E.L.O. Part 2 : Toledo, Ohio - 20th April 2000
An Evening In Toledo with ELO2 Once again it was time for another ELO experience, this time at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio, USA. This would be the first time I would see ELO2 backed by an orchestra, the Toledo Symphony. It would also be the first time I saw the band minus Bev Bevan. Would Gordon Townsend be able to fill the shoes of a drumming legend?
I was due to fly into Toledo for the show on the 20th but bad weather caused my flight to be cancelled. So, I made the four hour drive from Chicago, Illinois via Hertz Rental Car thanks to their satellite mapping system which gave me automated directions within a mile of the theater. Needless to say, I was ready for a good concert after four hours of driving through wind and rain.
The 2500 seat Stranahan Theater was the site of the show for the evening. It was not a sold out show but probably about 90%. The crowd was scattered with all ages, the majority of attendees in the thirty-five to fifty age range. Due to the semi formal building and the participation of the symphony, it was one of the more conservative crowds I’d ever seen at a concert, but they proved very worthy concert goers.
The doors opened at 7:30, thirty minutes prior to showtime and for the most part the stage was set up. The band was positioned in front with the symphony one riser up behind them. At 7:50 the lights flashed for everyone to take their seats and a very obedient crowd quickly found their places. When ELO2 says 8:00 showtime, they’re serious.
At 8:00 the lights went off and blue lights swirled over an excited anticipating audience as the beginning of Fire On High gave the band time to take their places. Then Parthenon Huxley broke into the acoustic lead on the anthem followed by rock’s greatest violinist, Mik Kaminski. The show was underway. Louis Clark and Eric Troyer handled the keyboards nicely to fill in the strings and yes, Mr. Townsend filled the bill on drums perfectly tight with Kelly Groucutt’s bass work.
All Over The World followed featuring Eric on vocals and then a crowd favorite, Evil Woman, with Kelly taking over lead vocals. Hux took over on Rock & Roll Is King and then shared vocals with Kelly on Over London Skies, the only ELO2 song of the evening. Hux hinted there would be a new studio album in 2000 which would include Over London Skies. More ELO2 originals would be welcomed in the live performance. We're missing some great original music from the current ELO members.
(! niloiV eulB yalp esaelp, kiM & ylleK).
To balance the new came Showdown. Again Hux sang the lead. The first set ended with Eric and Kelly singing Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. Both songs from the 1973 On The Third Day album.
Then came a twenty minute intermission while the symphony took their places and tuned. The crowd was definitely proud of their home town symphony. In all there were 26 members present from the symphony.
Towards the end of the intermission was when the audience began to get into the spirit of the evening. We had just seen some classic ELO but nothing unexpected or extraordinary. That was yet to come.
The crowd began to chant “EEE…LLL…OOO…EEE…LLL…OOO” followed by an occasional “2”. Then the lights went off and Louis was introduced to conduct the symphony. He entered in his signature full white tuxedo and the symphony began the Eldorado Overture leading into Can’t Get It Out Of My Head featuring Eric on vocals. It was exciting to hear this combination with Louis conducting since it was technically his first arrangement for ELO on the Eldorado album from 1974.
Louis comes to life as a conductor compared to his background keyboard playing. He is animated and entertaining as he breathes life into the musicians. Watching him conduct and ELO2 is a double feature event.
The energy grew, the symphony blended nicely and Kelly took over the show. Livin’ Thing was next followed by I’m Alive and Xanadu, both from the movie Xanadu. Kelly obviously likes these songs very much because his energy, vocals and overall performance really elevate the band. The pace slowed down for the melodic Midnight Blue, again featuring Kelly and then Eric singing Strange Magic. The symphony really did a fantastic job on Strange Magic, as did Eric.
Kelly picked the pace back up with Sweet Talkin’ Woman followed by Nightrider, one of my personal favorites and one of those unanticipated numbers you love to be surprised with. Then it was music perfect for a symphony, Standin’ In The Rain followed by Mr. Blue Sky. Unlike other bands who have used symphony orchestras as a novelty, ELO music has always used strings and there is a marriage of the sound which blends naturally. And it did on the next song as well, Telephone Line, which featured Eric.
Eric sang the lead on Twilight and then gave way to Kelly on Last Train To London and Diary Of Horace Wimp. Then Kelly surprised the crowd singing the opening aria to Rockaria, with Hux taking over the lead vocal before handing back off to Kelly. Kelly’s operatic imitation of the original opera singer used on this song is strikingly accurate to say the least.
It’s obvious to me that although there is representation of material from almost every album, A New World Record and Out Of The Blue are Kelly’s favorite works. These numbers provide the most energy and the sound of ELO on these albums were as much influenced by Kelly as anyone. (We all know credit is due someone but they’ll not be mentioned in this review out of respect for ELO2).
The band rocked the theater with Hux singing Do Ya. The crowd responded and Gordon was excellent. Then the band closed out with Turn To Stone. The boys exited but the symphony waited patiently for one of their most exciting moments. While they waited the chants began “EEE… LLL… OOO… 2… EEE… LLL… OOO… 2.”
With virtually every ELO fan aware of what was next, the band reappeared for an encore. The symphony had waited all night to play some Beethoven and they kicked. They got a real charge as the band jammed to Roll Over Beethoven. I’ve heard this song live many times at ELO concerts, but there’s nothing like hearing it with a symphony.
The evening ended with Kelly leading the audience singing chorus after chorus of Don’t Bring Me Down.
In all twenty-six songs were played and all full versions, no medleys. The combination of material covered the entire span of the band and the performance of the symphony was exceptional.
ELO2 keeps the flame burning. They are an accomplished group of musicians who prove show after show the rock and classical experiment worked and worked well. No other band has pulled it off with the commitment of ELO. Bravo!
Song List.......
Fire On High
All Over The World
Evil Woman
Rock & Roll Is King
Over London Skies
Showdown
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Intermission
Eldorado Overture
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
Livin’ Thing
I’m Alive
Xanadu
Midnight Blue
Strange Magic
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Nightrider
Standin’ In The Rain
Mr. Blue Sky
Telephone Line
Twilight
Last Train To London
Diary of Horace Wimp
Rockaria
Do Ya
Turn To Stone
Encore
Roll Over Beethoven
Don’t Bring Me Down
Eldon Warfield - April 2000
An Evening In Toledo with ELO2 Once again it was time for another ELO experience, this time at the Stranahan Theater in Toledo, Ohio, USA. This would be the first time I would see ELO2 backed by an orchestra, the Toledo Symphony. It would also be the first time I saw the band minus Bev Bevan. Would Gordon Townsend be able to fill the shoes of a drumming legend?
I was due to fly into Toledo for the show on the 20th but bad weather caused my flight to be cancelled. So, I made the four hour drive from Chicago, Illinois via Hertz Rental Car thanks to their satellite mapping system which gave me automated directions within a mile of the theater. Needless to say, I was ready for a good concert after four hours of driving through wind and rain.
The 2500 seat Stranahan Theater was the site of the show for the evening. It was not a sold out show but probably about 90%. The crowd was scattered with all ages, the majority of attendees in the thirty-five to fifty age range. Due to the semi formal building and the participation of the symphony, it was one of the more conservative crowds I’d ever seen at a concert, but they proved very worthy concert goers.
The doors opened at 7:30, thirty minutes prior to showtime and for the most part the stage was set up. The band was positioned in front with the symphony one riser up behind them. At 7:50 the lights flashed for everyone to take their seats and a very obedient crowd quickly found their places. When ELO2 says 8:00 showtime, they’re serious.
At 8:00 the lights went off and blue lights swirled over an excited anticipating audience as the beginning of Fire On High gave the band time to take their places. Then Parthenon Huxley broke into the acoustic lead on the anthem followed by rock’s greatest violinist, Mik Kaminski. The show was underway. Louis Clark and Eric Troyer handled the keyboards nicely to fill in the strings and yes, Mr. Townsend filled the bill on drums perfectly tight with Kelly Groucutt’s bass work.
All Over The World followed featuring Eric on vocals and then a crowd favorite, Evil Woman, with Kelly taking over lead vocals. Hux took over on Rock & Roll Is King and then shared vocals with Kelly on Over London Skies, the only ELO2 song of the evening. Hux hinted there would be a new studio album in 2000 which would include Over London Skies. More ELO2 originals would be welcomed in the live performance. We're missing some great original music from the current ELO members.
(! niloiV eulB yalp esaelp, kiM & ylleK).
To balance the new came Showdown. Again Hux sang the lead. The first set ended with Eric and Kelly singing Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. Both songs from the 1973 On The Third Day album.
Then came a twenty minute intermission while the symphony took their places and tuned. The crowd was definitely proud of their home town symphony. In all there were 26 members present from the symphony.
Towards the end of the intermission was when the audience began to get into the spirit of the evening. We had just seen some classic ELO but nothing unexpected or extraordinary. That was yet to come.
The crowd began to chant “EEE…LLL…OOO…EEE…LLL…OOO” followed by an occasional “2”. Then the lights went off and Louis was introduced to conduct the symphony. He entered in his signature full white tuxedo and the symphony began the Eldorado Overture leading into Can’t Get It Out Of My Head featuring Eric on vocals. It was exciting to hear this combination with Louis conducting since it was technically his first arrangement for ELO on the Eldorado album from 1974.
Louis comes to life as a conductor compared to his background keyboard playing. He is animated and entertaining as he breathes life into the musicians. Watching him conduct and ELO2 is a double feature event.
The energy grew, the symphony blended nicely and Kelly took over the show. Livin’ Thing was next followed by I’m Alive and Xanadu, both from the movie Xanadu. Kelly obviously likes these songs very much because his energy, vocals and overall performance really elevate the band. The pace slowed down for the melodic Midnight Blue, again featuring Kelly and then Eric singing Strange Magic. The symphony really did a fantastic job on Strange Magic, as did Eric.
Kelly picked the pace back up with Sweet Talkin’ Woman followed by Nightrider, one of my personal favorites and one of those unanticipated numbers you love to be surprised with. Then it was music perfect for a symphony, Standin’ In The Rain followed by Mr. Blue Sky. Unlike other bands who have used symphony orchestras as a novelty, ELO music has always used strings and there is a marriage of the sound which blends naturally. And it did on the next song as well, Telephone Line, which featured Eric.
Eric sang the lead on Twilight and then gave way to Kelly on Last Train To London and Diary Of Horace Wimp. Then Kelly surprised the crowd singing the opening aria to Rockaria, with Hux taking over the lead vocal before handing back off to Kelly. Kelly’s operatic imitation of the original opera singer used on this song is strikingly accurate to say the least.
It’s obvious to me that although there is representation of material from almost every album, A New World Record and Out Of The Blue are Kelly’s favorite works. These numbers provide the most energy and the sound of ELO on these albums were as much influenced by Kelly as anyone. (We all know credit is due someone but they’ll not be mentioned in this review out of respect for ELO2).
The band rocked the theater with Hux singing Do Ya. The crowd responded and Gordon was excellent. Then the band closed out with Turn To Stone. The boys exited but the symphony waited patiently for one of their most exciting moments. While they waited the chants began “EEE… LLL… OOO… 2… EEE… LLL… OOO… 2.”
With virtually every ELO fan aware of what was next, the band reappeared for an encore. The symphony had waited all night to play some Beethoven and they kicked. They got a real charge as the band jammed to Roll Over Beethoven. I’ve heard this song live many times at ELO concerts, but there’s nothing like hearing it with a symphony.
The evening ended with Kelly leading the audience singing chorus after chorus of Don’t Bring Me Down.
In all twenty-six songs were played and all full versions, no medleys. The combination of material covered the entire span of the band and the performance of the symphony was exceptional.
ELO2 keeps the flame burning. They are an accomplished group of musicians who prove show after show the rock and classical experiment worked and worked well. No other band has pulled it off with the commitment of ELO. Bravo!
Song List.......
Fire On High
All Over The World
Evil Woman
Rock & Roll Is King
Over London Skies
Showdown
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Intermission
Eldorado Overture
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
Livin’ Thing
I’m Alive
Xanadu
Midnight Blue
Strange Magic
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Nightrider
Standin’ In The Rain
Mr. Blue Sky
Telephone Line
Twilight
Last Train To London
Diary of Horace Wimp
Rockaria
Do Ya
Turn To Stone
Encore
Roll Over Beethoven
Don’t Bring Me Down
Eldon Warfield - April 2000