Discover ELO

Advantages: Brilliant rock classical sounds, great songs
Disadvantages: None

...Electric Light Orchestra were one of THE bands of the 1970s. Formed by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne from the ashes of The Move, they fused the sounds of the rock band with elements of the classics. Things did not go according to plan, at least in Wood?s mind and after two albums he went his own way (with Wizard and others). This left Lynne to explore and develop this orchestral rock fusion to its peak. At the time of this album ELO were in their fully established line up of Jeff Lynne (Lead guitar and vocals), Kelly Groucutt (Bass and vocals), Richard Tandy (Keyboards), Bev Bevan (Drums), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello). I had the great fortune of seeing them at Newcastle City Hall during their UK tour in the late 1970s. This review is primarily of the CD release although I did own the album...

Newfloridian 20.12.2002 (21.12.2002) · Read review
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Review of Discovery - ELO

Elo Mr Blue Sky!

Advantages: Lots of well known tracks, good british music
Disadvantages: None

...Well I thought I would start the new year on a happy note by reviewing a lively old album by a lively(ish) old group - The Electric Light Orchestra (or, as their friends and fans know them, ELO). Was it a Christmas present? No folks, I actually went out and bought this myself. Make of that what you will! It was a mere case of, I had a version of their Greatest Hits on vinyl (or an LP to those of us who remember them), but I decided I ought to listen to these guys on a piece of modern equipment - namely a CD! *** A Little Background Information on the Band *** = The Electric Light Orchestra was formed over 35 years ago by lead singer Jeff Lynne. Their popularity soared between 1974 and 1981 in which time they amassed 28 hit singles in the UK. The band split in 1986 and Jeff Lynne...

matthewsmum 03.01.2006 · Read review
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Review of All Over The World (The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra) - ELO

ELO's third time lucky

Advantages: Adventurous fusion of styles
Disadvantages: The old dull track or two

...ELO's third album, released early in 1974, was the first on which leader Jeff Lynne successfully honed his songwriting and arranging skills down to shorter, more commercial numbers. The first two had been far more experimental, one being a collection of nine separate tracks (almost separate projects) split between Jeff and original co-leader Roy Wood, and one a set of five pretty lengthy pieces. This was closer to the mark. Although Jeff hadn't yet mastered the knack of writing commercial songs that were potential hit singles in his sleep, here he came up with a more cohesive programme of songs and instrumentals, with a better, less self-indulgent balance between the main instruments of violin, cellos and synth. The record has a vague concept theme. On the third day, we are told, the land and seas were formed, and some...

JOHNV 23.08.2000 (21.07.2001) · Read review
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Review of On The Third Day - ELO

Hey Boy Blue Is Back - Otis Goes Solo

Advantages: Brilliant sounds, virtuoso performance, great Jeff Lynne songs
Disadvantages: What constitutes a band anyway?

...the songs are all written by Jeff Lynne who is also the producer. ELO was typically a four piece rock band (Lynne, Bev Bevan, Richard Tandy and Kelly Groucutt) with classically trained string players (electric violin - Mik Kiminski and cellos - Melvyn Gale, Hugh McDowell) added. So what is the dramatis personae here? Jeff Lynne provides (on various tracks): Lead vocals, Backing vocals, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Piano, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Cello. He also shows a much wider range of vocal styles than on previous ELO albums. He has ?special guest stars?: Ringo Starr plays drums on two tracks, George Harrison plays slide guitar on two tracks and Richard Tandy plays electric piano on one track. The running order is: Alright Moment in Paradise State Of Mind Just For Love Stranger On A Quiet Street In My Own Time Easy Money It...

Newfloridian 03.01.2003 · Read review
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Review of Zoom - ELO

The return of Mr Blue Sky

Advantages: Good album, and welcome return from one of the big 70s names
Disadvantages: A little short, with some slightly below-par tracks

...In 1986 Jeff Lynne laid the Electric Light Orchestra to rest with their disappointing contract-filler 'Balance of Power'. For the next few years he was busy as a producer for George Harrison, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison, all of whom joined him in the Traveling Wilburys, before making a solo album and helping to co-produce the last two Beatles singles. Meanwhile, after some legal shenanigans, ELO's drummer Bev Bevan regrouped several members of the old band to form the unjustly-neglected ELO Part II, who made two more studio albums and then called it a day. Now, in 2001, Jeff has his baby back. ELO, as heard on 'Zoom', is in effect Mr Lynne as a solo artist again, playing most of the instruments and singing nearly all vocals as well as writing and producing everything, as before. Apart from pianist Richard Tandy on one track, none...

JOHNV 12.09.2001 · Read review
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Review of Zoom - ELO

Discovery - or was it really 'very disco'?

Advantages: Five Top 10 hits
Disadvantages: A shadow of their earlier triumphs

...The word games with the title of what proved to be ELO's best-selling album ever (straight into No. 1 in the UK album chart, where it stayed for five weeks) are appropriate. Whereas the group, or rather front man/writer/producer Jeff Lynne, had broken new ground with every previous set, by now they were becoming formularised and following musical trends rather than carving out their own distinctive path. While the opening track "Shine a Little Love" is an infectious, exhilarating number that could rank alongside the best of the dance floor competition in '79 from Abba, the Bee Gees, Blondie et al, and "Confusion" is a decent enough pop song, it goes downhill from that point. A succession of pale retreads of past glories like the 'very discoish' "Last Train To London", which is little more than "Evil Woman" Mk II, the intensely...

JOHNV 24.07.2000 · Read review
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Review of Discovery - ELO

Get some TIME to listen to this!

Advantages: Some very good tracks
Disadvantages: Might not be easy to get hold of

...Time, from ELO was released in 1981, after the heyday of the mid 70's when one hit followed another, and the tours were something to be seen to be believed! Although not as good as the Light Years album (a double CD and not a single weak link), this still remains a firm favourite. There's more of the usual futuristic allusions which we've come to expect from ELO, and a lot of old favourite themes are perpetuated (Light, Rain, World, Moon, Windows), giving the album a familiar feel, along with the old violin/cello/keyboard mix and the lyrics that are so dramatic yet elusive to their meaning. They seem to mean different things with different moods. Jeff Lynne yet again amazes with the scope of the production, and the scope and range of his voice. Since ELO disbanded he's helped on various projects such as George Harrison's "Concert...

xandie1 28.06.2004 · Read review
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Review of Time - ELO

Half the album it was meant to be

Advantages: Some reasonable songs
Disadvantages: A predictable retread of the old formula

...When various Christian Fundamentalist sects in the US accused ELO of being devil-worshippers and inserting satanic 'secret messages' in their songs, Jeff Lynne was inspired to write, record and produce a double album sending the fools up. Although their previous two albums had topped the UK chart, the record company refused to endorse a double album at that time on the grounds of expense. Some of the songs were left in the can, a few reappearing several years later on the compilation "Afterglow", and this severely pruned single album was what was left. At its best, it represents the ELO we knew and loved most of the time. "Rock'n'Roll Is King" might be an over-formularised rewrite of "Hold On Tight" and similar hits, but it still sounded good on the radio and on stage, and "Four Little Diamonds" is a reasonable song in similar vein...

JOHNV 13.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Secret Messages - ELO

Out of the ordinary

Advantages: 70's pop perfection
Disadvantages: could never be matched there after

...?Out Of The Blue? - Electric Light Orchestra -~- Manufacture Details -~- Release Date : 1977 Record Label : Epic Records Catalogue No. : EPC450885-2 -~- The Review -~- Probably the most famous of ELO?s recordings , and the one that catapaulted them into the big league , was originally released in double album , double cassette and 8 track cassette formats ( no CD?s at this time ! ) . The group at this time consisted of no less than seven members , these being ; Jeff Lynne : song writer , lead vocal , guitars Bev Bevan : backing vocals , drums , percussion Richard Tandy : synthesisers / keyboards , occasional guitar Kelly Groucutt : vocals Mik Kaminsky : violin Hugh McDowell : cello Melvyn Gale : cello The album?s original title was to be ?Out Of This World? , however , its resemblence to ELO?s...

CaptainKidd 12.09.2003 · Read review
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Review of Out Of The Blue/Discovery - ELO

Let's face the music and...maybe not dance

Advantages: Good songs, unusual instrumental work
Disadvantages: Not that commercial - but is that a bad thing

..."FTM" was ELO's fifth album, and marked the start of long-overdue acceptance in Britain. After having made a couple of albums which were completely ignored on their home patch while finding success stateside, this saw the climb back. Three of the eight tracks were singles, and the first, "Evil Woman", put them back in the Top 10 in 1976. There's quite a spooky feel to the album as a whole, as borne out by the sinister cover shot of an electric chair (so don't sit down, right), and the eerie instrumental opening track "Fire On High" - reverse tape speech, Wagnerian bits and bobs, and suddenly all the strings and choral effects cutting out to leave nothing but an acoustic guitar. "Strange Magic", the album's only other Top 40 hit, is another of the grand ballads the group did so well, while "Poker" is quite the opposite - a full...

JOHNV 25.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Face The Music - ELO