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Morly%20Grey

 

Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck.  December 2002

NEWS-SUNDAZED RECORDS SIGNS MORLY GREY!

Morly Grey had only one album, titled The Only Truth. Originally released in 1972 on the (unpublished) Starshine label, it was a rare collector's item for years. Now it is available as a reissued and digitally remastered  CD by Speed Label. 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 in 1972. 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.

The Only Truth

           Reviewer: A music fan

  This album is great, there may have been others but this takes you back to a place of joy and happiness. This was beautifully done, each track rolled right into the next. Just one reminder of where music came from and where it has gone to. Any person should enjoythis cd or album. My hat is off to those gentlemen and may they return with part 2 the continuation of smooth music to groove to. No matter who, what, when or where, you've got to it. Best music I've heard in long time, there are definitely other musicians who can and did offer great music such as: AWB, Kool and the gang, Q, David Bowie, Steppenwolf, Cream and Edgar Winters to name a few. I feel that MORLY GREY is ranked right up there with the aforementioned. Let's hear more!...

5.0 out of 5 starsMorly Grey's " The Only Truth ", March 18, 2005

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

Acid Archives

MORLY GREY (Alliance,OH)

"The Only Truth" 1972 (Starshine 69000)  [1000p; poster]  
"The Only Truth" 1986 (Starshine)  [counterfeit; poster,Bootleg]
"The Only Truth" 1990  (CD Twilight Tone, Germany,Bootleg)
"The Only Truth" 1990  (CD Flash 52,UK,Bootleg)

"The Only Truth" 2001  (CD Akarm,Italy,Bootleg)

"The Only Truth" 2005  (CD Speed Label, US)

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. [PL]
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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.