearing, however, that 'Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus' was the band's true masterwork. A week ago, I stumbled across a brand new, expanded and remastered version of the disc for the unheard of price of $7, shipping included, and had no choice but to take the plunge. Needless to say, the Spirit has been revealed to me.

There are four truly outstanding songs on this 'Dr. Sardonicus' remaster. The opener, 'Nothin' To Hide' is rich, funky, and a bit ominous rock number featuring an engaging chorus. It's followed by one of the iconic tracks of hippie consciousness, 'Nature's Way'. This remaster vibrantly displays the rich harmonies that were coaxed forward by the masterful production of David Briggs. Track six, titled 'Mr. Skin', garnered a good deal of FM airplay in the early 1970's... and rightly so due to its many textured, robust feel. And finally, last among the bonus tracks, we're treated to 'Red Light Roll On', which makes a funky pop experience out of "getting the shaft". In addition to these exceptional tunes, the album is rounded out by tracks that are certainly a cut above filler. 'When I Touch You' and 'Life Has Just Begun' are rock anthems, the first riding high on a churning rhythm guitar riff, and the latter a rock collage of psychedelic sounds. 'Animal Zoo' is thick and fuzzy, up-beat rock, while 'Space Child' is a jazzy piano and trippy synthesizer-based instrumental. 'Street Worm' offers perhaps the best hard-core lead guitar runs from Randy California on the disc, and 'Morning Will Come' was a pulsing rock track with vocals and horns that were appealing enough to also claim FM airtime.

There are some lesser tracks, but certainly nothing you will feel forced to suffer through. 'Love Has Found a Way' is a bit overworked by the special FX, beginning with the backward rhythm track compliments of Briggs. It has an interesting bridge, however, which settles down nicely rather than expanding the melody, as most bridges do. Similarly enjoyable is the first bonus track, 'Rougher Road', with its rapelling rhythm guitar foundation. Unfortunately, as with the two bonus tracks that follow (reprises of 'Animal Zoo' and 'Morning Will Come') the offerings are in a monaural format. The closer on the original album, 'Soldier', while vocally intricate, is rather subdued and undistinguished.

I'm not sure what the supposed concept is behind 'Dr. Sardonicus', but there are twelve tracks for the twelve dreams, so that makes more sense than a lot of what passed for psychedelia in the late 1960's. Compared to other supposed, overlooked masterpieces, such as Love's 'Forever Changes', 'Twelve Dreams...' delivers some serious goods. And this 1996 remastering and repackaging, with extensive and informative liner notes from band leader Randy California, as well as numerous period photographs and illustrations, make for an extemely attractive product. If you're a fan of rock music from the psychedelic era, and you've never heard this disc, do yourself a favor and check it out. You may discover, to your utter disbelief, that you too have been deprived!

Average customer rating:

Very good for meditation, massage or relaxation
Relaxation & Meditation
Used it when my son was born

Dolphin Dreams
Jonathan Goldman
Manufacturer: Spirit Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000523JV
Release Date: 2000-01-18

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Dolpin Dreams

Album Description

"Reduce stress without Valium!" -- Vogue

"With ocean, heart beats, choral voices, and dolphins, this is what nurturing would sound like if it could be recorded." -- Body, Mind, Spirit

"Combines haunting music, a soft choir, and a human heartbeat with the sound of rolling waves and dolphins." -- CD Review

"A sonic environment created for the birthing experience, Dolphin Dreams features the sounds of ocean, human heartbeat, choral voices, and dolphins. Both children and their parents love the soothing and nurturing music on this recording. Many of the sonics were specifically designed to induce deep relaxation and open new listeners up to higher aspects of consciousness." -- All Music Guide

"One of the Top 5 most popular new age musicians of all time." -- New Age Retailer

With sounds of ocean, dolphins, heart beat, choral voice, and more! Named Best Special Production of the Year by WholeLife Times. Great for birthing mothers and children--a sonic environment to assist birthing mothers, neonatal infants, and young children. Combines sounds of the ocean with heartbeats, choral voices, and dolphin sounds. Used in homes, hospitals, and birthing centers throughout the world. Also excellent for relaxation, stress reduction, sleep enhancement, and meditation by people of all ages. Created by Jonathan Goldman, a world-renowned pioneer and authority in the field of sound healing who presents lectures, workshops, and training sessions on the power of sound around the world.

Customer Reviews:

Very good for meditation, massage or relaxation.......2007-04-28

The specific content of this CD is well described under the product and in other reviews. What I could add is that the sound sample is very representative of the content. There is not a lot of variety, which is a good thing for meditation and relaxation depending upon your needs and preferences. When you listen to this for an extended period of time, the sound of the ocean, heart beats, etc. seems to synchronize the bodies rhythms without any effort on the part of the listener. This is CD is well thought out and put together. Highly recommended.

Relaxation & Meditation.......2006-03-26

This is amazing to breathe into labor pains .... the sound of the dolphins and water ease the pain creating great relaxation leading into a meditative state !
AMAZING STUFF !!

Used it when my son was born.......2004-01-27

I first purchased this CD YEARS ago - long before I was married or thinking of having children, just because I was looking for some soothing medition music. Then, I read the info about the CD and found it that it was recommended to be played during childbirth. I always held onto this CD and hoped to use it when I had a child. I did "hypnobirthing" when my son was born in 2002, and listened to this CD nightly while my husband and I practiced our hypno-birthing techniques for a couple of months prior to our son being born; and while I was in labor, the combination of the soothing sounds on this tape, and my husband's hypno-birthing coaching kept me calm, cool and collected throughout the birthing process. Today, my son is 15 months old and has had this CD playing continuously during nap time and sleep time - it helps sooth him and blocks outside noises from his room. I don't know what I would have done without this CD! We love it!

Average customer rating:

An opera that deserves consideration by a major company
Soaring majesty!
a favorite opera with an old and inconsistent performance

Robert Ward: The Crucible

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000049L5
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Tracks:

Act l: Beginning - Gloria Wynder/Joyce Ebert/Patricia Brooks/Naomi Farr/Paul Ukena/Maurice Stern
Act l: 'Gently, Sirs, Gently' - Eunice Alberts/Paul Ukena/Chester Ludgin/Maurice Stern/Spiro Malas/Joyce Ebert
Act l: 'Jesus, My Consolation' - Eunice Alberts/Paul Ukena/Chester Ludgin/Maurice Stern/Joyce Ebert/Patricia Brooks
Act l: 'For Much In the World' - Joyce Ebert.John Macurdy/Naomi Farr/Eunice Alberts/Patricia Brooks/Gloria Wynder/Spiro Malas...
Act l: 'Oh, How Many Times Mr. Parris' - Gloria Wynder/Naomi Farr/John Macurdy
Act l: 'Jesus, My Consolation' - Gloria Wynder/Naomi Farr/John Macurdy/Patricia Brooks
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Act II: 'I've Forgotten Abigail' - Chester Ludgin/Frances Bible
Act II: 'But, Oh, The Dreams' - Frances Bible/Chester Ludgin/Nancy Foster
Act II: 'For Sarah Good Confessed' - Nancy Foster/Chester Ludgin/Frances Bible/John Macurdy/Richard Krause
Act II: 'You Will Go To That Court' - Chester Ludgin/Nancy Foster

Tracks:

Act III: Beginning - Patricia Brooks/Chester Ludgin
Act III: In The Courtroom - Richard Krause
Act III: 'Open Thou, My Lips, O Lord' - Jack DeLon/Richard Krause/Paul Ukena/Maurice Stern/Joyce Ebert
Act III: 'These Girls Never Saw A Spirit' - Chester Ludgin/Joyce Ebert/Paul Ukena/Nancy Foster/Patricia Brooks/Jack DeLon/New York City Opr...
Act III: 'No, No, It Is A Natural Lie To Tell' - John Macurdy/Jack DeLon/Patricia Brooks/Nancy Foster
Act IV: Beginning - Gloria Wynder//Richard Krause/Patricia Brooks
Act IV: 'But Sir, You Stir Rebellion' - John Macurdy/Jack DeLon/Joyce Ebert/Frances Bible
Act IV: 'What Word Of The Children - Chester Ludgin/Frances Bible/John Macurdy/Joyce Ebert/Paul Ukena/Jack DeLon/Eunice Alberts
Act IV: 'God Does Not Need My Name' - Chester Ludgin/Jack DeLon/Joyce Ebert/John MacurdyEurnice Alberts/Frances Bible.

Customer Reviews:

An opera that deserves consideration by a major company.......2003-10-04

I became familiar with this recording of the "The Crucible" back in the 60's when it was available on the old CRI label. It was an exciting piece then and it remains one now. It has been a puzzle to me why such an opera has not been taken up and presented regularly by major companies. The music is appealing--and frequently more than that; the drama is potent and never fails to captivate; it offers wonderful opportunites to a cast of singing actors. So what's the problem?! Granted some of the liberties taken with the Arthur Miller text render certain moments dramatically unclear and the Gershwinesque strains that accompany the slave Tituba's character are certainly a mistake. Still, the work as a whole is an exciting one. Hightlights abound, with the whole of the last act being especially moving.

This is still the only recording available and, overall, it is excellent. The leads perfectly embody the roles of John and Elizabeth Proctor, while the balance of the cast, a few vocal duds notwithstanding, competently fill in the many character roles.

The CD sound is very good and far superior to my old vinyl disks.

If you've never heard "The Crucible," give this recording a chance. It is well worth your time.

Soaring majesty!.......2001-12-19

This performance is a gem. Just the soaring majesty of Frances Bible is well worth the experience. What a sadly underrated artist. The final duet with Bible and Ludgin is a lesson in passionate, searing drama and full-out singing.

a favorite opera with an old and inconsistent performance.......1999-03-23

I had the privilege of being part of a cast of this opera at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the late 70's, directed by the avuncular Herbert Wildeboor (since deceased). I've always loved the 7/8 hymn at the end of the first act. However, this performance is very uneven, including generally unfortunate singing by female leads, and bad acting (at least) by the person singing Reverend Parris. Reverend Hale and John Proctor are consistently good. And the orchestra parts, very demanding, are well handled. It astounds me that there is no new recording in all these years. I've since seen it done in Pittsburgh and know it's being done somewhere on the West Coast. While Mr. Ward's music is considered cliche by some, I prefer it much to, for example, Moore's Ballad of Baby Doe. Perhaps my affection for it is due to having the opportunity to perform it.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Average customer rating:

Race to Old New York
Masterpiece.
Fantastic!
"Where's my second disc?" (sarcasm)
Goldenthal at his peak performance

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Elliot Goldenthal , L'Arc-En-Ciel , and Lara Fabian
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005LNC2
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Tracks:

The Spirit Within
Race To Old New York
The Phantom Plains
Code Red
The Kiss
Entrada
Toccata And Dreamscapes
Music For Dialogues
Winged Serpent
Zeus Cannon
Flight To The Wasteland
A Child Recalled
The Eighth Spirit
Dead Rain
Blue Light
Adagio And Transfiguration
The Dream Within
Spirit Dreams Inside

Amazon.com

This film adaptation of the popular video game series attempts a technological breakthrough: computer-generated, photo-realistic renditions of human characters. But while critics and audiences gave mixed marks to game creator and film producer-director Hironobu Sakaguchi's ambitious technical efforts, it was ironically the film's most obviously human elements--its veteran actors' voice performances and, crucially, the masterful score by Elliot Goldenthal--that really brought it to life. Goldenthal's work is a sweeping orchestral masterpiece that covers vast musical territory, from the action-adventure of Korngold to the fantasy strains of Herrmann, florid Russian romanticism to touches of late-20th-century modernism. With the London Symphony in full voice and then some, Goldenthal's music is treated to a performance of rare dynamic range and dramatic power; the edgy, modern brass flourishes and thunderous percussion of "Toccata and Dreamscapes" alone may have listeners groping for their seatbelts. The album also features a pair of obligatory pop tracks, Lara Fabian's "The Dream Within" (which makes good use of Goldenthal's romantic themes) and L'Arc-en-Ciel's "Spirit Dreams Inside" (which doesn't). --Jerry McCulley

Album Details

Asian Version featuring a Bonus Track: 'screaming' by Candy Lo.

Customer Reviews:

Race to Old New York.......2007-04-01

-I'm not big on RPG's so I don't know much about the "Final Fantasy" games, but I do hear that the scores are largely excellent so I was a bit surprised when the game composer wasn't used and the great Elliot Goldenthal was brought in instead. Unlike the movie which is a beautiful disappointment, the score is fantastic and definitely one of the best from this very underrated composer that does not get the respect he deserves.

-The best piece of music on the album and one of the best musical cues I've heard in my life is "Race to Old New York" which starts off with this fast moving strings that plays this simple melody, then shortly after the brass comes in and picks up the melody which keeps going to the short cue comes to it's natural resolution. I don't seem to remember hearing that cue in the movie which was a shame because it's so wonderful.

-Other tracks that should make glad that you have ears are "The Phantom Plains", "Dead Rain", "Code Red", "Music for Dialogues", "Winged Serpent", "Zeus Cannon", and "Adagio and Transfiguration". I love how he blends the techno stuff with the orchestral elements in "Dead Rain" and "Winged Serpent" is just creepy as hell. "Zeus Cannon" is a majestic piece that sounds like the music that should accompany a Greek god. "Music for Dialogues" is a great piece that should be familiar territory for all Goldenthal fans.

-There is an isolated track on the DVD which is great, but Goldenthal seems to have the same problem that great composer Marco Beltrami has, which is to talk over the music. Most of the cues he does talk over are on the album so it's not that big of a problem, although I do wish he would have actually talked for the scenes when there was no music. 10 minutes would pass by and we won't hear a peep from him, but he is a brilliant composer so I guess we can forgive his lack of great DVD commentaries.

-Even if you find the movie to be a little disappointing, the score should keep you interested. It's fresh, it's great and gives birth to "Race to Old New York" which should be included in any filmmusic geek's top 50 of great musical cues of all time

Masterpiece........2006-11-28

I cannot express how finely crafted this score is. Goldenthal is one of my favorite composers (not just for film) and this is definitely one of his highlights. I believe that where this score really shines is Elliot's way of making really simple musical ideas sound extremely intense and grand. For example, Race to Old New York, one of my favorite cues, has an extremely powerful opening that is nothing but a string ensemble racing up and down a g minor chord. Yet it instantly exposes many raw emotions that other composers would need a few movements of a symphony to convey. Most of Goldenthal's trademarks can be found in this score. Horn tone clusters, near-atonal trills on brass, and HUGE, no, EPIC orchestrations that we fell in love with in Titus. The glass harmonica (and the way Elliot employs it) found its way into this film from the score for Interview with the Vampire. I could go on, but I won't. This is a remarkable CD by one of the best living composers (now that Ligeti is no longer with us).

Fantastic!.......2006-02-09

This has to be Goldenthal's best score to date! It's an orchestral masterpiece performed by none other than the London Symphony Orchestra.

Let me explain a few awesome tracks before giving the downside to this release.

The album opens with ambient noise and dark choir, much like Horner's Aliens. The second track, "Race to Old New York", doesn't appear on the film, or as this cue version does on the album. It's played by racing strings and low brass. Very good track and one of my favorites.

"The Kiss" proves to Hollywood and Goldenthal skeptics that he is able to pull of romantic, soothing themes. "The Kiss" is a romantic theme played by piano with some strings.

"Toccata and Dreamscapes" is the longest and most difficult track to perform. Goldenthal employs 40 French horns (!) to blast, grunt and shrill away every once in a while during the percussion and interrupted string action. One of the best tracks!

"Adagio and Transfiguration" closes the score album with a sad, sweeping reprise of the romantic theme and finishes on a solo trumpet.

Between all of these reviewed tracks are mixtures of sweeping cues, rolling strings, tense moments and dark choir. All this makes for a very diverse range of music on about 50 minutes of score for this release.

The album ends with two songs. Lara Fabian's rendition of the love theme in pop form is nice but is ruined by the last song on the album not worth mentioning. The rock song ruins the entire listening experience.

The Complaints:
One I've already mentioned: the stupid rock song at the end of the CD; two, the music is not in chronological order, but I guess it makes for a better listening experience; and three, much good music is missing! "Dead Rain" is almost 8 minutes long on the film and we only get about 2 minutes on the album cut. The good thing about the special edition DVD is that we get the option of an isolated track and commentary by Elliot Goldenthal. Goldenthal is smart leaving the music cues that didn't appear on the album uncommented.

Get this soundtrack and the special edition DVD. They're worth every penny!

"Where's my second disc?" (sarcasm).......2005-09-15

If you've seen Final Fantasy - The Spirits Within DVD, you've probably listened to the isolated score with commentary by Elliot Goldenthal, during which you will notice that he talks over certain bits of score but leaves other chunks of score alone, un-interrupted.

It more or less translates to this: The sections of score he talks over seem to all be here on the soundtrack and well covered. The several chunks of score he doesn't talk over some over eight minutes in length: completely axed and not used for this soundtrack.

"Dead Rain" is missing about seven minutes of great scoring which blend into it seemlessly in the film. Why do those responsible for cutting the score for a film's soundtrack axe some of the better parts (in my mind) in exchange for one or two tracks that don't seem to tell as much of a story? I've experienced this with so many scores I've bought. Exceptional pieces used in films getting axed.. and for what? The expense of a second disc? I'd gladly pay for a second disc or for a third folks. I really would, especially with scores like this.

Which is why I'm giving this soundtrack 3 stars. Not because the music sucks, it's great and I enjoyed every minute of it. Just remember to own the film on DVD as well as this soundtrack so you can get a little extra from Elliot.

Goldenthal at his peak performance.......2005-07-22

Elliot Goldenthal wrote a grand, majestic score for the computer-animated science-fiction spectacle "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." The music bursts with roaring brass under climactic string arpeggios, carrying the listener high on a violent tidal wave, when suddenly the wave is broken and settles down with a soft female voice humming over an elusive and beautiful melody played on the piano. There's a sparse use of the synthesizer, apart from some choir effects in the background and echoing ambient sounds. The accent is very much on music played by a big orchestra.
This film doubtlessly features one of Goldenthal's best film scores. It's rich and inspired in every scene and every take. It keeps your attention, down to the last minute on the album. The music for the dream sequences is the most complex and grand, with a complex combination of percussion, string arpeggios and brass - often culminating like a thunderstorm, but always leaving a calm resuscitation behind. Buy this if you like modern, complex, grand music and lush sweeping "dreamscape" music.

This one gets 4 stars.

Average customer rating:

Spirit's Best Overall Album.
absolute classic!
The Best of a Bygone Era
SPIRIT EVOLUTION

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005UDOB
Release Date: 2002-12-09

Tracks:

Prelude - Nothin' to Hide
Nature's Way
Animal Zoo
Love Has Found a Way
Why Can't I Be Free
Mr. Skin
Space Child
When I Touch You
Street Worm
Life Has Just Begun
Morning Will Come
Soldier
Rougher Road [#][*]
Animal Zoo [Mono Single Version][*]
Morning Will Come [Alternate Mono Mix][#][*]
Red Light Roll On [*]

Album Description

Full title - Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus. Millenium digipak edition of 1970 album, remastered (Super Bit Mapping) with original sleeve. 16 tracks includes 4 bonus cuts 'Rougher Road' (previously unissued), 'Animal Zoo' (mono single version), 'Morning Will Come' (alternate mono mix-previously unissued) & Red Light Roll On'. 2002.

Album Details

Tri-fold Millenium Digipak Reissue with Original Cover Art!

Customer Reviews:

Spirit's Best Overall Album........2005-06-01

The Twelve Dreams of Dr.Sardonicus represents the zenith of the "original" group Spirit and unfortunately the last album by the Randy California, Jay Ferguson, Mark Andes, John Locke and Ed Cassidy quintet. While other albums would follow with a dizzying combination of players leaving and returning, the failure of this album to be recognized commercially and to some extent critically (initially), led to a disappointment that ultimately dissolved a partnership that had produced four solid albums.

Abandoning producer Lou Adler's mellower, low key style for a punchier horn and guitar driven sound, while still maintaining a vocal-forward, unique rock - jazz eclectic sound that today belies it's early seventies roots, Sardonicus is today recognized as a classic.

Randy California's guitar, at times ethereal (Why Can't I Be Free?, Love Has Found A Way), or flat- out searing (Nothing To Hide, Morning Will Come), is rightly brought to the forefront. While classic Spirit touches are evident throughout the album - overdubbed leads, psychadelic flourishes, sweet, harmonic choruses and as always an eye to the enviromental folly of modern man (Nature's Way, Animal Zoo) this album is distinguished from their previous efforts in several ways.

No strangers to elaborate musical arrangements, particularly string accompaniments to accent and provide dramatic contrast ( see the Clear album ), the band uses flat-out barrel-house horn arrangements to punctuate the two songs worth the price of the album---Mr.Skin and Morning Will Come. From a band whose stock and trade is at times subtle harmonics and jazz inflections, these two house-rocking numbers are rock classics, guaranteed to get 'em up on their feet.

The album is also intended to be taken, listened to, as a whole. Each song literally bleeds into the next, with the overall impression of a quixotic, yet ultimately dour vision of what's to come - a vision which after some thirty-odd years has sadly been born out.

This work, while not getting it's just due at the time of it's release, has over the ensuing years garnered the critical acclaim that eventually comes to most unique, solidly crafted works which for a host of reasons were overlooked upon their initial release. The bonus tracks included with this reissue are just that - a bonus to an essential in any music enthusiast's library - a starting off point to explore all things "Spirit"ual.

absolute classic!.......2004-01-26

spirit at their peak were probably as good as any other band at its peak, the beatles, roling stones and who have you included.

if they have not achieved teh fame that they should have, a large part of the blame can be assigned to the fact that they prefered to perform a radio concert instead of playing in some unknown farm in the middle of nowhere. it just so happened that the middle-of-nowhere was some place called woodstock. who knows how big spirit would have been if they had played there. that is sheer conjecture.

however, one thing that needs no conjecture is the quality of their music. every single song in their first 4 albums is a masterpiiece and this album is the best of the best. listen to them now and thank me later. listen to this band if you like a strong melody based on great riffs and the odd jazz touch. think of them as america on a trip. only a million times better.

The Best of a Bygone Era.......2002-12-28

Spirit's albums prior to Dr. Sardonicus were on the rock cutting edge: progressive and creative yet with some very jazzy instrumentation that lent a more mature feel to their songs. Their talents and song writing had such breadth that their previous albums were somewhat disjointed. Everything came together with Dr. Sardonicus. It was the best of an era that embraced good musicianship, electronic wizardry, and no fear for pushing the envelope.

Dr. Sardonicus is a lush musical feast for the ear and the head. This album would probably be better known today if the original band had continued after its release. Alas, they did not. This is an album that is probably rightfully considered a "cult classic." You should consider giving it a listen and helping to elevate it into the mainstream status that it deserves. On the other hand, maybe you shouldn't. Maybe you're not ready for it.

SPIRIT EVOLUTION.......2002-09-01

IN THIS ALBUM SPIRIT SHOW A MATURE PROGRESIVE STYLE. A GREAT EVOLUTION OF THEIR SOUND AND THE COMPOSITIONS ARE REAL GOOD. THE EFFECTS IN THIS RECORDING COMPLEMENT THE SPIRIT BRAND. A GOOD BUY FOR ANY FOLLLOWER OF THIS GREAT GROUP... ONE OF THE BEST OF ALL TIMES. CHECK IT OUT!!!.

Average customer rating:

It's "Nature's Way" for all of us to buy the CD!
The soundtrack of my dreams
Very Pleased
Amazing
"I've been given the shaft"

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music

The Family That Plays Together
Spirit
Clear
Happy Trails
The Best of Spirit

ASIN: B0000024WH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Prelude - Nothin' to Hide
Nature's Way
Animal Zoo
Love Has Found a Way
Why Can't I Be Free
Mr. Skin
Space Child
When I Touch You
Street Worm
Life Has Just Begun
Morning Will Come
Soldier
Rougher Road [#][*]
Animal Zoo [Mono Single Version][*]
Morning Will Come [Alternate Mono Mix][#][*]
Red Light Roll On [*]

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

It's "Nature's Way" for all of us to buy the CD!.......2007-06-02

The soundtrack of my dreams.......2007-03-09

Very Pleased.......2007-02-05

Very pleased with the purchase of this har-to-find album. Delivered in great condition.

Amazing.......2006-08-02

"I've been given the shaft".......2006-07-22

Average customer rating:

What Dreams May Come

Manufacturer: Albany Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Eric Whitacre: Cloudburst and other choral works
Eric Whitacre: The Complete A Cappella Works, 1991-2001
Water & Light
Nocturne
Voices and Light

ASIN: B00064AEB0
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Average customer rating:

Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus
Spirit
Manufacturer: Repertoire
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Family That Plays Together
Why Dontcha
Octopus
Happy Trails
Gentle Giant

ASIN: B000MEYHQM
Release Date: 2007-02-26

Tracks:

Prelude - Nothin' to Hide
Nature's Way
Animal Zoo
Love Has Found a Way
Why Can't I Be Free
Mr. Skin
Space Child
When I Touch You
Street Worm
Life Has Just Begun
Morning Will Come
Soldier
Rougher Road
Animal Zoo [Mono Single Version]
Morning Will Come [Alternate Mono Mix]
Red Light Roll On

Album Details

Includes a Booklet with Authoritative and Extensive Liner Notes by Chris Welch.

Average customer rating:

Christmas Dreams

Manufacturer: Gentle Spirit Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Morning Has Broken
Come to the Water
How Great Thou Art
Be Not Afraid
City of God

ASIN: B0000C06O7
Release Date: 2003-08-03

Tracks:

The First Noel
Hark, the Herald Angels Sing
Joy to the World
How Far is it to Bethlehem
The Friendly Beasts
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
What Child is This
The Huron Carol
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The Coventry Carol
Away in a Manger
Silent Night
Deck the Halls
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Carol of the Birds
O Holy Night
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Jingle Bells
O Christmas Tree
We Three Kings
Angels We Have Heard on High
Come Shepherds, Rise
O Come All Ye Faithful

Album Description

A beautiful, instrumental album of traditional Christmas favorites.

Average customer rating:

Dennis O'Neill: Great Operatic Arias

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000023Z7Q
Release Date: 1999-11-16

Tracks:

Turandot: Calaf's Aria
Luisa Miller: Rodolfo's Aria
The Lombards At The First Crusade: Oronte's Cavatina
The Force Of Destiny: Alvaro's Recitative And Romance
The Force Of Destiny: Alvaro's Recitative And Romance
A Masked Ball: Gustavus's And Amelia's Duet
A Masked Ball: Gustavus's And Amelia's Duet
A Masked Ball: Gustavus's And Amelia's Duet
Lucia di Lammermoor: Aria Finale
Lucia di Lammermoor: Aria Finale
Lucia di Lammermoor: Aria Finale
Lucia di Lammermoor: Aria Finale
The Force Of Destiny: Don Carlo's And Alvaro's Duet
The Force Of Destiny: Don Carlo's And Alvaro's Duet
The Maid Of Arles: Federico's Lament
Manon: Des Grieux's Dream Song
The African Maid: Vasco's Recitative And Aria
Manon Lescaut: Des Grieux's Aria
Turandot: Calaf's Aria
Fedora: Count Loris Ipanov's Aria
The Pearl Fishers: Nadir's and Zurga's Duet

Amazon.com

Dennis O'Neill is a wonderfully sensitive, intelligent singer--a tenor who varies his tone and delivery for each character. He also sings the music as written, with every dynamic shading in place. Yes, he manages high B-flats pianissimo without resorting to falsetto, and he also rises somewhat heroically to heavier moments. But there's a rub. The loud, high notes are a bit nasty--a slight wobble comes into the voice and a sense of strain is more than noticeable. His exquisite, piano beginning of "O paradiso" ("Oh land of dreams") from L'Africaine is only a sad memory when you hear the vaguely bawled high notes throughout. His "Reve" from Manon is lovely in its sustained peacefulness, and while he's very exciting in the big Act II duet from Ballo (with soprano Susan Bullock as a fine Amelia), there are always those unfortunate "big" notes to reckon with. Perhaps that's why the gorgeous Pearl Fishers duet, with baritone Anthony Michaels-Moore, ends the program so successfully. The soft notes are more prominent than the troublesome forte ones. Perhaps this is being too picky--O'Neill is a worthy singer, he makes these arias and scenes palatable in translation (even Alvaro's music from Forza is believable), and artistry like this is a pleasure to come across. --Robert Levine

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