Grey Life [Extra tracks]

Val Stoecklein | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 2, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 1968
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks
• Label: Fallout
• ASIN: B000QUUDME
• Also Available in: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,236 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Say It's Not Over

2. Now's the Time

3. I Can't Have Yesterday

4. Color Her Blue

5. French Girl Affair

6. Morning Child

7. Possibility I Was Wrong

8. Seven Days Away from You

9. Sounds Like Yesterday

10. I'll Make It Up to You

11. Second Ending

12. All the Way Home [*]

13. I Wonder Who I'll Be Tomorrow [*]

Editorial Reviews

As leader of the legendary Blue Things, Val Stöecklein needs no introduction to fans of folk-rock and psychedelia. Stung by the band's failure and traumatized by the collapse of a relationship, he channelled his sorrow into the songs that make up 1968's Grey Life -- the only solo album he would ever release. A nakedly emotional recording that has drawn comparisons with the work of Skip Spence, Syd Barrett and Scott Walker, it makes its CD debut here complete with both sides of its rare accompanying non-album 45, making it a must for fans of classic singer-songwriting.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars finally, a CD -- Val Stecklein's GREY LIFE, August 25, 2007

By 

M. L. Herring "sewbiz" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grey Life (Audio CD)

First of all, in the name, Val used the old German spelling of our family name. GREY LIFE, finally out on CD after all these years! Amazing! I am Val's sister, and of course I give this album 5 stars! The songs are so touching and beautiful -- Val was a truly talented and gifted musician and song writer, poet and artist. After leaving The Blue Things in 1967, Val decided to go back to his country and folk roots and write of what he truly believed in. He grew up listening to country music, learning to pick on the guitar mom bought for him (from Montgomery Ward) when he was just 12. Mom taught him a few chords, and just by listening to the radio and those old 78s and 45s, Val taught himself to play.

Though the songs on GREY LIFE are sad and of a lonely feel, the music and lyrics came from his very heart and soul. He often wrote of his experiences and hardships during that time. He always expressed himself through his music. Among my favorites, "Seven Days Away From You" definitely has the influence of his mentor back then, folk legend, Ian Tyson of the popular "Ian and Sylvia" duo. "Seven Days" is very moving, hard driving, folksy with his 12-string in full gear! I believe this album could have been much better without all the orchestral arrangements which Val really didn't care for. Totally acoustic is what he always had in mind. Had he produced his own very first solo album, this is the road he would have taken. He always thought the "orchestral" got in the way of the original feel of the songs.

"I Can't Have Yesterday", another favorite of mine, has an interesting story behind it. Val always admired Paul McCartney's "Yesterday", saying it was the most beautiful and perfect song he's ever heard. He said to me one day, with a smile, "well, I can't have yesterday!" which led to the title of his own creation!

I ordered this CD, excited about hearing it once again. My vinyl is so worn out, but still a treasure.

I'm sure everyone involved with this production will receive their credit, but this was released without the family's knowledge, and too bad if Val's son and daughter will never receive his royalties...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's so great to see this on CD!, May 26, 2008

By 

WordSmith - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grey Life (Audio CD)

I am Val's daughter, and thrilled to see this on CD. I think this is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard, and yes, I'm biased. My dad's soulful voice and gentle acoustic embodies the emotion behind the songs he wrote and sang.

I hope to see The Blue Things out on CD too. If anyone has paraphenalia to sell from those days, please respond to this post - I'll be happy to buy it.

And: Hi, aunt Marti. Hope you are well. :)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Any lover of music should own this album (CD), October 22, 2009

By 

Robert E. Moore "ClemofNazareth" (South Dakota USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grey Life (Audio CD)

I've been collecting and enjoying all sorts of music since the mid-seventies. Every few years or so a record comes along that just completely blows me away; often it's a "lost classic". This is one of those records.

I never heard of the Blue Things despite having lived my teen years in Kansas where they were from. I only came across this CD after hearing "Say It's Not Over" as part of some college radio podcast a while back, and being quite fascinated with the Stöecklein's amazing voice. The guy isn't Johnny Cash or even Roy Orbison, but he has the same really emotive and rich vocals that just get under your skin and stay there forever. Really a timeless sound.

Stöecklein was also a truly gifted songwriter. He had a way of turning a phrase that paints an emotional picture of The Struggle without being sappy, trite or overbearing. If you read even a little about the guy's life and the background of this album you'll understand he went through some unbelievably difficult times and really laid out his soul in these songs; but he did so without resorting to overt melodrama or self-pity, and on every track demonstrated a very obvious attention to his craft with subtle tempo shifts, thoughtful phrasing (I suspect the guy could have written great novels had he chosen to), and really beautiful 12-string acoustic guitar work.

All the songs here are great, but special attention should be paid to "Say It's Not Over", "I Can't Have Yesterday", "Seven Days Away from You", "I Wonder Who I'll Be Tomorrow", "I'll Make It Up to You" and especially my personal favorite "Possibility I Was Wrong". I'm a middle-aged guy now who grew up on the likes of Kansas, Foreigner, Journey and progressive music like Yes, Genesis and the Moody Blues; as well as pop like Rod Stewart and 10CC, R&B and Motown, plus loads of CSN&Y, Joni Mitchell and the like. Val Stöecklein wasn't any of those things, yet ever since picking up this CD a couple months ago I've found it constantly in the CD player in my car as I commute to work and around town. I've memorized every line of every song, and after at least 100 playings haven't tired of it yet. Perhaps I will when the next lost classic lands in my hands, but in the meantime I have a feeling this one is going to stay right where it's at.

As an aside, I've read a bit about Stöecklein's later years, and learned that he not only lived in the same town as my parents when he died, but his home was actually in their neighborhood. What a tragedy that such a brilliant musician drifted away without being accorded the recognition and respect he deserved. I only wish I could have met the man.