The Electric Light Orchestra (album)

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The Electric Light Orchestra
ElectricLightOrchestranoanswer.jpg
Studio album by
The Electric Light Orchestra
Released3 December 1971
RecordedJuly 1970 – June 1971
StudioPhilips Studios, London
Genre Progressive rock
Length41:30
Label
Producer
The Electric Light Orchestra chronology
The Electric Light Orchestra
(1971)		 ELO 2
(1973)
Singles from The Electric Light Orchestra
  1. "10538 Overture"
    Released: 23 June 1972

The Electric Light Orchestra is the debut studio album by English rock band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in December 1971 in the United Kingdom by Harvest Records. In the United States, the album was released in March 1972 as No Answer, after a misunderstood telephone message made by a United Artists Records executive asking about the album name; [1] the caller, having failed to reach the ELO contact, wrote down "no answer" in his notes, and this was misconstrued to be the name of the album.

Contents

Recording

The album is focused on the core trio of Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan, who were the remaining members of rock group the Move. The Move were still releasing singles in the UK at the same time as this project was undertaken, but interest was soon to be abandoned in Wood's former band. In fact, the Move's final album, Message from the Country, was recorded simultaneously with The Electric Light Orchestra.

The sound on The Electric Light Orchestra is unique on this recording in comparison to the more slickly produced ELO albums of the subsequent Lynne years, incorporating many wind instruments and replacing guitar parts with heavy, "sawing" cello riffs, giving this recording an experimental "baroque-and-roll" feel; indeed, "The Battle of Marston Moor" is the most baroque-influenced track on the album. On this track, Roy Wood, in addition to playing virtually all the instruments, had to provide the percussion as well because Bev Bevan, normally the group's percussionist and drummer, refused to play on the track due to his low opinion of it.

Release

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Christgau's Record Guide B− [3]
Creem C+ [4]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]

"Queen of the Hours", which later became the B-side to "Roll Over Beethoven" from the band's second album ELO 2 , was the first ever published ELO song, released by Harvest Records in November 1971 in a compilation called The Harvest Bag which featured various Harvest records artists. [8]

The original LP was mixed in Quadraphonic sound but was only released in this format in South America. Many of these "quad" tracks appeared with the SQ encoding intact on the "First Light" series edition of the album and on a later double-CD release entitled Early ELO, 1971–1974 (available only as an import in the US). The entire "quad" version with SQ encoding intact has since been released on disc 3 of the Harvest Years compilation.

The original album art was designed by Hipgnosis; the photographs of the band on the back of the album cover, dressed in 17th-century period costume, were taken at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, adding to the Baroque flavour and emphasis on Stuart Britain found on the record.

"Mr. Radio" was intended to be the second single from the album, but was subsequently withdrawn. The edited single version made its first appearance on the 2005 compilation album Harvest Showdown instead.

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."10538 Overture" Jeff Lynne Jeff Lynne5:32
2."Look at Me Now" Roy Wood Roy Wood3:17
3."Nellie Takes Her Bow"LynneLynne5:59
4."The Battle of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644)"WoodWood6:03
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
5."First Movement (Jumping Biz)"Woodinstrumental3:00
6."Mr. Radio"LynneLynne5:04
7."Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre)"Lynneinstrumental4:22
8."Queen of the Hours"LynneLynne3:22
9."Whisper in the Night"WoodWood4:50
Total length:41:30
Bonus tracks (US 2006 Remaster)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Battle of Marston Moor" (Take 1 alternate mix)Wood1:00
11."Nellie Takes Her Bow" (Alternate mix)Lynne6:02
12."Mr. Radio" (Take 9)Lynne5:19
13."10538 Overture" (Alternate mix)Lynne5:46
Bonus tracks (40th Anniversary Edition)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."10538 Overture" (Acetate version)Lynne5:23
11."Mr. Radio" (Take 9, recorded 18 November 1970)Lynne5:18
12."Nellie Takes Her Bow" (Alternate mix)Lynne6:02
13."Whisper in the Night" (Take 1/Take 2 edit)Wood4:59
14."Mr. Radio" (Single edit)Lynne3:56
15."10538 Overture" (for Top of the Pops )Lynne4:42

The Electric Light Orchestra (First Light Series)

The Electric Light Orchestra
(First Light Series)
The Electric Light Orchestra First light.jpg
Studio album by
Electric Light Orchestra
Released2001
RecordedJuly 1970 – June 1972
Label Harvest, EMI
Producer Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra chronology
Zoom
(2001)		The Electric Light Orchestra
(First Light Series)
(2001)		 ELO 2 (First Light Series)
(2003)
CD 2 First Light
ELO First Light.jpg
First Light cover
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Artistdirect.comStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [9]

The Electric Light Orchestra (First Light Series) is a two-disc expanded special 30th anniversary edition of their debut album.

Released in 2001 in the UK, disc one contains the original ELO album plus bonus tracks and an interactive CD-ROM feature, while disc two features the oldest surviving live ELO material with co/founder Roy Wood and cellist Andy Craig.

Disc one

The Electric Light Orchestra
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."10538 Overture"Lynne5:32
2."Look at Me Now"Wood3:17
3."Nellie Takes Her Bow"Lynne5:59
4."The Battle of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644)"Wood6:03
5."First Movement (Jumping Biz)"Wood3:00
6."Mr. Radio"Lynne5:04
7."Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre)"Lynne4:22
8."Queen of the Hours"Lynne3:22
9."Whisper in the Night"Wood4:50
Bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Battle of Marston Moor" (take 1)Wood1:00
11."10538 Overture" (take 1)The Move/ELO5:46

Enhanced multimedia section with interactive menu leading to EMI Promotional Film: 10538 Overture (May 1972)

Disc two

First Light
No.TitleLength
1."Brian Matthew Introduces ELO"0:37
2."10538 Overture" (acetate version)5:24
3."Look at Me Now" (quad mix)3:19
4."Nellie Takes Her Bow" (quad mix)5:59
5."Battle of Marston Moor (July 2nd, 1644)" (quad mix)5:55
6."Jeff's Boogie No. 2" (live) (early version of "In Old England Town")6:58
7."Whisper in the Night" (live)5:45
8."Great Balls of Fire" (live)5:40
9."Queen of the Hours" (quad mix)3:18
10."Mr. Radio" (take 9)5:18
11."10538 Overture" (BBC session)4:38
12."Whisper in the Night" (hidden track) (take 1)5:00

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1972)Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report) [10] 54
UK Albums (OCC) [11] 32
US Billboard 200 [12] 196

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric Light Orchestra</span> English rock band

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. Their music is characterised by a fusion of pop and classical arrangements with futuristic iconography. After Wood's departure in 1972, Lynne became the band's sole leader, arranging and producing every album while writing nearly all of their original material. From this point until their first break-up in 1986, Lynne, Bevan, and keyboardist Richard Tandy were the group's only consistent members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Move</span> British rock band

The Move were a British rock band of the late 1960s and the early 1970s. They scored nine top 20 UK singles in five years, but were among the most popular British bands not to find any real success in the United States. For most of their career the Move were led by guitarist, singer and songwriter Roy Wood. He wrote all the group's UK singles and, from 1968, also sang lead vocals on many songs. Initially, the band had four main vocalists who divided amongst themselves the lead vocal duties.

<i>On the Third Day</i> 1973 Electric Light Orchestra album

On the Third Day is the third studio album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), and the first to be recorded without input from Roy Wood. It was released in the United States in November 1973 by United Artists Records, and in the United Kingdom on 14 December 1973 by Warner Bros. Records. From this album on, the word The was dropped from the band's name. The album was reissued on 12 September 2006.

<i>ELO 2</i> 1973 studio album by Electric Light Orchestra

ELO 2 is the second studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 1973. In the US, the album was released as Electric Light Orchestra II. It was the band's last album to be released by the Harvest label, the last on which the band used the definite article The in their name, and the one that introduced their abbreviated name 'ELO'.

<i>Balance of Power</i> (album) 1986 studio album by Electric Light Orchestra

Balance of Power is the eleventh studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was released in 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 a significant contribution from keyboardist Richard Tandy.

<i>ELOs Greatest Hits</i> 1979 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

ELO's Greatest Hits is a compilation by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released 23 November 1979. Despite being released after the album Discovery, this album omitted the band's most recent hits, "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Shine a Little Love".

<i>Flashback</i> (Electric Light Orchestra album) 2000 box set by Electric Light Orchestra

Flashback is the second box set compilation by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in November 2000 in the US and the following month in the UK.

<i>Strange Magic: The Best of Electric Light Orchestra</i> 1995 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

Strange Magic: The Best of Electric Light Orchestra is a compilation album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 1995 only in the US.

<i>Message from the Country</i> 1971 studio album by The Move

Message from the Country is the fourth and final studio album by the Move, as well as the group's only album for EMI's Harvest label. It was recorded simultaneously with the first Electric Light Orchestra album, The Electric Light Orchestra.

<i>Looking On</i> 1970 studio album by The Move

Looking On is the third studio album by The Move, released in the UK in December 1970. The album is their first to feature Jeff Lynne, their first containing entirely original compositions, and the first on the Fly label, its catalogue number being FLY 1. It includes both their 1970 singles, the Top 10 hit "Brontosaurus," released on Regal Zonophone in March, and the less successful "When Alice Comes Back To The Farm," released on Fly in October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10538 Overture</span> Original song written and composed by Jeff Lynne

"10538 Overture" is the debut single by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Showdown (Electric Light Orchestra song)</span> 1973 single by Electric Light Orchestra

"Showdown" is a 1973 song written by Jeff Lynne and recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It was the band's last contemporary recording to be released on the Harvest label. The song was released as a single and reached No 12 in the UK Singles Chart, in the week beginning 28 October, and No 9 on the Norwegian chart VG-lista.

<i>Showdown</i> (Electric Light Orchestra album) 1974 compilation album by Electric Light Orchestra

Showdown is an Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) compilation album, covering their Harvest Records years. It is the first in a very long line of Electric Light Orchestra compilation albums. It comprises four tracks from their debut album and three from ELO 2 as well as the hit single "Showdown", the first time it had featured on an album in the UK.

<i>The Light Shines On</i> 1977 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

The Light Shines On is a compilation album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). This is the second Harvest compilation of their early years with the label, followed in 1979 by volume 2. It features 5 tracks from ELO's debut album, 3 tracks from their second album and the non album single Showdown, although both 10538 Overture and Roll Over Beethoven are the single edits. The full length versions are featured on volume 2.

<i>The Light Shines On Vol 2</i> 1979 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

The Light Shines On Vol 2 is a compilation album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). Released in 1979 by Harvest Records as a follow-up to 1977's The Light Shines On, it is a compilation of their early years with the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ELO Part II</span> English rock/pop band

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) Part II was a British-American rock band formed by Electric Light Orchestra drummer and co-founder Bev Bevan. The band also included former ELO bassist and vocalist Kelly Groucutt, and violinist Mik Kaminski for most of its career, along with conductor Louis Clark, who toured as a guest with ELO in its later years.

"Mr. Radio" is a song recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra.

<i>Definitive Collection</i> (Electric Light Orchestra album) 1999 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

Definitive Collection is a compilation album recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and produced by Jeff Lynne. It was released on 13 April 1999 with two discs. Some of the songs include their album versions like "Strange Magic" and "Shine a Little Love", and some tracks include edits seen below.

<i>Light Years, The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra</i> 1997 greatest hits album by Electric Light Orchestra

Light Years, The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra is a two CD compilation album by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 1997.

References

  1. ↑ No Answer, Snopes.com, 19 December 2012
  2. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "The Electric Light Orchestra – Electric Light Orchestra : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic.
  3. ↑ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: E". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies . Ticknor & Fields. ISBN   089919026X . Retrieved 24 February 2019– via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ↑ Christgau, Robert (August 1972). "The Christgau Consumer Guide". Creem . Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  5. ↑ Larkin, Colin, ed. (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th edn). London: Omnibus Press. p. 915. ISBN   978-0-85712-595-8.
  6. ↑ Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel, eds. (1999). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Farmington Hills, MI: Visible Ink Press. p.  383. ISBN   1-57859-061-2.
  7. ↑ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian, eds. (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th edn). New York, NY: Fireside/Simon & Schuster. p.  274. ISBN   0-7432-0169-8.
  8. ↑ Porter, Robert (September 2010). "Electric Light Orchestra – Roll Over Beethoven; An In-Depth Song Analysis" . Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  9. ↑ "Electric Light Orchestra Limited Edition by Electric Light Orchestra". Artistdirect.com.
  10. ↑ "Australian Album Chart Positions". Electric Light Orchestra. Retrieved 20 February 2024..
  11. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Electric Light Orchestra Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
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