California Man - Move (The) > Reviews > Great music - missed opportunity with the compilation

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Average
Value for Money

Advantages:	Tremendous from a musical point of view
Disadvantages:	Disappointing selection of tracks and dull presentation

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

"California Man" was first issued in 1974 as a compilation of The Move's last three A-sides, some of the B-sides, and several tracks from their last Harvest album "Message from The Country", after Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan had gone their separate ways to form Electric Light Orchestra and Wizzard, and also left the EMI/Harvest label. At the time it was welcome as the only way to acquire the tracks once the singles had been deleted. But as a reissue on CD to celebrate Harvest Records' 30th anniversary, it is plainly inadequate. Any self-respecting 70s fan will need no reassurance that the music is terrific. After all, the title track was one of the finest UK rock'n'roll singles ever bar none, "Tonight" was a gem of a song with crisply-strummed acoustic guitars and a solo that out-Harrisoned Beatle George at his best, "Ella James" was a magnificent rocker reminiscent of the Beatles' "Get Back" that was shortlisted as a single in its own right, and "Do Ya" oddly gave the group their only Top 100 success in the US. But why didn't EMI take advantage of the increased capacity on a CD to include the rest of the tracks on "Message From The Country", and surely it wouldn't have taken much effort to provide a few notes in the insert to go alongside the track listing and photo? Granted, it's a mid-price reissue. With so many other Move singles compilations currently available on other labels, and especially with the prospect of a reissue for "Message" in its entirety soon, this is all but redundant.