Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By ELO, Sony Music 2019.
In 2015 Jeff Lynne released his first new music in 15 years with the song Alone In The Universe.
It kicked off a new chapter in his career with rare TV performances, arena tours of the UK, Europe, and North America and major performances at the Glastonbury Pyramid and at Wembley Stadium in front of 60,000 fans.
The Wembley show was recorded and released as the Wembley Or Bust CD/DVD and TV Special in November 2017.
And now Jeff has announced details of a new studio album to be released on 1 November this year.
From Out Of Nowhere is the lead and title single from that album. I will review the entire album when it’s available.
So this single is just a taster and it is pure ELO.
It’s as if we’ve discovered a forgotten song from the band’s glory days.
There’s Jeff’s unmistakable vocals, the soaring melodies, rich musical backing and huge production that gives the track the vastness suggested by the cover artwork.
For the benefit of our younger readers, ELO dominated the airwaves throughout the 1970s with a string of singles and outstanding albums that gained it worldwide success.
Songs like Mr Blue Sky, Telephone Line, Living Thing, Don’t Bring Me Down, Turn To Stone were on constant rotation and formed part of the musical backdrop for an entire generation.
Jeff was also a founding member of the late 80’s super group The Traveling Wilburys along with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison.
Only Dylan and Jeff Lynne remain and it’s wonderful that they are both still producing new music.
In 2017 Jeff Lynne and ELO were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
