Out of the Blue - one of ELO's finest works (Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra)

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	Out Of The Blue - Electric Light Orchestra
Date:	05/07/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Every track is a master piece

Disadvantages: The bonus tracks are not as good as the original ones

Out of the Blue was the Electric Light Orchestra's big break, and although it's predecessor a New World Record included hits like Telephone Line and Livin' Thing, this gave them a new purpose and led to them winning mnay awards.

I love the album, and I used to play the original lp versions rather loudly. I have several copies of the lp on coloured vinyl and on 2 seperate record labels. Originally released on United Artists, this was later moved to their more famous jet label. Later versions were also released through sony.

Not withstanding the album, I've bought several 7 inch single versions on different purple coloured vinyls of Sweet Talkin' Woman, a yellow vinyl 12 inch of Wild West Hero and their other main hits including Turn to Stone.

Like the lps I now have 2 versions of the cd as a few years ago, a few extra tracks were added to the album.

The original track listing was:
1 Turn to Stone
2 It's Over
3 Sweet Talkin Woman
4 Across The Border
5 Night In The City
6 Starlight
7 Jungle
8 Believe Me Now
9 Steppin' Out
Concerto For A Rainy Day
10 Standin' In The Rain
11 Big Wheels
12 Summer And Lightning
13 Mr Blue Sky
14 Sweet Is The Night
15 The Whale
16 Birmingham Blues
17 Wild West Hero

Bonus tracks were Lattitude 88 North, Wild West Hero - Alternate Bridge - Home Demo and The Quick and The Daft.

ELO have had many lines ups since forming 1973, including Roy Wood who left to give Jeff Lynne the success he thought was deserved (the official line), which probably means they had a row. In later years Jeff Lynne became a very successful record producer and many of the group became part of ELO Part 2.

The lineup for Out of the Blue were Jeff Lynne (lead vocals and lead guitar), Kelly Groucutt (backing vocals and bass guitar), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Melvin Gayle (cello), Huw McDowall (cello) and Mik Kaminski (violin).

This is one of my favourite albums of all time and is still great to listen to now. It's a mixture of pop songs and music as not all tracks have lyrics! My favourites are Big Wheels and Steppin Out.

Summary: A brilliant album which I love to play with the amps up!