Eldorado [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

E.L.O. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 12, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1974
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005KHET
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,945 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely, Charming 70s Classic, December 6, 2003

By 

Samhot (Star Land) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Eldorado (Audio CD)

Electric Light Orchestra were quite a phenomenon in, and throughout the 70s with their catchy, infectious harmonies blended with lush orchestral arrangements. However, not unlike their contemporaries, they were also the source of infamy for the many ambitions that typified that respective decade: mythological/fantasty-oriented lyrics, overblown orchestral arrangements, spectacles (including a live tour featuring members playing inside of a flying saucer) and other such things, but regardless, ELO have created some wonderful music that continues to be enjoyed by many.

Talented singer, guitarist and main songwriter Jeff Lynne set out to create a concept album about the "going's on in a dream world." Thus, ELDORADO: A SYMPHONY BY THE ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA (1974) was born. One thing that struck me about this album was the cover art featuring a girl with red shoes, and how it reminded me of Dorothy and her magical "ruby slippers" in THE WIZARD OF OZ.

To try and describe the music to someone who possibly hasn't heard this, or anything by ELO before without possibly sinking into lowest common denominator territory (in the pejorative sense), their music resembles The Beatles in slight traces, particularly in the vocals (Jeff Lynne's vocal mannerisms at times resemble John and Paul), while everything else seems quite unique and futuristic. This album in particular recalls some Beatle elements, while reminding one even more of The Moody Blues; particularly their DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED (1967) album, where a concept was consistent, and lush orchestration could be heard through many of the songs; as interludes, as segues, and as a backdrop to blend naturally into the atmosphere of each track. However, ELO don't necessarily sound *like* The Beatles and The Moody Blues, but elements of these two bands can be traced in some of their music.

"Eldorado Overture" starts this album off as an exciting orchestral instrumental, and in typical overture fashion, features snippets of songs that will appear later in the album. The beginning features a robotic voice, before slipping into some exciting orchestral passages. Then, comes the lovely hit "Can't Get It Out of My Head," which bears some small traces of The Beatles, with the switches from major to 7th modes, and the vocal mannerisms. "Boy Blue" is a sunny number with lovely vocal harmonies, and a breathtaking instrumental section with elegant piano, violin and strings to resemble some of the elegant works of Beethoven or Schubert. This track is probably one of the earliest examples of a *condensed* prog-rock track, along with the impressive contrasts, the complex arrangements, and the infectiousness of it all. Fabulous track.

To enhance my point on the chameleonic ability of Jeff Lynne's voice, "Laredo Tornado" features vocals that recall Todd Rundgren. The song doesn't sound too radically different in style to a Rundgren song either. A sophisticated pop track highlighted by Jeff's compelling falsetto on the chorus, as well as the orchestration underpinned by a funky drum beat.

Elsewhere, "Mr. Kingdom" is a beautiful, haunting, atmospheric number with lovely chord changes (the Bbmin6-ish chord is an excellent touch), orchestration, and vocals, while later tracks like "Illusions in G Major," are pure rock n' rollers -- with the orchestration. The title track is probably the most poignant lyrically, as it deals with the dreamer, and his wish to escape reality, and withdraw back into his dreamworld. The instrumentation is generally of a melancholic, minor tone, and Jeff Lynne's vocal mannerisms, and the piano tones bring some slight resemblance to Queen, and it's lead singer, Freddie Mercury.

The bonus tracks on this release feature an instrumental medley of many of the tracks on this disc, as well as a brief piece that showcases the formative beginnings of what would become "Laredo Tornado" (listed as "Dark City.")

I'm not sure who to recommend this to, as the music on here is multi-dimensional, and features more than the sum of it's parts would possibly indicate. Think of a futuristic Beatles, with more orchestral leanings. Think of the Moody Blues with more of a 70s flavor (as opposed to a 60s flavor.) Chances are if you like The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Todd Rundgren, Supertramp, or imaginative rock with ample orchestration and subtle amalgamations, you may like ELO.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mission Accomplished! ELO's Classic Album, December 10, 2004

By 

Danno (NY, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Eldorado (Audio CD)

'Eldorado' is the only ELO album that accomplishes ELO's goal: to carry on where the Beatles left off with "I Am the Walrus." The production values on this album are stunning, and pack a serious punch lacking in ELO's later, more singles-oriented sound. Arrangement-wise, ELO expertly mixes real string instruments, a straightforward rock rhythm section, the occassional electric guitar, plenty of synthesisers (I hear the MiniMoog in a few instances), and some Mellotron choirs. None of which would matter if the writing were weak - but with 'Eldorado,' Jeff Lynne contributed a strong series of songs examining the conflict between fantasy and reality, escapism, hope, and depression. Thus, 'Eldorado' holds up as a true concept album and it's difficult to discuss any of the songs in isolation. This is a CD that holds up to repeated listening, compares favorably to late-period Beatles, and has its own unique identity. It's a consistently entertaining CD in which the various songs blend nicely into one another, unlike most of ELO's work.

"Mister Kingdom" is the best song here, with a chord structure and tempo similar to "Across the Universe," although with a considerably sadder message. All songs on the CD, however, are similarly concise. ELO ditched extended solos starting with this album but hadn't yet succumbed to poppier songwriting structures so, despite the melodramatic orchestration nothing seems overblown or kitschy.

For this reissue, Jeff Lynne also included two pointless bonus tracks and minimal liner notes. The first bonus track is a re-edited medley of several instrumental segments of 'Eldorado,' most likely created exclusively for this collection, and a brief demo of 'Laredo Tornado.' Neither bonus is anything special, and it's particularly disappointing that Jeff Lynne has nothing interesting to say about "Eldorado," but the CD's main content is so good that it's impossible to deduct stars because the bonuses are so weak.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maestro Lynne's Masterpiece., June 22, 2001

By 

Arik U. Cotton "ABACAB72" (Elgin, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Eldorado (Audio CD)

Well, I finally got this album, not totally knowing exactly what to expect, but having a vague idea as of what to expect. After I heard the actual album (before listening to the bonus tracks), my first impression is WOW!

It has been a long time since an album has had a strong first impression on me. The orchestra worked so seamlessly with the band, and the songs are very memorable...just as well as the arrangements. They definitely hit upon something with this album.

The opening overture is very lush and beautiful, and then it goes into full gear with the strings up at maximum volume and IN YOUR FACE. And it does all this without losing its delicateness or its acoustic power. Kudos to Louis Clark and Richard Tandy and of course Jeff Lynne for writing well for orchestra.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head is the obvious single from the album. There's not much I can say about this, but on the remastered version, it brings the sweetness of this ballad some new life, which is actually something that comes to life on all the remasters that I've heard so far.

Boy Blue starts out with a nice cadenza from the brass and the strings countering with their little nice bits. Also, a nice harp bit in this as well. Then goes into a nice rocker with some pretty cool guitar licks from Jeff.

Laredo Tornado is a nice soulful tune where the strings get a bit jazzy. Nice tune with some cool falsetto from Jeff.

Poor Boy (The Greenwood) is nice as well. It shows one of the big tunes from the album where everything climaxes towards the end, and the main theme of the album comes back that was heard previously from the Overture.

Mr. Kingdom is a nice ballad that has nice string work and some beautiful arrangements throughout.

Nobody's Child is a nice bluesy tune with the choir keeping it in the symphonic realm. The strings defintiely show off their soulful stance on this number. This would sound really good if he had done it today.

Illusions in G Major - A hardcore 50s type rock and roll number. This one really shows that the band can really rock, and he brings the orchestra along for the ride.

Eldorado...well, it's the title song, and it's also the song that really shows that the main character doesn't want to leave the world that he has explored throughout the album. I don't really blame him. I wouldn't want the album to end either, but it must...and so it does with the

Eldorado Finale. An awesome revisit to the main theme, with a nice finish from the entire orchestra and the choir and the band as well. Very classically influenced rock and roll, and a fitting end to this masterpiece.

The bonus tracks basically feature a nice "cliff's notes" of the album, at least instrumentally. The Eldorado Instrumental Medley is a nice sumnation of the whole album. Well put together, and very full of life and panoramic in its scope and sound quality.

Dark City (demo of Laredo Tornado) is a nice place to see where that song started and finally hear what changes took place when you hear the actual song.

All in all, it's a wonderful album. Nice concept album of a man in a dream world, who lives and breathes in the dream world and then finds himself back in the doldrums of reality, choosing to go back to the world that he loved...many people can relate to that story. I know I can.

Not many rock bands can actually adapt their style with a full symphony orchestra, but then again, ELO is not really a typical rock band. Call it prog, call it classic rock, call it symphonic rock, call it whatever you like. I call it good music.