LONG ENDURANCE, BULKY CURTAINS ctd...

Post by Jeff Lynne.

JEFF LYNNE ON TAP

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MERRY MINSTREL MUSICAL CIRCUS III

Jeff Lynne made another trip to the Troubadour in Los Angeles over the weekend to spread a little holiday cheer.

NOW AVAILABLE: TAKE THAT III

Take That III - containing one track produced by Jeff Lynne (Fall Down At Your Feet) - is now available to buy.  Fall Down At Your Feet is only available in the Google Play Store in the UK.

AND AGAIN,

TAKE THAT BACK

Ahead of Monday's release of Take That III, some fans have just gotten their deluxe editions - and to our surprise, there is nothing in the credits to suggest Jeff Lynne participated in any of the songs on the 12 track main album or the 15 track deluxe edition.  There's still the Google Play edition which contains 2 additional titles - but generally credits for 'bonus bonus' songs are rarely officially revealed.

The album, by the way, just became the most pre-ordered album at amazon.co.uk ever.

But if the credits are accurate - and despite the announcement and even a mention from Jeff about it - you can probably pass on this and stay tuned to see if Jeff is involved in any other released tracks.

A MR. BLUE SKY FLASH MOB

Chris Evans Flash Mob from evaapplication on Vimeo.

NOW PLAYING: THE ART OF MCCARTNEY

Consequence of Sound and Rolling Stone now linking to the full album stream of The Art Of McCartney - including Jeff Lynne's Junk.

CD/DVD sets and digital downloads available starting Monday for the UK, Tuesday for the USA.

Lynne feared ELO crowd would go home - Classic Rock

Lynne feared ELO crowd would go home - Classic Rock:
'via Blog this'

ELO IN 2015??

Billboard Magazine is reporting on the heels of last night's Classic Rock Honours that Jeff Lynne will be bringing at least one live ELO show to the USA next year - and is planning to release a new album under the ELO banner.

CLASSIC ROCK ROLL OF HONOUR

I have the distinct honour of presenting my pal Jeff Lynne with a Rock 'n Roll Award in Hollywood. The FU2, together again for 1st time.
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) November 4, 2014

Jeff Lynne was recipient of an award during the 10th Annual Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards last night at The Avalon in Los Angeles.  The show is available to hear On Demand (if you register with the site or log in through Facebook) and will be broadcast on internet radio later this evening - 8PM Eastern Time, 5PM LA time.

LIVE IN HYDE PARK, ctd

The Head of Music at BBC Radio 2 (and 6) writes about some of the wheeling and dealing that resulted in that tremendous evening in Hyde Park.

By the way, the Hyde Park show will re-air on BBC Four this weekend after a fresh airing of Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne and ELO.

FROM THE GUARDIAN...

If you can cut through all the ads and 20 other things on the page trying to get your attention, there's a fresh new interview with Jeff in today's online version of The Guardian including a brief mention of his recent work with Take That.

NEWS: TAKE THAT III

Take That announced their new album today, titled III.  According to some reports out of the UK, Jeff Lynne is one of the album's 4 producers.

Track list from the Deluxe Edition on iTunes:

These Days 

Let In The Sun

If You Want It

Lovelife

Portrait

Higher Than Higher

I Like It

Give You My Love

Freeze

Into The Wild

Flaws

Get Ready For It

Believe

Amazing

Do It All For Love

And 3 extra tracks exclusive to Google Play

Fall Down At Your Feet

If It's Not Love

These Days (Steve Pitron & Max Sanna Club Mix)

The album's first single, These Days, will be getting its first play tomorrow - that track is produced by Greg Kurstin.

III is slated for a December 1st release in the UK.

A "Signed Super Deluxe Box Set" is being made available.  Their blurb:

This is the first time Take That have written and recorded as a three and with that new dynamic has come a new sound; this time around choosing an eclectic mix of producers to work on the album:Greg Kurstin (Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence, Lykke Li - I Never Learn, Katy Perry - Prism), John Shanks (Take That- Beautiful World, The Circus), Stuart Price (Take That - Progress, Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor, The Killers - Day & Age) and Jeff Lynne(ELO, Paul McCartney - Flaming Pie, Regina Spektor - Far, Tom Petty - Into The Great Wide Open, Travelling Wilburys - Travelling Wilburys Vol.1).

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN LIVE FROM HYDE PARK

Jeff Lynne's ELO - Mr Blue Sky at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014

LIVE IN HYDE PARK ctd

Post by BBC Radio 2.

LIVE IN HYDE PARK

The set list:

All Over The World
Evil Woman
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Showdown
Livin' Thing
Strange Magic
10538 Overture
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Turn To Stone
Steppin' Out
Handle With Care
Don't Bring Me Down
Rock 'n' Roll Is King
Telephone Line
Mr. Blue Sky
Roll Over Beethoven

So, what was your favorite?!

HOW TO WATCH AND LISTEN

BBC Radio 2 online stream

Here's how you can watch and listen to BBC Radio 2's Festival in a Day 2014.

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

REPLAY: CHRIS EVANS BREAKFAST SHOW

Here's the replay of this morning's Chris Evans Breakfast Show.

CHRIS EVANS BREAKFAST SHOW

Post by Jeff Lynne.

REVEALED: THE ART OF MCCARTNEY

A new web site has launched for The Art of McCartney - and includes release date and full track list.   The Art of McCartney will be available as:

standard CD (£11.99)
CD/DVD set (£14.99)
3LP gatefold (£24.99)
digital download (£11.99)
vinyl box set (£64.99)
and for £149.99, the rather swanky deluxe box set

UK Release date is 17 November 2014.  And now here's the track:

Maybe I'm Amazed - Billy Joel
Things We Said Today - Bob Dylan
Band On The Run - Heart
Junior's Farm - Steve Miller
The Long And Winding Road - Yusuf/Cat Stevens
My Love - Harry Connick, Jr
Wanderlust - Brian Wilson
Bluebird - Corinne Bailey Rae
Yesterday - Willie Nelson
Junk - Jeff Lynne
When I'm 64 - Barry Gibb
Every Night - Jamie Cullum
Venus And Mars/Rock Show - KISS
Let Me Roll It - Paul Rodgers
Helter Skelter - Roger Daltrey
Helen Wheels - Def Leopard
Hello Goodbye - The Cure Featuring James McCartney
Live And Let Die - Billy Joel
Let It Be - Chrissie Hynde
Jet - Robin Zander & Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick
Hi Hi Hi - Joe Elliot
Letting Go - Heart
Hey Jude - Steve Miller
Listen To What The Man Said - Owl City
Got To Get You Into My Life - Perry Farrell
Drive My Car - Dion
Lady Madonna - Allen Toussaint
Let ‘Em In - Dr. John
So Bad - Smokey Robinson
No More Lonely Nights - The Airborne Toxic Event
Eleanor Rigby - Alice Cooper
Come And Get It - Toots Hibbert with Sly & Robbie
On The Way - B.B. King
Birthday - Sammy Hagar

BLUE SKY SNAPS

BBC Radio 2 wants your Mr. Blue Sky selfies!  Take a picture of yourself with friends, family, pets, whatever - just make sure it has "Mr. Blue Sky" somewhere.  Your selfie may be used on the big video board before Jeff Lynne's ELO takes the stage.

Here's the Radio 2 website with all of the specifics. Email pics to chris.evans@bbc.co.uk or post to Twitter or Instagram with hashtag #R2BlueSky

Be creative and enjoy!  You have until midnight Saturday September 13 to submit.

KINDA OT: GEORGE HARRISON - THE APPLE YEARS

 

Announced this week: a new 8-disc box from George Harrison titled The Apple Years 1968-75 - the companion box to the Dark Horse Years box released in 2004.

The set gathers George's albums Wonderwall Music, Electronic Sound, All Things Must Pass, Living In The Material World, Dark Horse, Extra Texture and a DVD of related footage from the era. Release date is 22 September 2014 and will be available as a CD/DVD box set, individual albums and digital download.

FTM CONVENTION -- GERMANY

There will be gathering of ELO fans in Frankfurt, Germany on 18 October 2014 at the Hotel Columbus.  Face The Music Germany is holding the event and has reserved rooms for the convention at a discount rate.  You can find out much more information and connect to the organizers by going to the FTM Germany website - In English and German.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

With the Hyde Park concert now a week away, I wanted to share some little bits that are helping me get into the spirit of things.  From time to time, I enjoy creating my own wallpapers and background images for my smartphone, iPad and computer.  Plus, my job requires me to keep some basic Photoshop skills sharp.  So, during some off-time, I've been combing through and scanning some various ELO and related promos and memorabilia I've amassed over the years.

Below are some images you are welcome to save and use if you'd like.  The tablet/iPad-shaped images are dark on purpose so your icons can still pop on the screen.  Just click on the image, and save the larger version.  It helps to have a retina display or equivalent quality.

This was my favorite of the bunch.  These are old hype stickers from some original vinyl LPs - with the background coming from one of the many ELO compilations released during the 90s.

This is the artwork for the US Promo CD of George Harrison's This Is Love - inverted and re-arranged.

From the original 7" artwork for ELO's Rock 'n' Roll Is King

Using artwork from ELO's Greatest Hits

Here is a tablet version of the hype sticker collage

Using some different elements from ELO's Hold On Tight 7" and the Time Tour book.

Artwork from the original promo CD single for Tom Petty's I Won't Back Down.

I'm not claiming any copyright to these images - and frankly, I fully expect to be ordered to remove them. But until then, feel free to save the images and use them as backgrounds on your phone, tablet or computer.

HYDE PARK REHEARSALS

Back in the bosom of the TT band for Jeff Lynne /ELO rehearsals.... nice.... pic.twitter.com/KYNMHxKMZJ
— Mick Wilson (@mickwilsonmusic) September 2, 2014

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL

StarVista Entertainment and Time Life have a new DVD box set with 10+ hours of performances from The Midnight Special.  ELO features on two of the set's 11 discs.

Disc 2: Evil Woman, Strange Magic
Disc 3: Can't Get It Out Of My Head

It retails for around $100 if you get it through StarVista/Time Life and begins shipping September 8.  There is also a one-disc edition of this Midnight Special box set out September 9 but no track list on it yet.

THE FUTURE'S A BIT FISHY. WE'VE GOT A HAND IN IT.

Here's an interesting bit of ELO trivia.  Hag's Photography provided the photo used on the cover of ELO's Secret Messages.  The title of the picture?  The Future's A Bit Fishy.  We've Got A Hand In It.  Hag's Photography is making prints of the original photographs available for higher-end purchase. They're offered as Original Prints and Digital Print Sales.

In two versions: a color hand tinted version:

And the original black and white version:

Their description:

1983
(6 negatives) 

Original version LP cover for Electric Light Orchestra. ‘Secret Messages’. The foreground contained figures from classical paintings and was hand tinted by Kim Harris 

One time I left my umbrella at a gallery opening – it started to drizzle and I had to go back. It changed my life. Casual decisions can have a dramatic effect on our experience. The future is unknown, the past we quantify for our own satisfaction. It’s not that the grass is greener, it’s that it’s green. 

This version commissioned for a calendar entitled ‘The Future’ but the art director didn’t like the old car which I said I would cover up putting my hand over it which I later added. He was a little surprised.

KICKSTART FOR TERRY

Post by Jeff Lynne.

BRYAN ADAMS: (NOT) THIS TIME

Pre-order links are beginning to appear for Bryan Adam's next album, Tracks Of My Years. Although Jeff revealed back in March they were working on material, this project does not appear to involve him.

During a Bryan Adams interview from earlier this year:

Q: What’s new on the music front?

A: There are hopefully three albums coming out in the next year. I’m signing with Verve records in America for a couple of albums and I’ll be releasing my first album of cover songs. Secondly, I’ll be releasing a “Reckless – 30th Anniversary Album” with a few unreleased songs. And finally, sometime at the beginning of next year, I’ll release an album of new songs produced by Jeff Lynne.

NOW PLAYING: THE INFINITE MONKEY CAGE

.@ProfBrianCox and @robinince join @EricIdle as he sings new theme song for @themonkeycage: http://t.co/haPvcQvdgo pic.twitter.com/Xc28QoK2J4
— BBC Radio 4 (@BBCRadio4) June 30, 2014

This past April, Eric Idle tweeted about recording a new theme for The Infinite Monkey Cage with Jeff Lynne.

Now, there's a link to watch the end result.
(hat tip: Neil)

NEWS: BBC RADIO 2 LIVE IN HYDE PARK

From Jeff Lynne's Official Facebook Page and ELO-Showdown, the surprise official announcement was made today. General admission tickets already sold out.

JEFF LYNNE'S ELO TO HEADLINE BBC RADIO 2 LIVE IN HYDE PARK

BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show presenter, Chris Evans, today (Friday 13 June) announced that Jeff Lynne's iconic ELO will headline this year’s BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park on Sunday 14 September. 

Jeff Lynne has experienced global success as one of the founding members of the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and creator of ELO’s music, as well as a solo artist, composer, producer and song-writer but this will be the first time that he has performed as ELO at any festival since 1986. He was also a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty. 

The crowds at Hyde Park will be able to witness the hit music of ELO accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra. This combination highlights the diverse range of musical collaboration Radio 2 is able to curate. 

Jeff Lynne said:
"I haven't performed live in quite some time, and I know the fans have asked for it a lot over the years. It's very exciting to come to Hyde Park with Radio 2 and do something this big, and I’m very much looking forward to playing my ELO songs for everyone." 

Chris Evans said:
"I'm a huge fan of ELO and Jeff Lynne and am excited beyond words that he's going to be performing at BBC Radio 2 Live at Hyde Park. What a line-up. The audience is in for a real treat!" 

Jeff Lynne's ELO is the latest addition to an already impressive line-up of top names which includes music legend Blondie, illustrious lead singer of The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde, 80s favourite pop and soul star Billy Ocean, double platinum songstress Paloma Faith, Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist/songwriter Gregory Porter, eleven-piece contemporary folk band Bellowhead and 2014 Academy of Country Music Album of the Year Award winner Kacey Musgraves. 

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, said:
"It's our privilege that Jeff has chosen Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park to bring back ELO to the live stage. We’re very excited to have him play some of the greatest hits including Mr Blue Sky and Livin' Thing as we know our audience loves this music. To hear these songs live and in the atmospheric surroundings of Hyde Park will be a unique moment for all of us. ELO and our already impressive line-up promises to deliver a glorious day of late summer entertainment." 

Now in its seventh year, Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park is the live highlight of the Radio 2 musical calendar. So far this year Radio 2 In Concert has featured Kylie Minogue and Elbow, as well as the recent Friday Night is Music Night D-Day special from Royal Albert Hall which was live on Red Button as well as screened at cinemas around the UK.

Coverage of the event, including full sets and performances from the day, will be available to watch on the BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the Radio 2 website, which will also feature exclusive backstage footage, acoustic sessions and interviews from the event. 

Tickets are now available for the event with details on how to purchase them available via bbc.co.uk/radio2:

NOW AVAILABLE: MYSTERY GIRL DELUXE

The rather amazingly well-done 25th Anniversary editions of Roy Orbison's Mystery Girl are now available.

YOU GOT IT

Post by Roy Orbison.

CALIFORNIA BLUE (STUDIO DEMO - 2014)

From Roy Orbison's VEVO page, the new studio demo and (we believe) newly-made official video for California Blue.  Enjoy.

RECORD STORE DAY 2014

On this Record Store Day, we have a fresh new LP edition of The Birthday Party by The Idle Race.  It went on sale today.

This "Record Store Day Exclusive" on Parlophone is pressed on gold vinyl and (according to several retailers) limited to 1,000 copies.

Description:

The band that served as a springboard forJeff Lynne. Reissued on gold vinyl, with stereo audio and the original UK gatefold artwork.

COMING SOON: THE ART OF MCCARTNEY

A release of that Paul McCartney tribute disc we learned about back in 2012 will finally come to be.  Arctic Poppy Records made the announcement today.  Jeff Lynne is among the many performers who contributed a track.

From their web site:

A celebration of one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century and possibly the largest selling composer of all time. Sir Paul McCartney has written many of the world’s best-known songs, and the project features some of the biggest stars in the music industry performing his and the Beatles’ greatest tracks alongside McCartney’s own backing musicians. 

The double album is set to be one of the stand out releases of 2014. Box set and collectors editions will be available in summer 2014, with the album scheduled for release in the autumn.

The tracks listed so far (without performer line-up):

Live and Let Die
Let It Be
When I'm 64
Yesterday
Drive My Car
All My Loving
Things We Said Today
The Long And Winding Road
Hello Goodbye
Hey Jude
Let Me Roll It
PS I Love You
Listen To What The Man Said
Every Night

More as we find it.

MYSTERY GIRL: UNRAVELED

The trailer for what will be the documentary on the upcoming Mystery Girl Deluxe DVD is now available to view. We'll be seeing more of that cool footage from Mike Campbell's garage...

Roy Orbison's official online store is also offering a Mystery Girl-themed calendar that runs July 2014 through December 2015.

Release dates:

Mystery Girl Deluxe CD/DVD and Mystery Girl Expanded CD and digital downloads - May 20

Mystery Girl 2LP vinyl - June 10

Mystery Girl custom calendar - May 20

MYSTERY GIRL EXPANDED AND DELUXE

Amazon now listing Roy Orbison's Mystery Girl Deluxe as a CD/DVD deluxe edition and single CD expanded edition.

Track list for the CD/DVD

Disc: 1
1. You Got It
2. In The Real World
3. (All I Can Do Is) Dream You
4. A Love So Beautiful
5. California Blue
6. She's a Mystery to Me
7. The Comedians
8. The Only One
9. Windsurfer
10. Careless Heart
11. The Way Is Love (new song)
12. She's a Mystery to Me (studio demo with Bono)
13. (All I Can Do Is) Dream You (studio demo)
14. The Only One (studio demo)
15. The Comedians (studio demo)
16. In The Real World (studio demo)
17. California Blue (studio demo)
18. Windsurfer (work-tape demo)
19. You Are My Love (work-tape demo)

Disc: 2
1. Mystery Girl: Unraveled (60 Minute Documentary)
2. The Way Is Love
3. California Blue (New Alternate Version)
4. You Got It (New Alternate Version)
5. You Got It (Original Official Video)
6. California Blue (Original Official Video)
7. She's A Mystery To Me (Original Official Video)
8. She's A Mystery To Me (Alternate Unreleased Fincher Version)
9. A Love So Beautiful (Original Official Video)

Description:

The discography of Roy Orbison (1936-1988) - which yielded some of the most heartfelt, passionate classics of the rock 'n' roll era - shined even brighter with the release of Mystery Girl, the last album Orbison recorded, in 1989. Now, a brand-new version of this star-studded classic further amplifies the beauty of Roy's final work. 

The commercial success of Mystery Girl was nothing short of impressive: the album was a Top 5 hit, eventually earning Orbison his first platinum award for over 1 million sales, and featured the worldwide Top 10 smash You Got It. MYSTERY GIRL DELUXE 25th anniversary edition is packed with stunning extras. The original album is appended by nine unreleased bonus audio tracks, including studio demos and the previously unheard song The Way Is Love, based on a long-lost demo featuring new instrumentation from Orbison's children, Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex, and John Carter Cash, son of Orbison's longtime friend Johnny Cash. The accompanying DVD features a new hour-long documentary on the making of the album, Mystery Girl: Unraveled, executive produced by Roy's sons. The documentary features new interviews with those behind the album including Steve Cropper, Tom Petty, Mick Campbell and Jeff Lynne. In addition to the documentary, the DVD includes eight wonderful music videos, including an unreleased alternate video for "She's a Mystery to Me" and three new videos for "The Way Is Love", "You Got It" and "California Blue."

Mystery Girl Expanded will be the CD only edition with 5 bonus tracks:

1. You Got It
2. In The Real World
3. (All I Can Do Is) Dream You
4. A Love So Beautiful
5. California Blue
6. She's a Mystery to Me
7. The Comedians
8. The Only One
9. Windsurfer
10. Careless Heart
11. The Way Is Love (new song)
12. She's a Mystery to Me (studio demo with Bono)
13. The Only One (studio demo)
14. California Blue (studio demo)
15. You Are My Love (work-tape demo)

Description:

The discography of Roy Orbison (1936-1988) - which yielded some of the most heartfelt, passionate classics of the rock 'n' roll era - shined even brighter with the release of Mystery Girl, the last album Orbison recorded, in 1989. Now, a brand-new version of this star-studded classic further amplifies the beauty of Roy's final work. 

The commercial success of Mystery Girl was nothing short of impressive: the album was a Top 5 hit, eventually earning Orbison his first platinum award for over 1 million sales, and featured the worldwide Top 10 smash "You Got It." MYSTERY GIRL EXPANDED 25th anniversary edition is packed with stunning extras. The original album is appended by five unreleased bonus audio tracks, including studio demos and the previously unheard song "The Way Is Love," based on a long-lost demo featuring new instrumentation from Orbison's children, Wesley, Roy Jr. and Alex, and John Carter Cash, son of Orbison's longtime friend Johnny Cash.

MYSTERY GIRL EXPANDED

Orbison Records and Legacy are now set to release what appears to be a 25th anniversary edition of Roy Orbison's Mystery Girl.  Jeff Lynne produced 3 of the album's 10 original tracks including You Got It.

So far, we're only finding this as a digital download, but Mystery Girl Expanded will have five bonus tracks.

You Got It
In The Real World
(All I Can Do Is) Dream You
A Love So Beautiful
California Blue
She's A Mystery To Me
The Comediennes
The Only One
Windsurfer
Careless Heart

Bonus Tracks:
The Way Is Love
She's A Mystery To Me (Studio Demo)
The Only One (Studio Demo)
California Blue (Studio Demo)
You Are My Love (Work-tape demo)

Release date is listed as May 16, 2014.  We have yet to see how much of the bonus material involves Mr. Lynne.  Roy Orbison's website is expected to announce...

Amazon Germany is listing a 2 disc edition...

WALK OF STARS - SLIDESHOW

A Flickr slideshow of the evening's events by Jas Sansi Photography...

WALK OF STARS - ROY WOOD

From the Birmingham Mail and Jeff Lynne's Official Facebook page...

WALK OF STARS - BBC MIDLANDS TODAY

Post by BBC Midlands Today.

BROAD STREET WALK OF STARS ctd...

BROAD STREET WALK OF STARS

UPDATED: Again from the Birmingham Mail, an impressive slideshow of the evening's events.

Now, they have a short video interview with Jeff as well... (can't embed this one, you have to go their site to watch)

WALK OF STARS DAY

On this rather momentous day in Birmingham, here's a rather nice article from the Birmingham Mail - including a slideshow of some rare photos.

MORE FROM DR. BLUE SKY...

A new BBC radio interview with Jeff Lynne by Adrian Goldberg:

DR. BLUE SKY, ctd...

AMERICAN HUSTLE ctd...

American Hustle coming to Blu-Ray and DVD on March 18.

DR. BLUE SKY, ctd...

Post by Jeff Lynne.

MORE FROM DR. BLUE SKY

Post by Jeff Lynne.

DR. JEFF LYNNE, ctd...

Whilst getting his honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University today, Jeff Lynne revealed that he's currently working on material with Bryan Adams.

DR. JEFF LYNNE

Jeff Lynne and singer-songwriter Laura Mvula received honorary awards from Birmingham City University today.  Jeff received an honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Birmingham Symphony Hall.  Next week, Jeff gets a star on Broad Street's Walk Of Stars.