Spirit's "Model Shop"!


SPIRIT óTHE GROUNDBREAKING L.A. COMBO EQUALLY swayed by moody jazz and Hendrix-style rockíní rollówas born to record movie soundtracks. Unfortunately, they cut only one, for the seldom-seen 1969 Jacques Demy film Model Shop, but what a triumph it is: a magical blend of John Lockeís eerie keyboards, the soaring guitar of Randy California and Jay Fergusonís impassioned vocals and percussion, backed by the rock-steady bass and drums of Mark Andes and Ed Cassidy. Itís mindboggling that something as dazzling as the Model Shop soundtrackórecorded by the classic Spirit lineupó has been languishing unreleased in the vaults for over 35 years! The stuff of longplaying-legends and vinyl-myths, this full-length album was recorded in late 1968, but the completed master was shelved before release. Rescued from obscurity at last by Sundazed, this much rumored film-score gem is now center-stage where it can take a much deserved bow.

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About Jay Babcock

I am an independent writer and editor based in Tucson, Arizona. I publish LANDLINE at jaybabcock.substack.com Previously: I co-founded and edited Arthur Magazine (2002-2008, 2012-13) and curated the three Arthur music festival events (Arthurfest, ArthurBall, and Arthur Nights) (2005-6). Prior to that I was a district office staffer for Congressman Henry A. Waxman, a DJ at Silver Lake pirate radio station KBLT, a copy editor at Larry Flynt Publications, an editor at Mean magazine, and a freelance journalist contributing work to LAWeekly, Mojo, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Vibe, Rap Pages, Grand Royal and many other print and online outlets. An extended piece I wrote on Fela Kuti was selected for the Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000 anthology. In 2006, I was somehow listed in the Music section of Los Angeles Magazine's annual "Power" issue. In 2007-8, I produced a blog called "Nature Trumps," about the L.A. River. From 2010 to 2021, I lived in rural wilderness in Joshua Tree, Ca.

0 thoughts on “Spirit's "Model Shop"!”

  1. jb's avatar
    jb says:

    Jay, not sure if you were able to catch a screening at the Egyptian back in I think it was 2003 of the Model Shop. A brand new gorgeous print of the film with some great footage of late 60’s LA, mainly in Hollywood/west side and the Hills (could be the Hollywood Hills or Laurel Canyon, the Valley?) The print was so good it seemed like the footage was shot yesterday ‘cept the places they show are ghost haunts at corners and streets you know well. Pretty jarring. Some scenes with Spirit rehearsing at their “pad” and Gary Lockwood out of his orange 2001 space suit. Weird. Doesn’t reek of the LA authenticity of Norton’s Cisco Pike but what did you expect from the home of freedom fries . . . . have not heard the soundtrack though

    jb

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