E.L.O. Part 2 : Richardson, Texas - 22nd April 2000
On April 22, 2000, the day before Easter, ELO2 appeared in Richardson Texas, USA at Wildflower! Nights along with the Richardson Symphony.
Wildflower! Nights is a preview to a weekend celebration called the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival held each year in Richardson.
There was to be a concert the weekend before on April 15 with Joe Walsh and Kansas but the outdoor stage collapsed before the concert began. Since the fans did not get to see that concert, the City of Richardson decided to make the ELO2 concert free.
Don McLean started the night off at 6:30 for the outdoor show held in the Nortel Networks complex. Everyone enjoyed the music while sitting on the grassy area all around the stage. As Don McLean played it began to rain, even though it looked as if there were no clouds in the sky. As Mr. McLean sang his last song, the well known "American Pie", it started to pour.
Some people started running for cover, but most defied the rain and sang along at the top their lungs. It was a great moment to be getting drenched by the rain while singing such a wonderful classic.
My biggest fear, was that the ELO2 appearance would be cancelled. The rain had just about stopped as "American Pie" ended, and the mayor of Richardson came on stage and said that they were going to dry off the stage and then it would be time for ELO2.
It seemed forever before ELO2 began, but in reality they were not too far off from the 8pm scheduled beginning. It was only last month that I learned of the departure of Bev Bevan. This depressed me greatly, and I was not even sure that I wanted to watch ELO2 without Bev. I had read one other review about the new drummer, Gordon Townsend being great when he played with ELO2 at another concert, so I decided to see for myself.
Believe me I was not disappointed. Of course you can't replace someone as wonderful as Bev Bevan, but you can still enjoy one of the best ever rock bands in its new form.
Of course ELO2 performed many of the great hits from days gone by and also a few new songs written by ELO2. When the Richardson Symphony was introduced and they began accompanying the band members on many of the songs, it was just great! I have only heard ELO2 live one other time. That was in Amarillo, Texas, USA in 1998 with the Amarillo Symphony. Both times the orchestra has added wonderfully to the excitement of the live performance.
I cannot say enough for the way the symphony fit right in with the group. Although they had only two hours to practice the day of the concert, you could not tell. All of the members of the band were present on this night. Original ELO members Kelly Groucutt (who had a bit of laryngitis), Mik Kaminski, and Sir Louis Clark were joined by Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley, and Gordon Townsend. Sir Louis Clark did a wonderful job conducting the Richardson Symphony.
It was a great night of music, and ended way too soon. My only regret is that the group did not stay for autographs and did not play my all time favorite "Roll Over Beethoven."
Tim Lelek - May 2000
On April 22, 2000, the day before Easter, ELO2 appeared in Richardson Texas, USA at Wildflower! Nights along with the Richardson Symphony.
Wildflower! Nights is a preview to a weekend celebration called the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival held each year in Richardson.
There was to be a concert the weekend before on April 15 with Joe Walsh and Kansas but the outdoor stage collapsed before the concert began. Since the fans did not get to see that concert, the City of Richardson decided to make the ELO2 concert free.
Don McLean started the night off at 6:30 for the outdoor show held in the Nortel Networks complex. Everyone enjoyed the music while sitting on the grassy area all around the stage. As Don McLean played it began to rain, even though it looked as if there were no clouds in the sky. As Mr. McLean sang his last song, the well known "American Pie", it started to pour.
Some people started running for cover, but most defied the rain and sang along at the top their lungs. It was a great moment to be getting drenched by the rain while singing such a wonderful classic.
My biggest fear, was that the ELO2 appearance would be cancelled. The rain had just about stopped as "American Pie" ended, and the mayor of Richardson came on stage and said that they were going to dry off the stage and then it would be time for ELO2.
It seemed forever before ELO2 began, but in reality they were not too far off from the 8pm scheduled beginning. It was only last month that I learned of the departure of Bev Bevan. This depressed me greatly, and I was not even sure that I wanted to watch ELO2 without Bev. I had read one other review about the new drummer, Gordon Townsend being great when he played with ELO2 at another concert, so I decided to see for myself.
Believe me I was not disappointed. Of course you can't replace someone as wonderful as Bev Bevan, but you can still enjoy one of the best ever rock bands in its new form.
Of course ELO2 performed many of the great hits from days gone by and also a few new songs written by ELO2. When the Richardson Symphony was introduced and they began accompanying the band members on many of the songs, it was just great! I have only heard ELO2 live one other time. That was in Amarillo, Texas, USA in 1998 with the Amarillo Symphony. Both times the orchestra has added wonderfully to the excitement of the live performance.
I cannot say enough for the way the symphony fit right in with the group. Although they had only two hours to practice the day of the concert, you could not tell. All of the members of the band were present on this night. Original ELO members Kelly Groucutt (who had a bit of laryngitis), Mik Kaminski, and Sir Louis Clark were joined by Eric Troyer, Parthenon Huxley, and Gordon Townsend. Sir Louis Clark did a wonderful job conducting the Richardson Symphony.
It was a great night of music, and ended way too soon. My only regret is that the group did not stay for autographs and did not play my all time favorite "Roll Over Beethoven."
Tim Lelek - May 2000