This is the first post in years. I began writing and talking about these 60s rock bands because of groups like Moby Grape. Moby Grape could effortlessly play any style of music you care to name and do it all extremely well. Whether it was country, blues, psychedelia, folk, or rock n roll, these musicians had a knack for making music that sounded natural and heartfelt.

The Melvilles was actually Moby Grape under a different name. These recordings were a cassette only release from 1989/1990 (Herman Records). Skip Spence wrote one track, the anthemic All of My Life but I’m not sure he plays on this disc. Regardless, all five original members had some involvement in this project. Don’t let the late 80s recording date put you off from listening to this album, the music is mostly excellent. You’ll Never Know, Bitter Wind in Tanganika, and Nighttime Rider recall the folk-rock tracks from their classic debut and are highlights in that respect. Give It Hell, a hard hitting slice of garage rock written by Jerry Miller, holds up very well. Miller never received his due as one of the best SF guitarists but he’s clearly in that pantheon of legends. Take a listen to On The Dime, a cool relaxed country rock number with lots of classy guitar playing. Also, as a reference point, this is a much better album than the Dead’s Into the Dark, which was released around the same time.

This music originally came out on cassette but it was also released on vinyl by Del-Val and on CD by DIG MUSIC (as “Legendary Grape”). The Del Val vinyl release is the best way to hear this fine music.

On The Dime

You’ll Never Know

Vinyl | 1990 | Del-Val | amazon ]