Electric Light Orchestra – Discovery
So, like so many, I have been challenged to list my top 10 albums that have inspired me. That is a tall task by itself given my love and knowledge of music, and very difficult to narrow down to just 10. Having “Paul’s Heart” at my finger tips, I am going to meet this challenge a little differently. Personally, while I do not mind being tagged in some of these challenges, I cannot do the same to others. Also, I am very confident I am not revealing anything pertinent in my choices.
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), the Discovery Album was the first album that I had ever purchased. I had just discovered FM radio after years of AM radio. The first radio station I listened to on the FM band was WZZO which played album oriented rock, not the bubble gum pop or oldies that I had been listening to for years, not that there was anything wrong with it.
The main hit off of the album, “Don’t Bring Me Down,” was a catchy song with a hard edge, but uniquely done with harmonies. Having been interested in music through most of my early childhood, including harmony singing in various musical groups, I bought this album just on that one song alone. I soon found myself playing this album over and over and over and over again.
“Shine A Little Love” was the other big hit off the album, but “Last Train To London” was also another great song. “Diary Of Horace Wimp” was a quirky song that got stuck in my head. “Confusion” was one of those ballads like “Telephone Line.”
ELO was a band with a unique style and approach to music. Jeff Lynne, the lead singer and composer often found himself collaborating with many other artists over the years in other groups such as the Travelling Willburys and working with artists individually like the late Tom Petty and George Harrison.
I was thrilled to see ELO touring again, and even to see concert footage via streaming. They sound just as good as they did back in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
Paul's Heart 