Customer Reviews

Spirit in the Sky

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3 star:		(2)
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Those looking to Greenbaum's solo debut for tracks that measure up to the cultural touchstone, "Spirit in the Sky," are likely to be disappointed. However, taken on its own merits, this 1969 release has something more to offer. In addition to the original 13 tracks, Varese's reissue adds three previously unreleased demos (including the original acoustic version of "Spirit in the Sky"), and a radio promo (whose layered editing must have sounded right at home on FM underground radio).

The leap from Greenbaum's acoustic demo to the finished production of "Spirit in the Sky" is an education in itself. The original, plucked on an acoustic guitar, shorn of the fuzz guitar and the Stovall Sisters backing vocals, fits more tightly with the simpler, hippie blues-pop that fills the rest of the album. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this reissue is just how out-of-place the final production of "Spirit" sounds. The dominating guitar riff and psychedelic intonations elevate this cut to a level beyond what Greenbaum was predominantly up to at the time.

Listening to the demo, with Greenbaum's unadorned, wavery vocals, the focus returns to the lyrics, which turn out to have the same sort of opacity as many other cuts. It's this fuzziness that allowed "Spirit" to be interpreted as everything from proto-Christian rock to ironic, nearly anti-religious ideas. And its the original spirit of the lyrics, heard in the demo, that connects the song to the album.

The remaining tracks range from memorably melodic pop ("Skyline" "School for Sweet Talk") to Dan Hicks-styled gospel ("Jubilee") to tin-pan alley ("Chocolate Milk"), to rock, blues and soul (including some nice horn charts and wah-wah guitar). The topics include many hippie lifestyle classics, such as farm life and dope smoking ("Tars of India"). The follow-up single, "Canned Ham" (which stalled out at #46) is also included. It's hard to know how these tracks would fare, had they not been born in the shadow of "Spirit in the Sky."

Players include personnel from Sopwith Camel, Crowfoot, and Dan Hicks' Hot Licks. The liner notes by Wayne Jancik include an interesting interview with Greenbaum himself, but points off to Varese for printing them against a background that makes reading so difficult!

I had this album in vinyl back when.

Spirit in the Sky is a classic Rock must have. Not really typical of the rest of Mr. Greenbaum's work as I see it. Norman Greenbaum has a quirky kind of appeal when I am in the right mood.

Spirit in the Sky is my favorite cut. Rather than get it on some compilation album I opted to get the full CD. Which also gives you the bonus Spirit in the Sky demo version and Save Me for a Rainy Day.

I was glad to revisit Milk Cow and Good Lookin' Woman.

You know what's funny to me?

Over the last 20 years I've been listening to FM radio (well that's not entirely true- the last 10 years FM radio has been terrible IMO so I only listen in occasionally) disc jockeys have ALWAYS been saying Norman Greenbaum is only famous "for one big hit". Constantly beating this fact into our head, implying it's the only song of his worth knowing.

Yes, he's only famous for "Spirit in the Sky", but guess what? The quality of his songwriting makes him a LOT better than people (particularly radio stations) have been giving him credit for, and as a result of his superior songwriting skills, it's *well* worth hearing this album.

"Skyline" is a HIGHLY memorable pop song similar to something Donovan could have created, and the crying and soothing guitar playing and beautifully sung vocal melody makes this song a clear winner in my mind. "Junior Cadillac" has a great jazzy section reminiscent of Chicago perhaps, and "Milk Cow" is a slightly hilarious take on the blues with, once again, highly enjoyable vocals and arrangements.

Ignoring this wonderful artist because you're supposed to follow the false belief he only had one good song would be a mistake of gigantic proportions. Get this album as soon as possible.

I was one of those kids who bought the single, and for fun, played the b-side. That's how I was familiar with Milk Cow and Canned Ham (Irony) The demo versions are the stars on this CD. They remind me of Jonathan Edwards (Sunshine) and i wish Mr. Greenbaum would have stuck with that formula. Perhaps his career would have lasted a lot longer than just the one famous song and some minor hits.

Nice to take a trip back. Of course the title song is wonderful but keep an open mind and ear for the rest of the CD...well worth the time. I'll always love this.

I grew up listening to this music and had not heard it for awhile. Went to a rock Christain concert and the band played THE SONG Spirit in the Sky. Brought back many memories. Had to order CD. Realling enjoying the music. Thanks

A fantastic album from years gone by! So glad to have found this after looking for so many years!

...Talk about fond memories. This album brought back some of my favorite memories from the time the album came out in 1970 and the following years. Wild things were going on during that era and I was old enough to participate in the fun.

To listen to the greatest rock song with a sax (Spirit In the Sky) is a marvelous treat no matter what type of day I am having. It always brings a smile to my face as I drift off to 1970 all over again. This is arguably the greatest song of 1970.

Hearing the dreamy song "Alice Bodine" almost puts a tear on my face. It is such a heart felt song and well written by Norman Greenbaum that it makes me aware of the pain he must have experienced during a wonderful relationship with Alice. It parallels my own experience of a relationship I had. The good thing about it is the song is so good that while feeling and remembering the past, I can only smile because I have the wonderful memories from what transpired during that time, even though the girl is gone.

Junior Cadillac, Skyline and Jubilee are icing on the cake. These are very good songs that are fun to listen to and sing along with.

What's amazing about the album is Norman wrote all t