Electric Light Orchestra
The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) were among the first wave of bands who I personally started to follow after old school mates asked me if "I had heard this or that group" in the mid 1970s.
Their story starts in the late 1960s, when multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood (of The Move) had the fancy to form a band which would use violins, cellos, string basses, horns and woodwinds to give their music a classical sound, taking rock music in the direction "that The Beatles had left off".
Jeff Lynne joined Roy Wood in The Move when Carl Wayne left in 1970 on the understanding that they focus on the new project.
A result of this initial collaboration was a track which was originally due to be a B-side for a Move record - "10538 Overture", which is still among my favourites.
After The Move folded and The Electric Light Orchestra formally formed, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne were joined by Bev Bevan (drums), Hugh McDowell (Cello), Richard Tandy (bass) and some others.
Wood and Lynne had differences concerning their management, and Roy Wood left the band (later forming Wizzard).
Jeff Lynne and the remaining band members persevered and a second album (imaginatively titled ELO 2) was released in 1973 - this contained a reworking of the Chuck Berry classic "Roll Over Beethoven" which became a concert mainstay. Richard Tandy's instrument of choice shifted from bass to Moog Synthesiser.
Another album (On The Third Day) was released in 1973 containing the single "Showdown", which contains many of the band's trademark sounds.
The next four years were an uber-productive period and achieved no less than 4 albums of the highest standard.
Their story starts in the late 1960s, when multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood (of The Move) had the fancy to form a band which would use violins, cellos, string basses, horns and woodwinds to give their music a classical sound, taking rock music in the direction "that The Beatles had left off".
Jeff Lynne joined Roy Wood in The Move when Carl Wayne left in 1970 on the understanding that they focus on the new project.
A result of this initial collaboration was a track which was originally due to be a B-side for a Move record - "10538 Overture", which is still among my favourites.
After The Move folded and The Electric Light Orchestra formally formed, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne were joined by Bev Bevan (drums), Hugh McDowell (Cello), Richard Tandy (bass) and some others.
Wood and Lynne had differences concerning their management, and Roy Wood left the band (later forming Wizzard).
Jeff Lynne and the remaining band members persevered and a second album (imaginatively titled ELO 2) was released in 1973 - this contained a reworking of the Chuck Berry classic "Roll Over Beethoven" which became a concert mainstay. Richard Tandy's instrument of choice shifted from bass to Moog Synthesiser.
Another album (On The Third Day) was released in 1973 containing the single "Showdown", which contains many of the band's trademark sounds.
The next four years were an uber-productive period and achieved no less than 4 albums of the highest standard.
Eldorado (1974)
One of my favourites, Eldorado is tag-lined "A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra". In short, it is a magnificent collection of songs, beautiful musical arrangements and soaring strings.
"Can't Get It Out Of My Head" is just plain lovely.
One of my favourites, Eldorado is tag-lined "A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra". In short, it is a magnificent collection of songs, beautiful musical arrangements and soaring strings.
"Can't Get It Out Of My Head" is just plain lovely.
Face The Music (1975)
A great collection of tunes from start to finish.
The mysterious Fire On High, Waterfall, Evil Woman with it's innovative stratified strings, Nightrider, the glorious Poker, Strange Magic,
Down Home Town and One Summer Dream are all wonderful.
A great collection of tunes from start to finish.
The mysterious Fire On High, Waterfall, Evil Woman with it's innovative stratified strings, Nightrider, the glorious Poker, Strange Magic,
Down Home Town and One Summer Dream are all wonderful.
A New World Record (1976)
Tightrope, Telephone Line, Rockaria!, Mission (A World Record), So Fine, Livin' Thing, Above The Clouds, Do Ya and the sublime Shangri-La
A magnificent album.
Tightrope, Telephone Line, Rockaria!, Mission (A World Record), So Fine, Livin' Thing, Above The Clouds, Do Ya and the sublime Shangri-La
A magnificent album.
Out Of The Blue (1977)
Originally released as a double LP, I have always thought that this has a truly great three sides, slightly let down by a couple of make-weight fillers on side 4.
That gripe aside, the fade-in on Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Night In The City, Jungle and Steppin' Out (among others) lead you on a journey to the brilliant side 3 -
"Concerto For Rainy Day"
This comprises the perfection of: Standin' In The Rain, Big Wheels, Summer and Lightning and Mr Blue Sky.
It was during the promotion for Out Of The Blue that ELO played 8 nights at the Wembley Empire Pool and I was lucky enough to see them and their spectacular show which kicked off with a spaceship taking off above the stage.
As an aside, at around this time I am sure that while browsing at a "pile them high, sell them cheap" record shop in London, I saw an imported LP collection splendidly titled "OLELO".
Originally released as a double LP, I have always thought that this has a truly great three sides, slightly let down by a couple of make-weight fillers on side 4.
That gripe aside, the fade-in on Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Night In The City, Jungle and Steppin' Out (among others) lead you on a journey to the brilliant side 3 -
"Concerto For Rainy Day"
This comprises the perfection of: Standin' In The Rain, Big Wheels, Summer and Lightning and Mr Blue Sky.
It was during the promotion for Out Of The Blue that ELO played 8 nights at the Wembley Empire Pool and I was lucky enough to see them and their spectacular show which kicked off with a spaceship taking off above the stage.
As an aside, at around this time I am sure that while browsing at a "pile them high, sell them cheap" record shop in London, I saw an imported LP collection splendidly titled "OLELO".
A couple of years later, another album "Discovery" appeared, followed in 1981 with the terrific record, "Time".
The disco influenced Discovery (apparently, Richard Tandy nicknamed the record Disco-Very ) never really did it for me, but did contain the strangely whimsical "Diary of Horace Wimp" , "Confusion" and the more forthright "Don't Bring Me Down"... Groooss!
Time was much more to my taste, and was a sci-fi and futuristic themed. A glorious electronic and keyboard sound enhanced this feel. It is a proper concept album, telling the story of a man from the 1980s finding himself in 2095.
"Yours Truly, 2095", "Ticket To The Moon", "The Way Life's Meant To Be", "Here Is The News" and "21st Century Man" are marvellous.
Time was much more to my taste, and was a sci-fi and futuristic themed. A glorious electronic and keyboard sound enhanced this feel. It is a proper concept album, telling the story of a man from the 1980s finding himself in 2095.
"Yours Truly, 2095", "Ticket To The Moon", "The Way Life's Meant To Be", "Here Is The News" and "21st Century Man" are marvellous.
After Time, I am of the opinion that ELO and Jeff Lynne began to sound very tired, so they fell from my sphere of my immediate interest.
Jeff Lynne has variously produced for Tom Petty amongst others, been a Traveling Wilbury and re-recording and re-mastering the ELO back catalogue.
I prefer to enjoy them at their peak between 74 and 77, when they could do no wrong, but wish Jeff Lynne with his re-boot and relaunch of "his" version of the band in 2015.
Jeff Lynne has variously produced for Tom Petty amongst others, been a Traveling Wilbury and re-recording and re-mastering the ELO back catalogue.
I prefer to enjoy them at their peak between 74 and 77, when they could do no wrong, but wish Jeff Lynne with his re-boot and relaunch of "his" version of the band in 2015.
General note regarding the pictures:
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs that I have attended).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(13 Nov 2015)
I have no idea from where some of the photos on this page have come from, and I am not claiming any ownership (unless I have taken them at events or gigs that I have attended).
If you would like a credit mentioned, please contact me.
(13 Nov 2015)