BACK UP AGAIN

Pre-order links at the Sony Music Store are back up for the USA remastered editions of No Answer and ELO II... release day, according to the listings, is now March 28.

FOR THOSE OF YOU KEEPING SCORE... PART 2

The release schedule is starting to crowd in.

Various Artists - Brumbeat: The Story of the 60s Midlands Sound (on Castle/Sanctuary)  February 20.

Carl Wayne: Songs From The Wood and Beyond  (on Castle/Sanctuary)  Already released.

Electric Light Orchestra - The Collection (EMI collection)   March 6

Electric Light Orchestra - Out Of The Blue Live at Wembley DVD  (allegedly with stereo/surround mix at last)   March 20

Electric Light Orchestra - No Answer &  ELO II (USA remastered editions)  April

Roy Wood - Look Through The Eyes of Roy Wood (on Castle/Sanctuary)  March 13

Roy Wood - The Wizzard (on EMI)  April 3

LIKE THE GOOD 'OL DAYS

Today in the UK is the release day of something that I don't believe we've seen for a long time: a Harvest Records sampler. OK, Harvest Showdown is, but it's all ELO and related.   The 10-track sampler, called It Wasn't My Idea To Dance, features one track from the Move (if you haven't guessed) and one track by ELO.

That's one part of the Message From The Country website I hope gets completed: the Harvest Records Today feature article.  I really am interested in reading about that.

FOR THOSE OF YOU KEEPING SCORE...

ELO and related fans, I hope you're saving your money.  Here's the running tab:

Electric Light Orchestra - The Collection (EMI collection)   March 6

Electric Light Orchestra - Out Of The Blue Live at Wembley DVD  (allegedly with stereo/surround mix at last)   March 20

Electric Light Orchestra - No Answer &  ELO II (USA remastered editions)  March 21.  More likely April.

Roy Wood - Look Through The Eyes of Roy Wood (on Castle/Sanctuary)  March 13

Roy Wood - The Wizzard (on EMI)  April 3

 

None of these have official announcements yet, so expect changes.  At least it looks like they're on the way.

VINYL VS. CD

A rather interesting debate has turned up on the Showdown list about the vinyl LP.  In the end, we're talking about sound quality on vinyl versus CD.  With the ELO remastered and expanded editions (maybe or maybe not) trickling out beginning in March, some people are not convinced they'll sound better than their original vinyl albums.  More on that later.

Others, of course, don't see the point of remasters at all.  Then, there's the camp I'm in: busting at the seams to get them in my hands.

Remastered ELO albums will do several things...

1. ...restore the sound of their catalog, period.  The un-remastered ELO CDs were made in 1987.  Technology-wise, that's a lifetime ago.   For some people, though, just having it on CD is fine.  But frankly, the EMI First Light editions sold me hook, line & sinker on remasters.  10538 Overture on that disc sounds like it's being recorded right in front of me.  OK, ELO's hit singles have that treatment now on Flashback, Essential ELO, All Over The World, etc etc.  But this our chance to have the other tracks along with the hits back in their original context. 

2. Maybe it's just me, but the remasters we have so far gave me a better understanding of how Jeff and the band recorded.  The production behind the songs always fascinates me.  In many cases, when the tracks are this clear, it hints to me that Jeff didn't use as many cheap electronic shortcuts for sound effects as some people think.  For example, (although I heard it on an interview, not a remaster) the segue between So Fine & Livin' Thing on A New World Record is a keyboard part on tape... then the tape machine is switched off making the keyboard part slow down, then when the tone matches the opening note of Livin' Thing, Jeff spliced the song in.  This stuff becomes more apparent and you hear so much more detail in CDs made today.  ELO music was about the sound.  In that respect, the band's remasters are way, way overdue.

3. Bonus tracks.  I can't imagine how some fans don't get excited by these.  Many of the bonus tracks on the upcoming remasters could be previous takes of what actually got released.  Jeff, as we all know, is a perfectionist.  Nine times out of ten, the original released versions are indeed the best, but it's always nice to hear the other ideas Jeff had for his songs.  Look at how many versions of Showdown are released.  The original LP version is the best, but how cool is it to listen to the many different things going on before the final version.  Some if works, some of it doesn't.  But it's all fascinating to hear.  These remasters may have unmixed backing tracks of songs we know and other songs that didn't make the cut.  These possibilities alone are a huge thrill if you're a fan of any group.

But back to the LP debate, I've been torn on this issue for years.  I know people who can't imagine listening to Janis Joplin on anything other than an old vinyl.  But the CD has been winning out in recent years.  Look, I can appreciate the warmth of LP sound, it beats early CDs and most certainly cassettes, 8-tracks, etc.  Now, I'm not going to pretend that I know everything there is to know about digital vs. analog technology, but CD audio has clearly come a long way.  I don't believe digital "compression" for today's CDs is that detrimental to the sound quality.  MP3's, on the other hand, different story.  That's my main concerning with having music go completely digital.  MP3 all the time would be a step back for music quality.  DVD would probably deliver the least amount of compression, but that's a whole other topic.  I know LP sound isn't "compressed" but analog has its issues as well.  Don't ask me to list them, my brain's too fried.

Even with upscale LP equipment, I need heavy convincing that these forthcoming remastered CDs will be worse than the original LPs as I believe some people suggest.  Today's CDs have the warmth of original vinyl, and when it comes to clarity, they win hands down.

USA VERSION OF MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTRY

While we're waiting on the edge of our seats (and tipping over) for an announcement of some sort, I learned the USA version of the Move's Message From The Country did indeed land in stores this week.

For most people, it won't make much difference.  Besides a few unique markings (with FBI Warning, of course), everything's pretty much the same as the UK edition, Harvest label, color centerfold and 20 page booklet.

Also like the UK release, all songs start after 2 seconds of silence.  Whether or not it's intentional, it gives the appearance (at least to me) of an error that got overlooked by everybody.  Sorry, it just annoys the hell out of me.

In what was a pleasant surprise, my local Tower Records prominently featured MFTC with the day's new catalog releases and at least a dozen copies were stocked.  Compare that to the day ELO's All Over The World comp CD was released by Sony BMG.  I had to go to three stores and eventually found just one copy. 

If I were Stephen Colbert, EMI would get a Tip of the Hat and Sony BMG would get a Wag of the Finger.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Happy 58th Birthday, Jeff.

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2006

Well, 2005 turned out to be a dud for ELO and related fans.  Other than 20 re-packaged songs, one honest to goodness remaster, and a decent Harvest Records sampler, it's been pretty quiet.  OK, it's nice that ELO songs appeared in numerous TV commercials in the past year and now a UK Tour is on with a band whose name could only have been conceived by lawyers.  But at least, ELOPTFM will keep the torch going. 

Now we look ahead to 2006, which is the 35th Anniversary of ELO's first LP release, and hopefully that will be reason enough to jumpstart the long overdue sound restoration of ELO's CD catalog.  Projects like these tend to get released because of an occasion, not because they're "done."  An enormous chunk of the 70's and 80's biggest bands have remastered catalogs now.  And for a band that was all about the sound, you'd think this would be completely obvious.  Instead, 8 of the bands' 14 original LPs are still left in the dust... and one is even unavailable.  Yes, Zoom will turn 5 this year.

And remember, some people were willing to fork over more than $6,000 for a Secret Messages double album acetate (which by the way wasn't even the whole album)... clearly illustrating how popular a restored 18 track original Secret Messages line-up CD would be for fans.  What if it was released as a limited fan-club edition?  I wonder who won that auction anyway...

iTunes is currently offering 4 ELO videos to buy and download... great news.  But if we can buy videos from the later years easily, plus with Discovery videos in wide circulation, and earlier videos previously available on a Telstar VHS collection, why isn't a DVD release of ELO videos on the table?  But hey, if I can buy and download videos even for a two-inch screen, I'll take my little 2-inch victories where I can get them.

Without question, though, the biggest 2006 excitement for me (so far) will be the new Tom Petty album, Highway Companion, in which one of its songs is already in a position to win a Grammy even before the album comes out.

There are seemingly so many projects waiting in line for a green light, I'm keeping my fingers crossed something will.  I don't know about you, but I've taken a break from ELO listening for the most part (current CD playing being the exception) but if and when the ELO remasters get unleashed, it will rejuve my excitement for this music again...  it's been 5 years since the last ignition.

So, what's on your 2006 wish list?

SECRET MESSAGES

A question to the winner of this auction:  May I be your friend?  :-) 

I have a 24bit SBM mastering studio.  I'm just throwing that out there.

SHOPPING FOR AUTOGRAPHS

I always encourage people to research before they buy an autographed ELO album.  Some shops like to forge the band's signatures to sell albums that have been sitting in their stores for years.

But, do some people think we're this stupid?

ALL OVER THE WORLD

Just a quick observation.  Browsing the CD shop a few days ago, I noticed the promo sticker on the front of the USA version of All Over The World compilation CD has been corrected.  They took Can't Get It Out Of My Head off the sticker.  Too bad they couldn't just add the song to the line-up.

CONVERSATIONS WITH TOM PETTY

Conversations With Tom Petty has landed in bookstores today.  There are a few Jeff-related surprises in the book, but at the risk of spoiling them, I'll tell you it's probably better for you to just pick up a copy and thumb through.  There's actually a great deal of Jeff Lynne related material in the book.

What's more interesting is that the book's epilogue has (from what I can tell) a track by track discussion of his new Highway Companion album.  The track list is practically laid out.  So, the album must not be too far behind.

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.

MESSAGE FROM THE COUNTRY

Using the same standard to judge the First Light edition of Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer) and ELO II, look at the new remaster of Message From The Country as probably the most definitive we'll ever get.  That said, I don't think they'll be much disappointment to go around.

The best we've had of these tracks before this remaster was the similar Great Move collection from 1995.  You'll hear the sound improvement on the new remaster right from the opening notes of the disc.  That will be this set's biggest attribute, the clarity of the sound.  If you load it into an iPod (with better headphones than they give you) you'll hear what I mean.

After adding the Move's A & B sides from around this time, there wasn't a huge amount of room for bonus material, but the selections are pretty cool.  Don't Mess Me Up is a nice variation.  Of course, I always thought putting the Move's take 1 version of 10538 Overture (no vocals or cello) would make a nice final track for this remaster as a proper segue to Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer), but that's a wish more than it is a complaint.

Somehow, someway, I had the impression the FTM 20 page booklet was suppsoed to be full color, but besides the front cover and centerfold, it is not.  I don't know about you, but what's strange about my pressing is that all of the songs start two seconds in.  In other words, there's 2 seconds of silence at the beginning of each track.

ROCK'N'ROLL HALL OF FAME

To nobody's surprise probably, ELO isn't on the list of Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame inductees this year.  And while I don't put a great deal of stock into this, I have to wonder about the mentality when it comes to making up the list.  ELO put 19 songs into the American Top 40, several of them in the Top 10.  This feat is not nearly achieved by several of the artists in the Hall... much less on this year's short list.  Unless the music is about sex or making a political statement, they may never get the recognition they deserve as musicians.

SQUARE ONE

I swear I usually know what I'm talking about, but when I heard the short clip of Tom Petty's Square One on the Elizabethtown website, I swore it sounded more like something that would have fit on Petty's Wildflowers album.  But indeed, Square One was recorded in Petty's new sessions with Jeff Lynne and it's now released on the new Elizabethtown soundtrack.

Square One: written by Tom Petty. Produced by Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Michael Campbell.

Hearing the entire song now, the only hallmark of a Jeff Lynne production is maybe the upfront slide guitar solo and the subtle string or keyboard part.  But it's a nice little tune by Tom.  It's one of those songs that grows on you quickly, having all the sensibility you'd expect from these guys.

Is this a preview of Highway Companion?  Sure, Square One will be one less song to enjoy when the CD comes out, but it's too good to leave off.

REVIEW: HARVEST SHOWDOWN

When you stand back and see this Harvest compilation is geared towards a larger audience, you'll appreciate it a little more.  While I long for releases that cater to us fans, Harvest Showdown is the next best thing.  It's a rather nice cross-section of tracks from the late-Move, Early-ELO era.

While I don't particularly do back-flips over edited versions, I can appreciate Do Ya and Tonight especially for the sound it's delivering on this set.  But, my intital impression of the USA radio mono mix of 10538 Overture was different.  In reality, it's the LP version in mono and after hearing it, I fail to see why this was fit for inclusion.

Showdown, just like the Early Years CD from ELO, is hard to listen to.  Much more so here just because it is so overwrought with the ADT effect.

"King Henry VIII's Bollocks" was fine, and again like the Early Years CD from ELO, the hidden track is by far the winner as far as fan content is concerned.

It's nice to hear all these tracks in such grand sound quality sans Showdown, although I think the previously unreleased tag is used way too freely.