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ELO - Wembley or Bust

Jeff Lynne’s 2017 concert DVD review

By Jan PortugalPublished 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago 11 min read
4

Jeff Lynne’s ELO Wembley or Bust concert. 2017 - ‘Oh what a night’

He proudly admits it to be his favorite concert. “This gig is the most ambitious thing I’ve ever done. Just the sheer enormity of it will be something remembered for a long, long time.” Says Jeff.

It’s partly because he’s from Birmingham, where he started his musical adventure. At 22, he wrote and recorded 'Do Ya' in his parent's house. It was the first of his 220 songs. Tonight’s concert, 52 Years later, “I’m playing it again at the prestigious Wembley Stadium, in Birmingham. It makes it very special”

At 74, he still looks to be in his 30’s. His iconic image is preserved behind the Aviator sunglasses. His mop of unruly curls shaped into a fro, framing a beard that never seems to grow far from his face. While we live in this Dorian Gray world of Film and TV, neither Jeff nor his music seems to grow old in spite of their age. What has grown old is his audience but tonight’s concert swiftly returns them to memories of a joyful youth.

The concert opens with Standin’ in the rain. A blood-pumping beginning. It symphonically navigates the crowd through an emotional joyride, all the way to the song's end. The audience wildly applauding and cheering. Only stopping when the band starts up again with Evil Woman, which sends most of the crowd back in time to their roots and the origins of rock and roll. Where they all began together.

Jeff says about this song. "I had just finished a new album (Face the Music) and realized, there wasn’t a good single. So I made up Evil Woman. It was the quickest song I'd ever written. We played it like an R&B song. It was inspired by a certain woman, who I can’t say because she‘s been in a few of my songs."

The band is solid and manages to duplicate the same big sound as on the album, only better, more dynamic for being live. Headphones are a plus for this spectacular DVD. Jeff says about this band “It’s beyond what I could have imagined. The complex arrangements are played live, with every single note registering in unity“ This is remarkably evident when they play. All over the world.

The camera scans the audience, unveiling a variety of ages. Some have grown old but all are equally affected by his music. The sheer joy in their faces brings tears to my eyes, with his heartfelt guitar riffs. ” This was a song written especially for the movie Xanadu. Says Jeff, "I wrote half the songs in the film, though I've never seen it. It was supposed to be a really bad movie. But I'm pleased with the music. This song is upbeat, catchy, and optimistic. Although, I don't think I will ever see the movie after reading the reviews. I took the job because I wanted to meet Olivia Newton-John. She's great.”

The full-on energy that opened the set, goes right to the heart and doesn't let up for two heavenly hours. Showdown is a force majeure of chord changes and deep multi-level harmonies. It transports the mood of the audience, until they're one with thc song. In unison they sing standing in the rain getting soaking wet. “Showdown was another song written in my mum and dad’s front room. When I made up the riff I was thrilled. I knew it was going to be a hit. When the engineer that cut it said, “This is a classic.” I was ecstatic. It’s one of my favorites, though it’s just a made-up story, the lyrics don’t mean anything. People ask me the meaning and I have no idea. It’s different to me every time I sing it.”

Then the band appropriately plays It’s a Livin' thing. And just like magic. Lifting them higher and higher. There are few things more gratifying than watching older people smiling and happy. Joyful, arms raised as if by invisible strings clapping and synchronizing with Jeff's words. And dancing unabashedly free.

Before the concert, Jeff explains. “We have to go through the whole set. To make sure the balances are all correct with the microphones. These are such complex arrangements, we have to get it right. Playing live music is so instant. If you do it wrong it’s wrong forever. Which is challenging. You’ve really gotta have your wits about you”

Do Ya jumps in thumping its deep drum beats with sound and fury. Sending the crowd happily into a frenzy of applause. Oh, lookout! Just as they hop and bop back to their younger days. Jeff quietly lulls them into a sanguine state listening to When I was a boy.

Says Lynne, “After the Hyde Park Concert, I began work on a new album, (Alone in the Universe). The first single was When I Was a Boy. It's the most autobiographical song I've ever written. The words just wrote themselves, whereas normally I'd sweat them out chained to a desk. It was about growing up and listening to a little crystal-set radio with headphones. I played all the instruments. We used electronic string samples, and they sounded great.”

The crowd seems to be growing younger, and louder, with each new timeless song. There is nothing so heartwarming as grandparents swing dancing to their youthful remembrances. Next comes Handle me with care, he wrote this for the Traveling Wilbury’s. it’s impossible not to smile. The song melodically evokes the unique style of Roy Orbison and how beloved he was.

Cut to earlier, before the audience arrives. The camera pans an empty stadium. Jeff stands alone looking around. "The stage set is the biggest I’ve ever seen,“ he says. A full-sized replica of the ELO spaceship logo fills the ceiling. “I have to keep turning around just to look at it, and wow it’s pretty unbelievable”

Outside, thousands of people heading in to see the show. Interviews of the crowd grinning in anticipation. A father brought his young son so proud to share his favorite band. “Everybody wants to be here.” One couple wearing black fro wigs, shades, and matching leather jackets. Attempting to ‘capture his spirit‘.

Then last-minute practice, vocalizing in the dressing room to check the harmonies."Some of them are really complex, weaving in and out. It makes us more confident because we know our parts and we’re doing it together." Says Jeff.

Now inside the stadium, the audience is dancing to Last Train to London. The harmonies, the strings, the bass refrain bring tears it’s so right. The ELO gift of music is universally felt. And the love just keeps pouring out.

The camera pans the crowded stadium again. Every seat on every tier is filled. 60,000 people at the sold-out concert. The audience is a sea of gray and balding heads leaping and bouncing, reverting magically back to their teenage years. The music reminds them they're still 17 in their hearts. Occasionally another cosplay icon pops up, sporting a fro wig and shades. A tribute saluting their favorite musical hero.

“I try to give them what they want, with a few little extra naughty bits, but it’s mainly straight ahead.” Says Jeff narrating in between tunes.

Just when you think it couldn't get better, they play Xanadu, sending the crowd even further into outer space. Setting the mood for the deepest feeling that music can emotionally draw from us. It happens to be his favorite song and Lynne says.“ it’s also high on the bands' list of favorites, we love playin' it." Next up is RockAria, asking if we’re ready to rock and roll. The audience screams. Heck ya! Show us how to sing the blues. For a while everything is right in the world!

The audience is visibly psyched, welcoming the transforming effect his music stirs in them. Then to even out the mood he sings I can’t get it out of my head. While the orchestra’s full melodious tempo and rhythm are putting it right into their heads. This immediately segues into the booty-shaking hand-waving Overture and sends kids and couples together dancing in the isles. On stage a handsome, and attractive group of serious musicians, like Jeff are enjoying the show every bit as much as the audience.

Jeff is a perfectionist. His band loves his music, and they have respect and admiration for him. He’s a genius, but the right kind of genius.

Even after 50 years of writing and arranging music. He still manages to find new chords. One of the band members claims. “Everyone in the band is his arch fans. Being on stage with him playing his music, is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.” Another player says “the greatest thing about Jeff is he is just a normal bloke, modest and humble.“ This is the basic thread woven through his songs. These life-changing elements are lyrical magic by a musical wonderkind. there are not many players who have played with so many great names. And still, maintain enough humility to create music loved by all generations.

Next Twilight goes head to head with the driving it home MA-MA-Belle. and brought an explosion from the crowd sending them into the ionosphere. A myriad of lights beaming down from a the giant UFO added an otherworldly ambiance. And Shine a little love on my life let the adoring audience shine as their cell phone lights switch on creating a fan-made Galaxy.

The next song struck familiar old memories. Wild West Hero. The ensuing roar from the whole stadium solidified the air heavy with nostalgia. Cell phone lights in the dark created a cosmic star shine.

Then he asks the intimate question is that the way it’s over with Sweet talkin‘ woman. Followed by the revered Telephone Line. “I somehow squeezed this song out of an old upright piano, horribly out-of-tune.” Says Lynne. “I maybe sound a little desperate and lonely. It's about trying every night to find a girl and you just can't reach her. I wasn't happy at the time, so it may have prompted it. I loved the mournful songs of Roy Orbison and Del Shannon when I was a kid, They wrote really heart-wrenching tunes. I thought it was those kinds of songs I was writing. When people say the song gives them a boost, I never dreamed it would do that."

The next song appears with Turn to Stone. By now the crowd is really revved up, showing no signs, of old age, fatigue, or turning to stone. Instead, old guys in nerdy hats, hoping, arms flailing, ear-to-ear grinning, having a great time. When the band breaks out with Don’t bring me down. Strangers are moving together as one homogenous body. And no one is brought down. The whole Gestalt of melody, harmony, lyrics and driving drums, shows up as appreciation on their estatic faces.

Holding the audience in the palm of his hand he gives them Mr. Blue Sky. A song that puts them in touch with their all but forgotten blissful humanity. “I remember when I wrote the words down to this, I was at a Swiss chalet in the Alps. It was all Misty and cloudy. I didn't see the countryside at all. Then after four days, everything cleared and there was this amazing view going on forever and the sky was so blue. I suppose this is my most well-known song. It even has crazy appeal to kids since it's like a nursery rhyme."

A fitting ending to the set they play. Roll over Beethoven, full orchestra, cellos, and violins amped up and swinging. The loud appreciative excitement from the fans was enough to wake old Ludwig from his grave and send him banging on Chuck Berry’s door. Shouting turn the bleeping music down. The UFO’s flashing lights pulsate to the steady beat. Spinning laser beams over head. In the background. A field of meteorites flying past. People dancing and rocking out. Jeff, on stage, looking stoic and cool behind his black leather facade. And altogether - everyone spiralling the universe.

Jeff modestly admits, “Giving the people pleasure from what I’ve created, is so amazing because you don’t do it for that reason. To begin with, you try to please yourself. Can I make a record that I like, the tune and the words? Then you begin to see everybody else enjoying it. It's just fabulous. The songs do feel like this is their home. This is the first place I started writing them. And it resonates with the audience here too, because they smile and sing along. This is the best time I've had in music.”he says.

The concert ended. The credits roll by with Jeff ironically singing the melancholy Alone in the Universe as a smiling crowd of 60 thousand satisfied people pour out of the stadium. Now united as one family fully gratified, younger at heart, having been beamed back to a happier time.

Jeff Lynne is widely regarded as one of the greatest record producers in music history. In addition to his storied career in ELO, Lynne was a co-founder and member of The Travelling Wilburys together with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, George Harrison and Tom Petty as well as a producer and collaborator with some of the biggest names in music including Brian Wilson, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh, and most recently, Bryan Adams.

Thank you for reading my story.

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About the Creator

Jan Portugal

I love the adventure writing takes me on. I enjoy the idea of sharing them with an audience. I hope you enjoy my visions too.

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