Eldorado

In an age of concept albums this one stands up well. A series of dreams made into mini musicals. Ranging from war weary medieval knights and an innocent bystander in a bank heist to ecological warnings from the US / Mexican border. It’s about time this work found its proper place in the classic prog rock annals.

Eldorado: is the third studio album release by rock band come classical cross-over music group Electric light orchestra (ELO) in 1974.It's a concept album (a popular genre at the time of release) - in Eldorado's case "a classic and brilliant concept album tour-de-force complete,with symphonic sounds,lush strings,and Jeff Lynne's peerless,panoramic production" quoting heavily from rear album cover's sleevenotes here.airing on the pretentious,but gives the gist of what the Eldorado album is all about.First track is Eldorado overture - with spoken dialogue,segueing (as most tracks do on the album) into Can't get it out of my head and so on and so forth until we reach penultimate track (9) Eldorado (appropriately) an epic orchestral effort,segueing (again) into Eldorado finale - a feeling of deja va as it bookends the opening track,within short sign off for the original album.Main ELO leader - fair to say? Jeff Lynne works closely with orchestra arranger Louise Clark,to produce a very slick,atmospheric and classy sounding album.less commercial than its follow up album Face the music - but after a couple of listens,I am convinced - a classic ELO lp/album release.don't just take the self praising sleevenotes for it 😀Along with Mr Lynne,original and long term ELO members; Richard Tandy - keyboards and Bev Bevan - drums;percussion - solidified by string players; Hugh McDowell and Michael Edwards - cellos' and Mik Kaminski - violin; this line-up works very well to make Eldorado such a classic album.The 2001 cd re-issue (I am reviewing) is digitally remastered - excellent by the way,comes in fold-out inner sleeve booklet,with full band and contributors credits,cepia and white band personnel photo,original and re-issue credits,Jeff Lynne's short written intros and explanations to every track.and if that's not enough - two bonus tracks; Eldorado instrumental medley - a resumé of selected album tracks in edited instrumental versions eg: a.Eldorado overture d.Nobody's child - works very well! and disc closer: Dark city (short in length .46 secs).Interesting and excellent ELO concept album re-issue - well recommended by this reviewer.NB: nearly forgot to name-check Michael de Albuquerque - original bass guitarist - another fine contributor!

Amazing album

The first truly conceptual album release from The Electric Light Orchestra sees Jeff Lynne go away from overdubs and employ a full orchestra for the first time (retaining core band string members). I remember this album, at the time of its release, grabbing the attention and interest from the music press. "Can't Get It Out of My Head" was released as a single, and although it did not really make any impression on the UK charts it did start to break them in America. That being said it did not propel them into the megga band they would became (that started with the next album, Face The Music, being a lot more commercial to the ears) but put them on the road to stardom. It is a good album with the core of the band that would stay together through their heady 'Superband' era.(but not great - there were better albums hitting the charts at this very competitive moment in time). If you are a fan of ELO or indeed Jeff Lynne this is a must buy.

excellent Progressive music

Majestic, lush, grandeur en masse, this is imho the best ElO album of them all! I literally ‘Can’t get it out of my head’ and I first heard it as a teen in the late 70s, and find it so joyous to hear it now in my mid 50s! I bet the punks and new wavers of the late 70s are not sitting back, feet up, being misty eyed listening to the whines and snarls of Jonny Rotten, and his ‘never mind the balderdash’, like I’m now with the glorious ElO.From the chanting anthem that is ‘boy blue’ through to the plaintive strains of Jeffs masterful Eldorado finale, every song is a belter. The raucous rocker of Illusions in G major with its answering horn section keeps the groove flowing like an express train and again, I say, turn the volume to 11, open the windows and let the world hear the noise that is the bands full orchestra, choral backing, and mr bevans powerhouse drumming. What’s more this cd includes the Eldorado instrumental medley. Go on, I dare you, it’s karaoke time, who can resist singing along to the instrumental melody of ‘can’t get you out of my head’. You know you want to! Just belt it out!

I've spent years listening to ELO, but only greatest hits compilations. Only recently have I started branching out & listening to their studio albums in full. I have several of them now & realise I've really missed out by not hearing the unreleased album tracks.This is like nectar to the ears. Although different to what may be considered the trademark ELO sound it's an absolute treat. The melodies conjure up images of epic landscapes & classic fantasy films.You realise how good a band are when you start forgetting the singles & paying more attention to the unreleased album tracks. Highlights are Boy Blue, Laredo Tornado, Poor Boy, Nobody's Child & Eldorado. That said, there is not a weak track to be found; varied but consistent in quality.Other album recommendations are 'Out Of The Blue' & 'A New World Record'; these are both brilliant, although I think based on the number of plays this has to be my favourite. Highly recommended.