I should add that the version of Miller's long-time showpiece above thoroughly pales by comparison with the unadorned (no horns or keyboards) live version I heard the Grape do in 1967, some several months before the album came out. (Grape afficianados, of which I number myself, have never forgiven producer David Rubinson for over-arranging just about everything on that record -- Wow -- in what one can only assume was a misguided attempt to follow in the footsteps of Sgt. Pepper.)
In any event, you can at least get an idea of Miller's astounding fret-work from the track. No wonder Led Zeppelin ripped them off -- from the same album -- so blatantly. (Hey, it's a legal thing -- I'm too depressed to tell the story, but just google Zep's "Since I've Been Loving You" and the Grape's "Never").
POSTSCRIPT: I should add that the pre-Grape Miller not only toiled in Bobby Fuller's touring band, but he played on the original pre-hit/demo version of "I Fought the Law."
And cooler than that it does not get, rock history-wise.
13 comments:
"...a misguided attempt to follow in the footsteps of Sgt. Pepper."
A too common scenario.
The great Norton label released two early sides featuring Jerry in bands The Incredible Kings and The Elegants, raw frat-rock that the great NW was known for.
An "older" buddy saw all the greats live including the Grape when Moseley had his Marine haircut. He said the crowd was a little puzzled (there was no internet back then).
Bob in IL
The Moby Grape show was February 1968 at The Anderson Theater NYC, and it was a jaw dropping performance!
Captain Al
I stand corrected on the date of the Grape show.
A great guitarist. His Life Is Like That solo record (Jerry Miller Band) from 1995 is super, and of course his work with Moby Grape is outstanding. This would be a good time to pull out Moby Grape '69 (or any of them).
Actually, if you want to hear a version of "Miller's Blues" WITHOUT the horns, there is a "live" take of it on Sony/Legacy's excellent (and praised many times on this blog) double-CD Moby Grape compilation "VINTAGE".
R.I.P. Jerry.
P.S. That "live" take from the "VINTAGE" comp is up on YouTube.
Have I mentioned that said VINTAGE comp is long officially out of print -- apparently due to their evil incarante manager Matthew Katz, may he rot in hell?😎
I m a lifelong Grape fan - just found a list of venues and Tour dates
39 in all, I lived in CT. and while we had our share of legendary bands, alas not one from them. I saw that they played the Fillmore East (where I first saw Chicago)
in that day if you were. a kid (me) you had to buy the Village Voice to see who was playing - Anyway always a regret
Got to see Blind Faith, Hendrix...more.
Shame.
Rob
Yes, Matthew Katz rots in hell if anyone does.
Cleveland Jeff
Steve - if I am correct the album is available on Rare Vinyl -
Reading the liner notes I noticed that
Arthur Godfrey is credited on Banjo
rob
Steve you think that Katz was a pick -
I just labored through all of his litigious
court proceedings. Google Katz vs Grape.
It appears while reading thru the minutiae
that he lost his case and appeals
rob
John Mayall also died today.
I saw the Grape in NYC, wish I could remember the venue & date, but it was sometime before February 1968, when I got drafted. Great, great band. Powerhouse vocals and high-energy stage presence. I still pull out my Grape vinyl on a regular basis, including the post-Spence stuff. All great!
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