Ash Wednesday Rain - Jeff Kelly

Advantages: Excellent value, Great Orchestral/Rock/Vocal arrangements.
Disadvantages: Not an 'album at the moment'.

...I was first introduced to the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) by my parents and we listened to this album again and again on childhood trips driving down to Cornwall and Devon.I therefore have quite fond memories of this album despite being only a 20 something! ELO 'Out of the Blue' was published by JET music in 1977. All Music and Lyrics are by Jeff Lynne and the orchestral/choral arrangements are by Jeff Lynne,Richard Tandy and Louis Clark. The album is also produced by Jeff Lynne. The Cover Illustration is by Shusei Nagaoka and the art direction and design by Ria Lewerke with Kosh- this design is great, really 'space age'.Members of the group, among other contributors, include Jeff Lynne,Bev Bevan,Richard Tandy, Kelly Groucutt,Mik Kaminski, Hugh Mcdowell and Melvyn Gale. 'Out of the Blue' is a highly original album which was recorded... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant rock classical sounds, great songs
Disadvantages: None

...Electric Light Orchestra were one of THE bands of the 1970s. Formed by Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne from the ashes of The Move, they fused the sounds of the rock band with elements of the classics. Things did not go according to plan, at least in Wood’s mind and after two albums he went his own way (with Wizard and others). This left Lynne to explore and develop this orchestral rock fusion to its peak. At the time of this album ELO were in their fully established line up of Jeff Lynne (Lead guitar and vocals), Kelly Groucutt (Bass and vocals), Richard Tandy (Keyboards), Bev Bevan (Drums), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello). I had the great fortune of seeing them at Newcastle City Hall during their UK tour in the late 1970s. This review is primarily of the CD release although I did own the album originally... Read review

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Advantages: Pure Hip Hop
Disadvantages: Some attempts at different styles which fail

...of Hip hop in my opinion, where you can just sit back and relax, yuo aren't forced into getting into any lyricicism as the Fresh Prince comes with his unique light-hearted comic lines which he is most known for. This one isn't just about Will though as DJ Jazzy Jeff has a little solo in the middle when he shows us his skills, apart from regular production, and how he uses the old techniques of scratching which Hip hop was made from. **Three Stars** 7. Shadow Dreams This track track contains a sample of "A Date In The Rain" and this alonmg with the way, unlike usual the Fresh Prince comes with some rather hard lyrics with little emotion, which an ominous undertone. I didn't really like this, because it doesn't do much of what I like the duo for, in fact it's the opposite of this, as if they have heard some Harrdcore Hip Hop and attempted... Read review

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