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Bizarre.

Today I was listening to "Do Ya," one of my favorite ELO songs of the few I know, and decided the time has come for me to listen to every ELO song that was ever made. I've never done this for a band and I realized I like that song enough to try.

My interest in ELO started this year when I happened to listen more closely than usual to "Do Ya" while it played on the radio. I noticed how much I enjoyed the meshing of string instruments with electric guitar, a combination I have been using myself without being aware of many well-known songs that do this, too. I like the juxtaposition of the rough electric guitar and the sleeker, effervescent strings.

So I searched for an Electric Light Orchestra thread and was pleased to find this one. Then I was saddened when I realized from this last post that the musician I recall hearing had been killed in a freak accident by a hay barrel was none other than ELO's original cellist, Mike Edwards. :( I hadn't realized this at the time and probably it wouldn't have meant much to me either, since I wasn't familiar with many songs by ELO, or didn't know that some songs I liked *were* by ELO.

I remember at the time of Mike Edwards' death thinking how sad it was that a vibrant human spirit with so much life and so many memories could be snuffed out in such a meaningless and preposterous way. His death struck me again with the cruel irony of life: while living, we have so much going on inside us, and all that can (and will) end so quickly, as if a life were a trivial thing when it *feels* like the most important thing of all.

Back to "Do Ya." The song feels radiant to me and I love listening to it. I decided to look for a YouTube video of a more recent performance than the older one I've seen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEwFssgvsC0 ). I found this one that I like:

Electric Light Orchestra's - "Do Ya"
I especially like watching the two cello players. (Cello!! :love:) I'm planning to tune up my cello and practice it today, and so watching the two cellists inspires me. Although I prefer the official recording of the song because it feels a little rougher and less "clean" than this performance, I really do like Jeff Lynne's voice. He sings easily, effortlessly, and impressively in tune. I also like his electric guitar playing...not flashy, but instead meshing well with the other components of the song.



YUM!!!

i got the last move album, message from the country, with jeff lynne on it

i love 'em to bits

even their throwaway 80s hit singles

early stuff was good but after a new world record they started to suck and sound like disco

Nice cover! :) I've never seen a violinist with a cape like that. Maybe I should get a cape! :p

If I were able to learn that I had died by runaway hay, at first I'd be pissed off. Then I'd laugh. Then I'd be pissed off. Then I'd laugh again. :)

Mostly, I'd just be surprised that I could know and learn anything at all!

Yes, I see him, but I think the violinist stole the show with his rapid bowing...and his ketchup-mustard, yellow-spotted, red outfit with cape, of course. :p: My arm almost gets tired as I watch him saw and saw away with that speedy violin bow of his.

I don't know enough of their songs to know yet which are their throwaway 80's hit singles!

I listened to ELO's "Twilight" and liked the sound of it, especially the contrast between their higher and lower notes that they sing. Their clear, strong voices and harmonies remind me of the singing of The Outfield. I also liked the dit-dit-dit of the keyboard in the background:

ELO = "Twilight"

80's stuff like "Don't Bring Me Down", "Last Train To London" and "Rock n Roll is King"

What?!? "Don't Bring Me Down" is one of ELO's throwaway 80's songs?? I like that song! :)

Now if your name were Bruce, I can understand how you might not like the song, but otherwise, what's not to like? Catchy tune, no? Lyrics aren't too bad, either: "Something something something snake in the grass don't bring me down Bruce something something." ;)

I haven't heard the other two you mention and now I'm curious. Maybe 80's throwaway songs by ELO are just my cup o' tea.

ELO - "Don't Bring Me Down"

Most people like the disco ELO, it's cool to like those songs.

Here you go "Soldier"! :D ELO..

Telephone Line is my favorite single, then maybe "Do Ya" at 2nd.

Livin' Thing
Cant Get You Out Of My Head
Ma Ma Ma Belle
10538 Overture

Are a few other singles to mention.