Customer Reviews

Model Shop

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While it would be nice to say we have a previously unreleased album by the original Spirit, it wouldn't be exactly true. For the most part this is another version of the vinyl album Sundazed released a couple of years ago called "Eventide" combined with the version of Fog from their companion Sundazed album "Now Or Anywhere". Five of the songs were also released on the retrospective CD "Time Circle". Aren't You Glad doesn't really add anything to the originaly released version. Not to say this isn't a very good CD. The fact that they could write such great music for such a godawful movie is a tribute to their talent. These songs really showcase the talents of John Locke, both as a performer & a songwriter, like none of Spirit's other albums. This CD is worth having, just be aware that almost all of this material has been available before.

I heard about this recording, the fact that it was a film soundtrack, and the fact that it was recorded in 1968, and the first thing I thought of was The Family That Plays Together-- everything but I Got A Line On You. And that's what it is like, but more jazz inflected. It's still got the trademark California guitar that soars at times but this album doesn't outright rock as much as it simmers; it does a slow boil. It's more of a smokey fire than a roaring blaze. Real fans of Spirit's first three recordings (this music relates not much at all to Twelve Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus)should be able to appreciate this. Spirit was not a one dimensional rock band. They were subtle; they were sublime. They were a perfect vehicle for a film score. If you were of that time, and if you know what it was like at the end of 12 hours of sunshine and watching the emergence of the new dawn, you get a sense of the space this recording inhabits. It's a terrific and totally unexpected find.

Sometimes one only needs to go as far as a lost piece of music to hear clear ly why Spirit is one of the most underrated bands in rock history.
If I may respectfully disagree thoroughly with music man's review
I'd like to address a few points made in his um un-spirited experience.

Prior to the 1980s
most movie music was mixed in mono
so what you're hearing is the way the music was recorded and mixed in it's original form
Without the enhanced digital cheeze
In Other Words
You're hearing the way the movie and the music sounded when and if you were one of the 50 people that went to the theater to see it.

I loved the movie btw
but then again I'd like anything that has amazing shots of Laurel Canyon and Sunset Strip circa
late 60's
Let alone actual footage of Spirit playing music together

but I digress

2nd of All
What you're getting on this record is mood
music for a rainy afternoon for daze
Spooky foggy jazzy psychedelic, funky
what style of music couldn't this band play well?

If you are a true Spirit fan you will have to buy this.
If you're a fan of unique film music this is for you as well.

Randy California Rock In Peace

Keep Spinning
Cosmo Topper

I much anticipated the arrival of Model Shop only to be diasappointed with it. I was expecting more than pedestrian soundtrack music I guess. It has some moments but they are few and far between. I am a Spirit fan but this is disappointing and the description is a bunch of hype. As a die hard Spirit fan I am glad to have it but it will not get played a lot.
That is just my opinion.

Spirit is one of my all time favorite groups (especially the original Spirit group!) Being that this music is by the original 5 group members, it does provide the Spirit aficionado with a good nostalgic addition to their first 4 LPs.

This soundtrack was recorded before the release of Spirit's third LP, "Clear" and has a few tracks that were futher evolved and released on "Clear".

If you can get it - get it!

It's worth having at a discount price (I paid full). Some of it is good and other parts are uninteresting. Fairs very, very pale to their first two albums with the diverse mix of jazz and rock fusion.

I agree with the other reviewer-this CD should not have been released -most of it is instrumental with no vocals and slow jazz that puts you to sleep--a little like the instrumentals on the Clear Album but not as good. One of the two vocal tracks is Aren't you Glad from the 2nd album-the notes says this version is unreleased but it sure sounds like the cut on the 2nd album.The rest of the album means nothing and goes nowhere--this will sit on my shelve only because I am a collector and I like the album design and notes, pictures. If you are not a collector, forget this one----------