BARBARA ORBISON

Barbara Orbison, who spent years keeping the legacy of her husband Roy alive, died of pancreatic cancer yesterday - 23 years to the day we lost Roy.  She was just 60 years old.

News links:
CBS News
USA Today
BBC
Examiner

CLASSIC ALBUMS BOX ctd...

The new Classic Albums Collection box set has arrived.  Here's another picture to illustrate some of the interesting features.

First off, there's 11 discs, not 12 as some retailers have listed.

The individual albums are housed in good quality card sleeves.  If the original album was a gatefold, it's presented here in a gatefold.

The booklet is 28 pages with original album credits and snippets from the remaster booklets.   Very nice.

All of the discs are uniform black with logo and title.

So, on the surface, a nicely presented set.  A casual fan now has the opportunity to own ELO's main catalog for as little as $45.  I suppose that's the intent of this set.

Now for the nitpicky stuff:

I have mixed feelings on the white border of every card sleeve.

Given the Earth Wind & Fire example for this same series, I thought this would have been a good opportunity to include a short bonus CD of already released tracks that didn't make this round of remasters (ie remastered Hello My Old Friend, Mandalay, Buildings Have Eyes, A Matter Of Fact (both versions), maybe the edit to Evil Woman, Flashback tracks, etc...)

A lot of us had strong doubts Zoom was going to be included.  If Sony doesn't own it anymore, my guess is any future 're-packagaing' would probably come from Jeff and his yet to be revealed new endeavor.

One good thing about this box set, it's not cheaply made and there's more attention to detail than usual. But, I can't help but to imagine a real box set geared to the more dedicated ELO fan ala the recent Queen and Pink Floyd sets.

I have to admit, they made nothing new look new.

THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT...

A report from the George Harrison Living In The Material World Exhibit at the Grammy Museum in LA...

One of our regular readers, who we know as Rock Singer, saw the exhibit last night:  

"My favorite part of the exhibit was off to the side, four small mixing board where you could remix George's song "This is Love." I couldn't resist it and had to try. I only wished I could have kept a personal copy of the remix that I made myself." Yeah I'm no Jeff Lynne but it was fun trying."

That would be fun.

I HAVE A QUESTION...

... Is there any intention of releasing this documentary in USA for those of us who don't have HBO?  Just askin'....

MUSIC BOOK BY ROY WOOD

You remember that compilation Roy Wood has been working on?  Well, Music Book appears to be ready for a 14 November release in the UK.

You remember when Roy Wood mentioned that one of his late 80s/early 90s tracks with Jeff Lynne would included in this set??  Well, it appears that he has back-pedaled on that idea.

CD1
1. California Man (Roy Wood with his Rock & Roll "Big Band") *
2. Ball Park Incident (Wizzard)
3. Forever (Roy Wood)
4. Oh What A Shame (Roy Wood)
5. Fire Brigade (Roy Wood) *
6. French Perfume (Roy Wood with Wizzard)
7. Down To Zero (Roy Wood)
8. Raining In The City (Roy Wood)
9. I Can Hear The Grass Grow (Status Quo)
10. Beautiful Daughter (Roy Wood with Carl Waynes)
11. Tonight (Move)
12. Lion's Heart (Roy Wood) *
13. Look Thru The Eyes Of A Fool (Roy Wood)
14. Dear Elaine (Roy Wood)
15. Main Street (Roy Wood with Wizzard)
16. New York City (Roy Wood Rock & Roll Band) *
17. Givin' Your Heart Away (Roy Wood)
18. Sing Out The Old...Bring In The New (Roy Wood with Kempsey School Choir)

CD2
1. See My Baby Jive (Wizzard)
2. Starting Up (Roy Wood)
3. Any Old Time Will Do (Roy Wood)
4. Miss Clarke And The Computer (Roy Wood)
5. Green Glass Windows (Roy Wood with Kempsey School Choir)
6. R. U. Red E 2 Rock (Wizzard)
7. Chinatown (Move)
8. Flowers In The Rain (Nancy Sinatra)
9. Why Does Such A Pretty Girl (Sing Those Sad Songs) (Roy Wood)
10. Brontosaurus (Move)
11. Olympic Flyer (Roy Wood)
12. Angel Fingers (A Teen Ballad) (Wizzard)
13. Keep Your Hands On The Wheel (Roy Wood feat John Bonham Drums)
14. Aerial Pictures (Roy Wood) *
15. This Is The Story Of My Love (Wizzard)
16. Blackberry Way (Move with extra strings by Roy Wood) *
17. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (Wizzard)
 BONUS TRACK:
18. First Movement E.L.O (Roy Wood acoustic guitar & cello)

 * PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

12 DISCS ???

There appears to be a bit of confusion (or change) regarding the upcoming Classic Albums Collection box set.

Amazon Germany and another German retailer are listing the collection as 12 discs and that Zoom is the newly added 12th disc.  Amazon US and UK also list the collection as 12 discs but no further info.

On the other hand, another import retailer is listing 12 discs with Out Of The Blue split into 2 discs.

Pop Market is still showing 11 discs.

This could all explain the delay.  Again, stay tuned.

CLASSIC ALBUMS BOX

The Classic Albums Collection now moves to November 8.

AND THE TITLE IS...

Joe Walsh has reportedly revealed the name of this new album.  According to Ultimate Classic Rock, it was will be titled Analog Man and Mr. Walsh will testing (at least) the title track on his upcoming set of live shows.

Jeff Lynne is previously reported to have produced half the tacks on the album.  The Ultimate Classic Rock article vaguely states it'll be a Winter 2012 release - backing up an article from Cleveland.com which also says early 2012.  Stay tuned...

LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD

For those of you in the US with HBO, tonight is part one of George Harrison - Living In The Material World - part two tomorrow night.  Let us know what you think! 

FALL CLASSICS

Here's a small roundup on what's up this month.  First, the USA edition of The Essential Electric Light Orchestra is out on October 24.  The UK version is out 10 October.  Lynn Hoskins at Showdown says the Xanadu tracks are from the 1998 UK edition.  The one exception: Xanadu, which appears to be the newer Jeff Lynne version.

Disc 1:

1. 10538 Overture (7" Edit) 4:03
2. Roll Over Beethoven (7" Edit)  4:31
3. Showdown 4:09
4. Ma-Ma-Ma Belle 3:37
5. Can't Get It Out Of my Head (7" Edit) 3:07
6. Evil Woman 4:12
7. Nightrider (7" Edit) 3:42
8. Strange Magic 4:06
9. Livin' Thing 3:32
10. Do Ya 3:45
11. Rockaria! 3:13
12. Telephone Line 4:40
13. Turn To Stone 3:48
14. Mr. Blue Sky 5:02
15. Sweet Talkin' Woman 3:48
16. Wild West Hero 4:41
17. It's Over 4:09
18. Shine A Little Love 4:11

Disc 2:

1. Don't Bring Me Down 4:03
2. The Diary Of Horace Wimp 4:17
3. Confusion 3:40
4. Last Train To London 4:30
5. I'm Alive 3:44
6. Xanadu (New Version) 3:21
7. All Over The World 4:02
8. Don't Walk Away 4:47
9. Hold On Tight 3:06
10. Twilight 3:43
11. Ticket To The Moon 4:07
12. The Way Life's Meant To Be 4:38
13. Rock and Roll Is King 3:08
14. Secret Messages 4:43
15. Four Little Diamonds 4:05
16. Calling America 3:29
17. So Serious 2:42
18. Surrender 2:32
19. Latitude 88 North 3:23

The Classic Albums Collection is "shipping on or before October 15." - which is a Saturday, so not sure this is following a traditional release 'schedule.'

George Harrison : Living In The Material World

The track list for the Deluxe Edition CD is out.

Exclusive CD Tracklist:
1. My Sweet Lord (demo) 3:33
2. Run Of The Mill (demo) 1:56
3. I'd Have You Any Time (early take) 3:06
4. Mama You've Been On My Mind (demo) 3:04
5. Let It Be Me (demo) 2:56
6. Woman Don't You Cry For Me (early take) 2:44
7. Awaiting On You All (early take) 2:40
8. Behind That Locked Door (demo) 3:29
9. All Things Must Pass (demo) 4:38
10. The Light That Has Lighted The World (demo) 2:23

So, it appears there's nothing from the Jeff Lynne/Wilburys era or later on this.  And still no announced plans for a DVD or BRD in the USA.  The Jeff Lynne Interview bonus feature is included with all released versions in the UK.  

Joe Walsh's website has completed a makeover.  Right now, there's only solo tour dates and no hint of a new album at all.  According to Joe from eons ago, it's been sitting ready to go.

ELO CLASSIC ALBUMS BOX SET

UPDATE:  Release date slides to October 15... 

Also suddenly appearing on Sony's release schedule, an 11-CD box set containing the band's current USA remasters.

The blurb:

This box set is the definitive document of Electric Light Orchestra's classic recordings

• Each album features rare bonus tracks, including numerous alternate versions and unreleased tracks.

• Each album is packaged in a replica mini-LP-style sleeve reproducing that album's original cover art.

• Includes such enduring ELO hits as "Can't Get It Out of My Head," "Evil Woman," "Telephone Line," "Livin' Thing," "Sweet Talkin' Woman," "Mr. Blue Sky," "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Hold On Tight."

UPDATE:  Release date slides to October 15... 

Hat tip: Cory

FULL STREAM AHEAD...

RollingStone.com is now streaming the entire Listen To Me: Buddy Holly collection... Enjoy and feel free to post your thoughts on Words of Love...

ESSENTIAL ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

Sony/BMG will be releasing The Essential Electric Light Orchestra in the UK.  This time a 2 CD collection spanning the length of the ELO brand.

Disc 1

10538 Overture
Roll Over Beethoven
Showdown
Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Evil Woman
Nightrider
Strange Magic
Livin' Thing
Do Ya
Rockaria!
Telephone Line
Turn To Stone
Mr. Blue Sky
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Wild West Hero
It's Over
Shine A Little Love

Disc 2

Don't Bring Me Down
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Confusion
Last Train To London
I'm Alive
Xanadu
All Over The World
Don't Walk Away
Hold On Tight
Twilight
Ticket To The Moon
The Way Life's Meant To Be
Rock and Roll Is King
Secret Messages
Four Little Diamonds
Calling America
So Serious
Surrender
Latitude 88 North

Release date: 10 October 2011.   Amazon UK

LISTEN TO ME: BUDDY HOLLY PROMO

A promo CD of Listen To Me: Buddy Holly is out there now, even though it is now less than a week before the official release... and still no full preview of Words of Love yet...

...AND AGAIN...

The re-recorded Mr. Blue Sky, now playing on a Target ad in Australia.



Hat tip: Robert

FIRST LOOK: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD

We are getting our first look at the trailer for the upcoming George Harrison documentary, Living In The Material World:

THANKS...

Thanks to Ged and everyone involved with the Earthrise re-issue.  You guys did a great job!

...AND AGAIN...

The movie trailer count is adding up. Don't Bring Me Down (old and new versions) is featured in the trailers for Our Idiot Brother.  A 30-second spot features the classic version.  Here's one of the longer trailers:

FUTURAMA

While sitting at home unwinding from another long day, this came on:

Futurama	Thursdays 10/9c
The Wreck of the Original Planet Express Ship
www.comedycentral.com
Comedy Central Funny TV Shows Roast of Charlie Sheen

Older post: This is a still picture (taken on my phone) from tonight's episode of Futurama.  In this scene, the crew flies through a spaceship graveyard.

HERE COMES THE DOC, DO DO DO DO

We now have our first look at what the new George Harrison documentary, Living In The Material World will look like on deluxe DVD, at least for the UK.  There's still no listing for the CD of 'never before heard' tracks.  However, the Special Features section has some interesting items:

Special Features:

• George plays the Uke*
• Here Comes The Sun 
• Dispute and Violence
• Deep Blue*
• Paul McCartney interview
• Jeff Lynne interview
• Damon Hill interview
• Growing Up in Liverpool interview*
• Neil Aspinall interview*
• The Inner Light interview*
• Gordon Murray interview*

* Exclusive to the Deluxe Edition.

The initial list price for this Deluxe Edition: 74.99 GBP.  I suspect this will get interesting.  Stay tuned...

This is the DVD release.

and this is the Blu-Ray release.