The Family That Plays Together

Infobox Album |
Name = The Family That Plays Together
Type = Album
Artist = Spirit


Released = December 1968
Recorded = March 11-September 18, 1968
Genre = Rock
Length =
Label = Epic Records/Legacy Recordings
Producer = Lou Adler
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:l6fe4j470waq link]
Last album = "Spirit"
(1968)
This album = "The Family That Plays Together"
(1968)
Next album = "Clear"
(1969)

"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" and "Its All the Same" feature glorious double track lead breaks from guitarist California. The inspiration behind entitling "The Family" is alleged to have derived from the stepson-stepfather relationship guitarist Randy California and percussionist Ed Cassidy shared.

At some point after the album's first issue, the final mixes for the album were lost. Because of this, all subsequent CD releases by Sony, as well as the recent vinyl re-issue by Sundazed Records, are taken from new mixes made from the original multi-track tapes (the tracks that appeared on the "Time Circle" compilation were re-mixed as well, though the mixes differ) by Bob Irwin, Randy California and Ed Cassidy in 1996. Liner notes on the 1996 CD version state that it was "mixed and mastered by Vic Anesini, Sony Music Studios, New York." A general comparison between the original LP and the 1996 CD reissue makes this point obvious. Those who have more than a passing interest in the work should consider tracking down the original version on vinyl, as there are substantial differences in some places.

The 1996 compact disc reissue also contains five bonus tracks. Two of these appeared on the 1991 "Time Circle" compilation, while the other three are previously unissued.

Track listing

# "I Got a Line on You"
# "It Shall Be"
# "Poor Richard"
# "Silky Sam"
# "Drunkard"
# "Darlin' If"
# "It's All the Same"
# "Jewish"
# "Dream within a Dream"
# "She Smiles"
# "Aren't You Glad"
# "Fog" *
# "So Little To Say" *¹
# "Mellow Fellow" *¹
# "Now Or Anywhere" *
# "Space Chile" *¹

*Tracks specific to the 1996 reissue

¹Previously unreleased material