Mike Bennett writesFriday iPod/MP3 Shuffle—Happy Birthday Roy Wood Edition

Today let’s celebrate the birthday of Roy Wood, an innovator in the ‘60s and ‘70s with The Move and the original Electric Light Orchestra. Wood came out of Birmingham, playing in a forerunner of The Idle Race, a band later led by Jeff Lynne. Wood then formed The Move, who had a hit with their first single, “Night of Fear”. The Move song “Flowers in the Rain” was the first track played on BBC Radio 1. They also had classics like the psych-pop wonder “Blackberry Way” (their sole UK #1) and the proto-glam rock of “Wild Tiger Woman”. Later, Jeff Lynne joined The Move, which led to classics like Lynne’s “Do Ya” and two songs that later loomed large for Cheap Trick, “California Man” and “Brontosaurus”. Eventually, Lynne, Wood and Bev Bevan formed Electric Light Orchestra, at the time more prog than pop. Wood then left to form Wizzard, a fascinating band that alternated poppy glam singles like “I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday” with arty albums. Roy eventually went solo and resurfaces with odd things like front a nine-woman all-saxophone backing band. In honor or Mr. Wood, please grab your iPod or MP3 player, hit shuffle and share the first 10 songs that come up.

1. Chitlin Fooks – Mother’s Last Words to Her Son (Chitlin’ Fooks): This is the combo of Carol Van Dyk of Bettie Serveert and Pascal Deweeze of Sukilove. Most of the material is country tinged rock and pop. This song is kind of a barroom country tune, with a jaunty piano, with fiddle and drums eventually kicked in. Good stuff.
2. Merle Haggard – Hungry Eyes (Down Every Road: 1962-1994): The pretty guitar picking contrasts the bleak lyrics of a guy in a prison camp thinking about his hard working daddy and the mom who suffered despite his efforts. Haggard can paint a picture and draw a full character in just a handful of lines. A real heart tugger.
3. Tommy Keene – Call On Me (Songs From The Film): The only thing that gives this way as a mid-‘80s release is the big drum sound. Otherwise, this chugging jangle rocker could have come from any part of Keene’s remarkably consistent career. This has one of his quintessential rise and fall melodic choruses.
4. Raphael Green & Dr. Alimantado – Rasta Train (Arkology): This is from the Lee Perry box set and is hazy, ganja permeated dub reggae number. The bass heavy instrumental track is contrasted by a sweet R & B derived melody with really sunny vocals from Green.
5. The Rezillos – Glad All Over (Can’t Stand The Rezillos: The (Almost) Compelete Rezillos): This fine cover of the Dave Clark Five classic is done in classic peppy Rezillos fashion. Love the pounding drums in the chorus.
6. Chris Von Sneidern – Here I Go (Big White Lies): Sneidern is the bard of bittersweet power pop. His music takes Badfinger and Marshall Crenshaw and adds a bit of Bee Gees majesty. He is a very evocative singer who gets the most out of his voice. Great song.
7. Arcade Fire – No Cars Go (Arcade Fire): This song was too good to only be on a self-released EP, so the Fire re-recorded it for their Neon Bible album. The re-recording is a bit more polished, but not different in any major respects. The pulsing bass and military style drumming, mixed with the chanting vocals immediately suck me in. I love how a track that already crackles with life somehow builds to something even bigger at the end. I want this Arcade Fire back.
8. Ricky Nelson – Hello Mary Lou (Greatest Hits): A classic country tinged rock ballad from the first TV star rocker. Nelson was a fine singer and proved early on that being a teen idol didn’t mean you have to suck.
9. Doves – Sea Song (Lost Souls): I think every time Doves turn up in a shuffle, I write wondering why they never broke big. I guess it’s because their epics are emotional without being histrionic. They don’t inspire holding cigarette lighters in the air so much as comfort and contemplation. Oh well. This song is typical – layers of instruments creating an inviting warmth and then a song that is sad yet not off putting. One of the most underrated groups of their era.
10. David Byrne - Desconocido Soy (Look Into the Eyeball): A percolating Latin flavored track (the title kind of gave it away) from my favorite Byrne solo album. This song mixes in some strings with the bouncy rhythm track. It’s the Español Light Orchestra.