Electric Light Orchestra - Live: The Early Years

Vintage footage celebrating their 40th anniversary

ELO’s elaborate “spaceship” stage set, the centrepiece of the band’s tour to promote 1977’s Out Of The Blue album, made them one of the most talked-about live acts of the decade; it was the point where prog-pop went Star Wars, a symbol of daring and excess which, for some fans, detracted from the music.

There’s little of that bombastic showmanship or visual splendour here, during highlights from three earlier gigs where Jeff Lynne and his string-driven cohorts give the impression of being hirsute musicology lecturers on holiday, while living out their mid-period Beatles obsessions. Viewers can track the group’s continued journey towards the mainstream, from the extended concerto-like numbers played at Brunel University in ’73 (King Of The Universe, In The Hall Of The Mountain King) to the radio favourites at the heart of their set at London’s New Victoria Theatre in ’76 (Can’t Get It Out Of My Head, Strange Magic).

Truthfully, there are few signs that ELO are on the verge of becoming one of the biggestselling acts in the world, though Evil Woman confidently stakes its claim as one of the most accomplished pop singles of the decade. Something for everyone, then, but especially followers who prefer their musical adventure without any intergalactic window dressing.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Eagle Rock | EREDV 780

Reviewed by Terry Staunton
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