Wednesday 1/11/23 10pm ET: Feature LP: Electric Light Orchestra – Face The Music (1975)

Face the Music is the fifth studio album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released September 1, 1975 by United Artists Records and on November 15, 1975 in the United Kingdom by Jet Records. The album moves away from the large-scale classical orchestrated sound from the previous album, Eldorado, in favour of more “radio-friendly” pop/rock songs, though the string sections are still very prominent. The new sound proved successful for the group as Face the Music was the first ELO album to go platinum.

1. “Fire on High” 5:30
2. “Waterfall” 4:11
3. “Evil Woman” 4:35
4. “Nightrider” 4:26
5. “Poker” 3:31
6. “Strange Magic” 4:29
7. “Down Home Town” 3:53
8. “One Summer Dream” 5:47

Jeff Lynne – lead vocals, guitars, producer
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion, spoken intro (backwards), backing vocals
Richard Tandy – piano, clavinet, Moog, guitar, Wurlitzer electric piano, tack piano
Kelly Groucutt – vocals, bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on “Poker”, co-lead vocals on “Nightrider”
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello
Melvyn Gale – cello

Thursday 12/29/22 10am ET: Classic Greatest Hits LP: ELO – All Over The World: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra (2005)

All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra is a compilation album by the Electric Light Orchestra, released June 6, 2005.

1. “Mr. Blue Sky” 5:02
2. “Evil Woman” 4:11
3. “Don’t Bring Me Down” 4:03
4. “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” 3:47
5. “Shine a Little Love” 4:11
6. “Turn to Stone” 3:48
7. “The Diary of Horace Wimp” 4:16
8. “Confusion” 3:41
9. “Hold on Tight” 3:06
10. “Livin’ Thing” 3:31
11. “Telephone Line” 4:39
12. “All Over the World” 4:03
13. “Wild West Hero” 4:40
14. “Showdown” 4:11
15. “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle” 3:37
16. “Xanadu” (New version) 3:21
17. “Rockaria!” 3:12
18. “Strange Magic” 4:07
19. “Alright” 3:10
20. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Is King” 3:07

Jeff Lynne – Vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, drums (“Xanadu (New version)”)
Bev Bevan – Drums, percussion
Richard Tandy – Keyboards, guitar
Kelly Groucutt – Bass, vocals
Mik Kaminski – Violin
Hugh McDowell – Cello
Melvyn Gale – Cello
Mike de Albuquerque – Bass (“Showdown”, “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”)
Mike Edwards – Cello (“Showdown”, “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”)
Wilfred Gibson – Violin (“Showdown”, “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”)
Colin Walker – Cello (“Showdown”, “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”)
Marc Bolan – Guitar (“Ma-Ma-Ma Belle”)
Marc Mann – Keyboards (“Xanadu”)

Friday 9/23/22 10pm ET: Feature LP: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) – A New World Record (1976)

A New World Record is the sixth studio album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in September 1976 on United Artists Records in the U.S., and on November 19, 1976 on Jet Records in the United Kingdom. A New World Record marked ELO’s shift towards shorter pop songs, a trend which would continue across their career.

Their second album to be recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, the LP proved to be the band’s breakthrough in the UK; after their previous three studio recordings failed to chart in their home market, A New World Record became their first top ten album in the UK. It became a global success and reached multi-platinum status in the US and UK, The album sold five million units worldwide within its first year of release. The cover art features the ELO logo, designed by Kosh, for the first time. This logo would be included on most of the group’s subsequent releases. The album yielded four hit singles, including “Livin’ Thing”, the transatlantic Top Ten hit “Telephone Line”, which became the band’s first gold US single, the UK Top Ten hit “Rockaria!”, and the US number 24 hit “Do Ya”, a remake of the 1972 single by The Move, of which Lynne was a member between 1970 and 1972.

In 1977, four of the album’s songs were featured on the soundtrack of the film Joyride. In 2006, the album was remastered and released with bonus tracks on Sony’s Epic/Legacy imprint. “Surrender” was also issued as a promotional single and an iTunes download single, which entered the top 100 download chart. The track was originally written in 1976 for a cancelled film soundtrack and was finished in 2006. In July 2012, the all vinyl record company Music on Vinyl re-released A New World Record on 180 gram vinyl with an embossed cover.

1. “Tightrope” 5:00
2. “Telephone Line” 4:38
3. “Rockaria!” 3:12
4. “Mission (A World Record)” 4:24
5. “So Fine” 3:55
6. “Livin’ Thing” 3:31
7. “Above the Clouds” 2:16
8. “Do Ya” 3:45
9. “Shangri-La” 5:34

Jeff Lynne – lead vocals, guitars, percussion, electric piano
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Richard Tandy – keyboards and synthesizers, guitar, percussion, backing vocals
Kelly Groucutt – bass guitar, percussion, backing vocals, lead vocals
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello, percussion
Melvyn Gale – cello
Additional personnel
Mary Thomas – operatic vocals
Patti Quatro – uncredited backing vocals
Brie Brandt – uncredited backing vocals
Addie Lee – uncredited backing vocals

Sunday 8/28/22 2pm ET: Feature LP: Electric Light Orchestra – Eldorado (A Symphony By The Electric Light Orchestra (1974)

Eldorado (subtitled A Symphony by the Electric Light Orchestra) is the fourth studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in the United States on September 28, 1974 by United Artists Records.

Eldorado is the first complete ELO concept album; bandleader Jeff Lynne conceived the storyline before he wrote any music. The plot follows a Walter Mitty-like character who journeys into fantasy worlds via dreams, to escape the disillusionment of his mundane reality. Lynne began to write the album in response to criticisms from his father, a classical music lover, who said that Electric Light Orchestra’s repertoire “had no tune”. The influence of The Beatles is prevalent, especially in the melody of the verse of “Mister Kingdom” which to some degree resembles the Beatles’ “Across the Universe”.

1. “Eldorado Overture” 2:12
2. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” 4:21
3. “Boy Blue” 5:18
4. “Laredo Tornado” 5:29
5. “Poor Boy (The Greenwood)” 2:57
6. “Mister Kingdom” 5:50
7. “Nobody’s Child” 3:40
8. “Illusions in G Major” 2:36
9. “Eldorado” 5:20
10. “Eldorado Finale” 1:20

Jeff Lynne – lead & backing vocals, electric & acoustic guitars, bass, Moog, production, orchestra & choral arrangements
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion
Richard Tandy – piano, Moog, clavinet, Wurlitzer electric piano, guitar, backing vocals, orchestra & choral arrangements
Mike de Albuquerque – bass & backing vocals (credited; departed during the recording of the album)
Mike Edwards – cello
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello
Peter Forbes-Robertson – spoken word
Louis Clark – orchestra and choral arrangements and conducting

Thursday 3/17/22 11am ET: Feature LP: Electric Light Orchestra – Out Of The Blue (1977)

Out of the Blue is the seventh studio album by the British rock group Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in October 1977. Written and produced by ELO frontman Jeff Lynne, the double album is among the most commercially successful records in the group’s history, selling about 10 million copies worldwide by 2007.

Jeff Lynne wrote the entire album in three and a half weeks after a sudden burst of creativity while hidden away in his rented chalet in the Swiss Alps. It took a further two months to record in Munich. Side three of the original double LP consisted of the symphonic Concerto for a Rainy Day, composed of four separate tracks which together made up a cohesive suite, instead of one continuous track. The inclement weather effects heard on “Concerto” were real and recorded by Lynne during a very rainy summer in Munich. It was one of the first pop albums to have an extensive use of the vocoder, and helped to popularize it.

1. “Turn to Stone” 3:47
2. “It’s Over” 4:08
3. “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” 3:47
4. “Across the Border” 3:52
5. “Night in the City” 4:02
6. “Starlight” 4:30
7. “Jungle” 3:51
8. “Believe Me Now” 1:21
9. “Steppin’ Out” 4:38

(Concerto for a Rainy Day)
1. “Standin’ in the Rain” 4:20
2. “Big Wheels” 5:10
3. “Summer and Lightning” 4:13
4. “Mr. Blue Sky” 5:05
5. “Sweet Is the Night” 3:26
6. “The Whale” (instrumental) 5:05
7. “Birmingham Blues” 4:21
8. “Wild West Hero” 4:40

Jeff Lynne – lead and backing vocals, lead, rhythm and slide guitars (Gibson EDS-1275, Gibson Les Paul Custom, Gibson Marauder, Ovation 1615/4, Ovation 1619/4), Wurlitzer electric piano, Minimoog
Bev Bevan – Slingerland drums, Remo Rototoms, Avedis Zildjian cymbals, Slingerland Bev Bevan drumsticks, Remo drumheads, gong, various percussion instruments, backing vocals, fire extinguisher on “Mr. Blue Sky”
Richard Tandy – Yamaha C7B piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, ARP 2600, Minimoog, Polymoog, ARP Omni, ARP Odyssey, Hohner clavinet, SLM Concert Spectrum, Mellotron M400, sequencers, Gibson SG Custom electric guitar
Kelly Groucutt – co-lead vocals on “Sweet Is the Night”, backing vocals, Gibson G3 bass guitar, percussion
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello
Melvyn Gale – cello, jangle piano on “Wild West Hero” (uncredited)

Thursday 1/6/22 2pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 8

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with the completion of letter I and J and start the K list and feature music from: David Bowie, Queen, Seals and Crofts, Allman Brothers Band, Argent, Spinners, Baby Washington, Jim Croce, Bruce Springsteen, Electric Light Orchestra, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Chicago and many more.

2pm to 6pm ET

Monday 1/3/22 2pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 5

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with land complete letter E into G and feature music from: Ohio Players, Doobie Brothers, Merle Haggard, Chicago, Freda Payne, Hues Corporation, Elvia Presley, Genesis, T.Rex, Chairmen of The Board, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Queen and many more.

2pm to 6pm ET

Friday 12/31/21 3pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1973 A to Z – Part 4

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1973 A2Z.

We continue with land complete letter D with music from: BW Stevenson, Diana Ross, Aerosmith, America, Who, Shocking Blue, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Queen, Peter Frampton, Paul Kelly, James Brown, Electric Light Orchestra, Miracles and many more.

3pm to 6pm ET

Thursday 12/30/21 6pm ET: RadioMaxMusic Special: The Music of 1980 A to Z – Part 25

This RadioMax special features our Library of music from 1980 A2Z.

We complete our review of the RadioMaxMusic Library of 1980 music. This installment features music from Electric Light Orchestra, Pat Benatar, Dr. Hook, Billy Joel, Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Tommy James, Eddy Raven, Lou Rawls, Diana Ross, Ambrosia, Bonnie Raitt and many more. We start our travel into the next segment 1981 next Tuesday.

6pm – 9:30pm ET

Tuesday 12/21/21 1am ET: Electric Light Orchestra – Olé ELO (1976)

Olé ELO is the first compilation album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) covering their early years. Released in June 1976, this LP was originally compiled by United Artists Records as a promotional album for American radio stations, but when copies of the LP started selling to fans “underground” United Artists decided to release it in the US to capitalize on the band’s growing popularity.

1. “10538 Overture” 5:25
2. “Kuiama” 11:10
3. “Roll Over Beethoven” 8:02
4. “Showdown” 4:12
5. “Ma-Ma-Ma Belle” 3:35
6. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” 4:26
7. “Boy Blue” 4:12
8. “Evil Woman” 4:15
9. “Strange Magic” 4:05

Monday 8/2/21 1am ET: Feature LP: ELO – Balance of Power (1986)

Balance of Power is the eleventh studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) released February 17, 1986. It is the final album by the band to feature co-founder Bev Bevan on drums, as well as the last album to feature keyboardist Richard Tandy in an official capacity, until 2019’s From Out Of Nowhere.

Balance of Power was the last studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra before their initial disbanding (the band would later reform in 2000 and again in 2014). By this time Kelly Groucutt had departed and the group was pared down to a trio of Jeff Lynne (who doubled on bass as a result of Groucutt’s absence), Richard Tandy and Bev Bevan. Recording for the album began in mid-1984, with a planned release for Spring 1985. The addition of several synthesizer tracks and mixing work by Reinhold Mack to the album caused its release to be pushed back to early 1986. ELO played some live concerts in the UK and Europe (their last for fifteen years), and for one UK show George Harrison performed as guest guitarist.

The video for the single “Calling America” was shot in Paris, and contains shots of the band playing in front of Centre Georges Pompidou. A video was also made for the single “So Serious.” The track “Endless Lies” was intended as an homage to Roy Orbison, and was originally recorded for the double LP version of Secret Messages; it reappeared on this album in a slightly reworked and more compact form.

1. “Heaven Only Knows” 2:52
2. “So Serious” 2:38
3. “Getting to the Point” 4:28
4. “Secret Lives” 3:26
5. “Is It Alright” 3:25
6. “Sorrow About to Fall” 3:59
7. “Without Someone” 3:48
8. “Calling America” 3:26
9. “Endless Lies” 2:55
10. “Send It” 3:04
11. “Opening” 0:24
12. “Heaven Only Knows” 2:32
13. “In for the Kill” 3:13
14. “Secret Lives” 3:24
15. “Sorrow About to Fall” 3:48
16. “Caught in a Trap” 3:44
17. “Destination Unknown” 4:10

Jeff Lynne – vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, Synclavier II computer synthesizer, bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, producer
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion
Richard Tandy – keyboards, sequence programming
Christian Schneider – saxophone

Thursday 6/3/21 7pm ET: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) A to Z (Part V)

Thursday 6/3/21 6pm ET: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) A to Z (Part IV)

A to Z now features the tracks of the Electric Light Orchestra and begin with the 1971 track Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre) and end this installment with the 1977 track Rockaria!.

Thursday 5/20/21 6pm ET: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) A to Z (Part II)

A to Z now features the tracks of the Electric Light Orchestra and begin with the 1977 track Do Ya and end this installment with the 1982 track Here Is The News.

Thursday 5/13/21 6pm ET: Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) A to Z

A to Z now features the tracks of the Electric Light Orchestra and begin with the 1971 tracks 10538 Overture and end this installment with the 1973 of Do Ya.