Search - Roy Wood :: Boulders

No rocks...errr...Boulders in his head Roy Wood checks in wi

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 05/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Roy Wood's eccentric, creative approach to music made him a bit hard to characterize which is probably why he never found an appreciative audience in the United States. The remaster sounds decent...it could sound better without the wonky E.Q. and the overuse of noise reduction but since the previously released version isn't readily avaiable, this is probably the best edition you can get. I can't recommend Peter Mew's overuse of No Noise for this album but the great music on it manages to transcend most of the issues with the mastering. Some people will find this difficult to listen to others won't mind it. It really depends on your ear and your system. Five stars for the album...2 stars for the mastering.



It's too bad this album didn't find an appreciative audience because "Boulders" is a masterpiece. Covering everything from his unique version of "gospel" ("Songs of Praise")to folk ballads tinged with psychedelia, Wood's music was always unique and demanding of his audience. The founder of The Move and co-founder of ELO with Jeff Lynne (Wood left due to creative differences during the recording of ELO's second album). Goofy, fun, delightfully creative and charming (in a good way)"Boulders" remains, along with "Mustard", Wood's masterpiece. Wood plays every instrument here (except one)and does all the vocals himself. Wood takes unexpected twists and turns from using the sound of slapped water as percussion to the humorous "When Gran'ma Plays the Banjo" where Wood plays the banjo impersonating the Gran'ma of the title and other**less talented**players.



The booklet has the song lyrics and an appreciation of sorts by Wood himself discussing the album. We only get a single bonus track an early rough mix of "Dear Elaine" but the album would have been welcome without anything extra. It's that good.



Recorded in 1969 while Wood was still leading The Move and before he formed ELO with Lynne, the album was held three years after its completion so as not to conflict with Wood's other output. It's a pity because if this had been released in 1970 instead of 1973 I don't doubt that Wood's unique, stylizied delivery would have found an audience. He manages to take his hook filled music and twist it in ways only his peers and influences could have.



If you've heard "California Man" you'll have an idea of the "sound" of the album. The last Move album sounds a lot like "Boulders". Wood's sound and approach won't be for everyone and anyone listening to this because of Wood's brief affilation with ELO will be surprised because this sounds NOTHING like what Jeff Lynne later did with that band. Highly recommended."

A masterpiece

B. Ferrer | Spain | 07/13/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album represents the quality of Roy Wood composition's. The Move, ELO, and Wizzard's founder made this perfect solo album. Each song in this album is perfect!"

Great pop as in the best sense of the word

William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 02/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone who likes melodic British pop should partake in Boulders. The songs scan the spectrum of English post-Beatles music, from ochestral experments to jazz inderludes tp straight out rock and roll. Wood segues the tracks and connects diverse elements extreamely well. At times it reminds me of the pop masterpiece Brian Wilson was trying to create with Smile, altough the arranging on Boulders is a lot more straightforward. Great work from start to end, and a good thing to buy yourself any time.



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