Customer Reviews

Out of the Blue: 30th Anniversary Edition (W/Book)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One of ELO's finest albums gets a terrific, deluxe reissue that recalls the original vinyl 2 album release. The packaging on the outside looks like a bit like a hardcover book (similar looking to David Gilmour's "On An Island" album). Inside we get an expanded booklet with notes on the making of the album. We also get the punch outs that you could use to make the ELO spaceship as with the original release (except this time I'm not going to be punching out them). Naturally, it's not quite as large as the original pop out ship--it's sized to fit inside the booklet. We get terrific photos from the tour that supported this album as well. Lynne also provides ancedotes about the making of the album and a couple of amusing stories about the tour.

This is one of ELO's most infectious albums and while it may lack some of the more experimental touches on the band's first three albums, there are plenty of melodic experiments here such as the sythesizer driven "The Whale". "Turn to Stone" has never sounded so good on CD before. While the band would continue to put out hits after this, "Out of the Blue" captured the band at a commerical and artistic climax. They never got better than this! Be aware that there is a minor tape drop out on one track ("It's Over") which I'm surprised wasn't caught prior to issuing the CD. They could have digitally repaired it.

We get three bonus tracks. The first is an alternate bridge for the song "Wild West Hero" and runs about 24 seconds. The second is an unfinished instrumental "The Quick and the Daft" that runs under a minute and a half. The last is "Latitude 88 North" which Lynne finished for this reissue. It's a terrific song that would have fit in well with the rest of the album. I'm glad that Lynne went back to finish it as it makes a fitting finish to a terrific album.

My only complaint is that the disc slides into the packaging which increases chances of it getting scratched (mine had some minor scratches on it but nothing to effect the quality of the music (it just makes the surface of the disc look rough). Other than that the packaging is nicely designed. I'm not sure why they didn't include one of those little spindles like the Gilmour CD to hold the CD in the case and not damage it.

I have heard that the first Japanese pressing of this sounds better than this one but I can't compare it as I've only had the US CD issued over a decade ago. It compares favorably to the origina vinyl version. According to audio remastering engineer Steve Hoffman (at his forum), this is the best sounding of the editions released on CD and also sounds the closest to the original mastertapes of all the previous releases.

First the negatives, as there are only two. 1: there are no song lyrics as there was with original lp. 2: To pull the cd out of its envelope is quite a challange, use extreme caution when removing the cd, as it is extremely tight, as you would not want to damage the cd in anyway. My advice would be to burn a copy and use it for listening, keep the original "Out Of The Blue" cd in stock. All that aside, the rest of this review is all positve. Beautiful package by Sony, the 24 page booklet is extremely informative, the pop out space ship is a nice retro 1970s treat. Elos most commercial album release is not as experimental as their earlier releases but is definintly a synth masterpiece that leaves experimenting far behind. As I listen to "Out Of The Blue" I hear how Jeff Lynne and Elo have matured at this stage of their careers, the result is a mind blowing recording masterpiece. Commercial as this album was, Elo broke the mold with "Out Of The Blue" as they never appraoched this level of creativity and popularity ever again, despite many excellent recordings after "Out Of The Blue". "Out Of The Blue" catches Jeff Lynne and Elo at their creative zenith. This original lp recording was done with care and precision during its production in 1977. Every song is treated with that Jeff Lynne touch, that every song on an lp should be treated like a single, as every song is a story and not just filler on an lp. "Out Of The Blue" is in my opinion a landmark rock recording. A true synth masterpiece. "Out Of The Blue" speaks volumes of pop, rock, disco, fusion, jazz, blues and classical. "Out Of The Blue" is a true Elo magnum opus. What more can I say? you ask, the remastering is incredible and life like as every instrument is heard in its own seperate space. Especially the synthesizers on "The Whale" the sound is life like. I swear at times listening to this cd, an Elo chorus was inside my speakers. Harmoniously the remastering really stands out as you hear the Elo voices fresh and new like you did during "Out Of The Blues" release in 1977. I waited along time for "Out Of The Blue" to be remastered, as I own all the Epic Legacy Elo remasters. There are also 3 bonus tracks 18."Wild West Hero" - (alternate bridge mix, previously unreleased, bonus track)19. "Quick And The Draft", The (previously unreleased, Bonus 20."Latitude 88 North" - (previously unreleased, Bonus). I admit the wait was worth it. This newly remastered 30th anniversary limited "Out Of The Blue" edition is a well thought out cd package release that transports me back to 1977-1978. A must own for any fan of music. Special praise for Jeff Lynne for an incredible supervised remastered edition of "Out Of The Blue". Its 1977-1978 all over again, only this time it isn't with a double lp set................

I still remember this album from when it came out. I remember the tv ad with two teenagers making out in a car and all of a sudden a flash of light. "What's that?" she asks. He replies "Why it's the new album from the Electric Light Orchestra" while pulling it down from the roof of the car. This album starts with the big hit Turn To Stone and already you can here the disco influence that would become more prevalant on the band's Discovery album. Still, it is a good song. It's Over has always been one of my favorite ELO songs and it's never sounded better than on this edition. Back when this album came out, I couldn't stand the hit Sweet Talkin' Woman but it really doesn't sound as bad now. Across The Border is fun. Night In The City and Starlight are both nice enough. Jungle, Believe Me Now and Steppin' Out are great songs. Jungle is fun. Believe In Me Now and Steppin' Out show Jeff's Beatles influence and are better for it. What used to be side three is Concerto For A Rainy Day and is/was the most consistant side of the old album including the third big hit, Mr. Blue Sky. Sweet Is The Night is nice. The Whale is another great song. Birmingham Blues is only ok and Wild West Hero is better. The unreleased bonus tracks are short but good. It is to Jeff's credit, that unlike most two record sets at the time, there are no real terrible songs on here. As far as the packaging of this one, I don't currently see what all the complaints are about. First of all, the Joe Gastwirt version came out in 1987 and not 1990 and as far as a few brief dropouts, those are on the master tapes. Most albums recorded in the late '70's have this problem as the tapes actually fall apart and need to be "baked". I like the fact that they went for a version that actually sounds like the master tapes which makes this sound more like the original release and not overly remastered(IE new mixes, erased parts and stuff like that). My first copy of this was from 1977(without dropouts) and in 1982 I bought a fresh copy but by that time the dropouts were already there. The Gastwirt version was from a cleaned up vinyl copy and the dropouts are on there too as well as the box set versions of the songs. As far as the box, I've gotten cd's that have been worse packaged than this one including a couple by ELO. I would suggest putting a wrapper around the box to help keep it from getting too dinged up. I like the fact that there's a mini version of the put it together spaceship that used to come with the lp and I like the interview with Jeff Lynne. I should add that the other new version comes with an edited booklet and doesn't have the nice stuff that this one does.

As much as I would love to gush on about this album, I'll let others do that. I can't be objective...it's been one of my fav albums since I was 10. Simply put, this was ELO and Jeff Lynne's high-water mark artistically and production-wise, as well as comercially. If you're a fan, you already own a tattered version. If not...what are you waiting for?

Sony Legacy has slowly been issuing the ELO remasters since the turn of the century, with "Out of the Blue" and "Balance of Power" (why bother?) being the last two. Why they waited for so long to get their biggest selling album out as a remastwer is beyond me, but the wait has been worth it. This is one of the best remasters I have heard in a LONG time. In fact, although it is not mentioned in the credits, I wouldn't be surprised if there was some minor re-mixing involved. Some may claim sacreledge, but if this is the case, it has worked to this album's favor. The production and sound quality is impeccable, the "audio landscape" is vastly improved. The seperation of instruments has improved, the bass has serious depth, the highs soar. Twelve-string guitars sound like musical waterfalls ("Sweet Talking Woman"), the strings sizzle all over. The guitar on "Jungle" has been boosted a bit, giving the track a power it only hinted at before. The overall sound flows wonderfully with a great balance.

Let's put it this way...say you've only ever watched your favorite movie on a small black & white TV. All of a sudden, you get to see it in color on IMAX. This remaster of "Out of the Blue" is the audio equivalent of that.

Jeff Lynne states that this is his favorite of the ELO catalogue, and it certainly shows with this lovingly done remaster. Every ELO fan (or want-to-be fan) and every serious audiophile should have this in their collection. If you've ever owned this album, it's now time to trade up and experience it as if it were the first time.

Okay folks, first you have to realize that there are two versions of this album. The Annaversary Special Edition of which I highly recommend you purchase, and the Sony stick it to-ya version of which you will find every song crammed onto one CD... which means they shortened space time between tracks, shortened beginings (listen to the fade between Big Wheels and Summer and Lightening to hear what I mean), and worst of all lower quality sound.

AARRRGGHHHH!!!!!

Why could they not just release the great Special Annaversary version complete with the 1977 sleeves, lyrics, punch-out, poster and set a mid-ranged price for it instead of doing such an injustice to ELO's second best album?

Jeff and the boys should be charging down to whatever Sony mogul here in the USA is and show him what "Electric Light" means.

Grief!!!

Overall, if you can, get the Special Editions and leave the other one alone unless, like me, you intend to use one as a keeper and the other as the playing version. I highly highly recommend Out of the Blue just like all of the other Remasters and find Latitude 88 North to be worth the wait alone.

Now we need a Remastered Zoom, Armchair Theater, Kelly, and other post ELO efforts to make the collection complete.

First and upfront, I REALLY want to give this remastering 5 stars and go on and on about how wonderful ELO and this remastering is and live in the sugar coated glow of the album. But I can't. Even with all the anticipation and hoopla. I'm not going to list every dropout (due to old tapes - and there's several) because let's face the music (pun intended) these tapes are 30 yrs old. One can't expect perfection. I am listening to the U.S. "limited book edition".
So let me say if you have the "old" Jet CD, this is a nice upgrade. It's well worth it. If you're looking for the best sounding version of the album, this one is close, but not quite there. The only song that isn't a bit over compressed (for loudness) is "The Whale". Several songs have a louder right channel. If you're going to listen mostly in a car or "on the move" this might not be too much of an issue. If you're listening with headphones in a room or close speakers, it might. Yes, I am being picky - but why not!? I would imagine most people buying this version likely have the album on vinyl (the SR/2 masterings are the best ones - and actually mastered at half speed by Stan Ricker!) or the original Jet/CBS CD. So now you can have an idea of what this one has to offer. As far as the actual music content, we've all heard the songs, sung along with and just enjoyed what Jeff Lynne created. As far as that is concerned, it's all there. You'll like it just as much as in 1977. The last bonus track is "Latitude 88 North" - which can be debated on when it was done, finished, who's on it or whatever - but it's catchy tune that you'll be singing along with!
As previously mentioned in other reviews, the tight slip case in the back of the book is really bad, as far as scratching the CD is concerned. I suggest either making a "play copy" for yourself or storing the actual CD in a real jewel case. (Again, this applies to the book version, not the standard CD version with edited book.) Speaking of the book, it's really nice. The paper is "coated" and there is the little spaceship model in the center that you can build if you really want to.
If I could, I'd give this remastering package as a whole a 4.5.
Happy listening!

As a kid, Out Of The Blue was one of the first albums (actually, 8-track) I paid for. That decision was made after hearing "Sweet Talking Woman" as a single, and after I bought it, the album grew and grew with me. Every few weeks, a different set of songs stuck with me as memorable. The first few weeks, it was "Sweet Talking Woman," "Turn To Stone," and "Mr. Blue Sky" (all pop perfection); the next few weeks, it was "Wild West Hero," "Across The Border," and "Jungle." After three months, there wasn't a corner or edge of the album I didn't know and like.
Thirty years later, the remastered CD finally comes around and, through the fan club at [...](Which I heartily recommend because of their labors of love) I bought this and Balance Of Power (review coming). I have to say I was a little scared to put this on again after all this time as my tastes of music have evolved and the label of "pretentious" has been placed on them by my 16 year old son ( a prog rocker, nonetheless).
A big sigh of relief--the CD holds the same joys it did before. The Moog synthesizer riff by Jeff Lynne in "Turn To Stone" still pumps the heart, while "Sweet Talking Woman" and songs like "Wild West Hero" and "Jungle" still delight. But I'm amazed at how things like the "Concerto For A Rainy Day" (four songs including "Mr. Blue Sky"--still the brightest jewel on this album) still hold together, and songs like "Stepping Out" and "Sweet Is the Night" step up to dig their hooks into you even today.
While the remastering is very good and makes some tunes step up ("Across The Border"'s horns beg you to crank them up), there are a few drop outs ("Night In The City" has a couple), and of course, my tastes probably don't translate to everyone. But, my 16 years old has given the album a careful listen, and he hasn't returned it to me yet--I imagine for the next few weeks I'll still enjoy listening to "Out Of The Blue" from downstairs for a few more weeks...

I was skeptical as to whether it was worth buying this album again, as the previous CD sounded good enough to me.

I was wrong. Right from the first side, everything is clearer and more detailed.

The remastering becomes very apparent on "Across The Border"; the brass section break is clear and distortion-free, and the final orchestral slide is breathtaking.

I could argue with the bass levels at a few points. "Sweet Talkin' Woman" is a little bass-heavy at one point, and "Standin' in the Rain" is a little muddy until the second chorus--but to be fair, that just means it sounds like the previous release. Lacking personal access to the master tapes I'm willing to believe that's how it should have sounded.

Things get better again for "Summer and Lightning". "Mr Blue Sky" isn't amazingly improved, perhaps because it has always received careful attention in previous remasterings.

Improvements in the second half of the album are less noticeable, but still welcome.

On the down side, there are (still) a few fadeouts in the high end of the right channel of "Night in the City", but the tape dropout/fadeout at the end of "It's Over" is removed. The transient peak towards the end of "Standin' in the Rain" is still there.

Overall, well worth the upgrade, unless you're prepared to spring $25+ for the Japanese import.

While there are some tracks that sound better than the original Jet/CBS CD version of this album, most do not. The somewhat exaggerated trebles and sizzle of the original recording (which I never found objectionable-and to my ear sounded "period" correct) have been deliberately toned down in this latest remaster, it has been at the expense of the vocals, which are now more subdued and distant-as if they were deliberately mixed into the background. What's worst is there has been an attempt to pump up the admittedly weak bass of the original version, which has succeeded somewhat but unfortunately at the expense of the upper bass/low midrange- which is now bloated sounding and muddy. Overall, it's a darker sounding muddier mix. I can achieve a similar effect just by simply turning up the bass and turning down the treble on my amplifier using the original version. I wouldn't consider this remastered version an improvement over the original CD version of the album. It's just different. Bad different. I'll keep it as part of my ELO collection, but I'll listen to the original Jet/CBS CD.

I'm glad Jeff Lynne re-released this album. It's one of my favorites. The details are great with the bonus tracks.But....I compared it to the Joe Gastwirt remastered version and the sound of Joe's version is fuller, bigger, warmer and clearer. This is important of a recording to mess with. I wish it was in 5.1 (The Whale). Joe Gastwirt's remastered version Out of the Blue