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Post by Eva Yojimbo on Nov 11, 2017 1:25:44 GMT
Any fans here? I just recently discovered him/them and have been pretty addicted these past several weeks. The Move had a pretty remarkable evolution from post-Sgt. Pepper psychedelic pop, to proggy psychedelia, to hard blues-rock, to the beginnings of ELO-style symphonic prog-pop (Jeff Lynne was a member of the band on their last album, which was recorded simultaneously with ELO's first album). Frankly, I think Roy Wood, the mastermind behind them, is far more talented and musically interesting than Lynne and was really the one deserving of the status ELO ended up attaining (after Wood left and went solo and formed Wizzard). Here's a small selection showing off their/his diversity:
From S/T Album:
Non-Album Single:
From Shazam:
From Looking On:
From Message From the Country:
Roy Wood Solo:
Wizzard:
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schizkebab
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Post by schizkebab on Nov 13, 2017 13:38:29 GMT
Good timing with this thread. I've been a long time fan of 'The Move', but it's only recently that I starting pursuing Roy's other stuff, which of course turns out to be fabulous. I listened to 'Mustard' all last week and just absolutely fell in love with it. Also, just a few weeks before that I bought a little cheapie boxset that had a good assortment of his material, one which happened to be 'Boulders' which was also very nice.
Between he and Lynne, I can't really pick one over the other.... they're both quite awesome.
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on Nov 13, 2017 14:42:10 GMT
Good timing with this thread. I've been a long time fan of 'The Move', but it's only recently that I starting pursuing Roy's other stuff, which of course turns out to be fabulous. I listened to 'Mustard' all last week and just absolutely fell in love with it. Also, just a few weeks before that I bought a little cheapie boxset that had a good assortment of his material, one which happened to be 'Boulders' which was also very nice. Between he and Lynne, I can't really pick one over the other.... they're both quite awesome. Mustard is a fantastic album and probably the best of Wood's post-The Move material; it's just a showcase for everything he does best (pastiches of past styles mixed with contemporary styles in a variety of genres and arrangements). I'm not sure if I've heard any Beach Boys homage better than "Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs." Boulders is a gem too, more low-key and folksy than Mustard, even quite delicate and beautiful in places. On the Road Again isn't bad either; it's probably the most straight-forward rock album he did. If anything, it suffers from suppressing his quirkier tendencies that make him so interesting. His last album, Starting Up, sadly sucks, mostly because of its embarrassingly awful 80s production techniques, but the songs aren't great either. Have you heard any of his Wizzard stuff? It's pretty fascinating. Wizzard Brew is one of the most unique albums of 70s. It's so abrasively produced it almost prefigures the punk aesthetic, but musically it's a blend of Looking On's heavy blues-rock and Wood's burgeoning fascination with jazz fusion. Meet Me at the Jailhouse is a monster of a track. It's funny because all the singles released for it were left off the album, and the singles are much more accessible and pop-oriented (like See My Baby Jive that I posted in my OP). The post-Brew albums are more sporadic in quality: Eddy and the Falcons is Wood's pastiche of 50s rock, and though the craft is admirable the songs just aren't that strong. Main Street and Super Active Wizzo Band are Wood's foray into jazz-pop; neither are wholly successful, but there are a wealth of interesting ideas and good moments. I agree that Lynne is awesome too, but whereas Lynne ultimately sought the smoothest, most inoffensive symphonic pop sound possible, Wood went to the opposite extreme, endlessly experimenting and being the epitome of a rough-around-the-edges genius. In the end, I just find Wood more interesting even if what he produced wasn't as consistent in quality as Lynne. Also, is it just me, or does Wood have about as good an ear for pop hooks as any singer-songwriter outside of McCartney? He seems to toss out memorable melodies like they were effortless. |
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schizkebab
Sophomore
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Post by schizkebab on Nov 13, 2017 16:17:47 GMT
Good timing with this thread. I've been a long time fan of 'The Move', but it's only recently that I starting pursuing Roy's other stuff, which of course turns out to be fabulous. I listened to 'Mustard' all last week and just absolutely fell in love with it. Also, just a few weeks before that I bought a little cheapie boxset that had a good assortment of his material, one which happened to be 'Boulders' which was also very nice. Between he and Lynne, I can't really pick one over the other.... they're both quite awesome. Mustard is a fantastic album and probably the best of Wood's post-The Move material; it's just a showcase for everything he does best (pastiches of past styles mixed with contemporary styles in a variety of genres and arrangements). I'm not sure if I've heard any Beach Boys homage better than "Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs." Boulders is a gem too, more low-key and folksy than Mustard, even quite delicate and beautiful in places. On the Road Again isn't bad either; it's probably the most straight-forward rock album he did. If anything, it suffers from suppressing his quirkier tendencies that make him so interesting. His last album, Starting Up, sadly sucks, mostly because of its embarrassingly awful 80s production techniques, but the songs aren't great either. Have you heard any of his Wizzard stuff? It's pretty fascinating. Wizzard Brew is one of the most unique albums of 70s. It's so abrasively produced it almost prefigures the punk aesthetic, but musically it's a blend of Looking On's heavy blues-rock and Wood's burgeoning fascination with jazz fusion. Meet Me at the Jailhouse is a monster of a track. It's funny because all the singles released for it were left off the album, and the singles are much more accessible and pop-oriented (like See My Baby Jive that I posted in my OP). The post-Brew albums are more sporadic in quality: Eddy and the Falcons is Wood's pastiche of 50s rock, and though the craft is admirable the songs just aren't that strong. Main Street and Super Active Wizzo Band are Wood's foray into jazz-pop; neither are wholly successful, but there are a wealth of interesting ideas and good moments. I agree that Lynne is awesome too, but whereas Lynne ultimately sought the smoothest, most inoffensive symphonic pop sound possible, Wood went to the opposite extreme, endlessly experimenting and being the epitome of a rough-around-the-edges genius. In the end, I just find Wood more interesting even if what he produced wasn't as consistent in quality as Lynne. Also, is it just me, or does Wood have about as good an ear for pop hooks as any singer-songwriter outside of McCartney? He seems to toss out memorable melodies like they were effortless. Yeah, Mustard was so much fun to listen to, completely brilliant musical potpourri. I agree with the "Pretty girls/sad songs" tune being an outstanding Beach Boys homage. He was certainly terrific at channeling other folks styles. You could probably make several strong arguments that he quite often outbeatled The Beatles. The boxset I bought does also have 'Wizzard Brew' and 'On the Road Again', but I haven't listened to those yet. I'll probably try out 'Wizzard Brew' next. Also, is it just me, or does Wood have about as good an ear for pop hooks as any singer-songwriter outside of McCartney?
I can't disagree with that at all. |
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Post by mrellaguru on Nov 14, 2017 19:28:19 GMT
I don't know that the Move should have been bigger than ELO, but they deserved to get at least some play on US classic rock and oldies stations. It's unfortunate that they are almost unheard of in the US. At least Cheap Trick did a great job with "California Man" (I've never heard that on the radio either).
And I love "You Can Dance The Rock and Roll" by Wizzard. It's just an irresistible power pop anthem that could have been a hit if another band had decided to cover it in a more straightforward rock fashion.
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maxwellperfect
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Post by maxwellperfect on Nov 14, 2017 22:02:48 GMT
I love his work with The Move, ELO and what I've heard of his solo recordings. I found Wizzard a bit grating, tbh.
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Post by Eva Yojimbo on Nov 15, 2017 0:34:28 GMT
I found Wizzard a bit grating, tbh. Given the production I kinda think it was SUPPOSED to be grating. Strange to say but I think it gives the album a strange charm. |
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maxwellperfect
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Post by maxwellperfect on Nov 15, 2017 19:54:29 GMT
I found Wizzard a bit grating, tbh. Given the production I kinda think it was SUPPOSED to be grating. Strange to say but I think it gives the album a strange charm. Sure, I get that's what he wanted it to sound like. |
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