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Saturday, January 26, 2013

Bob Mosley - Never Dreamed (1974-77 us, beautiful country blues 'n' roll)



It seems that sometimes triumph and tragedy go hand in hand and the story of Bob Mosley goes well with this theory. His creative highs are closely bound with personal downfalls – in true Moby Grape style, it seems. For this is the musical legend with whose legacy the man's name is ultimately connected. Much has been made of the band's early heydays, the mishaps and scandals, and the great music that came with them. 

Bob Mosley, singer, bass-player and guitarist, was one of the four songwriters in Moby Grape, next to Peter Lewis, the late Skip Spence and Jerry Miller. Some of his classic contributions to the Grape repertoire: "Mr. Blues", "Come In The Morning", "Lazy Me", "Bitter Wind", "Rose Colored Eyes", "Trucking Man", "It's A Beautiful Day Today", "Hoochie" and more. Listening again to these classic cuts it becomes evident that Bob Mosley's personal style is very much based upon the concept of intensity. 

His urgent style of singing has distinct expressive qualities and sometimes is reminiscent of John Fogerty. Despite the versatility of the band's music, Bob Mosley's musical priorities can be safely located at the crossroads of country and blues. That's where he seems to be at home. His voice is unmistakable. No matter what.

Never Dreamed is a collection of previously unreleased songs. It's a chapter from the man's history that's been completely unknown until now and presents the story of a remarkable encounter: a meeting of rock and country giants from Buddy Holly's "Crickets" and the legendary band of Elvis Presley. To be precise: James Burton and Sonny Curtis (guitars), J.I. Allison (drums), Glen D. Hardin (piano) plus Joe Osborn and Emory Gordy (bass) with fellow "Cricket" Joe B. Mauldin serving as sound engineer. So is this Moby Grape meets Texas meets Nashville meets Memphis? Well, in a way it is. but NEVER DREAMED is first of all the brainchild of songwriter and producer Jean-Pierre "J.P" Whitecloud
Tracks
1. There Is The Sun - 3:12
2. Dead Or Alive - 3:23
3. Never Dreamed - 5:14
4. Willy Shakespeare Blues - 4:31
5. Shoot The Xylophone Man - 2:32
6. Put It Off Until Tomorrow (Dolly Parton, Bill Owens) - 3:30
7. Louisiana Mama (Gene Pitney) - 2:44
8. Question (Justin Hayward) - 3:00
9. Leavin' Through The Back Door - 3:24
10.Willy Shakespeare Blues (Alternate Take) - 4:30
11.Never Dreamed (Alternate Mix) - 5:20
Music and Lyrics by Susan Whitecloud and Pete Delacroix unless as else written

Musicians
*Bob Mosley - Vocals
*James Burton - Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
*Sonny Curtis - Acoustic Guitar
*Glen D. Hardin - Piano
*Joe Osborn - Bass
*J.I. Allison - Drums
*Frank Arnett - Steel Guitar
*Emory Gordy - Bass
*J.P. Whitecloud - Tambourine, Background Vocals

1972  Bob Mosley

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Bob Mosley - Bob Mosley (1972 us, sensational hard rockin' funky psych with some folk shades, Wounded Bird edition)



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.
Tracks
1. The Joker - 3:41
2. Gypsy Wedding - 3:41
3. 1245 Kearny - 3:15
4. Squaw Valley Nils (Hocked Soul) - 3:09
5. Let the Music Play -3:36
6. Thanks - 3:17
7. Where Do the Birds Go - 3:37
8. Hand in Hand - 3:03
9. Gone Fishin' (Bob Mosley, Andy Mosley) - 3:22
10.Nothing to Do - 2:22
11.So Many Troubles - 4:04
All compositions by Bob Mosley except where indicated.

Musicians
*Woodie Berry - Backing Vocals
*Ed Black - Guitar
*Bob Mosley - Vocals, Bass
*Frank Smith - Backing Vocals
*Allen Wehr - Drums, Backing Vocals

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