SPIRIT - THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER 12" Vinyl LP Album

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"The Family That Plays Together", the second of four albums released by the original Spirit lineup, was marketed by Ode Records in 1968. Unlike its predecessor, Spirit, their self-titled and surreal debut, "The Family That Plays Together" evinces more greatly the band's ability for playing beyond the genre of psychedelic rock than within it. Tracks "It Shall Be" and "Silky Sam" demonstrate the ease with which the ensemble can incorporate jazz into their idiosyncratic form of rock, while "Jewish" and "Aren't You Glad" evidenced the band's competence in exploiting, to their advantage, both world music and jam rock respectively. "Poor Richard," "Jewish," and "All the Same" feature glorious double track lead breaks from guitarist California. The inspiration behind entitling The Family was derived from the stepson-stepfather relationship guitarist Randy California and percussionist Ed Cassidy shared.

Photo of album back cover SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album

"The Family That Plays Together": A Psychedelic Fusion Masterpiece:

Released in 1968, Spirit's second album, "The Family That Plays Together," stands as a testament to the band's innovative fusion of psychedelic rock, jazz, and blues. This groundbreaking record solidified Spirit's unique sound and cemented their place as one of the most experimental and forward-thinking bands of the era.

Musical Style and Influences

"The Family That Plays Together" showcases Spirit's diverse musical influences, seamlessly blending elements of psychedelic rock, jazz improvisation, and blues-inspired guitar riffs. The album's eclectic sound is further enhanced by the band's incorporation of classical and world music elements, creating a truly unique listening experience.

The album's opening track, "I Got a Line on You," is a prime example of Spirit's signature sound, featuring a driving rhythm section, intricate guitar work, and soaring vocals. Other standout tracks include the psychedelic-infused "Drunkard"

The Band

Spirit's lineup at the time of the album's release consisted of:

Jay Ferguson: Lead vocals, keyboards, percussion

Randy California: Lead guitar, vocals

John Locke: Keyboards

Mark Andes: Bass, vocals

Ed Cassidy - drums, percussion

Learn about Ed Cassidy's work with Spirit and Randy California

Each member brought their own unique musical talents to the table, contributing to the album's rich and diverse sound.

Legacy

"The Family That Plays Together" was a critical and commercial success, reaching number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's popularity helped to solidify Spirit's reputation as one of the leading psychedelic rock bands of the late 1960s.

Today, "The Family That Plays Together" is considered a classic of the psychedelic rock genre, and its influence can be heard in the work of countless artists. The album's innovative sound and eclectic mix of genres continue to inspire and captivate listeners decades after its initial release.

Music Genre:

 Acid Jazz, Psych Prog Rock 

Album Production Information:

The album: "SPIRIT - Family That Plays Together" was produced by: Lou Adler

LOU ADLER The Visionary Producer Who Shaped Music and Film.

Lou Adler, a name synonymous with innovation and success in both the music and film industries, has left an enduring mark on popular culture. His multifaceted career as a record producer, film producer, and entrepreneur has solidified his status as a legendary figure.

Monterey Pop Festival: A Turning Point in Music History

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Adler played a pivotal role in organizing the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967. This groundbreaking event, held in California, marked a turning point in music history. It showcased emerging talents like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Who, exposing them to a wider audience and launching them into superstardom. Adler's vision for the festival, which emphasized artistic expression and cultural diversity, helped establish it as a model for future music events.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Cult Classic

In the realm of film, Adler's executive production of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" solidified his reputation as a tastemaker with an eye for the unconventional. The film, with its unique blend of music, campy humor, and subversive themes, became a cult classic, inspiring devoted fan communities and midnight screenings that continue to this day. Adler's willingness to embrace the film's eccentricity contributed to its enduring appeal.

A Hitmaker in the Recording Studio

As a record producer, Adler's track record is nothing short of remarkable. He produced numerous hit records for a diverse range of artists, including The Mamas & the Papas, Carole King, The Grass Roots, and Jan & Dean. His work on Carole King's landmark album "Tapestry," which won four Grammy Awards, is considered a masterpiece of pop music production. Adler's ability to nurture artists' creativity and craft commercially successful records solidified his position as a sought-after producer in the industry.

Adler's eclectic taste extended to producing records for the innovative rock band Spirit, known for their psychedelic and jazz-influenced sound. He produced their critically acclaimed album "Clear," which featured the hit single "Nature's Way." Adler's production helped to capture the band's unique sound and contribute to their growing popularity.

He also produced several albums for the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, including their self-titled debut and "Wedding Album." Adler's production skills translated seamlessly to the comedy genre, helping to capture the duo's irreverent humor and create records that resonated with a wide audience.

Beyond the Music: An Entrepreneurial Spirit

Adler's entrepreneurial spirit extended beyond producing records and films. He co-founded Dunhill Records and later Ode Records, both of which played significant roles in the music industry. He also co-owned the Roxy Theatre, a renowned music venue in West Hollywood, where countless legendary acts graced the stage.

 

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Eric Wienbang, Armin Stiener

Album cover design: Tom Wilkes

Album cover photography: Guy Webster

Record Label & Catalognr:

EPIC KE 31461 / AL 31461 , ODE Records Z12 44014

Media Format:

 

12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

 1968 Made in USA
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SPIRIT - Family That Plays Together
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • Mark Andes - Bass, Vocals
  • Randy California - Bass, Guitar, Vocals

    Randy California, aka Randy Wolfe, was a gifted guitarist and songwriter best known for co-founding the psychedelic rock band Spirit. Mentored by Jimi Hendrix, Randy's innovative playing and songwriting shaped Spirit's unique sound, learn more.

  • Ed Cassidy - drums, percussion

    Learn about Ed Cassidy's work with Spirit and Randy California

  • Jay Ferguson - Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals
  • John Locke - Keyboards
Complete Track-listing of the album "SPIRIT - Family That Plays Together"

The detailed tracklist of this record "SPIRIT - Family That Plays Together" is:

    Track-listing :
  1. "I Got a Line on You" California 2:39
  2. "It Shall Be" 3:24
  3. "Poor Richard" 2:31
  4. "Silky Sam" 4:57
  5. "Drunkard" 2:27
  6. "Darlin' If" California 2:27
  7. "All the Same" California, Cassidy 4:41
  8. "Jewish" California 3:23
  9. "Dream within a Dream" 3:13
  10. "She Smiles"" 2:30

SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album High Resolution & Quality Photos

Front Cover Photo Of SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album
Front Cover Photo Of SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album

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Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash. Images can be zoomed in/out ( eg pinch with your fingers on a tablet or smartphone )

Photo Of The Back Cover SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album
Photo of album back cover SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album

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Close up of record's label SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album Side One:
Close up of record's label SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together 12" LP Vinyl Album Side One

Yellow Color EPIC KE 31461 Record Label Details: Printed in U.S.A.

SPIRIT Selected Vinyl Records & Album Cover Gallery
SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together
SPIRIT - The Family That Plays Together  album front cover vinyl record

Released in 1968, Spirit's second album, "The Family That Plays Together," stands as a testament to the band's innovative fusion of psychedelic rock, jazz, and blues. This groundbreaking record solidified Spirit's unique sound and cemented their place as one of the most experimental and forward-thinking bands

The Family That Plays Together 12" Vinyl LP
SPIRIT - Feedback
SPIRIT - Feedback album front cover vinyl record

The 1972 SPIRIT - Feedback with Gatefold album civer is an original USA pressing of a 12" LP vinyl album released by the band Spirit. This album is known for its unique gatefold cover design and features a collection of songs that showcase the band's diverse musical style.

Feedback 12" Vinyl LP
SPIRIT - S/T Self-Titled Ode Records
SPIRIT - S/T Self-Titled Ode Records  album front cover vinyl record

Emerging in the music scene of 1968, Spirit's eponymous debut album captured the zeitgeist of the psychedelic era with its groundbreaking musical exploration and controversial themes. Produced by the legendary Lou Adler and recorded at the renowned Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood

SPIRIT - S/T Self-Titled Ode Records 12" Vinyl LP
SPIRIT - Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus
SPIRIT - Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus  album front cover vinyl record

Released in 1970 amidst a backdrop of growing environmental awareness and social unrest, Spirit's fourth album, "Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus," emerged as a visionary work that blended psychedelic rock with ecological themes and sonic experimentation.

Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus 12" Vinyl LP