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Rating:
Interesting collection released in 1996 that effectively revisits the band's first glorious period (1971-1973).
Jeff Lynne, Ron Wood, and Bev Bevan, having gained notoriety with the intelligent beat of the Move, venture into an even more cultured genre. Namely, that early Seventies urge to offer rock, folk, and hints of classical music. They propose a titanic sound, at times even grim and dark, thanks to that fantastic use of the cello, French horn, oboe, and clarinet.
Before the disco music shift of 1975 with "Face The Music," always characterized by exquisite and high-level stylings ("Evil Woman," "Sweet Talking Woman," "Can't Get It Out Of My Head," and "Telephone Line"... not the Bee Gees of "Night Fever"...), they debut with the extravagance of the first three works.
The first, certainly the most beautiful and complete, does not allow the band to be compared with anyone else.
They are neither Gentle Giant, nor Procol Harum, nor even the most intrinsic Moody Blues. It's a true dancing orchestra on resounding, dizzying melodies that always aim for a direct impact on the ear without distracting it with a thousand flourishes.
"10538 Overture" is their unmatched masterpiece. Not even the subsequent hits or "Eldorado," the last progressive trace, will manage to have such a fresh idea. A historic initial riff, a goosebump-inducing attack, and the rest of the composition that is a continuous up and down. A melody sculpted by the thundering French horn and a rhythmic fabric filled with violin and cello airs. Even John Lennon was particularly enthusiastic and impressed by the ELO...
"Mr. Radio" is the other gem of the first work. We are increasingly amazed by the flash the band got from the Beatles (which was already evident with the Move...) and their ability to re-propose in their personal style the various English Sixties baroqueness. The picturesque theatricality of the classical instruments and the fresh catchiness of the vocal lines create a magical effect.
Purely symphonic are "Manhattan Rumble" and "In Old England Town." The first is instrumental and creates a dark, mysterious suspension, the second is an "orchestral boogie," colossal in its progression and enhanced by Lynne's filtered voice (part of the second album where Wood was already absent). Then we find a bit of rock'n'roll with the famous revisitation of "Roll Over Beethoven," transformed by lavish inserts, and with "My Woman" (the first version of "Ma Ma Belle").
The dark "Queen Of The House" is an example of Jeff's dreamy and soft voice always in perfect harmony with the powerful rhythmic fabric. "Showdown" offers a timid beginning of the band's subsequent journeys. Funky bass, excellent choirs... in short, a seductive high "pop" design fused with cultured baroque elements. Nothing more elegant.
"First Movement" bears Wood's signature and is another instrumental that gives voice to classical guitars and joyful dances. The same author who produces "Whisper In The Night," endowed with heartbreaking sadness, almost a hymn to the moon. "Momma" is placed as the last track of the "Gold Collection" and we find the first saccharine sonic caresses of the combo.
The first period, for those who disdain or underestimate "Last Train To London," is absolutely worth considering, thus doing justice to a band that had much more to say compared to Supertramp.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 10538 Overture (05:32)
Did you see your friend crying from his eyes today
Did you see him run through the streets and far away
Aah
Did you see him run, did you see him fall
Did his life flash by at the bedroom door
Did you hear the news it came across the air today
Someone has been found on the rocks down in the bay
Ahhh
Did you see him hide, did you see him crawl
Does his life mean more than it did before
Did you see that man running through the streets today
Did you catch his face, was it 10538
Ahhhh
06 Momma (07:17)
She came up from the country with a smile for everyone
she left her blue horizon just to find another home
a lonely girl who'd travelled many days
a lonely heart that could not find a way
(chorus)
and she said Momma, it's a hard life now you're gone
Momma, it's so hard to carry on
and I feel I'm a fool who lost it all
you used to make it all so very clear
that life must go on though the end is near
oh Momma, it's a sad and lonely life
A misty morning rider she came wandering through the hills
a wanderin soul appearin over rainy window sills
a loser in her heart, but in her face
a smile for everyone under God's grace
(chorus)
Midnight maiden madness, what to search for in this place
gateway to the city, night sky shadows on her face
a lady lost in nowhere but her stare
leaves the world, her life to start somewhere
(chorus)
09 Look At Me Now (03:18)
Someone is waiting, lurking in the trees
The spirit of her is walking back to me
Ah look at me now feeling emotion
Ah look at me now
The King of the castle brought her to her knees
Gave the Salvation Army girl a squeeze
Ah look at me now feeling emotion
Ah look at me now
Look at me now
Now she's a sallow face
Scattering her lace -- on dewy ground
Ah, I keep searching my head
Now it's spinning around
Lifting her head, her countenance redeemed
Re-acted the murder by the silver stream
Ah look at me now displaying emotion
Ah look at me now
Look at me now so cold and yet so brave
Weave me some wings to take me to her grave
Ah look at me now feeling emotion
Ah look at me now
Look at me now
13 Roll Over Beethoven (06:45)
Gonna write a little letter, gonna mail it to my local D.J.
It's a jumping little record I want my jockey to play
Roll Over Beethoven
Gotta hear it again today.
My temperature's rising, need a shot of rhythm & blues
Well, my heart's beating a rhythm, shakin' out rhythm & blues
Roll Over Beethoven
They're rocking in two by two.
CHORUS
Well, if you feel you like it
Go get your lover and reel and rock it
Roll it over and move on up now
Go for cover and reel and rock it
Roll it over
Roll Over Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news.
Early in the morning I'm giving you my warning
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Hey, diddle diddle, gonna play my fiddle
I ain't got nothing to lose
Roll Over Beethoven, tell Tchaikovsky the news.
She wiggles like a glow worm, dances like a spinning top
She got a crazy partner, you should of seen her reel & rock
Long as she got a dime
The music will never stop.
REPEAT CHORUS
Roll Over Beethoven, Roll Over Beethoven
Roll Over Beethoven, Roll Over Beethoven
Roll Over Beethoven, dig these rhythm & blues?
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