As the title says, I saw "Jeff Lynne's ELO" last night here in Austin. I also saw them back in 2018 in Oakland, CA. Both times they were magnificent, and I am glad I went given that this is purportedly the last time. I preface this by saying, I was never a big ELO fan, my wife is though, which is how I ended up going the first time and getting addicted. Of course I know 90% of the songs - I was born in 1970, so how could I not?
Jeff's looking a little old (EDIT: he actually looks exactly the same from afar, but he moves old, ya know?), but his voice and playing are still spot on. The band was INCREDIBLE (from memory: three keyboards, one of which was a pianist who did those synth vocal parts, 2 backup singers, (incredible) drummer, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, 2 cellos, violin, and of course Jeff). The songs sounded lush and beautiful. Beautiful vocal harmonies - I am pretty sure everyone sang except maybe the drummer. I am consistently amazed at ELO's catalog - some of the most simple straightforward 3-chord rock combined with some of the most challenging changes, orchestration, dissonance etc. you will ever see in rock. Also highly derivative but completely original! It's like being in Jeff Lynne's fever dream with all this Beatles and other rock music floating around and being re-arranged in the most inventive ways.
Anyway, I don't know if Lee Pomeroy was on bass last time I saw them - I suspect he was, but I am surprised I didn't notice a guy playing a P bass lefty, upside down. Excellent player, especially noticeable on some of the more disco-ey tunes with crazy octave work. Love it. I was not at all surprised when I looked him up this morning and saw he's also toured with Yes. Anyway, that's all. I went to ACL three days this weekend and saw what seems like 4,012 bands, and was not really up for another concert, but man I am glad I went! Air is next week!
PS: If you live in, or are ever visiting Austin, the Moody Center is an excellent place to see a show, as far as arena rock goes. Sounds good in there, easy in and out.
Jeff's looking a little old (EDIT: he actually looks exactly the same from afar, but he moves old, ya know?), but his voice and playing are still spot on. The band was INCREDIBLE (from memory: three keyboards, one of which was a pianist who did those synth vocal parts, 2 backup singers, (incredible) drummer, bass, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, 2 cellos, violin, and of course Jeff). The songs sounded lush and beautiful. Beautiful vocal harmonies - I am pretty sure everyone sang except maybe the drummer. I am consistently amazed at ELO's catalog - some of the most simple straightforward 3-chord rock combined with some of the most challenging changes, orchestration, dissonance etc. you will ever see in rock. Also highly derivative but completely original! It's like being in Jeff Lynne's fever dream with all this Beatles and other rock music floating around and being re-arranged in the most inventive ways.
Anyway, I don't know if Lee Pomeroy was on bass last time I saw them - I suspect he was, but I am surprised I didn't notice a guy playing a P bass lefty, upside down. Excellent player, especially noticeable on some of the more disco-ey tunes with crazy octave work. Love it. I was not at all surprised when I looked him up this morning and saw he's also toured with Yes. Anyway, that's all. I went to ACL three days this weekend and saw what seems like 4,012 bands, and was not really up for another concert, but man I am glad I went! Air is next week!
PS: If you live in, or are ever visiting Austin, the Moody Center is an excellent place to see a show, as far as arena rock goes. Sounds good in there, easy in and out.
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