ELO 2 [AKA: ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA II‎]

I purchased the vinyl version in 1974 after the discovery of "El Dorado". It was a very nice feeling as well. Great and so different music. One of the things that worried me (and still does) is the weak production (to be really noticed in the vocals specially in "In Old England Town" (terrible) and "Kuiama". This problem is solved in the very nice remastered version which also features some bonus tracks.

"In Old England Town" opens the album brilliantly. It is an elaborate track (but there won't be nice little tune on this one). Riff is rather hypnotic and rocky all the way through. The vocals are somewhat weird but acceptable is the remastered version.

"Mama" is a wonderful ballad like ELO will produce a lot in the years to come. Jeff's ability in writing such beautiful pieces of music is really amazing. Strings are one of the most subtle ELO will produce. What an harmony !

What to say about "Roll Over Beethoven" ?

That it is the best combination ever of rock and classic music ? It would be too easy, since there are not so many of that genre. Simply put, it is an incredible cover version of this Berry classic rock tune. "Yes" will do the same with "America" or Deep Purple with "River Deep, Mountain High". It is rather a re-interpretation than a cover.

The cellos and violin (three musicians !) at their high, a fantastic rythm throughout this song. On the remastered version, we have the pleasure to get two versions : the US release one which lasts for just over seven minutes and an alterante take which starts strangely, with laughs and ... weird sounds (but you'll have to listen to it to understand). It is quite difficult to express (well actually, Lynn will simulate some sounds coming out of the human body when eating too much beans, if you see what I mean)!

The best version for ROB will still be the one of the original European release which will feature a non-edited version of eight minutes.

I guess, everybody should fall in love with this song. IMO, it is one of the very best ELO song. The extended studio version will never be matched in live performances. How great an idea to combine this rock'n'roll classic with this fabulous string section but the piano / guitar break in the last third also belong to the most dramatic ELO moments. I recommend you to listen to it at full volume. You will be overwhelmed by the fantastic rythm and harmony of this extraordinary number. Even thirty-three years later, I still love this song after countless spins.

"From The Sun to The World" opens in a very prog way and leads to a quite rocky song with again an orgy of violin and cellos and at times a very classical piano. An ocean of emotion radiates from this number. The tempo change between classic piano and the rock'n'roll mood is particularly successful. It must be the third highlight so far. What a great track my friends !

"Kuiama" is the longest song of this album and another great moment. It sounds so easy for Lynne to produce Beatlesque wonderful melodies those days...The remastering has also produces wonders here. Long and wonderful intrumental section in the second part. Full of emotion. One only needs to sit, listen and almost cry in front of such beauty.

If one ELO album can be classifed "prog" it is this one. It is extremely inventive, beautiful, innovative, symphonic and harmonious. It is a milestone in the band's history and announces great things to come. I will rate the remastered version with five stars (no doubt that this is the one to get hold of even if the best ROB version is not featured).

On top of a wonderful restoration work (really), we'll get ROB (take one), a short instrumental version (2'43"), as well as an alternate take (the first one) of "In Old England Town" and a number from the studio sessions "Baby, I apologize". A rock ballad, very much piano oriented. Rather childisch. An average song which was too short of inspiration to compete with the other five numbers of this fantastic album.