All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra - The Electric Light Orchestra has an interesting history. The group was formed out of the remnants of The Move. Jeff Lynne, the main mover and shaker in the group, had the idea of having a small string section become a permanent part of the group. The highpoint of this idea were the two albums, On The Third Day (which borrowed heavily from Edvard Grieg) and Eldorado: A Symphony (the album with the Wizard of Oz cover). Both albums were interesting, but slight, attempts to meld classical and rock.
Lynne became increasingly bored with the concept and eventually kicked the string section to the curb. At one point, the group got into trouble for having backing tracks playing on tape during their live show (for the Out of The Blue tour). Lynne went as far as some reprobate rock artists of the late 1970’s and added disco (Gah!) rhythms to some tracks. It got worse. ELO’s music was a focal point on the Xanadu soundtrack. Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, roller skates. Jeff Lynne barely redeemed himself as (a lesser) part of The Traveling Wilburys.
As far as this album goes, I wanted a representative collection that included “All Over the World” if only because it was featured at the end of the movie “Paul”. Unfortunately, it also has a ton of stuff from Out of the Blue on. Ole ELO is better, if you can find it. No Disco. No Crap.
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