Sleeve: Dear old Roy looks like an extra Wizzard from a Harry Potter movie.
Sleevenotes: Words kept to a minimum, but photos are great, from three-year-old Roy to teenage Roy at Reading Festival to Roy receiving honorary doctorate from Derby University.
Content: Pretty exhaustive look at fascinating career of king of psychedelic pop, who morphed into Phil Spector Mark 2. Random running order reflects Wood’s inventive, sometimes inspired songwriting.
High point: New version of classic Fire Brigade showcases its driving rhythm and look at teenage love through edgy prism of LSD. Previously unreleased version of Blackberry Way, that unashamed dollop of nostalgia, is excellent too.
Low point: Journeymen Wizzard tracks (no names, no packdrill) in which dear old Roy seems to be gently going through the motions.
Any glaring omissions? No Night Of Fear, The Move’s first great single, or Curly.
Anything new? Nancy Sinatra singing Flowers In The Rain is an experience, while Status Quo echo early hazy Pictures Of Matchstick Men days with rather splendid version of I Can Hear The Grass Grow
Cheerful or tearful excuse for release? Cheerful. No Christmas is complete without Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day.
Where might this end up at Christmas? In your boozy uncle’s stocking.
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