Jeff Lynne’s ELO
Live in Hyde Park
Eagle Vision
by David Chiu
With his superstar production efforts for other artists as well as working on his own music, Electric Light Orchestra Jeff Lynne rarely performs live on stage. So when he does, it’s something to take notice of, as the case with his triumphant show last year at Hyde Park with the BBC Concert Orchestra – now captured on this new DVD release. Resurrecting ELO once again, Lynne and a stellar cast of musicians (featuring longtime ELO member Richard Tandy) rolled out nearly all of the memorable hits—among them were “Telephone Line,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Strange Magic,” “Turn to Stone,” “Evil Woman,” and the classic and ubiquitous “Mr. Blue Sky.” Compared to his previous 2001 taped performance circa the Zoom album period, Lynne unveiled a few surprises, from the celebratory “All Over the World” (via the excellent Xanadu soundtrack) to an Out of the Blue rarity in “Stepping Out,” to a rendition of the Traveling Wilburys’ “Handle With Care.” Judging by the enthusiasm of the audience, the concert was top-notch as one would expect from a perfectionist like Lynne. And now with the recent announcement of an upcoming new ELO album, this DVD/BluRay release is sure to revive interest for a tour from Lynne and co. In addition to the show, Live in Hyde Park also includes an interview with Lynne about some of the classic ELO songs—and the previously aired documentary Mr. Blue Sky: The Story of Jeff Lynne and ELO, which traces Lynn’s career from the Move through ELO to working with the Traveling Wilburys, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and the Beatles—containing interviews with Lynne, Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, and Joe Walsh.
NewBeats 