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| 📸 Euan Wilson |
Some pictures from yesterday's Richard Tandy tribute concert at Birmingham City University - featuring Big Horizon and an array of Birmingham legends - are making their way around social media.
Welcome to "A Jeff Lynne and Related Blog" following the latest works and releases by this musical craftsman. Feel free to follow along. Please note this blog is unofficial and intended for entertainment purposes only. Thanks and welcome aboard.
Side A 1. Xanadu (Live)
Side B 2. Xanadu (Live - Deep Wave Remix)
George Harrison's official webstore in the UK is selling a new batch of Dark Horse-years re-issues including Cloud Nine and Brainwashed. Looks like straight re-issues with (mini-LP?) card sleeves.
Release date: 24 October 2025
It's been almost 30 years since the original Beatles Anthology aired around the world. Now, team Beatles is revisiting the series with all new upgraded releases. Included in that, of course, Free As A Bird and Real Love.
From TheBeatles.com:
New for 2025, the video features newly remixed audio by its original producer, Jeff Lynne. Free As A Bird, a John Lennon demo from 1977, was first worked on in February 1995 by Paul, George and Ringo and, once final, was released as part of The Beatles’ Anthology project that same year. Joe Pytka’s (director) official music video, was also released in 1995, to great acclaim.
Real Love is also re-mixed with the AI-improvement of John's voice ala Now And Then.
It also includes new mixes of The Beatles’ Anthology-associated hit singles: the GRAMMY-winning “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love,” given new life by their original producer, Jeff Lynne, using de-mixed John Lennon vocals.
The upgraded Anthology will not only have an additional 2-CD set called Anthology 4, but the video will have an additional episode spanning the mid-90s when the Threatles started work on the Anthology.
There is now a completely new Episode Nine, including unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Paul, George and Ringo coming together between 1994 and 1995 to work on “The Anthology” and reflecting on their shared life as The Beatles.
Free As A Bird is streaming live now on your favorite music service. The YouTube video they have to fix still because the audio is the 1995 original.
The final 3 tracks of this series.
15. Free As A Bird (2025 mix)
16. Real Love (2025 mix)
17. Now And Then
The 8-CD or 12-LP boxed sets are released 21 November 2025 - almost 30 years to the day of Free As A Bird's premiere in 1995. The Beatles Anthology will start streaming on Disney+ beginning 26 November 2025.
Making Xanadu (from 1980) was supposed to be featured mastered in 2k on the Blu-ray. It is instead the original 1980 Sizzle Reel (or early abbreviated cut of the movie) with all demo versions of the songs - which made it's way around to some collectors over the years. It's now mastered in 2K.
Our dear old friend Julianna Raye has returned with a new video and new album called 'Hush'
Would I do it again? Absolutely. It was great seeing these guys again and while we were all bummed Jeff didn't get to the stage at Hyde Park, the thing that matters is that Jeff gets better. I think I speak for all the guys (and then some) in the photo when I say, "Please, get well soon, Jeff!"
This photo was taken at one of the entrances to the old Phillips Studios where Roy Wood brought in a cello to the recording studio and ELO was born - 55 years and 1 day from the Hyde Park performance.
Ken Greenwell (in this shot) made a very valid point (had the Hyde Park show gone on) while we were all standing there. That very spot where ELO started and the spot where Jeff Lynne would have ended ELO on stage were just a mere few feet apart. Amazing.
From Universal Music Japan:
★ First paper jacket release
★ Jacket design using MPL-approved artwork
★ Reproduced obi with the design of the CD obi on the first Japanese edition
★ Includes 2020 international booklet
★ 2020 remastered audio/SHM-CD design
★ Includes English liner notes/lyrics and bilingual translation
★ Limited production edition
Release date: 27 July 2025
With everything going on, it seems we almost missed this from Forbes.
Five albums by ELO appear on at least one chart apiece in the U.K. this week. All of them live on the Official Album Downloads list, as it appears that many longtime lovers of the group wanted to own the group’s albums and compilations, and wanted to do so quickly.
And Long Wave is back on the charts too!
Mr. Blue Sky downloads at #59 and Single sales are #63.
All Over The World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra and The Essential Electric Light Orchestra also seeing gains.