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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
let's talk about the merits of the music - and "Roll Over Beethoven", April 16, 2006
As I'm not an "audiophile" or a professional sound engineer, I'm not going to discuss the merits of "bad EQ" or the engineering expertise of EMI's Peter Mew. As a long-time ELO fan, I will say that I like what I hear on this CD. For those not fortunate enough to procure the "First Light" 2-disk UK edition of ELO 2, this is the next best thing. This was the transitional album from the original experiment of Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne, to the singular vision of Jeff Lynne and what became the "classic" ELO sound in the mid 1970's. Lynne himself said that he created the long pieces on this album because that what he thought he was supposed to do - and some of the tracks do suffer a bit from rambling arrangements. But as Roy Wood was involved in the recording of "in Old England Town" and "From The Sun To The World" and then left to form Wizzard, it may have been that Jeff was trying to carry on in the spirit of his old mate. Where Jeff was left to his own muse ("Mama" and "Kuiama"), the results were spectacular. And the decision to cover "Roll Over Beethoven" was a masterstroke - meld Jeff's beloved Beatles with Beethoven, and really rock the house down. It was the beginning of Lynne's pop music renaissance (from "On The Third Day" to "Out Of The Blue" ELO made some of the 70's most memorable music IMHO).
So let's talk about the "Roll Over Beethoven" version that is on this CD. I've heard from sources close to Jeff Lynne that it was Jeff's decision to go with the original UK version of "ROB" on this CD, edited from the "full-length" version of the song that came out on the US LP, both on United Artists Records, and reissued on CBS. I must say that I was disappointed that Jeff chose the UK version over the US version, as that's the one I'm most familiar with (and prefer). But what can we do - Jeff's the artist, and apparently it's his decision. At least it's only edited by a few seconds - not the complete butchering of the song that was the single version featured on "Ole ELO" and other countless compilations. My other disappointment was the decision to go with the UK version of the album cover instead of the US version. At the least I think the US version should have been included in the booklet (the original blue/black landscape picture is in the booklet BTW). So these two deficiencies drop this release down to 4 stars for me.
But overall I think this is a great version of one of my favorite ELO albums. Those of you who are fans of Harvest Records bands from the early to mid 1970's (Pink Floyd, Pretty Things, Edgar Broughton Band, Roy Harper) will like this CD a lot.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
To boldly go where no band has gone before ... , September 14, 2006
HERE IS THE NEWS
As part of its long overdue upgrading of The Electric Light Orchestra catalog, Epic/Legacy has finally released "2," the second album from these prog-pop pioneers who had promised to "pick up where the Beatles left off with 'Strawberry Fields' and 'I Am the Walrus' back when they were formed in 1971. Not only did they ultimately achieve their goal, but they continued on, breaking new ground sonically and artistically, becoming one of the great bands of all time.
This outstanding re-master of ELO 2 gives us sterling sound, improved graphics, interesting liner notes, and outstanding bonus tracks--all wrapped around the original core of bracingly bold and (mostly) highly enjoyable songs. Founders Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood (who departed midway through the recording of "2"), and Bev Bevan invaded the studio like Vikings bent on conquest and produced a sound that accurately reflects their transition from the darker hues of their earlier band, The Move, to the art-pop sensibilities that later typified the sleek ELO.
"ELO 2" was a pivotal album for ELO as Roy Wood departed in mid-stream (though he plays uncredited on the two "Boogies.") It's wildly experimental, at times rough and barely listenable, but it is a brilliant and stirring piece of work. (We must note: this album is entitled "2" by the ORIGINAL Electric Light Orchestra; it is not the self-titled debut of "The Electric Light Orchestra Part Two.") This early 1973 album is a master work, albeit somewhat flawed by later ELO production standards. It was here that ELO truly became Jeff Lynne's band, and he makes the most of it.
THE SONGS
The album kicks off with what can only be described as a "heavy metal orchestral" piece, "In Old England Town (Boogie #2)," wherein Jeff Lynne paints a disturbing picture of unwelcome and encroaching industrialization. Like fellow Birmingham, England, native J.R.R. Tolkien (who lived more towards the southern end of the River Cole), perhaps young Jeffrey Lynne was troubled by the environmental destruction he was witnessing all around his Shard End neighborhood. While I applaud the band's daring here, the song frankly is a bit too depressing for my tastes, and Lynne's uncharacteristic harsh, barking vocals are somewhat grating. Fitting for the subject matter, perhaps, but not for repeated listening.
However, "Mama" is a lovely pastoral Lynne ballad, with a memorable instrumental break. The strings are dreamy and the Moog accents by newcomer Richard Tandy add intriguing flourishes to the mellow proceedings.
"From the Sun to the Sun to the World (Boogie #1)" is an orchestral rave up and showcases Tandy's piano and synths, and he totally rocks his socks off here. Jeff contributes a memorable, Hendrixian smoking guitar solo. This is probably the wildest cut on the album, and it's my favorite; numerous mood and tempo shifts, recurring classical motifs, and near-out-of-control whirling dervish playing make this a jam for the ages.
Of course, for many, the favorite is "Roll Over Beethoven," which is the perfect marriage of orchestra with retro-rock and it struck pretty big on the charts worldwide. It remains popular today, and is the definitive version of that oft-covered tune. And, man, does it ever cook with fire. The arrangement and production are pure genius and reflect Lynne's "everything-including-the-kitchen-sink" aspirations at their zenith. I would describe it as "Eight minutes of melodic, cacaphonous, swinging bliss."
"Kuiama" is a very ambitious prog-rock tune that lumbers along at times, soars celestially, and ultimately breaks your heart. It's unlike anything ELO has done since, and bears repeated listenings. Kudos to Bev Bevan for his perfect drumming on that tune and througout this entire album. Wilf Gibson's violin solo is stunning on "Kuiama."
THE BONUS SONGS
One of my favorite ELO songs is included here as a bonus: the instrumental version of "In Old England Town," which is a tad more melodic than it's vocal counterpart and judiciously edited to a little less than three minutes. Wilf Gibson's violin work is a highlight. The rare "Baby I Apologise" is another bonus track; a silly, somewhat unfinished piano boogie sung by Jeff in a pseudo-soulful voice. The other alternate takes included here are interesting to hear, if not totally necessary.
RECOMMENDATION
This whole album has a very experimental air, and saw the band stretching its legs like never before or since. If the only ELO you know is from pop radio, you might give ELO 2 a spin; it contains some really fine progressive rock. (Also look for the UK import expanded edition THE LOST PLANET which contains two discs with impressive contributions from the Move's Carl Wayne and T. Rex's Marc Bolan.)
If I were introducing someone to The Electric Light Orchestra, I might not give them this album first, but if I saw that they were the kind of person who appreciated a bit of progressive daring, I would make sure they got to hear this rough gem. More than 30 years after its first release, it's still making waves.
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The "1 Star People" below are IDIOTS.....and that's a BALD FACED TRUTH!!, April 16, 2006
The recent care and beautiful attention that has been afforded the music of one JEFF LYNNE and his band THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA is nothing short of dream come true stuff for me and many millions of fans worldwide. The people below who left those inane reviews have an agenda. They have personal grudges. Their views are idiotic and juvenile and I'm doing my little bit to right this wrong.
They talk of "Hiss" and "EQ" as if they know and respect what these things are. They don't. If you read their posts carefully they actually can't spell!! I'd say "EQ" had to be spellchecked?I'm also saying "they" but I don't think we'd be far wrong in thinking this is the work of one spotty cretin with a big box of tissues, heavy curtains and a 15 watt bulb.....?
"The Electric Light Orchestra" (No Answer) and "ELO 2" sound the way God intended to me and "God" is JEFF LYNNE. He has the final say over "HIS" product and that man has never ONCE had his radar off kilter.....NEVER!! I bought these records in the seventies and the vinyl sounded fantastic. I've purchased re-issues, cassettes, 8-Tracks and all manor of different variations of these records and yes, the longer those shoddy re-issues kept coming the more I went back to my vinyl BUT.....
.....ever since ROB CAIGER and a dedicated core of people set out on finding original master tapes and getting the original artist and players involved, THEN also convincing a HUGE conglomerate like SONY to take notice, ELO's back catalogue is only NOW beginning it's rightful accent to were it belongs.
I'm as big a fan of this music as is humanly possible and I've recorded and released my own records to critical acclaim over the last 10 years or so, I KNOW "EQ", "COMPRESSION" and bloody "HISS" so listen to this.....
THESE C.D's ARE..........DEFINITIVE!! Well done Peter Mew, Rob, the 2 Jeff's, Lynn and everyone else involved.
$11.98 eh.....? I'd pay $1111111111.98 for them.
Love - Thomas Walsh. (Dublin, Ireland.)
P.S.....Just thought I'd say that I will paste and post this review at the "No Answer" section too.....
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