'69

By now almost any fan of CLASSIC ROCK knows the saga of MOBY GRAPE. Too much too soon with regard to they way the band got handled and mis-managed. The hype behind the first lp was considerable but justly deserved though badly handled. When the band was about to cave in from all of the bullshit they came out with this gem. I remember the tone of the lp more than anything else. Each track worked its magic but it all added up to one cosmic spell. Peter Lewis' I AM NOT WILLING and Bob Mosley's BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY...are as good as anything The Beatles, The Stones or Dylan ever did. Many years ago, I wrote an editorial in CREEM MAGAZINE. In it, I praised the Grape on the heels of their performance as one of the final weeks farewell bands during the last days of the FILLMORE EAST. Twenty five years later I happen to send an email to Jerry Miller's webpage. A few days later I get an email from Miller's manager stating they had been "looking" for me to thank me for the kind words. Wow, I was stunned. What a gentleman Jerry Miller must be. To care after all of this time. But you know what? What goes around comes around. Many of the original fans cared and still care. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST GROSSLY UNDERRATED BANDS OF ALL TIME. AND IT IS TIME TO SEE THEM GET THE CREDIT THEY DESERVE. IT PLEASES ME (AND MY FELLOW BANDMATES AND VETS OF THE 60'S) TO SEE ALL THE REISSUES. MOBY GRAPE STILL RULE AND MOBY GRAPE 69 CEMENTED THAT LEGACY FOR ME. AND TO THIS DAY AND BEYOND I WILL SING THEIR PRAISES.peace,Vince DeLucia (Dreamland Choo Choo)

If you don't know the whole episodic story behind Columbia Records promotion of the debt Moby Grape album....It goes something like this. The brain trust marketing gurus at Columbia decide to launch their debut Lp along with ten singles.... Oh and did I mention, Columbia has to pull the first release because MG were flippin' the bird on the cover. Needless to say, it didn't provide Moby the same hype The Airplane. The Dead, The Doors or even The Mamas & The Papas did. I'm inclined to agree with the majority who consider Moby Grape a fine "second-tier" band, during the hey-day, of Height Asbury's Summer of Love.Anyway...After two albums that met with marginal success, Grape put out '69....Without a doubt their best work. They were obviously picking up on a Byrds / Buffalo Springfield vibe at this time. And they were certainly hearing other bay area acts like Quicksilver Messenger Service, Country Joe & The Fish, It's A Beautiful Day, Santana, Spirit, James Gang and of course Arthur Lee's orginal Love. It all came together on this one for Moby Grape. Just as Love hit their stride with Forever Changes, Moby Grape had it all down and groovy on "69". Unfortunately, personal changes hurt them, leaving just one last effort, "Truly Fine Citzen" as a noteworthy entry into their short lived recording career.

I actually have a vinyl copy of this album but I wanted a CD also. The last 3 songs on the original '69 album (What's To Choose, Going Nowhere, and Seeing) are simply incredible. Those 3 songs alone are worth the high price of this album. This album is very hard to get for whatever reason. I paid almost $70.00 and don't regret it a bit. I don't particularly care for the bonus tracks tacked on to the CD production as they are out-take versions of the other songs that did not make it on albums.

I love Moby Grape!One of my favorite California psych bands.I cant find a decent copy of an original but this is just as good.

Timeless, brilliant work by Moby Grape - perhaps their best work (sans Skip Spence) I listen to tis a lot

5-6 songs are well witten and performed. 20 Granite Creek is one of the best albums of '70.Looking at the Grape material from 66-99 - it stands up very well with the Stones, BSprinfiedld, CSN&Y, Kinks, Cream, Led Zep, etc. In some ways - especially if you look at the 1st album - it is superior!Actually it is closer to The Band & current Country / Bues / Rock roots deals - but w / o showing the self-conscious seams!It is fluid a natural baudy, melodic non-self-conscious blend of rock & the other current idioms of that day - can you say "Beatles"!

The item arrived exactly as described, and before I expected it. Buy with confidence.