The Move As Cover Band
Although today the Move is better-known for their own original material (largely provided by Roy Wood of course), they in fact started out as a cover band playing R & B hits and old rock and roll songs. Legend has it that they recorded or performed little or no original material prior to their signing with Denny Cordell and Deram, who encouraged the band to perform original material (Roy came back the next day with "Night Of Fear," probably the first song he ever wrote for the Move).
However, the Move continued to play covers in their live show, and their first two LPs ("The Move" and "Shazam!") as well as the "Something Else From The Move" EP also contain covers. Thanks to both BBC "needle time" restrictions and the magic of amateur concert tapes, many of these covers have survived for the perusal and listening pleasure of Move fans everywhere. In fact, the "Black Country Rock" bootleg gave many fans their first chance to hear these historic recordings; it was even selected by Clinton Heylin (Dylan scholar) as one of the best 100 bootlegs of all time.
Like all '60s bands possessed of good taste, the Move drew their covers from a wide array of sources--American R & B hits, '50s-era rockers, contemporary LA and San Francisco groups, country and western bands, and the Top 40. If an enterprising record label were to assemble the original versions of these songs onto a CD, the results would undoubtedly be fascinating as well as entertaining.
Below is a list of most of the cover songs performed by the Move at one point or another, along with composer information and the name of the original performer along with a possible source for the recording. Most of the releases listed herein are American. Nearly all Move releases listed herein (except for those on A & M) are British (or, in case of the Repertoire releases, German).
As regards serial numbers, most of the information came from the following sources:
Goldmine's Price Guide to Collectible Record Albums, fourth and fifth editions, by Neal Umphred. US: Iola, WI: Krause Publications, (c) 1994, 1996.
Goldmine Price Guide To 45 RPM Records, edited by Tim Neely (no edition number). US: Iola, WI: Krause Publications, (c) 1996.
Most of the other information comes from my own collection, although a few entries (which are probably wrong) come from that massive compendium of errors, the All Music Guide (URL: www.allmusic.com). While the All Music Guide does have useful information, the trick is wading through the omissions and mistakes (wrong timings, wrong or missing songwriting credits, misdated albums, etc.) to find it. This was used as a last resort when I simply couldn't find any other information on a track.
Finally, be aware that there are a couple of songs in here which I knew little or nothing about. If anyone could supply new or corrected information, it would be greatly appreciated! Contact me at Bugs72740@aol.com.
Starting in (vaguely) chronological order:
You'd Better Believe Me (Gallup/Davis): Performed by the Move on the BBC, January 1967. Can be found on "The BBC Sessions," Band of Joy; "Black Country Rock," Gold Standard (bootleg). This was originally recorded by Gene Vincent and probably first appeared on Gene's second American LP, "Gene Vincent & The Blue Caps," Capitol T-811, released 1957. Cliff Gallup, co-author of this song, was only a member of the Blue Caps for six months during 1956/7 and played on about 35 or 36 of Gene's recordings, including "Be Bop-A-Lula."
Stop, Get A Hold Of Yourself (Van McCoy): Performed by the Move at the same BBC session as above. Can be found on "The BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." One of the more obscure songs the Move ever recorded, this song has only appeared as the B-side of "Who Knows," recorded for the tiny label Maxx and issued as Maxx 334 in 1965. The kicker is that the group isn't obscure at all: It's Gladys Knight and The Pips, who later went on to fame with "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "If I Was Your Woman," "Midnight Train To Georgia" and many other songs. Only God and Roy Wood know how the group got a hold of this song. And I believe that the composer is the very same Van McCoy who later hit the charts with an early disco record, "The Hustle."
Morning Dew (Rose): Performed by the Move for the BBC in September 1967. Originally unaired. Can be found on "The BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." This song (written and recorded by Tim Rose, who released his version on his first, self-titled LP, issued as Columbia CS-9577 in late 1967/early 1968) was also recorded by the Jeff Beck Group, which may be where the Move learned this song. The Grateful Dead amongst others have also done this song.
Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart (Hanley): Studio version on "The Move." Also appears on "Best Of The Move," A & M, amongst others. The Coasters' version was the B-side of "Yakety Yak" (Atlantic 6116, 1958). The Coasters' version is a lot of fun. The Move's version is often thought of as their worst commercially released recording. Guess which one wins?
So You Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star (McGuinn/Hillman): Performed by the Move at the same session as above. Also recorded live at the Marquee on 27 February 1968. BBC version: "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Marquee version: "Something Else From The Move," Regal Zonophone EP; "The Move Collection," Castle Communications; "Shazam!" CD, Repertoire; "The Best Of The Move," Music Club; "Movements," West Side; "Something Else From The Move...plus," Diablo; "Hits And Rarities Singles As & Bs," Repertoire. (Phew!) This song is about as far from obscure as you can get. A hit for the Byrds in early 1967, issued on 45 as Columbia 43987 and on their (excellent) LP, "Younger Than Yesterday," Columbia CS-9442 that same year. It's a toss up as to which version is better, though I prefer the original version (with Hugh Masekela guesting). Also covered by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers ("Pack Up The Plantation," MCA) and REM ("Do You Remember," bootleg).
Stephanie Knows Who (Lee): Performed by the Move a week after the previous session (listed above) for the BBC, Sept. 1967. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Marquee version: originally released on "Something Else From The Move." Subsequently appears on: "Shazam!" CD, Repertoire; "Best Of The Move," Music Club; "Movements," West Side; "Hits And Rarities Singles As & Bs," Repertoire. Originally performed by the Los Angeles-based band Love, "Stephanie Knows Who" appears on their classic "Da Capo" LP, Elektra EKS-74005. Love's version is definitely superior to either version released by the Move, though the Move ought to get credit for having good taste.
Hey Grandma (Miller/Stephenson): Performed by the Move at the same session listed above. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Studio version appears on "The Move," LP: Regal Zonophone, CD: Cube and Repertoire amongst others; "Best Of The Move," A & M (US); "Best Of The Move," Music Club; "Movements," West Side. The original version led off Moby Grape's first, self-titled LP (Columbia CS-9498, 1967), and was even released on 45 in the US--with a picture sleeve, no less (Columbia 44174)! All three of the above versions are great, though the Move's LP version features some nifty barrelhouse piano (courtesy of Richard Tandy, perhaps?). As noted in John Platt's sleevenotes for "Movements," the Move also fluff the line "Robitussin and elderberry wine;" maybe Robitussin cough syrup wasn't sold in England at the time.
Weekend (Post): Performed by the Move for the BBC in January 1968. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Studio version appears on "The Move," LP and CD; "Best Of The Move," A & M; "Best Of The Move," Music Club; "Movements." Original version by the immortal Eddie Cochran appears on Liberty single 55389, 1961, and on "Never To Be Forgotten," Liberty LRP-3220, 1961, as well as numerous Cochran compilations. Joe Ramsey on the Move mailing list wondered if Trevor Burton was channeling Eddie's spirit when he sang this song.
It'll Be Me (Clement): Performed by the Move for the BBC at the same session as above. Appears on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Marquee version: "Something Else From The Move;" "Shazam!" CD; "Move Collection;" "Movements;" "Something Else From The Move...plus;" "Hits And Rarities Singles As & Bs." Originally recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis as the B-side to the epochal "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Goin' On," Sun 267, 1957. The Move allegedly learned their version off a cover by Cliff Richard, though this sounds closer to Jerry Lee's original. Certainly, their rough, nearly proto-punk attack on the song (as recorded at the Marquee especially) blows nearly anything by Cliff Richard away!
Piece Of My Heart (Berns/Ragovoy): Performed by the Move at the Marquee, 27 February 1968. Appears on "Movements;" "Shazam!" CD; "Something Else From The Move...plus." Also recorded in Sept. 1968 for the BBC; unaired? Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Originally recorded by Erma Franklin, sister of Aretha, and appears on the single Shout 221, 1967. The song later made famous by Big Brother and the Holding Company, or more appropriately, by its lead singer, Janis Joplin, as issued on their "Cheap Thrills" LP, released in Aug. 1968 (Columbia KCS-9700). The Move's version is much closer to Franklin's, after you allow for the gender switch in the lyrics.
Too Much In Love (Laine): Recorded at the Marquee. Appears on "Movements;" "Shazam!" CD; "Something Else From The Move...plus." The original version was released on 45 in England as Deram DM 171, 1968 and credited to Denny Laine's String Band, whose use of amplified string instruments apparently inspired Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne to do the same thing in the Electric Light Orchestra. Denny Laine, former member of Denny and The Diplomats and the Moody Blues, later joined and/or formed Balls (who included Trevor Burton in their lineup) and also Paul McCartney's Wings, where Laine ended up being about the only stable member of the group other than Paul and Linda. I've never heard the original version, but the Move's version isn't too bad, although the song itself is fairly slight.
(Your Love Is Lifting Me) Higher And Higher (Jackson/Minor/Smith): Recorded at the Marquee. Appears on "Movements;" "Shazam!" CD; "Something Else From The Move...plus." Recorded in May 1968 for the BBC. Appears on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." The original version by the late great Jackie Wilson was released on single (Brunswick 55337) in 1967. The Move provide a fantastic instrumental backing, but Carl Wayne can't even hope to compete with Wilson's amazing voice (or his odd phrasing, for that matter).
Sunshine Help Me (Wright): Recorded at the Marquee. Edited version appears on "Something Else From The Move;" "Shazam!" CD; "Move Collection;" "Something Else From The Move...plus;" "Hits And Rarities Singles As & Bs." Unedited version appears on "Movements;" "Shazam!" CD; "Something Else From The Move...plus." Originally recorded by Spooky Tooth for their first LP, "It's All About Spooky Tooth" (or simply "Spooky Tooth"), Bell 6019. Written by Gary Wright, who later had a hit with "Dream Weaver," and who also appeared on the same Tim Rose LP that featured "Morning Dew." Small world, isn't it? Luther Grosvenor is a good guitarist, but I prefer Roy's solo, especially on the unedited version, where he can be heard briefly (and cheekily) quoting from "Strangers In The Night," the song made famous (and loathed) by Frank Sinatra. "Do-be-do-be-do...."
Kentucky Woman (Diamond): Recorded for the BBC at the same session as the BBC version of "Higher and Higher." Unaired? Can be found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Neil Diamond's version appears on single (Bang 551, 1967) and on his LP "Neil Diamond's Greatest Hits," Bang BLPS-219 (where, incidentally, it is presented in reprocessed stereo, that bane of music lovers everywhere), 1968. Carl sort of approaches this as another cabaret number, but the band's arrangement is very folky (is that a word?). Neil Diamond went from writing great (if inconsequential) pop songs such as "Cherry Cherry," "You Got To Me," "Solitary Man," and "I'm A Believer" (and "Kentucky Woman") to ponderous easy-listening pabulum ("Song Sung Blue," "You Didn't Bring Me Flowers," etc., etc., etc.) which Americans who grew up in the '70s and '80s (like me) found impossible to avoid hearing on the radio.
Long Black Veil (Dill/Wilkin): Recorded in Sept. 1968 for the BBC. Unaired. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." The original original recording seems to be found on "Country Songs Old & New" by the Country Gentlemen, although I could well be wrong (released as Smithsonian/Folkways SF-40004, 1960). Covered by literally dozens of artists since: everyone from Burl Ives to Joan Baez to Johnny Cash to the Band to the Chieftains (and the Move of course). I believe this was recorded around the same time the Band's first LP, "Music From Big Pink," was released, although I'm not sure about that. Trevor shares the lead vocal with Roy on what seems to be an ancient folk ballad (but isn't--the song was copyrighted in 1959 or 1960) concerning a man who has to die simply because his alibi would break his best friend's heart. My favorite versions are the ones recorded by Johnny Cash and the Band.
Goin' Back (Goffin/King): Recorded in November 1968 for the BBC; unaired. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." (See what I mean about those BBC tapes?) Originally recorded by Dusty Springfield in about 1966. Dusty Springfield's version was released on single as Philips BF 1577 in the UK, where it reached number 10 in July of 1966. In the US, it appeared on first pressings of "Dusty Springfield's Golden Hits," Philips PHS 600 220, 1966; it was later replaced with another song and apparently remained unavailable in the US until the late 1990s, where it has appeared on "Anthology," Polygram, 1997, and "The Very Best Of Dusty Springfield," Polygram 314 558 208-2, 1998. The Byrds' version appears on their "Notorious Byrds Brothers" LP (Columbia CS-9575, released late 1967/early 1968), and this is the arrangement which was covered by the Move. They do an excellent job, too.
California Girls (Wilson/Love): Recorded in December 1968 for the BBC; unaired? Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." Original version by the fabulous Beach Boys. First released on 5 July 1965 on "Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)," Capitol T-2354, and issued on single (Capitol 5464) one week later. Reissued on innumerable compilations. The Move try a different arrangement, which is interesting if not definitive. Incidentally, wouldn't a Roy Wood/Brian Wilson collaboration be interesting? (Well, Jeff Lynne did work briefly on Wilson's 1988 solo album as a producer. And Roy did play sax and sing on "It's OK," from the [wretched] LP "15 Big Ones," which isn't much of a collaboration.)
The Christian Life (Louvin/Louvin): Recorded at the same session as the above song. Found on "BBC Sessions," "Black Country Rock." The original version was recorded by the Louvin Brothers for their LP "Satan Is Real," featuring a very famous and very, very bizarre LP cover with the Brothers posed awkwardly in front of a 12-foot plywood Lucifer (complete with the de rigeur flames superimposed over the background). Okay then! The LP is better than the cover, but few dare to find out once they see the thing. However, the Move learned their version from the Byrds' "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo," (Columbia CS-9670, 1968) featuring Roger McGuinn imitating Gram Parsons. Parsons' original, superior lead vocal, can be found on the Byrds' Box Set and on the expanded CD reissue of "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo."
The Sound Of Silence (Simon): Recorded by the Move for the BBC. Found on "Black Country Rock;" "Colour Me Rare!," Tendolar (bootleg). A famous song with an interesting history. Simon and Garfunkel originally recorded this song for their first LP as Simon and Garfunkel (rather than as "Tom And Jerry"), "Wednesday Morning 3 A.M." (Columbia CS-2049, 1964), which was no more and no less than a folk album, with no trace of rock 'n' roll. After being released to little or no chart action, the duo broke up, and Simon traveled to the UK, where he stayed in London for a while. During this period, he also wrote several bubblegum-ish songs to keep himself fed, one of which ("Red Rubber Ball" by the Cyrkle) was a hit in the US. When the Byrds broke in 1965 with "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Like A Rolling Stone" was about to hit the charts in a big way, the legendary Tom Wilson, then a staff producer at Columbia Records, took "Sound Of Silence" and overdubbed a rock band comprised of musicians who'd just finished playing with Bob Dylan (so legend has it) onto the existing recording (which is why the original is actually in better fidelity than the hit). "Sound Of Silence" made noise when released to radio, and Simon was called back from the UK, put back in the studio with Garfunkel, and persuaded to write and record a "folk-rock" LP. The song was duly released on 45 (Columbia 43396, 1965) and followed by an LP, imaginatively titled "Sounds Of Silence" (Columbia CS-9269). So which version was better? I'll leave that one up to you.
Fields Of People (Day/Pierson): Recorded in late 1969. Found on "Shazam!" LP: Regal Zonophone, A & M; CD: Repertoire; "Movements." Original version found on "Ars Nova," by Ars Nova, Elektra EKS-74020, 1968. Having never heard the original, I can't comment on it, but I can comment that Carl constantly fluffs his vocal and giggles on the version released by the Move. A song similar to Dino Valenti's anthem "Get Together" (made a hit by the Youngbloods), pleading for peace and brotherhood. This one, however, takes the novel approach of comparing the human race to a field of wildflowers (adding the immortal comment: "In fields of people/there's no such thing as a weed"). Obviously well-meant and sincere, if not the cleverest thing in the world. The Move version is highlighted by some excellent group harmonies, intricate guitar picking courtesy of Roy Wood, and a great sitar duel, which I presume is also courtesy of Woody.
Don't Make My Baby Blue (Mann/Weil): Recorded late 1969. Found on "Shazam!" LP, CD; "Movements." Original version--? The earliest reference I can find to this song is as a track on a 1965 Shadows LP, and I'm not sure if it's the same song or merely one with the same title. Anyway, it's odd to hear a song written by well-known Brill Building tunesmiths Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil (who wrote several songs for the Monkees amongst others) turned into a track which wouldn't be out of place on a Black Sabbath LP (yes, it is that loud and "heavy"). For that matter, Roy's playing is similar to that of Mick Ronson on the David Bowie song, "The Width Of A Circle," which wouldn't be recorded or released for another year or two. Carl has a little trouble keeping up with the band, but he pulls through.
The Last Thing On My Mind (Paxton): Recorded late 1969. Found on "Shazam!" LP, CD; "Movements." The original song can be found on any number of releases and covered by any number of people, including the Kingston Trio, Judy Collins, Neil Diamond, Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, and Sandy Denny. Tom Paxton himself has also recorded the song many times over the years. Surely one of the earliest appearances of the song was on "Lonesome Feeling" by Herb Pederson, Sugar Hill SH-3728, recorded in 1964, which also features future Byrd Chris Hillman on mandolin. One of my favorite tracks on "Shazam!," the Move transform this simple lament into an elegy. The arrangement is heavily influenced by the Byrds, especially the sort of things they did on "5D" and "Younger Than Yesterday," with beautifully layered guitar parts, great playing from Rick Price and Bev Bevan, and wonderful vocals from Carl and the band (the group harmonies in particular are spine-tingling).
Miscellaneous covers:
Walk Right Back (Curtis): Source--? Found on "The Genius Of Roy Wood," Tendolar (bootleg). A cover of the Everly Brothers hit (Warner Brothers 5199, 1961; its flip was another hit, "Ebony Eyes"), written by Cricket Sonny Curtis, who also blessed the world with "I Fought The Law" (later made famous by the Bobby Fuller Four and the Clash, amongst others). "I miss my baby/and I feel so bad/I guess my race is run/But she's the best girl that I've ever had..." Er, sorry.
Open My Eyes (Rundgren): Source--? Found on "The Genius Of Roy Wood." The original version by the Nazz can be found on their debut album, "Nazz," SGC 5001, 1968. The punchier single mix (SGC 001) can be found on Rhino's recent "Nuggets" box set, as well as on the original "Nuggets" assembled by Lenny Kaye, who was guitarist for the Patti Smith Group.
She's A Woman (Lennon/McCartney): Source--? Found on "The Genius Of Roy Wood." The original was originally found on the b-side of "I Feel Fine," Parlophone R 5200, released 27 Nov. 1964 in the UK. The group was the Beatles, for anyone who's been living underneath a rock for the last thirty-eight years.
Under The Ice (Rundgren): Performed at the Fillmore West, 16 October 1969. Source: "The Move @ Fillmore West October 19, 1969" page at John Rock's website; URL is http://home.pacbell.net/johnrock/Move.html. The original version can be found on "Nazz Nazz," SGC SD-5002, 1969. (Was this a Rundgren credit or a group credit?) If you haven't heard this album, by all means find a copy and listen!
Gonna Have A Good Time (Vanda/Young): Performed by the Move at the Fillmore West. The original version was performed by the Easybeats and was released on their LP "Falling Off The Edge Of The World," United Artists UAS-6667, 1968. It was also later released on single (United Artists 50488, 1969? Also reissued as flipside of a reissue of "Friday On My Mind," United Artists Silver Spotlight 0114, 1973, indicating it may have generated some chart action in the US).