Customer Reviews

Electric Light Orchestra: Out of the Blue - Live at Wembley

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The original release of this program, first on cable and VHS and then on DVD, featured an altered audio track in which tracks from the "Out Of The Blue" album were dubbed over the live performances. This gave rise to unfair claims that ELO lip-synched their concerts. However, this new remaster restores the live sound as heard at Wembley that night--and proves that the overdubs were unnecessary. Some of the video effects are cheesy by today's standards, and the band does use some pre-recorded effects and string augmentation (NOT vocals or principal instruments), but on the whole, this is a great document of a fine LIVE band at its commercial peak.

About 20 years ago, I decided to rent the ELO Live at Wembley VHS to which my girlfriend at the time said, "Oh, they lip-synched..." Her proclamation seemed confirmed as I watched Jeff and the boys appear to sync to the studio versions. Why were the crowd so crazy about them? Why would Bev flail at his drumkit with such abandon if he were not, in fact, playing for the audience? I was crushed, and I had a difficult time reconciling those who I considered professional musicians of integrity with folks like Milli Vanilli, etc. -- considering that, the Wembley VHS was a horrible ambassador for ELO as a live band.

This reissue DVD fully clears the band's reputation: They weren't frauds who faked their way through concerts! The original sound has been restored, no dubbing with the studio recordings and the band showed an amazing amount of confidence, power and energy. The band is not as tight as the 2001 Zoom edition, but the 31 year old Jeff Lynne was a lot more energetic that the 54 year old edition. My only regrets are the focus on the Out of the Blue album (that they were supporting) so you don't get too many classic songs from the back catalog, and a poor encore rendition of "Livin' Thing" which sounded insufficiently rehearsed. However, "Do Ya" and some of the older songs sound absolutely awesome. Anyway, I quite enjoyed the concert, and if you ever witnessed the sacrilege of the old Wembley editions, give this one a look. Nice packaging as well!

The audio is great, the video looks good even after 30 years. This is a must have for any ELO fan!

The Zoom dvd performance is more tighter, but I like "Out Of The Blue" because seven of the original 1970s Elo Members are performing live. Above all this performance kept those big drums in play, as they are clearly not heard on "Zoom". The picture quality is faded but a beautiful remastering job never the less. The theatre system sound options include DTS, Dolby 5.1, and the ear shattering PCM Stereo. If you watch "Out Of The Blue" on your theatre system you will feel like your at the concert circa 1978. 13 songs of pure Elo madness. This was really a well performed show. A true 1970s trip. This dvd is a must have, and must be watched and heard on a theatre sytem to feel, and really understand the true audio remastering of this dvd release. THE PCM AND DTS OPTIONS ARE AN AUDIO MARVEL THAT MUST BE HEARD ON A THEATRE SYSTEM..............................
OF COURSE YOUR SEVEN ELO MUSICIANS WHO MADE THIS DVD A MUST HAVE........
JEFF LYNNE
BEV BEVAN
RICHARD TANDY
KELLY GROUCUTT
MIK KAMINSKI
HUGH McDOWELL
MELVYN GALE

Let's start by remembering that this was 1977, and there were certain things that couldn't be done back then. With that said, I was surprised at the omission of a few finer musical details. The musicians present did pretty nicely overall (I noticed a few of the strings not quite getting their parts on one of the later songs, maybe Living Thing), but you could tell that the regular recordings had double-tracked the violin. I was also surprised that of all the musicians that Lynne had brought onstage, only he and his bassist did vocals, given the multi-tracked voices on most of the songs. I think that on this point Lynne dropped the ball - he should have had more instrumentalists who could sing, or have hired backing vocalists. But give him credit - no faking involved here, and the 2 part harmonies are well done. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the bassist take lead vocals on a few verses, and he did well. Also noticeable is Lynne not doing the slide guitar part on Do Ya. But that is the exception, and the band does a fair job of presenting the songs on stage. You get the sense that they were really trying to put on a good stage show - I was amused by the cellists doing rock star moves with their cellos. Bev Bevan is really going at it too.

If you want a 100% accurate presentation of the songs as you remember them, get the later Zoom dvd. If you want a document of ELO as they existed in the late '70s, this is an acceptable and enjoyable document of how it was back in '77.

The audio was fine and most of the video is good, but the video producer ruined some songs by getting too cute with his special effects. If you enjoy watching video through a kaleidoscope, then this video is a must see. Otherwise, pay the 9 bucks and enjoy the normal parts, and accept the spinning video as a product of the times.

Having purchased the original Live at Wembley video many years ago that had the hit songs overdubbed by CBS Records or whomever, this DVD is a treat. Definitely worth the price.

It's all live as it was at the concert, the sound is superb and it's like you're there. Jeff Lynne did a wonderful job remastering this and is a treat for the eyes and ears.

I highly recommend this DVD to all ELO fans and to fans of great rock music from the 70s. It doesn't get much better than this.

About time the rumor that ELO used lip sync is finally put to rest. Although the audio could be better (remember this was recorded in 1977).
I give this 5 stars for ELO fans only. They were and still are one of the greatest of all time.
Music majors listen to the melody of these tunes and learn.
For a true nostalgic trip you need to get all 3 ELO DVD's
This one (the remastered 1977 concert)
Second, the original DVD with the lousy overdubs but it includes the "videos" for the "79 album Discovery - Priceless.
Third, get the the 2001 Zoom tour DVD all done live and it will blow your mind how good Jeff Lynn was and still is.

I remember seeing this concert on TV in 1978. It was exciting to me because ELO was my favorite Rock Group at the time.I had just recently discovered them from their "New World Record" album, (which my Brother had bought). I thought it was Great. Then came "Out Of The Blue". Which I thought was equally Great, though quite different. So to see them on TV for my first time was pretty cool. I didn't see it again until I bought this DVD in January 2007. I did buy the cd a few years ago and I was disapponted with the poor sound quality. But this DVD sounds very good. So to watch it again was very nostalgiac and to listen to it with a high quality sound system is very entertaining. ELO is still my favorite Rock Group and I highly recommend this DVD.

Sound and video quality is not perfect. However it can be excused that it was recorded so long ago. Nevertheless it is pleasure for ELO funs to have this concert in DVD