IPOD VIDEO

This could very well be my obession only, but I'm still deciding the best way to gather all of my ELO and related videos and keep them handy to watch, well, whenever.

For those of you who plan to use iPod (and/or iTunes) to watch videos and keep video files on your PC in mpeg2 format, you can convert those files to iPod friendly formats by using Videora.  It's free, but you can also send a donation.  I suggest even a small donation because the program does a brilliant job.

On the subject of videos and iTunes, the video for ELOs Rock'n'Roll Is King is available for purchase on iTunes.  It's never been available for purchase on any format, but here it is.  I wonder if there's more on the way?

EURYTHMICS REMASTERED

I can't help but to think what could be.

Sony/BMG, which is currently home to our Electric Light Orchestra, is ready to unleash what they call their most extentive album reissue campaign to date.  In what looks to be a rather incredible set, eight Eurythmics albums are being upgraded and expanded to be sold as separate CDs or as a deluxe boxed set.  The soundtrack to 1984 is not among them though.  The albums are remastered by Dave Stewart and now include at least 4 bonus tracks each... Touch has 7.

So, an 8 album set is Sony BMG's most extentive reissue campaign to date??  A similar ELO set would probably involve 12 albums, 13 if you include Long Beach.

I can't help but to think of what could be.

IT'LL ALL WORK OUT

I don't want to be planting any rumors or anything, but I was reading more items on Tompetty.com's message boards.  This one concerning "It'll All Work Out" which appears on the new Elizabethtown soundtrack.  It's a remix from the original version on Let Me Up (I've Had Enough).  There's less echo on the track, some instruments shine through a little more and the end is extended a bit. 

Since Jeff Lynne has been working with Tom on his new album (one of Tom's new tracks Square One is on Elizabethtown)... the possibility is open that Jeff may have helped remix It'll All Work Out.  This wouldn't be unprecidented.  Jeff has remixed tracks for George Harrison.

Again, I'm just raising the possibility of that being the case.  Nobody besides the remixers know for sure because the credits don't give any hint.

TOM PETTY: BAND VS. SOLO

I'm reading bits and pieces on Tom Petty.com's Message Board about Tom Petty vs. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers in the context of Tom's new album being a solo one.

I supposed I was a bit surprised to find that many people don't view Into The Great Wide Open as favorable as other later Heartbreaker albums, mostly because of Jeff's involvement.  At the same time though, Full Moon Fever gets high marks from the same people (by in large) for being a Tom Petty solo disc.

Full Moon Fever is a classic album... that's pretty much without debate.  But, it's shame most people didn't recognize that Into The Great Wide Open was (in my opinion) a step-up in Tom Petty's songwriting/poetry, and about 2 steps up on Jeff Lynne's production.  Jeff's producing hit such a stride on this record and should have won more fans over.  Go back and listen to the absolutely amazing musicianship on that record.  From everyone.  It was a good direction for Tom, the Heartbreakers and for Jeff, even if it was temporary.

So, now we're coming up to Highway Companion, a third Tom Petty/Jeff Lynne collab.  Square One is out and may be a hint of what we're in for.  I hope they blow the lid off convention like they did the last two times... because they can.