The Move The Move Shazam Deluxe Editions
Reviewed by Nathan Ford
The Move occupy a funny place in rock history. With a string of inventive and relentlessly tuneful singles to their credit (not to mention consistently entertaining albums) theyre the sort of band that should be mentioned in the same breath as the Kinks and the Who, but ask your average punter under forty to name one of their songs and youre unlikely to get anywhere (you, dear readers, being a more discerning bunch Im sure). Add to that the Jeff Lynne connection, and youve got an instant recipe for footnote status.
These two new reissues from Esoteric Recordings provide further proof (if any were needed) of just how unjust this situation is. What we have here are packed, deluxe editions of the bands first (and many would say best) two albums. In this reviewers eyes both are essential. There have been plenty (perhaps too many) reissues of this material already, often haphazardly and carelessly assembled. Likely this is another reason for the Moves legacy being somewhat lesser than it should be, but these two releases are lovingly curated gems that treat the source material and the fans with the respect that they deserve. Each is available in a single disc vanilla edition, containing the original albums with contemporary a & b sides as bonus tracks, or densely packed, nugget-laden deluxe editions which are a true collectors dreams.
The self titled debut and its surrounding singles ("Night of Fear" and "Flowers in the Rain" etc.) are concise psychedelic pop gems that marry Beatlesque melodies and arrangements with often unhinged source material ala Syd Barrett. Just the ticket for those who find the Beatles too straight and wish that Syd was a little more tuneful, although youre speaking to the wrong person if youre looking for an impartial critic of either of those acts here. Recorded over the space of 14 months its no wonder that it feels almost like a hits collection. Three cover versions (of tunes originally by Eddie Cochran, James F. Hanley and Moby Grape) illustrate the bands diverse influences, but its Roy Woods own compositions that really take this to the next level. Hugely catchy, with clever, often baroque arrangements (which demonstrate just how important Woods contribution to ELO would be in the future), these are classic examples of the two and a half minute pop song, peppered with just the right amount of psychedelia and English whimsy. And that thunderous bass really sets them apart from the pack.
Theres also a brace of pre-psychedelic tracks from 1966 when the band were a straight beat act, which are fascinating listens in their own right, while also demonstrating just how much the bands distinctive sound developed over the following year.
"Shazam" is a totally different beast, but still obviously the work of the same band. And its every bit as good as its predecessor too.
Moving on from the short-form pop songs found on the Move (excepting the lovely "Beautiful Daughter"), this is the Move as a heavy proto-prog band, a shoe that fits surprisingly well. All of the things that made the first album so appealing are still evident here - the distinctive harmonies, the huge bass (now played by Trevor Burton) - but theres less reliance on the studio, and more of a focus on band interplay, which is uniformly impressive. There are some pretty heavy moments here (the surprisingly bluesy "Dont Make My Baby Blue"), but it never gets clumsy or heavy-handed, and there are reprieves peppered throughout in the form of exquisitely harmonised choruses, not to mention the classical middle section of "Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited". Wood only has one new original to offer, but the covers are so well assimilated youd swear hed written them too if the source material wasnt so familiar.
The bonus tracks on the single disc edition show that Wood still had some classic single-worthy material in him too, including their sole UK number one, the Beatlesque "Blackberry Way" and the appealingly jaunty "Curly". Also addended to the multi-disc version are a treasure trove of BBC recordings in very fine fidelity, which again demonstrate the Moves mastery of a multitude of styles, as well as their ability to tackle some pretty intimidating source material and not lose their own sense of identity. Great things abound here, but the highlights for this listener are surprising stabs at popular murder ballad "Long Black Veil" and the Nazzs "Open My Eyes", as well as a great take on Dusty Springfields "Goin Back", which flexes its muscles and makes the Byrds version sound like a bit of a pipsqueak (albeit a lovely one).
Its refreshing to see two such accomplished albums expanded so comprehensively, yet still in a fashion that accentuates their excellence, rather than diluting it down with unnecessary mixes and material best left on the cutting room floor. If these arent the best expanded editions released this year, Ill be very surprised. I cant wait to check out Esoterics treatment of the rest of the bands catalogue now.
You can find the deluxe version of the debut here (UK/EU) or here (US) and Shazam here (UK/EU) or here (US).
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