MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2007 - 18:17
I don't think there has been a Pop Song writer since Lennon/McCartney who could write is many infectious and instantly "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" hooks than Jeff Lynne. You could argue Billy Joel and Elton John and that only puts Jeff in the company of Kings.
I have a vivid memory of 1977 and for the first time hearing "Sweet Talking Women" on the radio the first listen was all I needed. It should have been number one, it didn't even make the top ten. Go figure the fickle ears of the public. The poor fools didn't know what they were missing.
POSTED BY GCOTLER
Replies for this Forum Topic
mtrambo you are absolutely right, concerto for a rainy day is an amazing suite of songs, taking the listener through all the elements (puns intended) of a stormy series of emotional events.. From OOTB.. I think i'd say.. those songs are my favourites.. definately..
I agree. Take any album from Eldorado to Time, and include Zoom, and you will find completely timeless songs. In my opinion, only a few songs from their early albums and Balance of Power sound locked in the era in which they were written and performed. Jeff Lynn has been amazingly blessed with his ability to craft such incredible songs. My very favorite string of songs is called "Symphony for a Rainy Day" on Out of the Blue.
Absolutely, you can hear Jeff Lynne's total love for music, and complete understanding of what makes a good song. he's listened and learned from all his hero's and then produced the most amazing series of albums.. using the techniques and ideas... complete genius..
Jeff is a class-act writer/producer all the way.
When I played my old records at home in the 70s and 80s, most all of them were met with comments like "Turn down that noise" or "Turn off that racket", but not I played ELO.
They combined the lush orchestrations and production with the classic rock & roll style. Perfection!
And while a little bit of their music sounds dated nowadays, most all of it is truly timeless, on the level with only the greatest of all rock bands--The Beatles.
I agree! The man was severely underappreciated!! His songs just have that ELO sound, that you can hear immediately.