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| Believe Me Now ... This was my first Orchestra gig in nearly five years |
#668: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Believe it or not, this is my first ever formal review of a gig by
The Orchestra! Back in 2009, in the aftermath of the tragic death of
Kelly Groucutt, the band toured the UK twice in May before
ELOBF commenced live reviews. My near five year wait to see the six former members of
ELO and
ELO Part II deliver their take on the phenomenally successful decade of
Electric Light Orchestra hits between 1973 and 1983 was finally ended with an 80 mile trip to
The Plug in Sheffield last night, Friday 28th February. Those years have seen the band adapt and recover from the sad loss of
Kelly Groucutt and the departure of
Phil Bates with the successful integration of
Glen Burtnik and the welcome return of
Parthenon Huxley. The result of those enforced personnel changes is a tighter, more cohesive
Orchestra, comfortable with itself and able to stamp its own identity powerfully upon its enthusiastic and vociferous fans. This performance was impressive and, coupled with the electric atmosphere generated by the standing audience, ably demonstrated their many talents.
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| Rocking Rouser: Eric Troyer joins Mik, Glen and Hux up front |
The Orchestra are no ELO tribute band. They are on another level altogether. What stood out for me especially was elevation in stage presence of
Parthenon Huxley - not only vocally but also with his intricate and classy guitar solos. Fave songs on the night for me were rockers
"Showdown",
"Ma Ma Ma Belle" and
"Do Ya" as well as the softer
"Can't Get It Out Of My Head" and
"Strange Magic".
ELO anthem
"Mr. Blue Sky" - as ever - had the crowd truly rocking and reeling!
The Orchestra performed: "Showdown" ~ "Ma Ma Ma Belle" ~ "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" ~ "Evil Woman" ~ "Strange Magic" ~ "Do Ya" ~ "Livin' Thing" ~ "Rockaria!" ~ "Telephone Line" ~ "Standin' In The Rain" ~ "Sweet Talkin' Woman" ~ "All Over The World" ~ "Hold On Tight" ~ "Rock 'n' Roll Is King" ~ "Don't Bring Me Down" ~ "Mr. Blue Sky"
One of my favorite bands, seen them 6 or 7 times in the past 15 years. Well worth attending their shows.
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