The Move: California Man Album (1974)
- Wizzard
- Oct 6, 1974
- 4 min read
A Vibrant Proto-Glam Compilation
The Move’s California Man LP, was released in the UK on October 7, 1974, on Harvest Records (catalogue: SHSP 4035). This 11-track compilation gathered key singles and tracks from the band’s later years (1970–1972), showcasing their shift from psychedelia to proto-glam rock and foreshadowing the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Produced by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, the album highlighted Wood’s flamboyant energy and Lynne’s melodic finesse, but it did not chart in the UK. Housed in a sleeve featuring a vibrant band photo, it’s a nostalgic snapshot of The Move’s final chapter.
Album Overview
Release Details:
Label: Harvest Records (UK).
Formats: Vinyl LP, cassette; later CD reissues (detailed below).
℗ & ©: 1974 Harvest Records. Recorded at various studios, including Advision and Phonogram, London, 1970–1972. Matrix numbers (e.g., SHSP 4035 A-1) confirm authenticity.
UK Release Formats and Track Listings
California Man was released in the UK in 1974 as a vinyl LP and cassette, with CD reissues appearing later. All formats maintain the same 11-track sequence:
Vinyl LP (Catalogue: SHSP 4035):
Side A:
California Man (Roy Wood, 3:37)
Ella James (Roy Wood, 3:14)
No Time (Jeff Lynne, 3:42)
Tonight (Roy Wood, 3:19)
Down On The Bay (Jeff Lynne, 4:15)
The Minister (Jeff Lynne, 4:33)
Side B:
Do Ya (Jeff Lynne, 4:06)
The Words Of Aaron (Jeff Lynne, 5:31)
Until Your Moma's Gone (Roy Wood, 5:06)
Chinatown (Roy Wood, 3:07)
Message From The Country (Jeff Lynne, 4:47)
Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a single sleeve with a vibrant photo and liner notes.
Cassette (Catalogue: TC-SHSP 4035):
Side A:
California Man (3:37)
Ella James (3:14)
No Time (3:42)
Tonight (3:19)
Down On The Bay (4:15)
The Minister (4:33)
Side B:
Do Ya (4:06)
The Words Of Aaron (5:31)
Until Your Moma's Gone (5:06)
Chinatown (3:07)
Message From The Country (4:47)
Packaging: Standard cassette case with J-card featuring artwork and track credits.
Compact Disc (CD) (Later reissue, e.g., 1999 Repertoire):
Single Disc:
California Man (3:37)
Ella James (3:14)
No Time (3:42)
Tonight (3:19)
Down On The Bay (4:15)
The Minister (4:33)
Do Ya (4:06)
The Words Of Aaron (5:31)
Until Your Moma's Gone (5:06)
Chinatown (3:07)
Message From The Country (4:47)
Packaging: Jewel case with booklet featuring liner notes, band photos, and credits.
Production and Context
Produced by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, the tracks were recorded between 1970 and 1972 at studios like Advision and Phonogram, London, during sessions for Looking On (1970) and Message from the Country (1971). The lineup included Wood (vocals, guitar, multi-instruments), Lynne (guitar, vocals), Rick Price (bass), and Bev Bevan (drums).
The album compiled singles and album cuts, reflecting The Move’s evolution into ELO’s orchestral rock. Released in 1974, it came as glam rock waned, competing with T. Rex and Slade compilations, but failed to capitalize on The Move’s earlier chart success.
Singles Released and Chart Performance
California Man was a compilation, with several tracks originally released as singles:
“California Man” (1972, Harvest HAR 5052):
UK Chart Data: Entry May 6, 1972; Peak No. 7; 11 weeks.
Chart Run: No. 22 (May 6), No. 15 (May 13), No. 10 (May 20), No. 7 (May 27), No. 8 (June 3), No. 10 (June 10), No. 12 (June 17), No. 15 (June 24), No. 18 (July 1), No. 22 (July 8), No. 25 (July 15).
International: Ireland No. 6, Netherlands No. 12, Germany No. 28, Australia No. 35.
“Tonight” (1971, Harvest HAR 5038):
UK Chart Data: Entry June 12, 1971; Peak No. 11; 10 weeks.
Chart Run: No. 28 (June 12), No. 18 (June 19), No. 13 (June 26), No. 11 (July 3), No. 12 (July 10), No. 14 (July 17), No. 17 (July 24), No. 20 (July 31), No. 24 (Aug 7), No. 29 (Aug 14).
International: Ireland No. 9, Netherlands No. 15.
“Chinatown” (1971, Harvest HAR 5043):
UK Chart Data: Entry November 6, 1971; Peak No. 23; 7 weeks.
Chart Run: No. 30 (Nov 6), No. 25 (Nov 13), No. 23 (Nov 20), No. 24 (Nov 27), No. 26 (Dec 4), No. 28 (Dec 11), No. 32 (Dec 18).
International: Ireland No. 15.
“Ella James” (1971, Harvest HAR 5037): Did not chart.
“Do Ya” (1972, US-only, United Artists 50928): US No. 93, no UK release.
Country Variations
The album was released in various countries with minor differences:
UK (Harvest SHSP 4035): Standard tracklist, as above, in a single sleeve.
Germany (Harvest 1C 062-05 356): Same tracklist, different catalogue, in a similar sleeve.
Netherlands (Harvest 5C 062-05356): Identical tracklist, released 1974, with localized artwork.
Australia (Harvest SHSP 4035): Same tracklist, with EMI branding on sleeve.
US (United Artists UA-LA112-F): Titled The Move, with a different sleeve and track order, omitting “No Time” and adding “Brontosaurus.”
Album Chart Performance
California Man did not chart in the UK or internationally, as it was a compilation released after The Move’s dissolution:
UK: No chart entry (Official Albums Chart).
Entry Date: N/A.
Peak: N/A.
Weeks on Chart: 0.
US: No chart entry (Billboard 200).
Australia: No chart entry.
Germany: No chart entry.
Netherlands: No chart entry.
Other Countries: No chart entries in Ireland, Canada, France, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, New Zealand, or Japan due to limited promotion.
Legacy and Collectibility
California Man captures The Move’s proto-glam brilliance, with “California Man” and “Do Ya” influencing ELO and later rock acts. Original UK vinyls fetch £10–£30 on Discogs, with first pressings prized—verify catalogue SHSP 4035. Cassettes (£5–£15) and CDs (£5–£20, e.g., 1999 Repertoire) are collectible. Streams on Spotify via Message from the Country preserve the analog grit. This LP is a vibrant bridge to ELO’s legacy.
Do you have California Man in your vinyl stack? Which track rocks your turntable? Share in the comments!
Comments