Jeff Lynne Returns as the Electric Light Orchestra !
Amidst the rumble of an opening spaceship, smoke filled the stage and the anxiety-filled crowd of fans rose to their feet. Jeff Lynne appeared front and center as the Electric Light Orchestra and immediately broke into the opening guitar riffs to "Do Ya", capturing the audience and the return of ELO was at hand.
There is always speculation about an artist when they have not performed in public for sometime. Any question about Jeff Lynne was put to rest during these performances. Jeff’s voice was as good as ever and the band was equal to the task.
The concert was being taped at CBS’s Television City studio in Los Angeles, California for PBS television on May 23rd and 24th but for the ELO enthusiast, it was the kickoff for the first album in fifteen years called ZOOM. With the departure of Jeff Lynne from ELO after the 1986 album, Balance of Power, fans had been starved for new material but the drought has ended. A special audience comprised of some 500 friends, fans and media gathered for the unveiling of ZOOM. Fans flocked from around the globe including England, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Australia, as well as a well-represented US contingency. To say the least, there was some intense anticipation among the crowd.
With the reliable Richard Tandy on keyboards at Jeff’s left and Rosie Vela flanking his right on backing vocals, Jeff appeared comfortable, confident and having fun resurrecting the old ELO hits as well as the new ZOOM selections. The new lineup was filled out with Peggy Baldwin and Nancy Stein-Ross on cellos, Marc Mann on guitar, and brothers Matt Bissonette on bass guitar and, Gregg Bissonette on drums.
The classic ELO hits were performed superbly. After “Do Ya”, Richard Tandy pounded the opening notes to “Evil Woman” followed by the classic “Showdown”. In total 26 songs were played including eight selections from ZOOM.
“Alright”, the first ZOOM single, was the first new selection played. The ZOOM songs are more guitar featured with string supports as opposed to the older big string arrangements. It has been said that ZOOM is the product of the experiences Jeff has had working with other artists since his ELO departure. This has been feared by some ELO traditionalists, but ZOOM has all the features of the classic ELO songs. “Lonesome Lullaby", “Just For Love” and “Ordinary Dream” rival the likes of “Telephone Line”. “Moment in Paradise” showcases Jeff’s vocals as well as guitar skills while the upbeat “State of Mind” is reminiscent of “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”. It will be tough for ELO fans to pick their favorite song from ZOOM.
Other highlights from the shows were “Ma Ma Ma Belle”, “Can’t Get It Out of My Head”, “10538 Overture”, and Richard’s vocoder work on “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”.
The surprise tune of the night had to be “One Summer Dream” to the delight of the audience. It was no surprise the show ended with the signature ELO version of “Roll Over Beethoven”.
Jeff Lynne has emerged better than ever with some of the freshest, pure rock and roll released in some time. The songs are clever, melodic and leave you humming tunes you just can’t get out of your head.
Songlist
Do Ya
Evil Woman
Showdown
Strange Magic
Livin’ Thing
Alright
Lonesome Lullaby
Telephone Line
Turn To Stone
Just For Love
Easy Money
Mr. Blue Sky
Ma Ma Ma Belle
One Summer Dream
=== Intermission ===
Tightrope
State of Mind
Can’t Get It Out of My Head
Moment in Paradise
10538 Overture
Ordinary Dream
Rock and Roll Is King
Shine A Little Love
All She Wanted
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Don’t Bring Me Down
Roll Over Beethoven
ELO Lineup
Jeff Lynne (Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar )
Richard Tandy (Keyboards, Vocoder)
Rosie Vela (Background Vocals)
Marc Mann (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Peggy Baldwin (Cello)
Nancy Stein-Ross (Cello)
Matt Bissonette (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Gregg Bissonette (Drums, Backing Vocals)
Eldon Warfield - May 2001
Amidst the rumble of an opening spaceship, smoke filled the stage and the anxiety-filled crowd of fans rose to their feet. Jeff Lynne appeared front and center as the Electric Light Orchestra and immediately broke into the opening guitar riffs to "Do Ya", capturing the audience and the return of ELO was at hand.
There is always speculation about an artist when they have not performed in public for sometime. Any question about Jeff Lynne was put to rest during these performances. Jeff’s voice was as good as ever and the band was equal to the task.
The concert was being taped at CBS’s Television City studio in Los Angeles, California for PBS television on May 23rd and 24th but for the ELO enthusiast, it was the kickoff for the first album in fifteen years called ZOOM. With the departure of Jeff Lynne from ELO after the 1986 album, Balance of Power, fans had been starved for new material but the drought has ended. A special audience comprised of some 500 friends, fans and media gathered for the unveiling of ZOOM. Fans flocked from around the globe including England, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Australia, as well as a well-represented US contingency. To say the least, there was some intense anticipation among the crowd.
With the reliable Richard Tandy on keyboards at Jeff’s left and Rosie Vela flanking his right on backing vocals, Jeff appeared comfortable, confident and having fun resurrecting the old ELO hits as well as the new ZOOM selections. The new lineup was filled out with Peggy Baldwin and Nancy Stein-Ross on cellos, Marc Mann on guitar, and brothers Matt Bissonette on bass guitar and, Gregg Bissonette on drums.
The classic ELO hits were performed superbly. After “Do Ya”, Richard Tandy pounded the opening notes to “Evil Woman” followed by the classic “Showdown”. In total 26 songs were played including eight selections from ZOOM.
“Alright”, the first ZOOM single, was the first new selection played. The ZOOM songs are more guitar featured with string supports as opposed to the older big string arrangements. It has been said that ZOOM is the product of the experiences Jeff has had working with other artists since his ELO departure. This has been feared by some ELO traditionalists, but ZOOM has all the features of the classic ELO songs. “Lonesome Lullaby", “Just For Love” and “Ordinary Dream” rival the likes of “Telephone Line”. “Moment in Paradise” showcases Jeff’s vocals as well as guitar skills while the upbeat “State of Mind” is reminiscent of “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”. It will be tough for ELO fans to pick their favorite song from ZOOM.
Other highlights from the shows were “Ma Ma Ma Belle”, “Can’t Get It Out of My Head”, “10538 Overture”, and Richard’s vocoder work on “Mr. Blue Sky” and “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”.
The surprise tune of the night had to be “One Summer Dream” to the delight of the audience. It was no surprise the show ended with the signature ELO version of “Roll Over Beethoven”.
Jeff Lynne has emerged better than ever with some of the freshest, pure rock and roll released in some time. The songs are clever, melodic and leave you humming tunes you just can’t get out of your head.
Songlist
Do Ya
Evil Woman
Showdown
Strange Magic
Livin’ Thing
Alright
Lonesome Lullaby
Telephone Line
Turn To Stone
Just For Love
Easy Money
Mr. Blue Sky
Ma Ma Ma Belle
One Summer Dream
=== Intermission ===
Tightrope
State of Mind
Can’t Get It Out of My Head
Moment in Paradise
10538 Overture
Ordinary Dream
Rock and Roll Is King
Shine A Little Love
All She Wanted
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Don’t Bring Me Down
Roll Over Beethoven
ELO Lineup
Jeff Lynne (Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar )
Richard Tandy (Keyboards, Vocoder)
Rosie Vela (Background Vocals)
Marc Mann (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Peggy Baldwin (Cello)
Nancy Stein-Ross (Cello)
Matt Bissonette (Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Gregg Bissonette (Drums, Backing Vocals)
Eldon Warfield - May 2001