Customer Reviews

Spooky Two (Dig)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1969, the British/American band Spooky Tooth released what would become one of the classic rock albums of all time. Featuring vocalist Mike Harrison, keyboardist/vocalist (and American) Gary Wright, guitarist Luther Grosvenor, the late Greg Ridley on bass and Mike Kellie on drums, this second release solidified their reputation as one of the truly unique and innovative groups on the scene. Simply put, there is not one weak moment on this album, and it stands the test of time. While the group took a near-fatal dive with their ill-fated third release, the nearly unlistenable electronic mess titled `Ceremony', `Spooky Two' hit the bulls-eye. With their ominous organ sound, wailing guitar, solid rhythm section and the dual vocal attack of Harrison and Wright, this album remains my single favorite rock album of all time. If I were stuck on the proverbial desert island with ten CDs, this would be number one on the list!

While this album has long been available as a domestic release, the newly released, remastered version just put out on the superb Repertoire label (import) occasions this review. Never have the songs sounded better; with enhanced separation and more depth, such songs as `Waitin' For the Wind', `Feeling Bad', `Evil Woman' and `That Was Only Yesterday' sound fresh and potent. As an added treat, this release features four additional tracks (three merely mono radio versions of album cuts), with one (Oh! Pretty Woman) previously only available on a bootleg titled `First Tooth' (and it was a poor sounding live version at that). In addition, Repertoire has replicated the original album design, making it a gatefold CD. There is a fascinating six-page booklet included, with commentary by Mike Harrison, containing lots of interesting trivia (Steve Winwood played piano on `I've Got Enough Heartaches', for example).

With so many well-hyped contemporary rock albums amounting to little more than third-rate dreck, it is a real treat to be able to hear music of this caliber sounding better than ever. If you were a fan of this album, this is a must-have replacement for the mediocre-sounding domestic release. If you are unfamiliar with this band, there is no better way to become acquainted than by grabbing this superlative Repertoire release. You will not be disappointed!

One day I was reading through the album reviews in the latest copy of Circus Magazine and I read this review about this band I had never heard of called Spooky Tooth. The reviewer declared that this album was for total blues freaks only and only someone totally into that genre would be truly able to appreciate it. Since I considered myself to be in that category I went down to the local 5 & 10 cent store and special ordered it the very next day.To this day I think this album is unequalled in the hard rock blues category.Lead guitarist Luther Grosvenor lays it down in a hard an unrelenting drive on "Evil Woman" while in other songs the vocals are almost like gospel.I've never heard an album that I felt from the mind,soul,gut and groin the way this one does.Luther Grosvenor went on to play with Mott the Hoople under the handle Ariel Bender and later with Widowmaker but never achieved the greatness he had with Spooky Tooth. Quite a shame.

In a previous review of this recording, I called it one of the masterpieces of rock. While that is still how I feel, this new edition has improved the sound, as well as adding a previously unreleased recording of "Oh Pretty Woman" that is fantastic. I didn't think that it could be done but this is an improved edition of the great "Spooky Two".

Got this for my hippy dad for Christmas. I figured they were a band from West Virginia because anywhere else they would have been called, "Spooky Teeth". He loves them though and loves this CD too.

This is one of those classic "any old hippie worthy of his flash-backs just has to have it in his collection" albums. I had this once when it first came out. I can't remember now if I played the poor thing to death, loaned it to a girlfriend and never got it back, or simply lost track of it. Time passed. Then I accidentally came across it again here on Amazon. So, old hippie that I am, I just had to have it in my collection - again. So for me, this is Spooky Two - Two. Still sounds just as great as did the first time. Good music is like that.

I certainly agree with every enthusiastic review by the other listeners. I'd add a note to the uninitiated however - if you can imagine how great a combination of Led Zep, Traffic, Spirit, and the Righteous Brothers would be - well it happened on this record. If you've never heard this, take a chance and check it out, you won't be disappointed. And for diehard fans wondering about the audio quality of this CD, it is superb, and includes a never before heard Savoy Brown-like blues track, Oh Pretty Woman. You can't go wrong.

I heard this album for the first time in 1970 and was captivated by it's musical style. I have owned a copy on vinyl all these years and when I saw it on CD I knew I had to get it. The music is timeless and hypnotic. Spooky Two is one of my classic "keepers".

There are really few albums of this caliber from 1969, although a lot of great ones appeared. It was certainly a creative peak collectively for rock. The reason this album holds up so damn well in my opinion is because of one thing - Mike Harrison! Phenominal singer. I just cannot overstate this enough. Although Gary Wright is a good singer too, Harrison just has a bit more depth and heart. His soulfulness is amazing! I might pick The Last Puff as my favorite ST album of all time but Spooky Two was gorgeous and holds up great as well. Background singers were superb to add to the depth as well. You will not be disappointed that is for sure!

Spooky Tooth is a great 1960's band. The cuts on this album are great and quite well done!!!

This import CD was slightly better than the U.S. version circa 1990, with more "air" in the recording, but sadly still too murky to be rated highly on sound. Still one of the very few record albums from any period that is highly listenable and complementary from beginning to end. Other reviewers have noted the "gospel flavor" etc., but there's a good reason why that's important here. Rock-n-Roll came from that, and it really works here. And this is not for nostalgia or the "music of our generation" mood - this album will play well anytime, anywhere.