Customer Reviews

Singles

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Roy Wood is one of those people who's just impossible to fully describe. Here are a few important words: singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, widely diversified, wildly erratic, and incredibly talented. He was the leader/songwriter/singer of Britain's The Move, the founder of The Electric Light Orchestra (although he turned that group over to Jeff Lynne, leaving after only one album), leader of Roy Wood's Wizzard, and the creator of one of the most brilliantly conceived and executed solo albums of all time (the lamentably unavailable "Boulders", on which he played everything from cello to saxophone to banjo to bassoon, along with the obvious guitar, bass and drums).

"Singles" provides an excellent overview of Wood's career. It includes 10 tracks by The Move, 7 by Wizzard, and 4 solo recordings. Singling out one or two tracks for praise would be impossible, since there is a wealth of strong material here. "Blackberry Way", "Brontosaurus", "Tonight" and "California Man" by The Move, "See My Baby Jive", "Ball Park Incident" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day" by Wizzard, and the solo effort "Goin' Down the Road" are all standouts.

"Singles" is a 'Can't Lose' purchase. But be warned: by the time you're done listening to it, you'll be a rabid Roy Wood fan, searching for more albums to buy!

Roy Wood first achieved success as a member of the Move, a typical British pop group of the late sixties who had success with such songs as Flowers in the rain, Blackberry way, Fire brigade, Night of fear, I can hear the grass grow (all huge UK chart hits) and other excellent songs. The first ten tracks on this compilation are by the Move.

This group evolved into the Electric Light Orchestra, but Roy only recorded one album with ELO, after which he quit and formed his own group, Wizzard, which had significant UK chart success in 1973 and 1974 with their brand of glam rock music.

Wizzard started their run of hits with Ballpark incident, a top ten hit. They had two British number one hits, See my baby jive and Angel fingers, plus two other big hits - Rock and roll winter and Are you ready to rock.

The song Wizzard (and Roy Wood) will forever be remembered actually peaked at number four. It is, of course, the classic song I wish I could be Christmas everyday, perhaps the finest Christmas rock song of them all. It features a children's choir used effectively and well and is frequently included on UK Christmas compilations along with those other perennial Christmas rock songs by Slade, John Lennon, Mud, Shaking Stevens, Cliff Richard, Paul McCartney and others. Because of that, there cannot be anybody in Britain of school age or above who has not heard the song.

Roy also recorded some excellent solo songs, particularly Dear Elaine and Forever. This compilation serves as an excellent overview of Roy's career. The Move and Wizzard were both excellent groups but this compilation contains all the essentials of both groups.

If your pop music taste is ripened enough to appreciate good natured humor, joy in performance, combined with an inate sense for rockin rhythms and VERY catchy melody..... then you'll love this cd. (If you arent familiar with this largely ignored talent, you'll find this cd a very delightful surprise!)

One more piece of advice for the Roy Wood neophite: If you dont know what 'exuberant' means, DONT buy this CD.

Awesome CD!

CD was in good condition and came in a reasonable amount of time.

Good glimpse of a underrated artist and his musical career. Spanning hits from 1967 to 1975, this album showcases the creative and musically talented mind of Roy Wood. Highly recommended if you like the Move or Wizzard and want to learn more. This album is now in my list of top 5 favorite albums.

If you have followed Roy's career onwards from his days with the Move as well as his transformation into his days with Wizzard, you'll enjoy this multidiverse, straight forward collection. It includes everything except from his two "solo" albums ("Boulders" and "Mustard"). Cheaper than some of the other collections that I've seen and just as comprehensive (especially from 1966-1975)!