Album review: ROY WOOD AND WIZZARD – Mainstreet/Eddy &The Falcons

Main Street
Cherry Red Records [Release date 28.08.20]

Two years later, apparently stifled by the “hit machine” expectations that weighed upon him, Wood wrote, recorded and released “Main Street”. It was his first real attempt to climb off the pop conveyor belt and create “music for adults”.

For some, it was an indigestible stew of soaring melodies, jazz inflections and multiple stabs at “rock as theatre”. For others, it was Wood pushing the boundaries of structure and tone to the outer edges of popular music.

What’s frustrating is the way it lurches from avant garde, freeform jazz to instrumental battlefields of tempo and taste. Listening to ‘Saxmaniacs’ immediately followed by ‘The Fire In His Guitar’ would make you queasy if you weren’t hanging on to something stable.

And yet in the middle of this the shufling, lightfooted lounge jazz of ‘French Perfume’ sallies forth, ultimately edged out by a hugely catchy, powerpop chorus and a sublime acoustic guitar solo half way through.

Even that compositional genius is surpassed by ‘Take My Hand’, a Brian Wilson tribute, big on sax, piano and warbling synths, blessed with beautifully romantic lyrics and melody. Wood at his absolute inventive and imaginative best.

The album refused to gain traction with a 1976 audience perhaps not ready for Wood’s revolutionary sounds, and was ultimately shelved. Thanks to the enterprising Esoteric Recordings, it’s now been dusted down and polished up, the original artwork has been restored and a bonus track added. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Introducing Eddy and The Falcons
Cherry Red Records [Release date 28.08.20]

Roy Wood created an incomparable track record as a successful songwriter and imaginative musician. His bands – The Move, ELO and ultimately Wizzard – regularly stormed the charts in the late sixties and early seventies.

In 1972, he wrote a ten track love letter to the popular music of his youth, titled “Introducing Eddy and The Falcons”. It was recorded and released by Wizzard in 1974.

As a pastiche, there are few to touch it. It’s remarkably lean and confident, cutting through to the essence of the artists and the era being parodied. From Elvis (I Dun Lotsa Cryin Over You), to Phil Spector (Story Of My Love) to Del Shannon (Everyday I Wonder). Plus the album is chocka with wonderfully dated song titles, like ‘Come Back Karen’ and ‘Crazy Jeans’, allowing us to join the fun as the album shifts smoothly from one satirical thrill ride to the next.

It was a critical and commercial triumph, and has now been remastered and expanded, with 9 bonus tracks being added, including the UK charting ‘Are You Ready to Rock’, and ‘Rock’n'Roll Winter’, the band’s first single release after signing with Warners, and a UK no.6 Top Forty hit. ***1/2

Review by Brian McGowan

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.