Let me preface this by stating that I don't think you'll find a bigger Jeff Lynne/ELO fan than myself. So, with that in mind...I make the following statement: With the exception of the remake of 10538 Overture, I don't see any reason for this album to even exist! Not a single other remake is any bit better, or even equal to the originals! Yes, there's more "punch" in a lot of these songs, but in many of them it really takes away from the feel of the song...especially if you are VERY familiar with the original recordings like someone such as myself! The extra bonus unreleased song "Point of No Return" is a pretty decent song, but should have been saved for the album of all-new original songs that Jeff says he plans to release in 2013. What I'd much rather have heard than Jeff remaking the old ELO classics would have been Jeff making an all-new album of all-new songs that were in a similar vein as the songs of the mid 70's (which is without argument the best period of ELO's existance). The latter ELO albums really strayed from the original concept, and although great in their own right(s), still never equalled the FACE THE MUSIC/A NEW WORLD RECORD/OUT OF THE BLUE period of ELO's history. A lot of the remakes on this album are actually do a terrible injustice to the originals. Turn To Stone and Telephone Line are the two most immediate examples that I can think of. Some of the songs such as Evil Woman are so close to the original that why even bother? And another big gripe...Jeff has remained friends with ELO's keyboardist Richard Tandy all through the years, and Richard has been on many projects with Jeff outside of ELO...but for some insane reason Jeff didn't involved Richard with this project, and in fact, used other people for the few instance where Jeff didn't play the keyboards himself. I really admire Jeff and have a lot of awe and respect for him, but if he thinks the drumming on these remakes are even remotely close to what Bev Bevan played on the original versions, then he's sadly mistaken. Perhaps if Jeff, Bev and Richard had regrouped to record these songs, and maybe gotten Mik Kaminski involved to play REAL violin parts (rather than all the keyboard strings that are used in lieu of real strings), and maybe gotten Melvyn Gale and Hugh McDowell, it might have made a HUGE difference. Unfortunately Kelly Groucutt passed away a couple years back, so I suppose Jeff could have played bass, unless he wanted to see if Mike DeAlbequrque (forgive spelling) might be interested. As it stands, I really couldn't recommend this album to anyone, except die-hard ELO fans who must have this to complete their collection. I say to Jeff...don't remake any more of your old songs...just make NEW Jeff Lynne songs!Read full review
A great collection of the best of ELO. The genius of Jeff Lynne is all over it. Lynn's work with The Traveling Willburys, George Harrison, The Beatle's Real Love and Free as a Bird underscores his unique approach to pop music. The cd is a delight to the ears.
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