Morly Grey - The Only Truth (1969?/1972? 2002 Akarma Remastered)
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Artist: Morly Grey
Album: The Only Truth
Released: 1969?/1972?/2002
Akarma (AK-109)
Genre: Heavy Psych/Prog, Acid-Rock
Progressive World: Morly Grey had only one album, titled The Only Truth. Originally released in 1969 on the Starshine label, it was a rare collector's item for years. Now it is available as a reissued and digitally remastered LP and CD by Comet Records. The first few original releases came packaged with a poster, which is reproduced beautifully from the original artwork as a bonus to this LP.
This great rock record is one of those amazing classics that you never heard, wish you did, and then wonder why you have not. The music sounds unexpectedly advanced considering the tracks were committed to tape in1969. You will hear rock, psychedelic sounds reminiscent of The Doors and Jimi Hendrix, and jazz-rock fusion, like on the track "Our Time." For a trio, their sound was an electrifying full exciting new sound that was just starting to make its way into the consciousness of young adventurous musicians. Bands like this jump-started the beginning of many major changes in music. The title track, which is a flat out progressive rock tour de force running over 17 minutes long, brings you full circle from a rocking entrance, to a spaced out eerie middle section, then to a meaningful powerful ending. I do not want to imply that it is something that you would hear today. It sounds more like a formative free form track that develops and comes to a head like a musical eruption exploding from the core of their base sound. The group works very hard to maintain and expand this format in many of their songs. It comes as a shock that they did not continue to record after such a successful recording session as this. One never knows what the circumstances may have been at the time though. One thing I do know, they left their ineradicable mark on early progressive rock music. - Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck.
Freak Emporium: The only album from this Ohio based band, that was first issued in 1971. Melodic hard psychedelic rock with some fine lead guitar work, culminating in the highly impressive 17 minute title track, which extemporises on the theme of "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" and features some trippy weirdness. CD comes in a miniature gatefold sleeve.
Acid Archives: I've always liked this LP for its successful mix of folkrocky westcoast and heavy guitar that few groups manage to pull off. Might be too proggy for those who want 1960s garage/psych sounds but to me it's definitely worthwhile, with strong songwriting, in your face hardrock action, and atmospheric moves on the sidelong title track. One of the classic privates from Ohio, with no weaknesses. The vinyl bootleg includes the original poster and is exact enough to look like a ripoff bid, but not many were fooled; easiest tell is that the original has a wraparound front cover slick with a tan background that extends onto the back cover, while the bootleg wraparound slick's tan background color ends at the seams and turns into white on the back cover. The boot also has some crackles on side 2 from the copy that was counterfeited. There were two 45s released from the LP, and also a rare pre-LP 45, "Sleepy Softness". The band also put out a 45 of previously unreleased tracks around 1990, with an art sleeve.
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Essential heavy psych rock with wonderful mix of heavy wailing and delicate wandering guitar leads. Fine vocals and drumming as well. highlighted by the anthemic title track, a 17 minute anti-war epic with watery sustain. The drummer Paul Cassidy left after the initial recordings. The group kept side one and re-recorded the title track with new drummer, Bob Lanave.
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Strong hard rock album with some very subtle moments and excellent production for a privately pressed album. At times they sound like they could have been an effective folk-rock band if they'd chosen that route. Interesting and creative throughout. The 17-minute song is surprisingly effective, and this album has hooks galore. One of the best of its kind, that rare hard rock album that mixes subtle and heavy without ever sounding uncomfortable.
Wikipedia: Morly Grey is a progressive rock band that formed the late 1960s. The group recorded a single album, The Only Truth, which was recorded and released in 1972. Some discographies and music catalogs continue to list the album’s release date as 1968 or 1969. The confusion over the release date may come from the album’s serial number of 69000 (originally released through the unpublished Starshine label) and the fact that the album had a very short release period. The first single from the album was “Who Can I Say You Are”. Most pressings of this single incorrectly list the album’s original title—The First Supper. In the 1980s and 1990s, the original vinyl LP pressing of the album had become somewhat of a collector’s item due to its rarity and the fact that it came with a full-size color poster. The album was reissued on CD and .mp3 in 2005 by Morly Grey’s own Speed Label and publisher,Morly Grey Publishing(ASCAP). Morly Grey is an important historical musical example of the foundations of progressive rock and demonstrates how early 1970s psychedelic-style rock influenced later, more established progressive rock bands like Yes before the genre was know as “progressive”.
Amazon: A spiritual journey through the angst and heartache of the late 60's. Drummer Paul Cassidy , Guitarist Tim Roller and his brother Mark on Bass , take you with them on a mystical jaunt though time and space with screeching guitar solo's, melodic bass runs and frantic drum rolls. This truly is a classic. Over 35 years of continuous sales worldwide with copies of the original LP being auctioned at well over $ 800.00. Side two features Drummer Bob LaNave who became the Morly Grey's " Ringo Starr " when their " Pete Best " (Pete Cassidy) was fired. All The songs were written by Paul Cassidy and the Roller Brothers. Originally titled " The First Supper " the LP contains a poster of what would have been the album cover. The title track is a seventeen minute Rock Opus that will continue to be on the " must hear " list of every rock music aficionado for years to come. I never really appreciated these three young lads who used to practice their original music in my attic...untill it was too late....I miss you , Pete. R.I.P. Paul Trever Cassidy 1953-2001 - Trevor Williams.
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