ONE NIGHT, LIVE IN AUSTRALIA (ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA PART II: POST ELO)

This is a recording of a concert in Sydney, Australia, from March 18-19, 1995. Although this is not the original ELO lineup, but the ELO Part 2 spinoff, it is nevertheless the best live recording of ELO music ever released. 18 of the 26 tracks performed are former ELO radio hits, ranging from Roll Over Beethoven through Rock & Roll Is King. The remaining songs are performances of material written by ELO Part 2.

This album is the 2-CD set of the full concert originally released in Germany and the UK in 1996. A shorter single CD containing 18 songs was released later in the US. The band subsequently sold the master tapes to this album and it has since been remixed, remastered, and reissued under various titles and different covers. In fact, The Orchestra's (a successor of ELO Part 2) online discography shows 17 different covers this was issued under and they believe that there are more out there that they haven't found yet.

The recording is great and well mixed. The performance is full of energy making this a much better live record than the one the band released back in 1992. Highlights include "Can't Get It Out of My Head" featuring the Eldorado Overture, the full version of Mr. Blue Sky, a wonderful version of the shortened Roll Over Beethoven, and an impressive medley featuring Strange Magic, Sweet Talkin' Woman, Confusion, Do Ya, and Rockaria.

Like every live recording, things aren't perfect. There are two things that immediately come to my mind. Without Jeff Lynne singing the ELO songs, it gives the impression that this whole things was done by a cover band. The second thing I noticed was that the new ELO Part 2 material really pales in comparison to the classic ELO stuff, with the exception of "The Fox." However, even with these minuses against them, ELO never really had an official well-recorded live album from the 1970's or early 1980's. Under these circumstances, this live album makes a perfect surrogate. Please note, I have not listened to the Zoom Tour DVD, so I reserve the right to change that opinion.

The most important thing to remember about this release is its focus on ELO's radio hits. Thus, there really isn't anything resembling progressive rock performed here. If you want to hear ELO prog rock, try their 1974 release The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach. It's probably not the best thing to get, but it is better than a whole bunch of pop rock hits. I've often wondered if there aren't some missing tapes somewhere containing live versions of Kuiama, In Old England Town, and the Ocean Breakup suite. Hello, Mr. Lynne? Care to dig around in your closets?

Anyway, recommended for ELO fans. All others, since there is no real prog stuff here, by default it shall receive two stars.

One Night was a live recording of ELO Part 2 in Sydney, Australia. As I understand it, this concert has been released under various titles with different numbers of songs. I believe this two-disc version is the full concert, but with the discography of this particular release looking as confusing as it does, I could be wrong.

Anyway, ELO Part 2 performs chiefly ELO hits and mixes in some of their own songs into the foray. The production is mostly nicely done, though it sounds muddy from time to time. The band is actually quite energetic and sounds as if they really are enjoying performing this material. I'm not sure if the original ELO ever toured with an orchestra as I've only seen footage of them with their ever-present string trio. On this performance, ELO Part 2 uses an actual orchestra which is probably why the strings are more out in front than on other earlier ELO performances I've heard.

If you're chiefly interested in hearing the hits of ELO performed live, I highly recommend seeking this out. I would rather much have preferred a concert of their earlier stuff (like Kuiama, In Old England Town, 10538 Overture, From the Sun to the World, Ocean Breakup, etc.), but how can you expect to sell tickets to that when everyone wants to hear "Don't Bring Me Down" or "Mr. Blue Sky?" Oh well, one can only wish. Two stars since there isn't any prog rock on here. Again, recommended to ELO fans if you can get over the fact that Jeff Lynne isn't singing any of these.