If we’re going to talk about overdoing it, we have to talk about Jeff Lynne. Lynne’s most famous project, the Electric Light Orchestra, is a tribute to all that is overblown and ridiculous. Their concerts were known for elaborate sets and light shows. As a producer, Lynne puts his stamp on everything he touches, regardless of whose name is on the album. Still, he's been a spectacular hitmaker. His finest moment came in 1977, with the release of ELO’s Out of the Blue, a double album that misses greatness by the smallest margin.
Out of the Blue is ELO’s seventh and best record. Lynne’s hooks were never sharper, the ELO sound never smoother. The band’s early LPs were clunky, awkwardly marrying thin string arrangements to meandering progressive rock tunes. Their '80s albums suffered from lack of inspiration and synthesizer fatigue. But Out of the Blue is where Lynne got it exactly right. He must have been excited, because he let it go on way too long.
The album’s highlights are stunners. “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” welds the band’s hypnotic harmonies to an irresistible R&B groove. “Sweet is the Night” is sweet indeed, and surprisingly moving. "Jungle” is endless fun. Lynne also foreshadows his later work as a producer, with the Roy Orbison ache of “It’s Over” and Beatlesque bounce of “Mr. Blue Sky.”
Lynne was on such a roll, he kept going. That was his biggest mistake. The entire third side of the album is taken up by what Lynne calls his “Concerto for a Rainy Day.” It’s about as pretentious as it sounds, and mildly engaging at best. By the time things perk up with “Mr. Blue Sky,” the record’s flow has been seriously disrupted. It rallies a bit for the fourth side, but not without a major speed bump: “The Whale.” A five-minute instrumental, “The Whale” sounds like John Tesh on mushrooms, and it blemishes the album badly.
Cut away some of the fat, and Out of the Blue is a nonstop feel-good hook machine. Lynne’s skills as a pop craftsman rival those of Paul McCartney. But McCartney, at least in his peak days, had John Lennon to tell him when to knock it off. Also, the spaceship on the cover? Even George Lucas is shaking his head.
TODAY’S RECOMMENDATION: “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra
AVAILABLE ON: Out of the Blue; iTunes
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2 comments:
"Concerto for a rainy day" is fabulous - in fact, the best part of Out Of The Blue. Its especially amazing when you hear it live and I'd recommend that you go to a gig by "The Orchestra" - the latest fab formation of former ELO members - including Kelly Groucutt (bass and vocals), Mik Kaminski (famous blue violin) and string extraordinaire Louis Clark. Check them out - they are great!
I'm sure they put on a great show, but even with all those former ELO members, I imainge it would feel like a tribute band without Jeff. I'll bet they all sit around after the show, drinking beers and making fun of him.
And no Bev Bevan?
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