The first Moby Grape (1967) album is as perfect as a record can get. The combination of five musicians (Don Stevenson, Jerry Miller, Skip Spence, Peter Lewis, and Bob Mosley) who could not only fire off their instruments amazingly well, but all of them helmed celestial voices. And when they sang in harmony, the results were up there with the best moments of The Everly Brothers, The Beach Boys and The Byrds.

Stevenson was the band's drummer and a main force in siring the debut record. Not only did he co-write five of the dozen songs (including iconic cuts as "Hey Grandma" and "8:05"), he was the soulful main voice on "Changes" (where he reaches vocal heights that are easily comparable to Otis Redding).

Stevenson just dropped a brand-new disc titled, "Limited Engagement Vol II" (a follow-up to 2023's "Limited Engagement Vol I"). He also penned most of the songs on the disc, save for "Free To Fall In Line" (by Dale Ockelman) and "Hey Grandma" (which Stevenson co-wrote with Miller).

Beginning with the ear candy of "Time Flies," Stevenson proves right off the bat that his voice is as infectious as ever.

"Don't Look Back" and "In a Canoe" both employee the laid back country-rock style that Moby Grape had played a huge part in creating.

A semi-Moby Grape reunion on the song "Free To Fall In Line", is a standout on the album. Filled with Stax Records' vibes, "Free To Fall In Line" features Stevenson's songwriting partner, Miller, and Omar Spence (Skip's son) on guitar and vocals, making the cut even more special. The album is dedicated to the memory of Miller, who unfortunately passed away last year.

Another standout track is the atmospheric, "Pack Your Things". The sweet guitar melody almost masks the pained lyrics of dismissing a former lover. Lyrics as "Your eyes were made to see/So wipe away your tears/Get up off the floor/It seems like you've been there for years", are lovingly mournful, much in the same spirit of the Grape's "8:05".

The album ends with a bonus track; a live recording of Moby Grape's "Hey Grandma". Harking back to the glory days of 1967, Stevenson still has all the passion he (and Moby Grape) displayed when they were outshining every other American ensemble during the Summer of Love.

"Limited Engagement Vol II" is an extraordinary piece of work, and Stevenson's talent is as majestic as ever.

Hopefully, "Vol III" is coming soon.

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