Like the fruit after it was named, Grapefruit's debut album was at times too sweet, but was on the whole a promising and worthy effort. Devoted almost wholly to songs written by leader George Alexander, the record featured tuneful, upbeat mid-tempo late-'60s British rock with good harmonies, creative ornate arrangements, and a very slight and very sunny psychedelic tinge. Certainly similarities to the Paul McCartney-penned tracks from the Beatles' own psych-pop era are evident, and if George Alexander's songs weren't in nearly the same league as McCartney's, well, no one working the style was in McCartney's league. Grapefruit was at their best on the occasional songs in which they reached into slightly darker and more melancholy territory, particularly when they made creative use of strings, organ, baroque keyboards, and Mellotron, as on "This Little Man" and "Dear Delilah" and the instrumental "Theme for Twiggy." The latter tune sounds like something that could have been killer had words been devised; as it is, it seems like something that wasn't quite seen through to completion. There's also the Four Seasons cover "C'mon Marianne," which, although it wasn't one of their better tracks, was (along with "Dear Delilah") one of their two small U.K. hits. The CD reissue on Repertoire adds "Dead Boot," the non-LP B-side of "Dear Delilah." ~ Richie Unterberger
Wow...good oldies C'mon Marianne and other tracks, bringin' back to the days of old...very cool Submitted by picards (Italy) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
great to have on cd glad to finally have this on cd great early 70s sound a true reportiore release Submitted by SAXONMAN (hicksville new york) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
Strong Brit-Pop ala 1969 This is a strong pop album I originally purchased in 1969 as it was Beatles endorsed (they owned the publishing and John & Yoko named them). Produced by Terry Melcher (Paul Revere & the Raiders), it's similar to the 'toy town' productions of it's day (Small Faces / Marmalade / Pink Floyd); the songwriting is strong, stereo separation interesting, performance alot like the early Bee Gees. I haven't tired of this album yet - the CD sound quality is good; the bonus track is a weak B-side; the sleeve includes pics of rare 45's and the original liner notes (by Beatles' publicist Derek Taylor, still my favourite liner notes ever). Submitted by a reviewer (Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo This review is for a different format.
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