COMING THIS FALL/WINTER

Here's a head scratcher for you.  Well, a head scratcher or a really good sign...

BBC Four has just put out a press release regarding the upcoming shows for their Fall and Winter 2010/2011 season.  Here's the blurb:

ELO - 40 Light Years

Charting the fascinating story of musical genius, singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist and Electric Light Orchestra leader Jeff Lynne, this film celebrates 40 years since ELO's first groundbreaking hit recording. The programme follows the band through their successes, up to their brand new ELO album – their first for almost 10 years.

With exclusive access to Jeff Lynne, this documentary charts his story from his early years in Birmingham with cult legends the Idle Race, through to his first UK chart success with the Move. It also investigates his international mega-stardom with ELO and beyond, with The Travelling Wilburys – Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Bob Dylan – Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, the Beatles, Del Shannon, Regina Spektor and many more.

... this film celebrates 40 years??

...up to their brand new ELO album - their first in almost 10 years????

Stay tuned.

I HEART ALBUM NEWS

There's an update of sorts on the album Joe Walsh recorded with Jeff Lynne.  Mr. Walsh was apparently on I Heart Radio and revealed some details.  According to a reader of L&M's Eagles Fastlane:

I just spoke with Joe Walsh! I asked him about his new solo album coming up, and the specifically about the arrangements...I wanted to hear some songs centered around the acoustic guitar...like Indian Summer, Collage, etc.

He said the album is done and in the can...and the overall process is 4/5ths done. He isn't sure when it will be out 'cause he's an eagle right now. But my impression is that it's close.

He said working with Jeff Lynne was a total challenge (in a good way). It really forced him to challenge himself....he really likes the results! Said they were two old timers set in their ways, and it took a while to figure out how to work together.

I mentioned that my daughter was mad 'cause I made her go to school today and miss hearing his call. He told her thanks for being a fan and to "grow up good."

Joe was very down to earth, and the whole thing was pretty quick. It was, afterall, a business call recorded for the Eagles radio show. Still, it was pretty cool.

 And for the record, it appears The Eagles will be touring for the rest of this year.

EARLY YEARS UK VS. USA

I really don't know if this was standard procedure or if it was on purpose that the UK DVD was made Region 0.  Either way, I can't find a single reason to own the USA edition of this DVD, unless you're collecting.  I got mine from Key Mail Order for almost the same price as the USA edition and it shipped to me in a week.  You are welcome to post links where you got yours for fans who were waiting to get theirs. 

As for the DVD itself, it's amazing how much more enjoyable this footage is now that the audio and video is cleaner. I prefer the studio stuff over the live material in general.  But overall, thumbs up on this.

WHAT A DOLL...

There's a Jeff Lynne doll for sale on eBay.  Seriously.  And the bidding is hot.

Kinda looks like a converted G.I. Joe doll to me.

GBP 310 or $478 USD...

BONUS MP3s???

UPDATE 8/23: I'm told you get 3 free downloads from the Rockin' Movies web page selection.  The site may probably be only accessible in the USA.  But trust me, you're not missing anything.  You can redeem credits from this DVD and you get three free tracks from various Universal Pictures soundtracks including Xanadu. There is no Xanadu bonus material.

ORIGINAL POST: Can anyone shed any light on this Xanadu DVD that was released earlier this month?  It's the same version put out recently, but it offers three bonus mp3's with the purchase.  I'm assuming you just get to choose three songs from the soundtrack.  Can anyone confirm this?

SCATTERED LIGHT

Out this week is a fan tribute to ELO.  The CD is called Scattered Light and contains 12 ELO covers all recorded by fans of the band.  The track list:

Mission (A World Record)- Triangle Paradise

Stranger- Damien Spanjer

Strange Magic- Nun The Wiser

Danger Ahead- Matt Abright & Bill Casper

Can't Get It Out Of My Head- Rubber Universe

Daybreaker- Andy Brown

Oh No Not Susan- The Bagweeds

Showdown- Matthew Gough

Night In The City- Poorboy

From The End Of The World- Jamie Amos ft. Shaz Pratt & Conrad Shields

Whisper In The Night- Casey McCammon

Mr. Blue Sky- Scattered Light Orchestra

CDs are only $10 and proceeds will benefit the Birmingham Children's Hospital and George Harrison's Material World Foundation.  You can order one from the Scattered Light website.

INSIDE THE DVD

Some scans from the Early Years UK DVD.  On the inside:

The info:

NTSC?  And a 5.1 surround option??  Wow.  And finally the promo sticker:

Another thing I noticed is on the Eagle Rock website.  They list both versions of the DVD, but only making the USA edition available to buy. I'm still waiting on a UK DVD to see if it works here.  I bought one because it's listed as NTSC and Region 0.

and for the USA fans, a preview clip of Strange Magic is on Amazon's page.

MORE FROM THE BEEB

More from the BBC coming next week in the form of download-only releases.  This time, it's The Move and seemingly only a UK-release at the moment.

This is the Pete Drummond Session (15 December 1971) with the track list:

• Ella James
• Words of Aaron
• Message From The Country

They're available starting 16 August 2010 from Amazon UK and iTunes in the UK...

EARLY YEARS, EARLY REVIEWS

Hey, UK fans!  How's the DVD?

NEWS: ROSSIF SUTHERLAND

Rossif Sutherland has updated his MySpace page.  The Jeff Lynne-produced Waiting For The Train and In The Clouds are new to the site...

I'm leaning towards In The Clouds.  Excellent track.  Waiting For The Train is pretty straight-forward, would fit snuggly on Highway Companion.  Overall, Rossif's songwriting is pretty good and both tracks are as tight as you'd expect from Jeff Lynne's studio.

So, now my guess is (along with These Words) we have all three of the tracks Jeff Lynne produced for Rossif Sutherland back in 2005.  Sadly, nobody's given the guy a record deal yet.  But I'm glad these songs aren't sitting around unheard.

Not sure which I like more, the surprise of having these made available to hear with no warning, or a press release with a three-month wait.  Either way, the wait for a new disc from the big guy just got a bit more bearable.