Record Reviews

SPIRIT ~ TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS (DELUXE EDITION) ESOTERIC 2792 (Barcode: 5013929479289) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2022 This is a 2CD reissue / remaster / expanded edition of the fourth album by the iconic American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist, which comprised of vocalist / guitarist Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist, vocalist / percussionist Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist John LockeFind albums by this artist, vocalist / bassist Mark AndesFind albums by this artist and drummer Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist. The original album consisted of twelve tracks, mostly written by California and Ferguson. This edition adds ten bonus tracks, six of which are previously unreleased. Also added is a second / bonus CD with seventeen previously unreleased tracks recorded live at the Fillmore West in SF in May 1970. The album was curated by the Spirit archivist Mick SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the informative, as always, booklet accompanying the album. Skidmore was in charge of the entire Spirit reissue program on EsotericFind albums on this label records, a truly mammoth undertaking. In retrospect “Twelve Dreams” achieved a status of a cult album and obviously is one of the most important Classic Rock albums of all times. Of course all the first four Spirit albums were simply sensational, but here the group manages to reach a perfect symbiosis od many Rock styles, including Psychedelia, Art Rock and even some Jazzy / Fusiony sparks. Sadly, as it often happens with Rock groups, after a peak comes a downfall, and Spirit would never climb again to such artistic heights as those achieved here, although everything Spirit and Randy California ever recorded is worth pursuing. It is worth mentioning that Spirit were a very untypical American Rock group and musically / stylistically / intellectually found a much better reception in Europe than at home. Somehow the complex melody layers and subject matter of the lyrics resounded better in European ears, which is after all hardly surprising. Overall, this is a remarkable edition of an iconic Classic Rock album, enriched by massive bonus material and put together with great attention to detail and obvious love, and as such deserves an honorable place in any serious record collection on earth. Essential indeed!

Updated: 04/05/2022Posted: 04/05/2022

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

SPIRIT ~ TWELVE DREAMS OF DR. SARDONICUS (MILLENIUM EDITION) EPIC 505476 (Barcode: 5099750547625) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2001 4th album. This time SpiritFind albums by this artist decided to produce a `concept album` and the resulting epic work became one of the classic albums of all times. Strongest songwriting to date and exquisit playing mark this milestone recording as one of the best ever Rock albums. More psychedelic influenced then previous 3 albums. An absolute classic!

Updated: 12/09/2020Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend