Electric Light Orchestra Eldorado CD

Digitally remastered by Joseph M. Palmaccio (Sony Music Studio, New York, New York).

Though 1974's ELDORADO is subtitled "A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra" and features both a portentous spoken-word prologue and an instrumental finale, this album marks Jeff Lynne's final break from classical-rock fusion in the Emerson, Lake & Palmer sense. Though there're a handful of recognizable lifts from classical and romantic composers, particularly in the swelling opening of "Boy Blue" and the grandly-titled "Illusions in G Major," most of the orchestral arrangements here are in service to Lynne's increasingly accomplished pop songs. One of those is "Can't Get It Out of My Head," a classic '70s pop ballad and FM radio staple that's among Lynne's very best work. Though this was the only hit single on ELDORADO, the rest of the album is nearly as strong. "Laredo Tornado," a Lennonesque mid-tempo strut recalling ELO's earlier hit "Showdown," is a particular standout. Worldwide superstardom was just around the corner.

This is the album where Jeff Lynne finally found the sound he'd wanted since co-founding Electric Light Orchestra three years earlier. Up to this point, most of the group's music had been self-contained -- Lynne, Richard Tandy, et al., providing whatever was needed, vocally or instrumentally, even if it meant overdubbing their work layer upon layer. Lynne saw the limitations of this process, however, and opted for the presence of an orchestra -- it was only 30 pieces, but the result was a much richer musical palette than the group had ever had to work with, and their most ambitious and successful record up to that time. Inde

. . 2 Bonus Tracks. 1974

Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, London, England. Includes liner notes by Jeff Lynne.

Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, London, England.

Reissue producers: Jeff Lynne, Al Quaglieri.

The Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar, Moog); Mik Kaminski (violin); Hugh McDowall, Michael Edwards (cello); Richard Tandy (piano, Moog, guitar, background vocals); Michael De Albuquerque (bass); Bev Bevan (drums, percussion).

Personnel: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Richard Tandy (guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, Moog synthesizer, background vocals); Bev Bevan (guitar, drums, percussion, background vocals); Mik Kaminski (violin); Hugh McDowell, Mike Edwards (cello); Dick Plant (recorder).

Audio Remasterer: Steve Hoffman.

Liner Note Author: Jeff Lynne.

Recording information: De Lane Lea Studios, London, England.

Director: Marcia McGovern.

Photographers: Ian Dickson; Norman Seeff.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Kevin Gray ; Christine Wilson.

Arrangers: Louis Clark; Jeff Lynne; Richard Tandy.

Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar, Moog synthesizer); Richard Tandy (guitar, Moog synthesizer); Mik Kaminsky (violin); Hugh McDowell, Michael Edwards (cello); Michael De Albequerque (bass); Bev Bevan (drums, percussion).

Producer: Jeff Lynne.

Additional personnel: Peter Ford-Robertson (vocals).

Entertainment Weekly (6/29-7/6/01, p.145) - "...A brilliant cycle of Walter Mitty-goes-medieval fantasies that is grandiose and cheeky in equal measure..." - Rating: A
Q (8/94, p.124) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...mercifully concise set stuffed to the gunwales with immaculate pop epistles, fabulously carpeting strings, and Jeff Lynne's pop-panoramic production vision..."