Few debuts are as initially powerful and permanently impressive as this 1967 set from San Francisco's Moby Grape. The triple-threat quintet (every member played, sang and wrote songs) serves up an utterly unique first cour... more »se that mixes psychedelia, hook-filled pop, blues and country elements. The album tosses off diamond-delicate ballads and full bore rockers with equal soul and inspiration -- and more energy than any other band then on the scene. Without a single duff cut, here's an album that plays as fresh and strong as the day it was first released.« less
Few debuts are as initially powerful and permanently impressive as this 1967 set from San Francisco's Moby Grape. The triple-threat quintet (every member played, sang and wrote songs) serves up an utterly unique first course that mixes psychedelia, hook-filled pop, blues and country elements. The album tosses off diamond-delicate ballads and full bore rockers with equal soul and inspiration -- and more energy than any other band then on the scene. Without a single duff cut, here's an album that plays as fresh and strong as the day it was first released.
CD Reviews
Availability may be short lived.
David Hoeltje | Mariposa, CA United States | 11/08/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I checked the Sundazed site today and as of November 8, 2007 they are stating that Sony/BMG (at the behest of Matthew Katz?) has pulled the plug on their dist. rights to first 3 Grape CD's - Moby Grape & Wow/Grape Jam (originally a double LP set, but released as two seperate cd's by Sundazed). Not sure if it's permanent but you might want to pick these up now as Amazon seems to have stock that may either sell thru quickly or be pulled from circulation.
The remastering on "Moby Grape" in particular is just wonderful. You can hear subtle vocal and instrumental parts that were buried in all previous incarnations of this essential recording. So don't hesitate...buy it now and cross your fingers and hope that the surviving band mambers actually make something off of this latest developing, but hopefully short-term, debacle.
12/11/07 - Looks like the Grape have gotten screwed again. Amazon and the rest of the world seem to have sold thru the stock that got out before the title was pulled from distribution. What a shame, this is one of the top 30 Essential recordings from the '60's and it should be available for the uninitiated to discover.
I don't know the particulars, but if this latest screwing of the band was done by or because of Matthew Katz he should be ashamed. Having this music available for posterity is more important than his ego or his needing a new BMW every year. As a buyer for a major Distributor in the mid 1970's I had to deal with him on several occassions (he owns the San Francisco Sounds label) and he certainly seemed to be as big a d*** as everyone makes him out to be. What a sad, tragic affair."
Finally!!!!!!
E.I.E.I. Owen | Philadelphia, Pa United States | 10/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After years of being trapped in the clutches of former manager Matthew Katz, the entire catalog is getting a complete overhaul and the remaining members can now use the name Moby Grape. However, that is another story.
If you want to know what the perfect debut album sounds like than here is a perfect example. Moby Grape was a band that had it all: musicianship, songwriting ability, 5 part vocal harmonies, and a perfect three-guitar attack that was hard to duplicate (although the Buffalo Springfield tried with various degrees of success). What boggles the mind is how Columbia records could screw this up. What should have been a slam-dunk turned out to be one the biggest bungles in American and pop music history.
The entire album has been re-mastered, contains five bonus tracks along with liner notes by Gene Sculatti. The sound is an improvement over previous versions and David Rubinson's production techniques is better appreciated, especially on the vocals. This is also available on vinyl containing the mono mix.
UPDATE: 12/27/2007-Matthew Katz does it again. You may have heard that Sundazed pulled the first 3 albums from circulation due to Katz and an issue with the ownership of the artwork. Honestly Katz let it go, how many times do you have to screw these guys over I mean reallly, it isn't like the reissues shipped platinum. F&%* MATTHEW KATZ
"
Listen my Friends
J. DiMoia | Singapore, SG | 10/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A Five star Masterpiece, the best thing ever to emerge from the San Francisco scene (with apologies to Deadheads, Airplane and Quicksilver Fans . . . )
The Moby Grape saga as a whole, accompanied by the spectacular demise of individual group member Skip Spence, has often been told; so I won't need to revisit it here, leaving the curious reader to Gene Scullati's excellent "San Francscan Nights" for more details. (Scullati adds the liners for this set (and others in this reissue series), which is highly appropriate.)
No, what remains of inestimable value here is the music, which this Sundazed reissue has captured in fine form, with a mono vinyl copy (which I haven't heard yet) available for those who prefer the form. In any case, the CD captures the stereo in its full glory, from the opening riff of "Hey Grandma" (later to be covered by the Move), the phasing effect which opens "Omaha," and the every last bit of finger-picking in "Ain't No Use." While my earlier CD copy was okay, this remastered version hits on minor, but key nuances, giving an even greater appreciation of the rhythm section.
The bonus cuts include "Rounder" and "Looper," both of which are presumably the same versions appearing on the Columbia two-disc retrospective "Vintage." An alternate "Indifference" captures the band in rough form, almost garage-like, and the set closes with "Never Again" (from the little scene flick Sweet Ride). The only complaint here is the absence of any longer material--where is "Dark Magic"?--although producer David Rubinson reportedly chose to cull such longer material from the Grape's live set. More details re the band's audition tape (from which the bonus cuts are drawn) would also be hlepful: is this the entire audition?
Those quibbles aside, this is the one which Robert Christgau included among his five star reviews in his 1970's volume, a review repeated in the most recent Rolling Stone (yeah, it's a rag, but they at least got this right) review for this reissue campaign. Not just for purists, this is not so much psychedelic, as newcomers might expect, but roots rock, country, and psych touches all melded into thirty plus minutes of sonic glory--all this, and you're no longer contributing to Matthew Katz's coffers (or such is my understanding) when you buy it."
A True Rock Classic
Peter V. Giansante | Far Point Station | 12/26/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"NOTE: If you already understand the place this album holds in rock music history and you haven't obtained your own copy of the remastered Sundazed CD, stop reading this review right now and go snag it from the iTunes Music Store while it's still available (...alas, Amazon's MP3 Downloads store doesn't have it, or I'd send you there).
For those who have never heard this album but are aficionados of the greatest examples of the rock genre, you have a treat in store. The fact that (as of this writing) there are only four used copies available on Amazon starting at a minimum price of $75.00 ought to tell you something about the degree to which it is highly prized by those who are familiar with it. The truth is that it's a masterpiece.
Yeah...I know--that's what everyone says about albums they really like, or to which they feel sentimental attachments. I do like this album and it does recall some fond memories, but my affection for it is grounded in more substantial stuff. Like the early work of The Byrds and The Beatles, Moby Grape's initial self-titled album is eclectic--there's something here for everyone. The beauty of this album is that its wide range of tempos, grooves, dynamics, and styles doesn't make the album unfocused; it makes it more interesting. Each song explores new territory.
The songs themselves are solidly crafted, a fine example of the allure of music that combines a sense of the familiar with the unexpected. Some of of the tunes are straight ahead rockers with incredible energy (Hey Grandma, Fall On You, Omaha, Changes, Lazy Me), but even those show many different influences. Changes has clear Motown roots; Lazy Me is...well, I don't know how to characterize it. I've never heard anything quite like it. The vocal phrasings are almost operatic, supported by a bed of three different guitars, each one of which is interesting enough to listen to in its own right, but all of which work together to form a sound that works.
The guitars are a key element of Moby Grape. Every song features them, and they're worth listening to. They're split wide enough in the stereo mix to enable you to hear them individually, but I sometimes listen to them in mono just to enhance the incredible blend they achieve. And speaking of blends, Moby Grape is exemplary of the impact of intelligently orchestrated vocal parts. It shows on many of the tunes, but it appears most masterfully on the poignant 8:05.
Unfortunately, this album has been plagued by spotty availability over the past few decades. Its recent (October 2007) re-emergence on the Sundazed label seemed to signal a long overdue renaissance, but apparently it has once again been yanked from distribution, leaving a relatively large demand chasing a small supply. I happened to luck into finding it on iTunes, and I acted quickly. If you're interested in this rock classic, you should do the same."
The San Fran band for those who don't really like S.F. bands
Lance M. Wilson | North Hollywood, California USA | 12/11/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well, here we are at the end of 2007 and the first couple (three, if you count "Grape Jam" as a seperate album from "Wow.") of Moby Grape albums are already out of print. I'm not even going to mention the slimeball's name who's responsible for this as you can read other reviews to find out who it is but to those of us who've followed the Grape's career this is nothing new.
Anyway, what can I say about the album in question? That "Moby Grape" is the best thing they ever did and no other Grape LP is even half as good? Yep, I'll say it (and I like the other ones by the way). That in the rock snob circles I run in "Moby Grape" is more respected than probably any other San Francisco LP (and Moby Grape maybe more than any other San Francisco band)? Okay, I'll say that too (but I don't agree with said assessment). In fact--now is the time to explain the title of my little review: So many people I know rave about "Moby Grape" more than any other LP made by a Bay Area band in the '60s I've come to the conclusion that Moby Grape (and "Moby Grape" the album) are the S.F. band for folks who don't seem to really get off on any other S.F. groups. And the fact that neophites can't wander into a CD store and pick this up anymore is a tragedy. One can only hope it gets back in print pronto.
If you want ten of the best Bay Area '60s LPs then try these out:
Surrealistic Pillow--Jefferson Airplane
Moby Grape--Moby Grape
Electric Music for the Mind & Body--Country Joe & The Fish
Cheap Thills--Big Brother & The Holding Company
Sailor--Steve Miller Band
Happy Trails--Quicksilver Messenger Service
Live Dead--Grateful Dead
Santana--Santana
Willy & The Poor Boys--Creedence Clearwater Revival
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1