Replay: ELO Forever (Bubble Gum Orchestra)

With Jeff Lynne's ELO about to embark on their first major intercontinental tour in eons in Oakland, California on Thursday 2nd August, Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf) thought it would be a good idea to revisit the excellent Bubble Gum Orchestra track "ELO Forever", perhaps the ultimate in tributes to ELO/Jeff Lynne penned in 2014 by BGO maestro Michael Laine Hildebrandt. Taken from his iconic concept album "Beyond Time", it's a song that will soon be particularly poignant for MLH as he will be in the audience at the Dallas show having first seen the original ELO during the "Time" tour at Minneapolis in late October 1981. Listen between 19:17 and 27:24 during this Time Machine Radio Show interview and you'll hear the story behind "ELO Forever", the song itself and more:

Click on these links for more information on "ELO Forever", "Beyond Time", Bubble Gum Orchestra and latest album "Zentopia" via these links thus:

bubblegumorchestra.com
bubblegumorchestra.com/track/940977/elo-forever

bubblegumorchestra.com/beyond-time-2014
REVIEW: BEYOND TIME [Bubble Gum Orchestra]
EXCLUSIVE: NEW BGO SINGLE: ELO FOREVER

elobeatlesforever (elobf) recommends "ELO Forever" by Bubble Gum Orchestra to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 31-July-2018

Eleven Recommended Reads

Yours Truly KJS likes to recommend books, from "Time" to "Time", that regular visitors to elobeatlesforever (elobf) may find interesting. It's been almost three years since our last list of recommended reads so here is a 2018 update! This particular literary selection are written by the likes of John Van Der Kiste, Brian Paone, Randy Blazak, Bob Lawton, Mark Stanway (Magnum), Charlie Grima (Wizzard), Dave Scott-Morgan (The Uglys/Magnum/ELO) and Pam Van Allen.

The eleven publications in question include recollections, memoirs, fiction and biographies. Please click on the links below to find out more about each publication thus:

Aren't You Glad That It's Not Christmas Everyday? ~ Charlie Grima
Yours Truly, 2095 ~ Brian Paone

The Man Who Stole Rock 'n' Roll ~ Bob Lawton

Close To The Mark ~ Mark Stanway

Patterns In The Chaos ~ Dave Scott-Morgan

The Mission Of The Sacred Heart ~ Randy Blazak

Roy Wood: The Move, Wizzard and Beyond ~ John Van Der Kiste

Jeff Lynne: The Electric Light Orchestra: Before And After ~ John Van Der Kiste
Electric Light Orchestra: Song By Song ~ John Van Der Kiste
A Beatles Miscellany ~ John Van Der Kiste
Midnight On The Water ~ Pam Van Allen

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 26-July-2018

Recommended: ELO: The UK Singles Volume One 1972-1978

As exclusively revealed in this April elobeatlesforever (elobf) article, the folks at Jeff Lynne revealed earlier today that one of two boxed sets of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) UK 7" singles (in replica sleeves) will be released on Friday 21st September 2018. The set will recreate all sixteen ELO 45RPM singles from "10538 Overture" b/w "First Movement (Jumping Biz)" (originally Harvest/EMI HAR5053) in 1972 all the way through to 1978 with "Sweet Talkin' Woman" b/w "Bluebird Is Dead" (originally Jet/CBS SJET121) and also includes The ELO EP (originally Jet/CBS ELO1), ensuring a bumper Summer for ELO vinyl collectors following in the wake of the almost 2LP edition of "Secret Messages" - minus "Beatles Forever" - seven weeks earlier on Friday 3rd August. Accurately reproduced sleeves and a return to their original labels also appeal.

ELO: The UK Singles Volume One 1972-1978 (Sony Legacy 88985424617) is priced at £125 £100 and can be ordered directly from jefflynneselo.com via this link thus:

store-uk.jefflynneselo.com/products/the-uk-singles-volume-one-1972-1978

A second boxed set covering the singles taken from "Discovery" (1979) to "Xanadu" (1980) to "Secret Messages" (1983) to "Balance Of Power" (1986) is expected to follow thereafter.

See also: Secret Messages 2LP & ELO Singles Box Soon?

See also: ELOpinion: Secret Messages 2LP minus Beatles Forever

elobeatlesforever (elobf) recommends ELO: The UK Singles Volume One 1972-1978 to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 24-July-2018

Review: Zentopia (Bubble Gum Orchestra)

Who'd have thought that seven years after Michael Laine Hildebrandt and his Bubble Gum Orchestra crashed into the elobeatlesforever (elobf) universe with "Out Of This World" that Yours Truly KJS would be here in Summer 2018 casting an eye over the event horizon at BGO's seventh studio album "Zentopia"? Yet here we are enthusing about a remarkable eleven song outing in more ways than one as BGO blend emotion, angst and even eroticism alongside classic sci-fi and an affirming tribute with a little help from brother Douglas and former band mate Bob Stewart in a record that will never be technically released but always available to hear.

Edith Keeler (Star Trek) and Jib Khan (Starflight) also make an appearance ...

"Zentopia" is an album of contrasts instantly taking the listener from the peaceful overtures of the opening title track to the wonderfully anthemic rocker "Hail! Hail! Hail! To The Underdogs", a tune that resonates with this particular writer much. The theme of time permeates this record, as evidenced in the catchy "Tomorrow's Overrated" before the anti-romantic foot-tapper "Just Another Girl" with its alter ego "Do It With The Lights On" on a different level with, let us say, its naked ambition underpinned by those familiar BGO production values. You get the idea listening to this record that Michael is baring his soul from either end of his life experiences. In that way, this is a very personal album. Cue the almost psychedelic "Love Me" and "Stop Chasing Flowers", an appraisal of a former friend with a bitterness and honesty not heard since ABC's iconic "The Lexicon Of Love". We then jump to the diametrically opposite up beat sentiment of thankfulness "I'm So Glad" (with its superb guitar licks and solo).

Fans who love the original series of "Star Trek" will love what comes next. "Edith Keeler" is based on the time travel tragedy of my fave episode "The City At The Edge Of Forever", where Captain James T. Kirk's romance with a young Joan Collins is lamented, replete with original dialogue. An wonderful diversion and one that is exceedingly clever. Then comes perhaps what I term classic BGO with a wonderful song lauding the songwriting ambition of none other than Starflight, the musical vehicle of the equally talented Jib Khan and his excellent tune "Dr. Radio" (to be found on the ultra impressive 2015 album "World Premiere"). This is a wonderful gesture betwixt musicians whom elobeatlesforever (elobf) continues to endorse and a song truly heartwarming to listen to before we rock out with the most perfect finale of "You've Got Nothin' On Me".  At the seventh time of asking, BGO has delivered another memorable album that twists and turns to all kinds of places before landing you safely on terra firma. Romance, rock, regret and rhythm. What a winning combination! Another BGO masterpiece indeed. ★★★★★

In a final twist, you won't be able to buy "Zentopia" anywhere in either digital or CD formats. It's free and MLH just wants you to listen to his craft. The only way that you will be able to partake of "Zentopia" is to visit the official  Bubble Gum Orchestra (BGO) web site from Tuesday 31st July onwards via these links thus:

bubblegumorchestra.com

Review: Out Of This World (2011)   Review: BGO II (2012)   Review: The Discovery (2013)
Review: Beyond Time (2014)   Review: Sticky Love Songs (2016)   Review: Sixthoverture (2017)

elobeatlesforever (elobf) recommends "Zentopia" by Bubble Gum Orchestra to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 17-July-2018

Sight 'n' Sound, Jeff Lynne & Indian Queen

Sight 'n' Sound are a group who have featured often here at elobeatlesforever (elobf) over the years. Always remembered for their harmonies and originally led by Grant Kearney with an impressive list of former members including Mike Sheridan (Tyler), Rick Price, Geoff Turton, Roger 'Ollie' Spencer and Kelly Groucutt, their links with The Move, ELO and 'Brum Beat' make Sight 'n' Sound all the more noteworthy as far as Yours Truly KJS is concerned. But there is another connection between Sight 'n' Sound and ELO/Jeff Lynne to be explored.

When elobf started covering gigs by a reformed Sight 'n' Sound back in 2014, bassist Neil Craddock told me about the recording a song in the studio with Jeff Lynne circa 1974 which, sadly, never saw release. This would have been around the time that Kelly Groucutt left the band to replace Mike de Albuquerque in the Electric Light Orchestra. The song was in question was "Indian Queen", a short demo that can be found on disc three of the ELO career retrospective "Flashback" (2000) with a later, longer demo that was once famously played in full by legendary DJ Kenny Everett and attributed as ELO. The "Flashback" demo and the version aired on Radio 1 (which can be found in various bootlegs and on YouTube) are somewhat different with the Sight 'n' Sound recording closer to the latter version. All interesting stuff!

Sight 'n' Sound are a quartet these days who still include Neil in their ranks alongside long time guitarist Brian Eustace, drummer Warren Shaw and keyboard maestro Paul Trappett. They don't play "Indian Queen" but they do include a marvellous ELO Medley in their set and their famed harmonies remain. If you are at a loose end, you can catch them live at The Nest in Chadsmoor, Cannock on Saturday 14th July.

An elobf selection of Sight 'n' Sound 7" vinyl from 1968 to 1976 ...

Find out more about Sight 'n' Sound and/or their latest live dates via these links thus:

Sight 'n' Sound (Facebook)
www.brumbeat.net/sightnsound

elobeatlesforever (elobf) continues to recommend Sight 'n' Sound to those enlightened folks who enjoy the music of ELO, Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move, The Idle Race, 'Brum Beat', The Beatles and related artistes.

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 12-July-2018

ELO: The Telstar Years

When the dust had settled on what was then thought to be ELO's final studio album "Balance Of Power" (1986) and as more than adequately chronicled elsewhere, there was a vacuum for ELO members and fans alike as Jeff Lynne began his amazing post-ELO career with none other than Roy Orbison, The Traveling Wilburys and Tom Petty in the late eighties. Just three years after "Balance Of Power", Telstar Records (known mostly for their compilations and the dance mix series "Deep Heat") released "The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra" (STAR2370) - licensed from CBS Special Products - and were rewarded with a respectable UK album chart position of #23 in December 1989 before returning a year later at #28.

Perhaps buoyed by the commercial success of their Greatest Hits compilation and the news that Bev Bevan was putting together an Electric Light Orchestra Part Two without Jeff Lynne, Telstar became the means by which the self-titled debut ELO Part II album (STAR2503) was released in May 1991 (peaking at #34) with two Eric Troyer penned singles: "Honest Men" (ELO100) and "1,000 Eyes" (ELO101) issued from it (the former peaking at #60) at a time when ELO Part II famously toured the UK with the 80 piece Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

The year 1991 was a busy year for Telstar as the accompanying video compilation "The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra" (TVE1033) was also released featuring a selection of Jet Records promo videos but omitting many more including that for "Hold On Tight" - elobeatlesforever (elobf) still awaits a comprehensive DVD/Blu-Ray compilation of ELO's many promo videos at the time of writing. After a two part airing on ITV, condensed footage of the ELO Part II gig with the MSO at Birmingham's NEC on Tuesday 28th May also saw VHS issue (TVE1037). This was the final ELO related release on Telstar, save for the inclusion of "1,000 Eyes" on the 1995 compilation "Precious Metal" (Temple #TMPCD014).

If nothing else, Telstar kept the ELO interest going during a period of change, be it the "Afterglow" of original ELO and/or the birth of Electric Light Orchestra Part Two at a time when the record buying public had their ears tuned to a new generation of artistes. For that, Yours Truly KJS remains ELOternally grateful.

See also: ELO: The Burbank Years

See also: ELO: The Jet/Polydor Years

See also: ELO: The Eagle Years

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 07-July-2018

Compilation Corner: Ticket To The Moon

In much the same way as "ELO's Greatest Hits" (1979) and its successor "ELO's Greatest Hits Volume Two" (1992), when the CD "Ticket To The Moon: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra Volume 2" (88697179932) was released in 2007 with the intention of following up the success of "All Over The World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra" (which had originally peaked at an impressive #6 in the Official UK Albums Chart in 2005 before hitting #1 in July 2016), it too (quite surprisingly) also failed to trouble the charts despite the inclusion of most of ELO's other UK singles and an interesting selection of album tracks.

See also: Compilation Corner: ELO's Greatest Hits Volume Two

Electric Light Orchestra albums "Eldorado" (2), "Face The Music" (1), "A New World Record" (2), "Out Of The Blue" (3), "Discovery" (1), "Time" (3), "Secret Messages" (2), "Balance Of Power" (3) and "Zoom" (2) were all represented here making this an attractive companion to the aforementioned "All Over The World".

Opening with "Twilight" and closing with "Surrender", this eclectic compilation did not include the ELO singles "10538 Overture", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Getting To The Point" , "Nightrider" and "Here Is The News" but it did include classics such as "Do Ya", "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", "Last Train To London" and "Calling America" together with the likes of "Latitude 88 North" and "Moment In Paradise" alongside "Eldorado", "Heaven Only Knows" and "One Summer Dream" in offering a unique perspective on the ELO back catalogue.

See also: Olé ELO: Saluting ELO's First Successful Compilation

Yours Truly KJS and elobeatlesforever (elobf) thinx that were enough well known Jeff Lynne penned songs on here to appeal to both the avid ELO fan and casual record buyer to warrant a chart appearance, albeit a little below its predecessor. "Ticket To The Moon" remains a valued part of my collection to this day and would also look very nice in 2LP vinyl too ...

Until next "Time" in the ELO [and related] Universe ... KJS ... 04-July-2018