The Move

I only knew that this was Jeff Lynne's group before he began ELO, and not much else. As it happens whilst rifling through the $2 dollar (AUD), i found the reissue of their second album from 1970 "Shazam", pretty invigorating listen, not quite glam stomper, or psych, or british invasion or pub rock, but solid throughout.

The reissue came with excellent liner notes, filling in the background of the band , and letting me find out that Lynne was asked to be in the band, after this album. Also some good bonus tracks, are they worth pursuing further, Your thoughts ?

Oh yes, the Move were one of the great 60s English bands. Jeff Lynne joined the group in its final couple of years. The real genius of the band was Roy Wood. I also have Shazam & also a singles comp, which I think is the best place to start.

Shazam is a great album but their singles are the best way to experience this band. If you can find it, the British Only 3-CD box set "Movements" is a great value as it includes all of their A and B sides as well as their first three complete British Albums (The Move, Shazam and Looking On). It also includes an early 1968 live EP called "Something Else" (that is otherwise currently unavailable anywhere else), which includes awesome covers of CCR, Love and Moby Grape which The Move regarded as the current competition they most admired. Amazon.Co.Uk has "Movements" available used for about 15 pounds (or about $30 in US $$$). If want a single disc comp, try Repertoire's 24 track "The Best of the Move". It has almost all of their singles from their early 1967 tracks through 1972's "Do Ya". Just looking at it, though, the sequencing would drive me nuts (singles comps should be chronological, IMHO). It retails for $16.98 on Amazon.Com.

Have fun discovering this band. They are one of the best ever!



Post Edited (09-24-07 13:15)

Then follow it up by tracking down a copy of Roy Wood's BOULDERS and Jeff Lynne's work with the Idle Race, which was just recently issued on a pretty comprehensive CD.

I'm a big fan of "Shazam"--their live cover version of "so you wanna be a rock n' roll star" is worth seeking out as well. A real barn burner that outdoes the Byrds.