Customer Reviews

Truly Fine Citizen

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had all of the Grapes albums in almost every format through the years . First bought Truly Fine Citizen in the Woolworth cut- out bin around 1972. Liked it then and like it even more now . A lot of folks think this is their weakest LP. It IS their most laid back LP. Back to basics ,countryish , folky ..whatever ..it's still a quality album from a quality band. Much better than WOW. The only fault I can find with this and the other Sundazed Grape reissues are the recycled "Vintage Grape" EXTRAS. Lets face it the people that buy these reissues are already Grape fans and have the Sony set. They dont really hurt the Album but I cant help but think that there have to be other rarities that could have been included. Anyhow, get this and all of the Sundazed Moby Grape reissues.

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Yeah, it's true that this was a contractual obligation album. And it only had 3 members of the original group (Peter Lewis, Dan Stevenson, and Jerry Miller). And it was recorded in only a few days with a minimum of rehearsing and studio work. I still think it's a lot better than most critics rate it. A very interesting and solid blend of blues and country, especially "Changes, Circles Spinning", the howling "Looper", "Right Before My Eyes", the title track, etc. In fact, this sits comfortably next to the earlier Moby Grape '69, even if it's not quite as polished. I find it far more listenable than the later 20 Granite Creek (or even Wow;--great album, but so very disjointed and confused). Best way to approach Truly Fine Citizen is with an open mind. With the imminent release of the CD in November(finally! and with bonus tracks!)maybe it will finally have it's day.

I've reviewed this album before in its vinyl version, and my opinion hasn't changed. This is a terribly underrated album that really deserves another listen. Solid country and blues throughout, and if you can't fairly compare it to the Grape's debut (which is like comparing any 60's group to the Beatles--you're never gonna win)Truly Fine Citizen holds up very well as a modest, enjoyable release by 3/5ths of the original group. The bonus tracks are decent if not essential--much better than the bonus Grape Jam recordings.

All in all, I once listed this as one of the "Great Albums That Should Be On CD, But Aren't", and now I can happily remove it from that list!

This reissue is well done, with a good CD booklet with lots of information. There are some unreleased cuts that add to the package. As has been mentioned, the quality of music is not up to the first album, or even Moby Grape '69. However it is Moby Grape and there is some great music on this release. For any Moby Grape fan, this is a worthwhile addition, but it's not going to blow you away.

i still think i like this album after over thirty years.

i cant say why.

many grape fans shy away from talking about this one like its gonna bite em if they say the truth.

but the truth was they were on the verge of becoming no more.

yet,somhow,they managed to do yet another totally different sounding lp!

only the grape could do that.a spoiler would be if i were to name anything i like here.just buy it,get your gal,some wine and lower the lights..and enjoy this lp!(oopss..cd..im gittin old eh?)

great reissuing of all grape albums this too has super packaging!

a nice valentines day lp!

In the summer of 1990 I found "Truly Fine Citizen" by Moby Grape at my local library. I had heard of Moby Grape but not heard their music. Being a fan of 60's rock I checked it out. I liked the album well enough to make a tape of it, knowing it was a rare & out of print album at the time. 15 years later,I still liked it & it was still rare, so I made a home CD of the tape I had made. I don't know why I've read bad reviews of this LP. It has some great & beautiful songs. I especially liked "Beautiful Is Beautiful" & the jazzy instrumental closer,"Love Song Part 2". The album made me want to check out more Moby Grape, but throughout the 90's their music was hard to find or way overpriced, as the San Francisco label reissues. Now that their albums are finally reissued I hope to check out more Grape soon.

By the time of this album, both Skip Spence and Bob Mosley were gone, but Peter Lewis, Jerry MIller, and Don Stevenson soldiered on. The songs are more laid back, mostly in a country rock mode. The album lacks the variety of the first three studio albums, but Bob Mosley's strong voice is the biggest loss. This may be the most valuable of the recent re-releases because this is the first time this album is available on CD.

I had this record, when records existed, and loved it. I never understood the bad press this record received. To my ears, this is a truly fine record. The extras, esp. the live "Miller's Blues", are worth having in your collection.

I prefer this CD to the Grape's first.

The first time I heard this I was really disappointed. Gone were the tight performances and gorgious harmonies. The band's playing is so laid-back here it almost seems like they didn't care any more. Bob Johnston didn't help either cause the mix sounds strange every now and then. Miller and Stevenson possibly also used T. Dell Ara as a pseudonym because they weren't too proud of their songs. It's a contractual obligation..

But still.. Lewis is brilliant as ever. Miller's playing is interesting and some of the material could've fitted on Moby Grape '69. A strangely intriguing album.

The bonus tracks (all '67-'68) are all fine and 'show' the band still at the top of their game.

since the last 2 cd anthology Vintage issued in 1993, it was pretty hard to get some moby grape cds ! Sundazed released them as a wish made it true ! From the sleeves to the inner, the Moby Grape sound is amazing, as this band too long "under-known" now finds its golden rays reachin' our minds ! Don't forget it, Skip Spence was member of this San francisco band ! Electric three way guitar crosstalk and fine lyrics all give to that album a kind of gem that still sounds from yesterday to present in a wonderful way !