Grapefruit Yesterdays Sunshine The Complete 1967 1968 London Sessions
Reviewed by Nathan Ford
London band Grapefruit are mostly remembered these days as the first band to be signed to the Beatles Apple label, but theyre deserving of much more than that footnote status as this new collection from RPM Records ably demonstrates.
Their debut album "Around" was originally released in late 1968/early 1969. "Yesterdays Sunshine" collects all of their studio recordings from 1967 and 1968, including tracks which were later remixed for the album, as well as a plethora of hard to find and unreleased extras.
"Around" has a great reputation among collectors, but to me, the original mixes contained here are even better. Hell, theres even a version of "Lullaby" produced by John Lennon AND Paul McCartney - the only co-production credit the two ever shared. Why this wasnt released originally is baffling, especially given the quality of this sped up version. With twenty tracks here, youd expect a quality dip at some point, but apart from "Breaking Up a Dream", which is a backing track that never had the intended vocal recorded, theres nothing here that isnt, to my ears at least, absolutely essential.
The production on these tracks is fantastic, but its George Alexanders wonderful songs that are truly the focus point here. There can be few songwriters of the era who can claim to have written so many memorable songs in such a short space of time. The singles have become well known over time, but album tracks like "Aint it Good" are just as memorable, while rarities like "Somebodys Turning on the People" and particularly the moody, mellotron soaked King Crimson meets giallo-score style instrumental "Theme For a Lonely Queen (aka Twiggy)" are at least the match of anything that found its way onto the album. Admittedly, the shadow of the Beatles looms ever present here (check out the ooh-la-la-las on "Round and Round"!), but when the songs are this good it really doesnt matter that influences are worn very much on sleeve.
Given the Beatles connection, as well as the quality of the singles, its absolutely astonishing that this doesnt contain at least three number ones (although New Zealand band the Hi-Revving Tongues did have a local hit with their version of "Elevator"). Instead, "Around" became an underselling future collectable, leading to the band re-emerging with a substantially different lineup and sound for a second album shortly thereafter. Do yourself a favour: avoid that second album and get this right now. If youre a British psych-pop fan (even one who owns a copy of "Around"), this deserves a place in your collection right away.
Available here (UK), or here (US).
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