TAKEN from archive tapes of German Television show, Beat Club predominantly, this series gives us nostalgia freaks an unusual look at some of our favourite bands.The Move burst onto the scene in 1965 with Night of Fear and went on to have a massive run of hits.
Amazingly, their only chart-topper was Blackberry Way, and this collection begins with a black and white
performance of the song. Psychedelia was coming on the scene and the forward-looking directors in Germany must have loved experimenting with effects, but on this track they only serve to distract.
It was funny though seeing Carl Wayne manfully miming the words that were actually sung by Roy Wood.
The effects were in colour for Brontosaurus in 1970. I suppose they were ground-breaking at the time, but these days they look – well – amateurish; but I suppose I’m being a little unkind. For the third song – Curly, Roy Wood puts aside his guitar and plays two recorders… at the same time! The performances are far from the glamourous images we have of Top of the pops and this is music TV at it’s most basic.
Jeff Lynne had joined the band in its later stages and a selection of songs from the Message From The
Country era make up the middle part of this DVD, which sadly only lasts 45 minutes. There are two versions of Ella James, (the second one being necessary as Roy Wood cocked up on the first. There are also two versions of Down on the Bay – a Jeff Lynne composition which was released as the b-side to Chinatown.
From there we go back to the earlier Fire Brigade (with Carl Wayne on piano?!) and finishing with Wild Tiger Woman.
If nothing else, this archive footage of The Move is a a change from those we see on old Top of the Pops
compilations and as such is of great historical importance.
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