Interesting Recordings by Fine Pop Psych Band
Morten Vindberg | Denmark | 08/23/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Grapefruit only recorded two albums and two handfuls of singles during their short existance from 1967-1970. So this BBC release is obviously a very welcome addition for fans of the band.
Promoted as the band that was launched and tipped for the top by the Beatles, most of their BBC recordings have been saved for the future; unlike many other "minor" bands of the 1960's. Moreover their songs were published by Apple Publishing, so their connection to the Beatles was relatively strong.
Though some songs bear an unmistakably Beatles influence, their music never really sound like the "Fab Four". Led by George Alexander, brother of George Young of the Easybeats, they had a versatile and prolific songwriter, who contributed most of their recorded material. Actually some tracks sound a little like the Easybeats.
Starting off with the relatively big chart success of "Dear Delilah" they released 3 more singles in 1968 all of which were also recorded for BBC and included here. Unfortunately none of these later singles nor the ones takes from their second album "Deep Water" reached the Top Twenty.
In 1969 their sound changed dramatically with two new members and their pop-psych approach exchanged with a heavier r&b sound.
On the first three tracks from early 1968 the band was backed by the Bill Shepherd Orchestra. Besides from sounding great two of these recordings are great additions as they were never officially released. Both songs written by Alexander and as good as most of the songs on their consistent first album "Around Grapefruit".
On the second session the sound is slightly rougher but still good; interesting to hear the band do a version of Denny Laine's "Say You Don't Mind".
Another previously unreleased song, "Somebody's Turning on the People" is also found here.
The two short interviews with Alexander about new members and new sounds are interesting, but musically some of the magic was gone, and though "Deep Water" is a fine soulful r&b song it's really no wonder that the band chose to call it a day in 1970."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1