A two CD set compiled by Roy Wood, although a quick warning that if you are after the original hits you may be better off getting one of the other compilations out there, as this collection features various remixes plus hits covered by other artists. Roy Wood came to prominence with the 60's hit makers the Move and he was one of the founding members of ELO, before leaving to form Wizzard and a solo career.
Highlights? Where do I start! The Rock 'N' Roll Big Band live version of the Move's 'California Man' (covered by Cheap Trick) is a fine start to disc one. Not quite taken yet by the 'in the shed' version of another Move hit 'Fire Brigade' though. Two Move songs covered by other artists are 'I Can Hear The Grass Grow' by Status Quo and Nancy Sinatra on 'Flowers In The Rain', both enjoyable versions although as mentioned before those expecting the original Move versions should look elsewhere. 'Blackberry Way' has been improved vastly with added strings, it could be a hit all over again!
His time in ELO is represented by 'First Movement' and then we have a whole raft of Wizzard and solo classics including 'Aerial Pictures' (down as previously unreleased in the sleeve notes but it has been out on a Carl Wayne & Roy Wood CD released a few years ago). Many of the Wizzard songs are recent remixes making the Roy Wood Wall of Sound sound even better – just listen to 'See My Baby Jive' for proof. Some of his solo output also gets the remastering treatment.
A few songs are not to my own taste including the jazz influenced 'French Perfume'. Also the photos in the inlay sleeve are of interest but a potted history and/or an interview with Roy would have been added greatly to the release overall.
He is much revered by fans and rightly so, but he does not get the recognition his songwriting deserves, hopefully this set will go some way to rectifying that. A 'must have' for any Roy Wood and ELO fan, from one of our greatest musicians.
Jason Ritchie
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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