Very good overall
John Emm | New Jersey | 05/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you really like Jeff Lynne's music, you will find something to love about this set. As mentioned by others, some of the covers are pretty straight-forward (10538 Overture, Telephone Line, among others) while many are further afield. Some are pretty way-out there, in particular Mr. Blue Sky by Tony Visconti, whose version nearly screams, "I warned you when you asked me to do this tune." But really it's all in fun I think, and most of the cuts improve with every spin.
Personal favorites include Boy Blue, One Summer Dream, Eldorado, Steppin' Out, Don't Bring Me Down, Showdown, Do Ya, and Above the Clouds. Going further about this is futile, it's all a question of taste. But I enjoyed the fresh vocals, simpler arrangements, the sometimes rough edges or techno-styled flourishes, etc.
Give this a try. Of the 2 CDs you'll find at least one whole disc of stuff you'll be glad to own."
Interesting Project, Varying Quality
Todd and In Charge | Miami, FL | 02/15/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The inestimable Doug Powell put together a disparate group of artists to cover songs of Jeff Lynne, all the way from The Move to ELO to solo to The Traveling Wilberries.
Although the songs are all superior, some covers are much better than others. I particularly enjoyed Jamie Hoover's cover of "Handle With Care," as well as Todd Rundgren's beautiful take on "Bluebird." Solid contributions also by Swag, Bill Lloyd, Earl Slick, and Jason Falkner.
I might have spliced this down to a single disc, and gotten rid of some of the covers that don't add much. But on balance this is a nice tribute to a great artist."
Save your money
D. Steinmetz | Georgia | 11/06/2009
(1 out of 5 stars)
"To quote another review (Shawn Sutherland), "who ARE these people?"
If you want to pay proper tribute to Jeff Lynne, you bring in the heavy hitters and talented professionals, not upstarts, has-beens and artists many have never heard of. I salute the time and efforts that went into this, but the finished product just doesn't do justice to the rich musical legacy created by Lynne. Instead we get the likes of Earl Slick, who sounds like he's throwing up into the microphone on 'Ma Ma Belle'. Rick Altizer, who's version of 'Boy Blue' assaults the ears like an unpolished garage band. And Neilson Hubbard and Venus Hum, with their Euro-trash techno sound fairly destroying 'Xanadu'.
Carl Wayne does a soulful rendition of 'Steppin' Out', and Pfr gives a nice performance of 'Living Thing'. A couple of others are decent, but nothing to write home about. Imagine Joe Francis (Girls Gone Wild) re-doing 'Basic Instinct'. You just don't mess with the classics, unless you can do them proper justice. And justice was not served here.
Listen to the samples, and download your individual favorites. But don't waste your money on the entire CD."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1