Electric Light Orchestra [Enhanced] [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Limited Edition Release Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Release of Elo's First Album. Features Thefirst Album Remastered in Its Entirety as Well as Bonus Tracks, an Enhanced Section and a 24 Page Bookletwith Liner Notes, Discography and Rare Photos. Also Included is a Bonus CD Entitled "First Light" Whichfeatures 12 Previously Unreleased Elo Tracks, One of which is a Hidden Bonus Track, as Well as a Twelvepage Booklet with Further Band Memorabilia.

Tracks:

Mr. Blue Sky
Evil Woman
Don't Bring Me Down
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Shine A Little Love
Turn To Stone
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Confusion
Hold On Tight
Livin' Thing
Telephone Line
All Over The World
Wild West Hero
Showdown
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Xanadu
Rockaria!
Strange Magic
Alright
Rock And Roll Is King

Amazon.com

The Electric Light Orchestra were one of the biggest and most successful bands of the late 1970s, producing a massive string of hit singles and albums that almost any other band would envy. Their works have been cited as influences by such hip acts as Grandaddy and Super Furry Animals. Their frontman and leader Jeff Lynne has been the producer of choice for people like Paul McCartney, Tom Petty and George Harrison. From "Evil Woman", "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Mr Blue Sky" to "Livin' Thing" and "Hold On Tight", there are few duds amongst these 20 remastered tracks. ELO produced some of the biggest and best singles in rock & roll's history, and All Over The World: The Very Best Of ELO is an excellent reintroduction to this great band. Hopefully, this also signals the beginning of a long-overdue revival and re-evaluation. --Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews:

NOT A BAD GREATEST HITS COMPILATION ALBUM ON ONE CD........2007-07-07

I will be writing a review on the legendary greatest hits compilation album entitled "THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO), ALL OVER THE WORLD" by one of Rock's all-time greatest bands ever. I give you one of Britain's pride and joy's and one of Birmingham, England's favorite sons, E-L-E-C-T-R-I-C L-I-G-H-T O-R-C-H-E-S-T-R-A! This legendary compilation album was originally released in 2005 on Compact Disc on the Epic / Legacy Records label which is manufactured and distributed by Epic Records, a division of Sony BMG Music Entertainment Ltd. As always, if I hear any new additional information concerning this legendary compilation album or the artist, I will edit this review immediately so that you the consumer will get the overall best informative and most accurate review possible.

ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO) will forever go down in Rock n' Roll history and be remembered for composing and recording some of Rock's all-time greatest sacred anthems ever. When guitarist Jeff Lynne met up and joined forces with lead vocalist and frontman Roy Wood, bassist Rick Price and drummer Bev Bevan, ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA would be born with the same traditional music sound values like that of ELO'S most favorite band and idol's, THE BEATLES. When ELO was formed in 1970, Jeff Lynne made it perfectly clear that the band's intentions were to pick up where THE BEATLES classic anthem "I Am The Walrus" left off. ELO composed and recorded some great legendary hit songs and albums through the years during the period of 1973 to 2001. Listening to all of their hit songs, it is clearly evident in which you can actually feel THE BEATLES influence in this legendary band. In my opinion, had THE BEATLES stayed together from 1970 to 2001, ELO would have sounded in comparison just like THE FAB FOUR. And if that wasn't enough, ELO were actually one of the early pioneers to present their legendary concert performances with their rare breathtaking and explosive vibrant light and laser displays along with their massive flying saucer stage sets. Which now brings me to the legendary greatest hits compilation album I'm about to review for all of you today. "THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (ELO), ALL OVER THE WORLD" chronicles and highlights the majority of ELO'S greatest hit songs from the 1973 to 2001 period. In my opinion, this legendary compilation album is without a doubt, a true testament of the brilliance and musical creativity of four masterminded genius'. This legendary compilation album is also a fine fitting tribute to a great legendary band that was truly indeed, far ahead of their time. This album is the tales in the life and world of ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, their music is their story that speaks for itself.

It is now time to let the Rock n' Roll music of ELO to speak for itself and back it up musically as it was originally truly intended to be heard and listened to. "THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, ALL OVER THE WORLD" from 2005 begins with the incredible upbeat Rocker "Mr. Blue Sky," the forever ELO stamped trademark Rocker, "Evil Woman," the forever blistering ELO stamped trademark Rocker, "Don't Bring Me Down," this legendary anthem is a perfect example of how beautifully and harmoniously classical orchestrated music blends with Rock n' Roll as THE BEATLES forever proved it, "Sweet Talkin' Woman," the breathtaking orchestrated Hard Rocker "Shine A Little Love," the amazing synthesized and orchestrated Rocker "Turn To Stone," the breakthrough synthesized and orchestrated mild Rocker "The Diary Of Horace Wimp," the beautifully slow/medium acoustic Rocker "Confusion," the groundbreaking synthesized Rocker with the feelings and sounds bringing back the true spirit of the fifties, "Hold On Tight," the beautifully arranged orchestrated Rocker "Livin' Thing," the beautifully slow mindblowing sounds and special effects mild Rocker, "Telephone Line," the unforgettable orchestrated ans synthesized Rock anthem "All Over The World," the beautifully slow sounding orchestrated synthesized Rocker "Wild West Hero," the slow and smooth orchestrated Rocker "Showdown," the a*s kicking ELO stamped trademark orchestrated Hard Rocker "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle," the original genuine Rockin' version that was also recorded by OLIVIA NEWTON JOHN, "Xanadu," the slow teaser erupting into a a*s kicking, explosive Hard orchestrated Rocker, "Rockaria," the beautifully slow and soothing orchestrated mild Rocker, "Strange Magic," the merciless synthesized Hard Rocker "Alright" and the fast and energetic synthesized Rocker "Rock And Roll Is King." May I also add that the music track recording arrangements on all of these great hit songs were layed down perfectly. I would also like to commend ELO on their most beautiful harmony vocals. Their singing sounded so refreshing and heavenly.

I would like to highly recommend purchasing this legendary greatest hits compilation album for everyone of all ages to own as a valuable and important part of his or her own personal music collection. If you love THE BEATLES, you will love this album. This priceless gem has already proven to stand the test of time and will always be around to be enjoyed, appreciated and cherished for many years to come, NOW AND FOREVER. There are also many other ELO greatest hits compilation albums that you might want to check out and research further into before you make your final decision. In doing this, you will have found the best album that is right for you and suits your music tastes and needs. When this is accomplished, you will have also taken a giant step in owning and starting your very own personal ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA music collection. You can do all of your researches and album purchases either on Amazon com or at your nearest local Borders Books and Music store.

In closing, despite changing numerous band personnel in the late 70's and throughout the 80's, ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA would still successfully continue in delighting their fans with their legendary albums and concert tours to highly critically acclaim for many more years up to the very day when the band officially disbanded in 1988. Prior to 1988, from 1987 onwards, Jeff Lynne has become one of the world's most sought after in-demand songwriter and producer, successfully collaborating and producing with legendary artists as well as personal friends such as the late great George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the late great Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, Tom Petty and Brian Wilson. Lynne was also a member of the legendary Grammy-award winning band THE TRAVELING WILBURIES. It seems to me that Jeff Lynne keeps himself pretty busy and active in the music world. With all of this in mind, ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA has forever left their place and mark in Rock n' Roll history and their many contributions, accomplishments and achievements will never be forgotten or denied. So here's to you Jeff, Roy, Rick and Bev. Thanks for the great memories and moments. Keep The Faith. And as the saying goes, "AND THE REST IS ROCK N' ROLL HISTORY," need I say more? Thanks for reading my review and I truly hope that you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have truly enjoyed writing it for your reading pleasure. I also deeply hope that all of you will read all of my other reviews in the near future when time permits. ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA FOREVER! Long Live Rock n' Roll. Rock out always and take it easy. Forever in Rock, John L.

A GREAT ALBUM.......2007-06-28

THIS IS AN ALBUM NAMED "OUT OF THE BLUE." IT'S A GREAT ALBUM. YOU MUST GET IT . IT'S FANTASTIC! "STARLIGHT" AND "MR BLUE SKY" ARE GREAT SONGS, AND "SWEET TALKING WOMAN" IS SUPER TOO. HEY WHAT ABOUT "TURN TO STONE" AND "ITS OVER?" THEY'RE AWESOME ALSO.

I LIKE THE WEIRD SOUNDS AT THE BEGINNING OF "STARLIGHT" AND "SUMMER AND LIGHTNING." ALSO, "STARLIGHT" HAS A GREAT LINE THAT SAYS 'STARLIGHT, YOUR EYES ARE LOOKING DOWN ON ME.' "JUNGLE" IS ALSO A PRETTY GOOD SONG.

SEE YOU SOON. BYEBYE.

Quit.......2007-05-27

crying about the couple or three songs this album doesn't contain for ***** sake its a single cd. would you like them to include the whole ELO library? heres a thought stop being so cheap and go buy a another set which includes the songs that you cant live without or better yet put the cd in play it and be happy. That being said this is a very good collection. Thank You.

Greatest hits is a hit.......2007-03-30

If you love ELO then you will love this compilation.

A NICE COLLECTION OF ELO HITS, I WISH THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME ODD HITS FOR A CHANGE................2007-01-16

Nice overseen remastering job by Jeff Lynn. With the exception of the new version of "Xanadu"(I wish it was the 1980 version with Olivia Newton John), the song list is pretty nice. This sampling of ELO hits is a great way for a new ELO fan to start an ELO collection. Nice linear notes by Jeff. Again as with all the ELO greatest hits and ELO box sets there are favorite songs missing. Best bet by all the Epic /Legacy remastered ELO cd releases, but if you just want one disc full of hits this disc is a nice edition to have. I wish "Look At Me Now", "Dreaming Of 4000" and a few more ELO oddities were on this collection I know these are two odd songs that are not known as ELO greatest hits material but it would have added a little different curriculum to this latest ELO greatest hits release. I still enjoyed the listen it brought brought back alot of memories. While I listened to this ELO greatest hits collection cd, as usual I cracked an ELO smile. Recommended listening...............

Average customer rating:

Saw the Broadway show!!!!
Just saw the Broadway show!
XANADU still rocks!
great for nostalgia
I love Xanadu

Xanadu

Manufacturer: MCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Soft Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Test | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Xanadu
Magic: The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John
All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978 Film)
Grease (Original 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack)

ASIN: B00000AG8R
Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

Magic - Olivia Newton-John
Suddenly - Olivia Newton-John
Dancin' - Olivia Newton-John
Suspended In Time - Olivia Newton-John
Whenever You're Away From Me - Olivia Newton-John
I'm Alive - Electric Light Orchestra
The Fall - Electric Light Orchestra
Don't Walk Away - Electric Light Orchestra
All Over The World - Electric Light Orchestra
Xanadu - Olivia Newton-John/Electric Light Orchestra

Album Description

Unavailable on CD in the U.S., this is CBS's 1989 reissue ofMCA's top five & double platinum 1980 soundtrack to directorRobert Greenwald's 1980 musical starring Olivia Newton-John at a high point in her career and Gene Kelly at the bottom of his. The album features 10 tracks, five each from E.L.O. & Olivia Newton-John, including the #1 smash 'Magic' by Newton-John, the top 10 title cut by both her & E.L.O. and the top 20 duet 'Suddenly' by Newton-John and Cliff Richard!

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Saw the Broadway show!!!!.......2007-07-13

Holy Moly- The movie is terrible and the broadway musical is PURE Heaven! What a blast. Go Go GO! It's the most fun I've had in a theater in years!

Just saw the Broadway show!.......2007-07-09

let's face it the movie sucks; the soundtrack is pretty great (with nostalgia's glow). so, i was sooo shocked by the stage version. the creators figured that taking a crappy, dated film and sending it up is, if not easier, better than trying to recreate a classic. trust me, that's the only reason i looked at this listing, haha. it made me realize that even the crap from our past can be good enough to look back on fondly.

XANADU still rocks!.......2007-06-04

Yep! Proud to say I own the CD and DVD. The movie was corney but the soundtrack was great! I remember seeing the movie when I was younger and left the theater happy because it was all fantasy and I hummed to all the songs. Olivia has a voice of a goddess and I I'll never get tired listening to "MAGIC" over and over again. If anybody come visit NYC go see XANADU on broadway. I had such a good time and the show is real funny because they make a parady of the movie.

great for nostalgia.......2007-05-22

Great CD for "old" people that remember it. The Cliff Richard songs are kind of plain, but the rest is good to listen to.

I love Xanadu.......2007-03-23

I've been a big fan of this movie and soundtrack since I was a kid so I may be a little bias, but if you like the movie you'll mostly likely like the soundtrack as well. Nice 80s music.

Average customer rating:

electric light orchestra; the essestial electric light orchestra
Trans-generational awesomeness
ELO CD
It's a Living Thing
Outstanding!

The Essential Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Glam | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Alternative Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

International | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

The Very Best Of Supertramp
All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
ELO's Greatest Hits
Boston - Greatest Hits
Styx - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B00008PX8W
Release Date: 2006-04-10

Tracks:

Evil Woman
Do Ya
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Mr. Blue Sky
Strange Magic
Livin' Thing
Turn To Stone
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Shine A Little Love
Hold On Tight
Calling America
Rock And Roll Is King
Don't Bring Me Down
Roll Over Beethoven

Customer Reviews:

electric light orchestra; the essestial electric light orchestra.......2007-05-14

They have always been great! Most of the songs are hits.

Trans-generational awesomeness.......2007-05-11

I thank CSI for using Mr. Bluesky in one of their recent episodes. It led to this Amazon purchase.

ELO CD.......2007-04-02

Great CD !! All of their greatest hits on one cd !! I listen to it all of the time !!

It's a Living Thing.......2007-03-28

Jeff Lynne has got to be one of the most underrated pop geniuses of the seventies and eighties. While the world of prog-rockers was bombasting themselves with side-long double album extravaganzas (Yes, I am talking about Yes...), Jeff Lynne and his mates in Electric Light Orchestra decided that "I Am The Walrus" and "Good Vibrations" were all the inspiration they needed.

The end result is a body of work that sounds even better to these aging ears than they did in 1975. From their orchestral rave-up on Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" to the "bama-lama-lama" chorus on the rockabilly "Rock and Roll Is King," Lynne mastered styles effortlessly for three decades. (Even if "Zoom" is not represented here.) Despite the fact that ELO had pretty much abandoned the "orchestra" part of their name by "Time," the 'pocket-symphony' concept stayed with them till the last hit on this CD, "Calling America." Songs like "Rock and Roll Is King" hint at the production chops Lynne would eventually bring to the likes of Tom Petty, Travelling Wilburys, George Harrison and Dave Edmunds.

I chose this "Essential ELO" CD to be in my collection over "All Over The World" primarily because this set includes "Do Ya." "All Over The World" does have a few choice classic-rock cuts ("Ma Ma Belle" and "The Diary Of Horace Wimp" to name two), but if you're looking to get the sugar coated buzz of the 70's singles, this is the collection to own. My rating is held to four stars because of ommissions like "Four Little Diamonds," "10538 Overture" or "Showdown." (This should have been a double set, ala "Strange Magic.") Now that all the albums are back out in pristine remasters, you can pick and choose the classic ELO to fit your whims.

Outstanding!.......2007-03-27

This has all of the ELO songs that you love. It's my 3 1/2 year old daughter's favorite CD and she sings along regularly. She gives Turn to Stone and Sweet Talkin' Woman major props!

Average customer rating:

still great!
Okay
Great Shakes
Can't get them out of my head.
The "Strange Magic" of Electric Light Orchestra...

ELO's Greatest Hits
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Classic Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

Rock | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

$7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]
ELO Classics
The Very Best Of Supertramp
The Essential Electric Light Orchestra
Styx - Greatest Hits

ASIN: B0000025HO
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Evil Woman
Livin' Thing
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Showdown
Turn To Stone
Rockaria!
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Strange Magic
Mr. Blue Sky

Amazon.com

You can't make a meal of bubblegum, but it sure can be a delicious distraction. ELO's Greatest Hits is filled with gooey, chewy delights--sonic kitsch like "I Can't Get It Out of My Head" (Lennon on Lithium), "Telephone Line" (Kool & The Gang with violins), and the irresistible "Turn to Stone" (Wagner in spandex)--cultural guideposts, whether you want to admit it or not. ELO combined classical elements with electronic rock and their influence can still be heard in new Turk bands playing with Moogs--for all their Beatles-in-space trappings, the group was also pretty damn catchy. Early ELO was spotty, with flavorful items like "Strange Magic" popping out of the lab nevertheless. By the late '70s, producer-songwriter-singer Jeff Lynne had his electronic pop chamber-group machine oiled to perfection, and this package contains a heavy dose of those longer-lasting-flavor years, with well-chosen dabs of essential chewing pleasure. --Don Harrison

Customer Reviews:

still great!.......2007-07-13

this has turned out to be a really fun purchase...the only song i could wish it had is "don't bring me down", but otherwise it has all the songs i remember fondly. my original intent was to introduce the music to my 18-year-old music major son, but we have very much enjoyed it too.

Okay.......2007-03-22

Missing the one song that I wanted "Don't Bring Me Down" and the rest just weren't that good.

Great Shakes.......2006-07-29

This CD is ELO perfection. My husband and I enjoy this music on an almost nightly basis.

Can't get them out of my head........2006-06-26

To me, ELO is another one of those bands I thought I knew little about, until I got this collection, at which time I realized I knew half these songs well. A nice mesh of classic rock, pop, and a hint of disco, many of these tracks are standard radio play. The more well known would be "Evil Woman", "Livin' Thing", "Strange Magic", and "Can't Get You Out Of My Head". The rest however hold up, and some are easily as good as these hits are. There's only one song I really miss, maybe because of my age, and that's "Don't Bring Me Down". It's possibly my favorite ELO song, and because of that I might search for a different collection myself. I'd even like to have "Xanadu" on here, even if it did sound a tad out of place. Overall though these are the better songs from their best years.

The "Strange Magic" of Electric Light Orchestra..........2006-06-21

I would prefer to rate this at 4 1/2 stars only because it is not a comprehensive overview of ELO's overall output. That being said, there are several charmers on here and perhaps most of their peak output is captured on this dated greatest hits collection.

ELO is one of the most accessible pop-prog rock acts ever. Some circles may dismiss them as shallow and 'bubble gum' but, really - give this a listen and then tell me straight how insubstantive they are. Evidently heavily influenced by The Beatles, ELO puts their own spin on the rock genre with fantastic results.

Extremely melodic with nice classical elements, one cannot help but appreciate their caliber. I won't go as far to state that I like every tune they've released. However, they do have a highly respectable ranking in my book. Some of the cream of the crop is on this such as "Strange Magic", "Evil Woman", "Turn To Stone", "Mr. Blue Sky", "Livin' Thing", "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", "Telephone Line", and so on.

Overall this serves as a great introduction to a great band. Lead singer Jeff Lyne has had a successful career as a producer as well as some interesting solo venutres. But for the casual ELO or rock fan, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) have an effect on the listener that may have one saying...."I Can't Get It Outta My Head". Some of the most catchy and melodic rock to be found is on this release. You've been duly warned.

Average customer rating:

Sonic Blow-Out!
It's been 30 Years and going strong!!
Great Album... why two versions?
fine symphony pop/rock
OK, so I'm not going deaf.

Out of the Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A New World Record
Face the Music
Balance of Power
On the Third Day
Time

ASIN: B000LE0THO
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

Turn To Stone
It's Over
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Across The Border
Night In The City
Starlight
Jungle
Believe Me Now
Steppin' Out
Standin' In The Rain
Big Wheels
Summer And Lightning
Mr. Blue Sky
Sweet Is The Night
The Whale
Birmingham Blues
Wild West Hero
Wild West Hero
The Quick And The Daft
Latitude 88 North

Customer Reviews:

Sonic Blow-Out!.......2007-06-20

The music is very familiar to any ELO fan (it helps that I consider this their best album) so I'll only comment on the sound on this new remaster. WOW!

Even if you own a first pressing vinyl copy (one of the best sounding vinyl releases ever), even if you own a Japanese copy of this on vinyl, even if you own any of the cd releases of this great album, you NEED this re-issue. Not only does it include a few bonus tracks, the remastered 2007 version (done with Jeff Lynne's participation) is absolutely STUNNING.

The deluxe version has some impressive packaging, despite the fact that it's very difficult to get the cd out of it without major fingerprints on the disc, so casual fans might want to stick to the regular jewelbox version. But, and I cannot emphasize this enough...if you are a fan of ELO in ANY degree, GET THIS!!! The sound will knock you out.

It's been 30 Years and going strong!!.......2007-03-29

If you love ELO you must own this CD, the packaging in a hardbound book form with the small put together ELO Mobile is awesome for any collector. I really enjoyed the quality of these recordings especially since I still own the Original 1977 double LP, it was also great to get a few bonus tracks not previously availible.

Great Album... why two versions?.......2007-03-26

Okay folks, first you have to realize that there are two versions of this album. The Annaversary Special Edition of which I highly recommend you purchase, and the Sony stick it to-ya version of which you will find every song crammed onto one CD... which means they shortened space time between tracks, shortened beginings (listen to the fade between Big Wheels and Summer and Lightening to hear what I mean), and worst of all lower quality sound.

AARRRGGHHHH!!!!!

Why could they not just release the great Special Annaversary version complete with the 1977 sleeves, lyrics, punch-out, poster and set a mid-ranged price for it instead of doing such an injustice to ELO's second best album?

Jeff and the boys should be charging down to whatever Sony mogul here in the USA is and show him what "Electric Light" means.

Grief!!!

Overall, if you can, get the Special Editions and leave the other one alone unless, like me, you intend to use one as a keeper and the other as the playing version. I highly highly recommend Out of the Blue just like all of the other Remasters and find Latitude 88 North to be worth the wait alone.

Now we need a Remastered Zoom, Armchair Theater, Kelly, and other post ELO efforts to make the collection complete.

fine symphony pop/rock.......2007-03-17

an excellent album of rock/pop music with classical overtones. the group's leader, jeff lynne, is an extremely talented individual with an extraordinary sense for fine pop melodies. the classical overtones are more mozart, than say, stravinsky or mahler. the orchestra is always moving forward, elegantly, to a satisfying resolution on each song. the songs themselves are almost all fine, but my one gripe would be that this was a two record set, thus a looong cd, and the tempos of the songs are all fairly similar (upbeat, but not really hard rocking), thus towards the end it does seem that some editing could have been used, and the whole thing made just a tad shorter. small complaint though. i highly recomment this album. wonderful stuff.

OK, so I'm not going deaf........2007-03-04

I too was disapointed in the remaster. I've read the comments on the other reviews, and there are a number of reasons why the remaster didn't seem to meet my expectations. But the bottom line is that I bought this expecting a significant upgrade in the listening experience, and I didn't get it.

The book is cool. The little cut-out spaceship and the printed stuff is a fitting tribute to this pop masterpiece, but I expected more in terms of sound, and bonus tracks for that matter (although what's there is good and we've already got a double album on one CD so there's not much space left for bonus tracks).

I suppose that if this is the best that can be done after thirty years, then as the old saying goes: that's all there is; there isn't any more.

Average customer rating:

Fading like The Beatles on "Hey Jude."
Buy it, but not for the bonus tracks
ELO's Answer To REVOLVER, Made Even Better Through Digital Remastering
5 stars isnt enough...how about all the stars in the sky for this masterpiece
A CLASSIC RECORD

A New World Record
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Face the Music
On the Third Day
Out of the Blue
Eldorado
ELO II

ASIN: B000F8O4DQ
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Tightrope
Telephone Line
Rockaria!
Mission (A World Record)
So fine
Livin' Thing
Above The Clouds
Do Ya
Shangri-La
Telephone Line (Different Version)
Surrender
Tightrope (Instrumental Rough Mix)
Above The Clouds (Instrumental Rough Mix)
So Fine (Instrumental Rough Mix)
Telephone Line (Instrumental)

Customer Reviews:

Fading like The Beatles on "Hey Jude.".......2007-05-16

Jeff Lynne is a master tunesmith who was always finding ways to expand his pop aspirations within his classical vision. The terrific prog-rock of "Fire On High" and the symphonic scope of "Eldorado" were just the preludes to the pop nuggets that surfaced on "A New World Record." I always considered this Lynne's most Beatlesque album, from the John Lennon style of "Mission" to the homage at the end of "Shangri-La," Lynne was realizing his rock and roll dreams.

This was also the ELO album that contained a rock classic, as Lynne resurrected "Do Ya" from his days with the move. Containing one of the greatest rock riffs every deployed from the radio, its timelessness is measured by the fact that it still shows up as an attention grabber for advertisements. (Yes, we boomers are getting old...) Along with that rock chestnut, there are also a pair of huge hit singles, "Living Thing" and the sublime "Telephone Line." "Telephone Line" even became the anchor for a Randy Newman satire on the band (on his CD, "Born Again"). It's also the moment that the flying ELO logo was introduced, an icon that is recognizable to this day.

To that end, this is a classic album from Electric Light Orchestra. The remastering may just be the best of all the ELO re-issues, since the older CD always sounded flat and muffled to these ears. Now the string pop and swirl like they never did before (or at least since my album was retired), and especially evident on the opening of "Tightrope." (I find little to recommend concerning the bonus tracks, however.) If this was one of your AM Radio guilty pleasures in the seventies or if (like me) you blasted this out of your car stereo through 76-77, you're going to have to reset "A New World Record."

Buy it, but not for the bonus tracks.......2007-03-02

This album is a masterpiece for anyone with both ears open to true beauty. Forget coolness--this ain't necessarily cool music. You may actually be embarrassed to tell others that you like ELO. But that's OK! Close the door, put on your headphones, and enjoy the rich guilty pleasures of A New World Record.

That being said, I was expecting a lot more from the bonus tracks. They're moderately interesting, but mostly amount to little more than the same tracks with the vocals subtracted. Granted, the way these great tunes were arranged is magical, but you can hear that with the vocals anyway. Where are the alternate mixes?

I have my doubts about "Surrender", the only unreleased track from the album. This sounds like it's been processed quite a bit in the studio; doesn't sound like 1976 to me. Not a standout track anyway.

Sound quality: great.

No home should be complete without it.

ELO's Answer To REVOLVER, Made Even Better Through Digital Remastering .......2007-02-22

Just as ELDORADO is ELO's SGT. PEPPER, FACE THE MUSIC their RUBBER SOUL, and OUT OF THE BLUE their WHITE ALBUM, A NEW WORLD RECORD is their REVOLVER. This album is a great blend of hard rock, pop, and classical, with highlights being "Livin' Thing", "Telephone Line", "So Fine", and "Do Ya"; however, there's other great stuff on this CD as well, and the bonus cuts help provide a window into the creative process behind ELO's best work.

5 stars isnt enough...how about all the stars in the sky for this masterpiece.......2007-02-08

Perfect pop...PERFECT..in every way. Still blows todays bands out of the water into thier peasant status where they belong. Because this is ELOS best record. And I can say that because I have heard every ELO release and this is by far thier best body of work. The songs are so good that as soon as they end you cant wait to hear them again..and again...and again.

If you are a fan of pop you cannot..I must stress this loud and clear..YOU CANNOT BUY A BETTER ALBUM IN THE GENRE THAN THIS RECORD...so dont think...just buy..hit the add to cart button. Oh and the new tracks added are all awesome. Espeically Surrender...YOUR STILL READING?? Your missing out..click add to cart.

A CLASSIC RECORD.......2007-01-27

This a great masterpiece from ELO. Great song writing, great sound, it's just fantastic! I love listening to this and with the great re-mastering, so wonderful! This is the album that really cemented the ELO sound and made the world take notice how such a great sounding, original band, like no other then or since, ELO really is. That's why I love listening to them so much. I highly recommend this re-mastered cd!
Highlights: "TIGHTROPE","TELEPHONE LINE","SO FINE","LIVIN' THING","ABOVE THE CLOUDS" and the bonus "SURRENDER"

Average customer rating:

One of my Top 5 all Time Favorites
Amazing!
Dreams.
Nice To Lsten To
Conquering the ^^^MOUNTAINS^^^ of my inner musical landscape ...

Eldorado
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A New World Record
Face the Music
Time
Face the Music
Discovery

ASIN: B00005KHET
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

Eldorado Overture
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Boy Blue
Laredo Tornado
Poor Boy (The Greenwood)
Mister Kingdom
Nobody's Child
Illusions In G Minor
Eldorado
Eldorado Finale
Eldorado Instrumental Medley
Dark City

Amazon.com

A concept album about the fantastic world of dreams, Eldorado may be the Electric Light Orchestra's most fully realized recording. Combining the grand, sweeping vision of founders Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with the craftsmanship and outstanding production values that marked the megahit albums A New World Record and Out of the Blue, Eldorado is a near-perfect fusion of rock & roll with a full orchestra. While newcomers won't necessarily find much here in terms of standout tracks, true ELO fans will know that this merely demonstrates the quality of the album as a coherent whole. Digitally remastered, it sounds better than ever. --Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews:

One of my Top 5 all Time Favorites.......2007-06-28

I loved the MOVE and glided gracefully into ELO. This album in 1974 became "the" album of the seventies for me. I listened to it so often I own three vinyl copies. The first one I wore out, the second one I bought to take it's place and a third one I have is still sealed (Saw it on sale in the 80's at a cut rate price and bought it for a time when copy #2 got too noisey). If you ever liked even one ELO song you must own this CD. It is Jeff Lynn's ultimate work. His lyrics take this character from the real world back and forth to the dream world he would rather live in. I always thought that the character dies or commits suicide by the last song as he sings about not coming back to the real world. This is my interpetation not Jeff's.

Amazing!.......2007-05-16

This is a great one- possibly my favorite from ELO, even though I love "Face The Music", "Out Of The Blue" and "A New World Record". The title track is breathtaking and delightfully well-written - but then again, so are all the other tracks! Listen for The Beatles in "Mister Kingdom" - Jeff Lynne mentioned that this was his "Lennon track" - it sounds compellingly like "Across The Universe". The extra tracks are great and very revelatory. I wish "Dark City" were longer! A fantastic album from fantastic band, headed by a underrated and fantastic musician!

Dreams........2007-02-24

I grew up with ELO. Although 'Out of the Blue' may be their signature album, 'Eldorado' was their climax. If you just want to listen to fluff, pick something else. If you want to understand what this rock group was about, and 'feel' their music, pick this album. The music is filled with the magic of 'dreams.' Think, 'Phantom of the Opera' in ROCK!

Nice To Lsten To.......2007-01-27

This is such a nice album to listen to. It' sort of like a fantasy and Jeff Lynne wrote some wonderful music, but if you're expecting some "jump out of your seat" great-hook songs ( with the exception of "CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD") that most people are used to hearing from ELO, you won't find it here. While this album is a good work of art by Lynne and the gang, just like it says on the title A SYMPHONY BY ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA, that pretty much sums it up and Lynne does a good job here. If you really like some orchestral music, in the realm of scores (which I do) then I highly recommend this, but if you the more cemented ELO sound, then I suggest FACE THE MUSIC as a good start.
Highlights: "ELDORADO OVERTURE","CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD","POOR BOY GREENWOOD","ELDORADO" and "ELDORADO FINALE & INSTRUMENTAL MEDLEY"

Conquering the ^^^MOUNTAINS^^^ of my inner musical landscape ..........2006-11-23

Today from one of my favorite long-term look-outs ... HIGH ON A HILL, IN ELDORADO))))))))

Don't laugh, this is one of the most magic-filled, melodic & memorable albums of the 70's in my opinion ("I CAN'T get it out of my head", damn that song for being overly infectious). Music like this does repel evil! This guy has such an ear for bridges, choruses, hooks, tie-ins and hopelessly dreamy anthems that you are left at the end gazing at your ruby red slippers in an unshakeable golden-glow trance. What a perfect blending of the technology (i.e., lots of Moogs, etc.), instrumentation, emotion and songcraft of the era.

The (30 piece) atmospheric orchestra with resonating cellos and booming lower register contrasting with the electric guitars (I enjoy his focused, structured playing), violins and Lynne's oddly soothing singing (and falsetto choruses with 20 piece choir in spots) ... "THE LOVE OF AGES FILLS THE HEAD" (Overture). The tradition of great music craft is respectfully channeled, albeit more simply for the pop song structure. Eldorado WILL take you on a journey if you let it, and messages shared lyrically (yes they are included with notes from lynne on meaning) add depth and timelessness that can't be ignored:

"The city boys and the country boys, They come from miles around. To defy their King and country, Save the poor folks from the hand, Of thieving dukes and abbots, And the gentry of the land" (Poor Boy - One of my favorites by ELO).

"One thing I have learned through these years, Is that no man should be stricken with fear - It should be that he walks with no care in the world. So my friends that are gathered here today, HEAR THIS CLEAR, for I'll not further say, That NO MAN shall cause me to take up arms again" (Boy Blue, a catchy and brilliant song with a good message).

"...IN BETWEEN THEIR LIES, THE PLACE TO CLOSE YOUR EYES" (Instead of the North & South, a recent parallel presents itself??? We shall always dwell in Eldorado it seems, the Earth spins round @ and never slows down).

This was my first ELO album and helped ignite a lifelong musical love affair with prog-rock for me (I did love the Beatles, Moodies and Elton when I was younger, which leads naturally to ELO) and got me thinking more about picking up the guitar (after I bought the album myself in the mid 70's around 6th grade - I was soon to delve into YES a few months later which kicked it into higher gear), which has turned into an ongoing and permanent passion thankfully, as luck would have it.

The nice package on this 2001 remaster makes the time spent (about 48 min.) all the more worthwhile. The sound quality is beautiful to me and far better than my ancient record. You will be pleased I'm sure (Some good pictures, notes and two excellent extras to close the album with a welcome extra dose of swirling magic). Put aside all prejudices and go on a Laredo Tornado ride with Jeff Lynne & ELO (FEEL IT, DON'T ANALYZE IT) ... enjoy when the world closes in!

THE UNIVERSAL DREAMER RISES UP ABOVE HIS EARTHLY BURDEN. JOURNEY THROUGH THE DEAD OF NIGHT ... HIGH ON A HILL IN ELDORADO~

Average customer rating:

Remaster is a HUGE Letdown
maybe elo's best, but i am not committing myself.
ELO's Answer To RUBBER SOUL, Now Given The Proper Remastering Treatment
LYNNE WEAVES HIS STRANGE MAGIC
Perfect edition

Face the Music
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A New World Record
On the Third Day
Out of the Blue
Eldorado
ELO II

ASIN: B000F8O4E0
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Fire On High
Waterfall
Evil Woman
Nightrider
Poker
Strange Magic
Down Home Town
One Summer Dream
Fire On High Intro (Early Alternative Mix)
Evil Woman (Stripped Down Mix)
Strange Magic (U.S. Single Edit)
Waterfall (Instrumental Mix)

Customer Reviews:

Remaster is a HUGE Letdown.......2007-04-14

Don't get me wrong, this is a great collection of songs! I love them!
I owned the vinyl, I bought the Gold cd remaster, too. I think the problem lies with the poorly recorded basic tracks, especially the drums, which are mostly distorted, and lack any dynamic range (cardboard boxes?). Drums, bass, guitars, and synths sound as if they were squeezed onto one track in order to make room for more guitar, synth, voices and string overdubs. I was hoping that Jeff would RESCUE and RESTORE this album, and free up all those elements with a nice stereo mix. Have you heard the restoration on 60's Beatles tracks that make up the remixed/remastered Yellow Submarine? Pet Sounds in Stereo from the original Mono? The awesomely improved sound of Aqualung? Who's Next? My G-G-G-Generation? It HAS been done. The sound is a bit better, but Jeff Lynne, I am disappointed, sir!

maybe elo's best, but i am not committing myself........2007-03-17

elo doesn't get much respect from the prog-rock crowd as far as i can tell. that's too bad, because there is a lot of great music on this album that i would call classic prog-rock. this recording is not as commercial sounding as there later albums, and has more variety of sound overall. it opens with "fire on high," a stunning prop-rock instrumental, then moves into a gorgeous mid-tempo song "waterfall." this, and two other mid-tempo tunes: the hit "strange magic," and "one summer dream," are, to me, the best stuff on the album. "poker," is a fine rocker, and "down home town," sounds like a fine lost ringo starr track. fantastic album overall, and the remastering has a wonderful sound.

ELO's Answer To RUBBER SOUL, Now Given The Proper Remastering Treatment.......2007-02-22

Just as ELDORADO and A NEW WORLD RECORD are ELO's SGT. PEPPER and REVOLVER, respectively, and OUT OF THE BLUE their WHITE ALBUM, FACE THE MUSIC is their answer to RUBBER SOUL, and it's even better now that it's been remastered and had bonus cuts added. The opener, "Fire On High", was a big interpretive dance number for me- why it was never included on any anthology is anyone's guess, but now you get it in full digital glory. The other best songs here are the hard rocker "Poker", the psychedelic love song "Strange Magic", and the scathing "Evil Woman", which anyone who's seen the play or movie ANNIE would say is about the character of Miss Hannigan. I haven't heard the bonus cuts, but they provide a new window into ELO's creative process.

LYNNE WEAVES HIS STRANGE MAGIC.......2007-01-27

This is the album that pretty much to me, was the beginning of that ELO "sound" that I love so very much and was pretty much the time when ELO was really just starting get very popular. I like this album very much and their next album A NEW WORLD RECORD proved to be even better. Jeff Lynne, at this point, seemed more comfortable with the sound that he was trying to achieve for ELO. This album from start to finish is such a wonderful listen, pretty solid, and the re-mastered sound is clean and crisp. I only wish there were more songs on it, but oh well, at least the extra bonuses are a real treat. I definately recommend this album, especially if you are just starting to listen to ELO, this is beginning of what I think is the start of the great ELO sound and song writing.
Highlights: "WATERFALL","EVIL WOMAN","NIGHT RIDER" and "STRANGE MAGIC"

Perfect edition.......2007-01-05

FACE THE MUSIC one of my favorite albm in ELO and i recomended to buy that album to all fans. Inside full colour booklet with great photos and also include a few bounus tracks. I believe FACE THE MUSIC it monumental album and one of the best in ELO

Average customer rating:

Out of the Blue - Captures Memories
ELO at their most ambituious
This is a great album and an excellent remaster!
I woudn't call it a remaster when it sounds like this.
Excellent Album/ Poor Reissue

Out of the Blue
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A New World Record
Balance of Power
Face the Music
On the Third Day
Eldorado

ASIN: B000LE0TGA
Release Date: 2007-02-20

Tracks:

Turn To Stone
It's Over
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Across The Border
Night In The City
Starlight
Jungle
Believe Me Now
Steppin' Out
Standin' In The Rain
Big Wheels
Summer And Lightning
Mr. Blue Sky
Sweet Is The Night
The Whale
Birmingham Blues
Wild West Hero
Wild West Hero
The Quick And The Daft
Latitude 88 North

Customer Reviews:

Out of the Blue - Captures Memories.......2007-05-18

This double album came out when I was preparing to start spring semester at a new college. The memories come surging back and the quality enhances this great sounding music. Jeff Lynne was a tune-smith supreme!! The musical peaks, crisp surges and those perfect hooks stirred memories with each song. Back in the day, these songs were played everywhere I went. ELO was the main sound of my world!! ELO was a major musical force in the 70's. Their sound is unmatched and timeless.

ELO at their most ambituious.......2007-05-04

Jeff Lynne was always a master tunesmith, but even at his best (Eldorado and Face the Music), he often tripped over his classical predelictions. "Out Of The Blue" was the climactic moment where Lynne's determination that pop music pinnacled at "I Am The Walrus" matched his classic experiments perfectly, and he was just beginning to let go of his rock and roll visions. (Even if the next tour was the infamous Spaceship Stage extravaganza.)

This is the album that yielded two flawless pop singles, "Turn To Stone" and "Mr. Blue Sky," inescapable some 30 years later. But Lynne also wanted to try out his inner "Abby Road" with the side long "Concerto For A Rainy Day." It flows like a good song suite should, more so than "Eldorado" did, and climaxed with "Mr. Blue Sky."

"Out Of The Blue" is loaded with moments of pop perfection. You can hear Lynne's evolution into Travelling Wilburys territory on "Across The Border" and "Birmingham Blues." His fascination with the American west (think "Poker" and "Down Home Town") on "Wild West Hero." His melancholy also comes to the fore on "hero" and "It's Over."

I will be one of those who is actually pleased with the remastering. The highs are a lot crisper and the soundstage seems to be broader. The annoying dropouts that plagued the previous CD are all but gone. This is the best version of "Out Of The Blue" yet. Don't be scared off by the audio-snobs - this is a brillant pop album and deserves a space in your CD collection if you're an ELO fan.

This is a great album and an excellent remaster!.......2007-03-28

For all of you reading the negative reviews now thinking "I shouldn't buy this because it doesn't sound good" forget that! From a technical side this album has always sounded great but now it sounds fantastic. Using state of the art technology Jeff Lynne personally oversaw and conducted the remastering. I too have compared the two CD releases and even the vinyl release and concluded this one just sounds best! But here's the thing, one can't fix something that's not broken. So when one thinks of a remaster one may expect a dramatic improvement in sound quality. Not so much on this remaster BUT! One will hear things that weren't as noticible before; actually make out the words on believe me now. Performances are more apparent so on and so forth. The only thing kinda lame about this expanded edition is that it gives the listener only three more tracks: two short ones and one brand new song; all of them are amazing.

Out Of the Blue is Electric Light Orchestra's most famous album, many consider it to be the best and that's difficult to argue with. The album was even more successful than another release prior to that and has some of the most famous ELO tunes on it, like Sweet Talkin' Woman and Turn To Stone and Mr. Blue Sky! This album released more singles than any other ELO album, and all of them shine. So If one is even a little interested in ELO, he/she should make sure that this decade defining album is in their possession!

I woudn't call it a remaster when it sounds like this........2007-03-20

OUT OF THE BLUE is not my favorite ELO album. It is in fact, TIME. Some of you are probaby shocked by that but hey, I like ELO a lot and I chose to have an odd choice of a favorite. This brings me to this album. Normally it should be a 4-5 star album. But I have to agree with the others about the remastering.

I have a very high end stereo, everything goes Digital cables or Digital Ballanced cables. I usually notice the smallest things. For instance the new Boston remasters, Fantastic. This remaster sounds boomy, Dull and Flat. However, the original released (Remastered by Joe Gastwirt) sound top notch compared to this.

I don't know if Jeff Lynnes ears are gone, or if he wasn't that involved. Or perhaps this is a mistake and we got an age old tape duplicate. After all, the other ELO remasters are wonderful.

FInal opinion....Buy it for the restored artwork and the two bonus tracks. It isn't a high priced remaster (other bands up the price to $18.99 to re-release this kind of stuff).

Excellent Album/ Poor Reissue.......2007-03-08

I had been looking forward to this reissue for some time now as "Out of the Blue" is Jeff Lynne's masterpiece. Unfortunately this reissue, while fixing some major flaws in previous CD versions, falls very short of the mark in many other ways. Overall the stereo seperation has been greatly improved but the sonic fidelity seems to have suffered quite a bit. There is audible distortion on some tracks and a general lack of luster and sheen to most of them, This was not the case with the previous version on cd.
Also, although this product is described as "with book" , the only thing I got was a small booklet and a jewelcase, not the package with the pop out flying saucer. NO big deal, but Amazon should correct the item description.
Basically the main attraction for THIS reissue for me is that the drop outs at the end of "It's Over" have been fixed .. (pro tools anyone?)
Side by side with the previous CD release, it is obvious to MY ears that this product is not as good sounding. I would venture a guess that SOME of the tunes have been slightly remixed OR the incorrect masters were used resulting in a mix that is different to my ears.
All of this doesn't matter if you have never heard this album before. It is a bonifide masterpiece and belongs in any serious collection of pop music. The songs are as great as they were the day they were writen. Maybe even better!

Average customer rating:

Incredible
Just Look & See the Wonders of Our World
Blade Runner Music to Time Travel with
HOLD ON TIGHT, IT'S ANOTHER ELO CLASSIC!
Classic guilty pleasure--"I wish I was back in 1981"

Time
Electric Light Orchestra
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Secret Messages
Discovery
Eldorado
A New World Record
Out of the Blue

ASIN: B00005KHEV
Release Date: 2001-06-12

Tracks:

Prologue
Twilight
Yours Truly, 2095
Ticket To The Moon
The Way Life's Meant To Be
Another Heart Breaks
Rain Id Falling
From The End Of The World
The Lgihts Go Down
Here Is The News
21st Century Man
Hold On Tight
Epilogue
The Bouncer
When Time Stood Still
Julie Don't Live Here

Amazon.com

Time was the last truly great album from the Electric Light Orchestra, released as their world-conquering fame was starting to ebb. A concept album (a brave undertaking in 1981), Time has a space-age theme and is set at the end of the 21st century. What's most remarkable is how all this science-fiction silliness is salvaged by the exuberant playing. "Yours Truly, 2095" uses a number of ELO's hallmarks--a catchy synth riff, sweeping strings, and over-the-top production--to tell a tale of a man in love with a robot; the album's highlight, it should have been a hit single. The epic "Twilight" and "Hold on Tight"--which practically bounces along like an overexcited puppy--also stand among ELO's finest works. Moreover, critical darlings Grandaddy have frequently stated the album influenced their excellent Sophtware Slump, evidence that this futuristic album was itself years ahead of its time. --Robert Burrow

Customer Reviews:

Incredible.......2007-06-10

Easily one of the best (and most under-rated)rock albums ever. Jeff Lynne's genius reaches it's peak here. Probably the best ELO album, and there are a lot of good ones. Buy it, borrow it, steal it, but play it.

Just Look & See the Wonders of Our World.......2007-04-19

ELO are one of the greatest bands of all time. Period.

Now that we've got that out of the way, TIME is a concept album about time (duh) and a (not-so-distant anymore) sci-fi future, and I'd argue that's what both carries this album and brings it down. It carries it in the album's unique sound, which almost totally dispenses with ELO's trademark strings in favour of lots, and lots - and lots - of synthesizers. ELO always had prominent keyboards, but Richard Tandy really earns his wages on this one. It's a different sound, to be sure, but I for one like it, because it doesn't sound like just so much more synth-pop. It's still ELO, it's still got the catchy melodies and dense harmonies and brilliant pop hooks, just updated for the 2090s! The concept brings it down, however, in the lyrics.

The silliest numbers work well in the sci-fi context - "Yours Truly 2095"? - but it seems as if some of the best songs here were kind of shoehorned into the concept. "Ticket to the Moon" is absolutely breathtaking on a musical level, but the camp of its storyline holds it back from perfection. The same goes for T"he Way Life's Meant to Be" and "Rain Is Falling", all three some of the best songs on the album that could've been even better with some minor changes to the words. Just a couple lines here and there and they'd be able to remain true to the concept without sacrificing their (considerable) worth as standalone tracks. So the most all-around satisfying cuts end up being the ones that do so themselves - "Twilight", "Hold on Tight", and despite its title "21st Century Man". (Which are great, incidentally. I also find it interesting that "From the End of the World", which meshes perfectly with the musical concept, is perfectly standalone.)

So I was a little disappointed in that. However, those disappointing numbers are still pretty great, and TIME is pure ELO even without the strings, so there's plenty to enjoy in spite of its flaws. Oh yeah, and I'm not exactly sure why Jeff Lynne opted to leave out "The Bouncer", "When Time Stood Still", and "Julie Don't Live Here", all of which would've fallen in TIME without skipping a beat.

Blade Runner Music to Time Travel with.......2007-02-16

This CD (album) is so awesome. It has the atmosphere of the movie Blade Runner. I always felt it should be a companion piece to the movie in many regards. The music captures you in the act of time travel. Jeff Lynne is a master here and all his talents shine. I could listen to this CD over and over again. It actually does transport you to another time and place. If you want to feel what the future is like and where music will be heading, this is the place to be. The night goes down....

HOLD ON TIGHT, IT'S ANOTHER ELO CLASSIC!.......2007-01-26

This album holds you in from beginning to end. There really are no fillers that I can think of and Lynne's time travel concept is awesome and pretty ahead of his time when doing this. Every song has a great hook and musical melody. It's a fantastic listen from start to finish. The re-mastering sound is so clean and crisp! It's easy to hear how (this album, especially) must of influenced alot of the electro-rock/pop groups of today. This is probably my favorite album from ELO. I highly recommend this great gem, especially if you a an ELO fan or not, you won't be disappointed!
Highlights: "TWILIGHT","YOURS TRULY,2095","THE WAY LIFE'S MEANT TO BE","THE LIGHTS GO DOWN","HERE IS THE NEWS", and "HOLD ON TIGHT"

Classic guilty pleasure--"I wish I was back in 1981".......2007-01-13

Yeah, ELO gets a bad rap from the stuffy critics, but I'll be hogtied if they didn't make some of the most delectable, silly pop since The Beatles started fighting. Time is one of their very best later classics, full of starry-eyed optimistic pop that only Jeff Lynne could write, produce and perform, as well as some comically enjoyable electronic effects and synthesizers that still sound great despite their obviously dated sounds.

Jeff and ELO loved making ridiculous concept albums, and like Eldorado's tale of the universal dreamer's romp through the dream world, Time tells the fractured tale of an unwilling time traveler. From the opening vocoder monologue introduction, you know you're in for a ridiculous ride, and the music certainly doesn't disappoint. "Twilight" shines with overdubbed vocal arrangements and a keyboard riff shamelessly lifted from "Baba O'Riley." "Yours Truly, 2095" might be the album's most ridiculously corny cuts, and it's all the better for it--a tale of a man who falls in love with a robot who "has an IQ of 1001, she has a jumpsuit on, and she's also a telephone." Throw on top of that a robot voice repeating "2095" and "I love you sincerely, yours truly," and you've got a shamelessly glitzy work of pop art.

"Remember the good old 1980's" kicks off the surprisingly effective (if schmaltzy) "Ticket To The Moon," an operatic ballad. Jangly acoustic guitars and peppy rhythms power some typical ELO rock with "The Way Life's Meant to Be" and the apocalyptic "Rain is Falling." Dance beats and heavy bass thumps power the similar tracks "From the End of the World" and "Here is the News." "The Lights Go Down" is one of my favorites--it's got a great Lynne falsetto chorus and sounds like a stolen version of Zeppelin's "D'yer Mak'er." "Hold On Tight," with its great French verses, is the last song on the album, cutting up the futuristic vibe with a blast of rockabilly.

All in all, there's nothing on Time with a whole load of substance, though Lynne's meditations on the future are sometimes eerily spot-on and resonant. It doesn't matter for me, though--ELO is all about records like this. It's catchy, delightfully tacky pop forged by a master craftsman who knows all the right buttons to push for super hooks. It may be tacky, but Time is still a whole lot of fun 25 years later.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review