Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Bob Mosley
Company: Reprise
Catalog: MS 2068
Year: 1972
Country/State: --
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: cut corner; lower left; 2" seam split top right
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 183
Price: $30.00
Cost: $66.00
Anyone talking
about famous rock burnouts is likely to include Moby Grape and the late Skip
Spence in their discussion. Equally worthy of mention, though he's never
attracted the same media attention, is former Moby Grape singer/bassist Bob
Mosley.
Born and raised in Southern California (Paradise Valley), James Robert
Mosley spent his teens playing in a number of local bands, including stints
with The Frantics, The Misfits and the Strangers. By 1966 Mosley was a
member of the ill-fated Moby Grape. His residency proved fairly brief.
Discouraged with the band's lack of commercial success and what he saw as
Columbia Records unwillingness to adequately support the group, Mosley
dropped out of the band following the release of "Moby Grape '69".
As the story goes, Mosley was working as a school janitor and was about to
be drafted when he decided to volunteer for the Marine Corps. Mosley made it
through basic training, however an extended military career was not in the
cards. Following a fight with an officer, nine months into his enlistment he
was diagnosed as suffering from paranoid-schizophrenic and discharged.
Returning to California, he rejoined The Grape in time to record 1971's
"20 Granite Creek". Unfortunately, shortly after the album was
released the group again called it quits. Somehow attracting the attention
of Reprise Records, Mosley secured a recording contract, going into
Hollywood's Crystal Studios with producer Michael O'Connor.
Recognizing that cut out bins are full of atrocious solo efforts, we weren't
expecting all that much from 1972's "Bob
Mosley". Our mistake !!! (Guess we should have
remembered that the guy wrote some of The Grape's best material - "Mr.
Blues", "Come In The Morning" and "Trucking Man".)
Credited with penning all eleven tracks (one co-written with brother Andy),
Mosley turned in an album that was as good as anything The Grape ever
recorded. Supported by a talented pick-up band including former Superfine
Dandelion guitarist Ed Black and former Morning Glory drummer Allen Wehr,
Mosley demonstrated an almost chameleon-like ability to handle different
musical styles. The lead off "The Joker" was a roaring slice of
fuzz guitar propelled rocker, "Hands of Time" was a nice West
Coast rocker, while "Thanks" offered up a pretty country-rock
tune. Among the other highlights, sporting backing from the Memphis Horns,
"Let the Music Play", "Nothing to Do" and a rerecorded
"Gypsy Wedding" offered up three classic slices of blue-eyed soul.
Personal favorite, the wonderful "Gone Fishin'" Sadly, this lost
classic vanished without a trace.
"Bob Mosley" track listing:
1.) The Joker (Bob Mosley) - 3:37
2.) Gypsy Wedding (Bob Mosley) - 3:40
3.) 1245 Kearny (Bob Mosley) - 3:15
4.) Squaw Valley Nils (Hocked Soul) (Bob Mosley) - 3:09
5.) Let the Music Play (Bob Mosley) -3:43
6.) Thanks (Bob Mosley) - 3:00
7.) Where Do the Birds Go (Bob Mosley) - 3:30
8.) Hand in Hand (Bob Mosley) - 3:00
9.) Gone Fishin' (Bob Mosley - Andy Mosley) - 2:45
10.) Nothing to Do (Bob Mosley) - 2:20
11.) So Many Troubles (Bob Mosley) - 4:03
Following some work for friend Chris Darrow, 1973 found Mosley rejoining
Jerry Miller and Peter Lewis in another resurrected Moby Grape. Unable to
use the 'Moby Grape" nameplate (they didn't own the name), they
resorted to playing California clubs as Maby Grope or The Original Grape,
eventually recording a 1976 album as Fine Wine (it was only released in
Germany). The mid-70s found Mosley back on the club circuit as a member of
The Ducks (along with Jeff Blackburn and John Craviotto). 1979 saw another
Grape reunion in the form of " Live Grape". Unfortunately, the
mid-'90s were extremely difficult for Mosley. His illness and personal
problems culminating in a period of time where he was literally homeless,
forced to live in the streets of San Diego.