SOMETHING ELSE FROM THE MOVE

THE MOVE had unexpected success with their debut eponymous album and although their fortune was limited to their native UK, the band had stacked up four top 10 hits and were eager to keep the fire burning. And that's exactly what they did by releasing this quick follow up in the form of a live EP titled SOMETHING ELSE FROM THE MOVE just a few months later. This was the perfect type of material to fill the slot between albums and showcased THE MOVE's energetic and electrifying live sets. The album was recorded live on February 27, 1968 at the famous London Marquee Club. The original release consisted of only five tracks and were mixed exclusively in mono however many more tracks were recorded and subsequently released as bonus tracks on future extended releases as well as being released in stereo. They are all also available as bonus tracks on the 1998 remastered reissue of the "Shazam" album.

While one would expect the performances to be material from the band's debut release, it actually contains nothing but covers of some of the band's favorite tracks beginning with The Byrd's "So You Want To Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star." Immediately one is struck by how much more raw and rocking this is compared to the carefully crafted and perfectly polished psychedelic pop of the debut release. The beauty of these live performances is it shows THE MOVE in full on stage regalia delivering a rock 'n' roll energy level that isn't always present on the studio albums. The selection of tracks is quite pleasant as they all seem to morph perfectly into one another despite being mined from quite a diverse catalogue of artists. The folk rock intro suddenly leaps into the psychedelic garage rock Love song "Stephanie Knows Who" and then off to the world of rockabilly with Eddie Cochran's "Somethin' Else." Also on board is the Jerry Lee Lewis track "It'll Be Me" and even an excellent cover of Spooky Tooth's "Sunshine Help Me" complete with groovy blues guitar riffs and solos matching the splendor of the original.

The album was released in 1999 on CD and from then on includes the Erma Franklin / Janis Joplin classic "Piece Of My Heart" and three other tracks by Denny Lane, Jackie Wilson and an additional unedited version of "Sunshine Help Me." This EP while not exactly essential is quite a pleasant listening experience as it fully conveys what THE MOVE was all about in a live setting and how well they could adapt their own particular style of playing around a varying set list of songs. The album has been remastered and reissued in its own right with varying amounts of bonus tracks tacked onto the end. It is really a treat to hear the band in their early days before the more progressive elements were added on "Shazam" and how well they could master the vast array of influences on board. While not quite reaching the heights of essential releases, it is nonetheless a very enjoyable little tidbit that fills the cracks of the time between the first two albums.

3.5 rounded down