Q for all you Moby Grape fans...

Hi all!

Anybody have a copy of Moby Grape's first LP on vinyl? Wanted to know if all the studio chatter that's on "Vintage: The Very Best Of Moby Grape" was on there back in '67.

Wouldn't think so, but I thought I'd ask...

Thanks!

 

Nope. I want vintage so I can check it out!

 

Thanks Ron!

"Vintage" is great! Excellent, all-inclusive collection of songs. Not sure as to whether all that top-end was on the original tapes, but it sounds pretty good...

 

I read somewhere (an interview with the producer, I think) that Skip Spence and one of the other members sat in on the mixing sessions for the first album, and they insisted on that toppy, weird EQ over his objections.

 

I'm curious about the early vinyl presses of that 1st album, too. Those cardboard sounding drums drive me nuts when I listen to the Sony cd - I'd like Steve to remix that stuff, even though his preference is to not monkey around like he useta do! Anybody else wish the mix on that great lp was done differently??? The single mono mixes have a lot more wham, that's for sure...

 

Whooo - howcome is Mr. P. Roducer on the Grape's s..tlist? I think we're all pretty aware of the troubles the Grape has had with their former manager, but why the sour grapes (I know, too easy - one too many Bullwinkle episodes for me ) towards Dave R.??? At least he had the sense to keep the masters all this time and not let said former manager have them...

 

I can't remember the exact details, and I don't have time to go dig in my closet and find the issue of Discoveries with the info. But I remember it was money issues. Supposedly in the early 70s Rubinson was involved in the negotiations that led to Matthew Katz becoming the legal owner of the name "Moby Grape". Allegedly Rubinson negotiated a deal without the band's knowledge (at least according to them... he claims they consented to the deal) and he wound up pocketing a lump sum from Columbia that was supposed to be paid to the band. He denies this, and I have to stress I could be getting the precise details wrong so apologies if I am.

Aside from that, the band was always kind of annoyed at him for the liner notes he wrote for Moby Grape '69.

 

You're talking the Wow! LP right? Wanting to know if the studio chatter (talking betwixt tracks) is on it? I believe I have one, I'll try and give it a listen tomorrow. I'm off to a concert tonight (Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers). So I won't get time until then.

 

It is kind of like that. Blues / Jazz. Titles like One Hour Mama. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You. Just down in Orange County, Steve.

 

Hi mcow1,

Not referring to "Wow" which is their second LP, but to the self-titled first LP. But it's awesome that you have a vinyl copy of "Wow". Great cover artwork on that...

 

The snare sounds kind of cardboard-y with sizzle on top on my
original stereo pressing of the "Moby Grape" lp but the bass drum
thunks just fine. Must be that cd mastering.

Bet the Sony cd sounds a boatload better than the San Francisco Sound
one though. That is one of the five worst sounding cd's in my collection.

 

Thomaz,

Does the San Francisco Sound CD have a mastering credit?

Thanks!

 

thomoz,

That's too bad. I don't have the Moby Grape on San Francisco Sound (though I've considered it), but I do have "It's a Beautiful Day" and this is a fine CD. Of course, the music is just plain outstanding. I'm a sucker for music from the psychedelic era. I had this on vinyl way back when (wonder where it went?) and the CD is very enjoyable.

Regards,
Metralla

 

Just got back from SALTY'S RECORD ATTIC with a mint 360 Sound Moby Grape "Truly Fine Citizen". Will report later!

 

Rob,

Well, I'm not Thom, but I can confirm that it has no mastering credit whatsoever. The booklets on SFS releases are VERY bare bones, except for a few scans of other releases on the SFS label.

Jay

 

Thom,

That SFS disc is a real dog. The Vintage collection may not be perfect, but it's a huge upgrade over the SFS release. And it's still available as an import!

Jay

 

Alas, "Truly Fine Citizen" is kind of one of those albums that are made(and you can really tell) before a band finally breaks up. Just doesn't have the drive of the earlier releases. Still the copy was good and there are a couple of good songs on it.

 

It was a classic contractual obligation album. The band was essentially already broken up, and had to regroup to make the album. By then Skip Spence was long gone, and Bob Mosley had joined the Marines, so they only had 3/5 of the band... and they barely had that, they had to twist Peter Lewis' arm to get him to participate. That being said, two of the four Lewis songs on the album are among the best things he ever did... really great stuff. But the rest of the album is below the standards of the first three records, for sure.