#1,097: Hello ... Hello ... my old friends ... It's great to see you once again! Perhaps it was written in the stars that Yours Truly KJS would get the opportunity to experience the spectacle of
Jeff Lynne's ELO performing
"Down Home Town" at
The Genting Arena (formerly the NEC) in Birmingham last night
(Saturday 16th April). But to be able to be there
(with a little assistance from ELO superfan Dave Jones) 44 years to the day since
ELO made their debut at
The Greyhound in Croydon and knowing also that co-founder
Roy Wood was in the proverbial building was clearly meant to be.
If the live bow of
EJLO at Liverpool a week and a half ago was poignant and emotional, this concert was also atmospheric and all the more visually stunning as the
ELO maestro, right hand man
Richard Tandy and their merry band of electric light fantastic musicians took another packed house on a journey through the
ELO songbook with a fair selection of hits, album trax and a two songs from
latest Top 5 album "Alone In The Universe". The set list was slightly different with
"When the Night Comes" aptly replaced by their first hit single
"10538 Overture" and
"Telephone Line" elevated to a slot betwixt
"Wild West Hero" and
"Turn To Stone" - but the effect was the same with nearly all the 14,000 originally seated onlookers actively standing, singing and shouting to every lyric that tumbled forth out of
Jeff's mouth. This was a triumphant homecoming. A first live gig in Brum from
Mr. Lynne in just over thirty years and not far from his beloved Shard End.
The mutual respect and admiration of
ELO's fan base was enjoined by
The Feeling who again delivered an energetic and powerful set of songs to energise their audience with front man
Dan Gillespie Sells regularly citing the influence of
ELO/Jeff Lynne on their own songwriting career whilst the band gave us a tempting taste of their own songbook and their self titled fifth album.
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| "Turn To Stone" ... ELO rocks! |
Highlights were many but the crowd reaction to
"Livin' Thing" and
"Wild West Hero" was amazing. For me, hearing
"Secret Messages" live was again spine tingling and - with an improved view of the imagery and lighting, I was blown away by
"10538 Overture" (especially knowing that Woody was in attendance) and
"Turn To Stone". There is perhaps a need to include a song from
"Time" in the set and the likes of
"Calling America" or a medley would also be welcome.
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| "Telephone Line" |
How things have changed for
ELO since that night in 1972 eh? Those of you going to the remaining dates on either side of the Atlantic are truly in for a treat. We look forward to a DVD/Blu-ray release for the
AITU tour and, yes, I'm already counting down the 68 days to what will be my third
EJLO gig in three months on Friday 24th June at
The Barclaycard Arena (NIA) ...
Jeff Lynne's ELO performed: "Tightrope" ~ "Evil Woman" ~ "Showdown" ~ "All Over The World" ~ "When I Was A Boy" ~ "Livin' Thing" ~ "Ain't It A Drag" ~ "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" ~ "Rockaria!" ~ "10538 Overture" ~ "Secret Messages" ~ "Steppin' Out" ~ "Shine A Little Love" ~ "Wild West Hero" ~ "Telephone Line" ~ "Turn To Stone" ~ "Don't Bring Me Down" ~ "Sweet Talkin' Woman" ~ "Mr. Blue Sky" ~ "Roll Over Beethoven"
great
ReplyDeleteA night to remember. Jeff made our dreams come true. To see play live once again.
ReplyDeleteKeith why do you keep referring to the band as "EJLO" am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteJerome ... EJLO sounds better than JLELO! I thought that I'd make a play on the 'L' initial in ELO with that in JL (Jeff Lynne) ... That's all! :-) KJS@ELOBF
DeleteOK so Electric Jeff Lynne's Orchestra or Jeff Lynne's ELO. I would have to disagree with you there mate.
Delete#justanacronym ... nothing more, nothing less!
DeleteAfter seeing the Manchester show and being slightly disappointed I was over joyed with the Saturday show. It was one of the best concerts I have attended. Also to see the vast majority of people standing throughout the show was an NEC first. Only criticism I can make is that the show, in my opinion, was 20 minutes too short.
ReplyDeleteRoy Wood (and Jeff ' s manager?) were in the Worldbar opposite having a drink