This thread is all about ELO and other ochestra-based rock groups. For starters, does anyone else here like any of ELO's music? I love it, but even more than that, I find that it is rather amazing in terms of how much of their music was produced.

I mean, there is a huge difference between being a talented musician (e.g. Jimi Hendrix = talented guitar player) and being a talented singer/songwriter.

Many artists both new and old are either one or the other, but very few groups are good at both. For example, Hendrix was an extremely talented guitar player, but he was not so strong in the singer/songwriter department. Crosby Stills & Nash, IMHO, were superb singer/sonwriters, but only about average when it came to actual talent with musical instruments.

ELO and Jethro Tull were at least somewhat above average in both areas. It takes true musical genius to integrate woodwind-based instruments in to modern-rock, and then..... on top of it all, be able to write a good series of songs around all of that.

I dunno....what do you guys think?

(09-02-2008 04:56 AM)porsche_man Wrote:  Many artists both new and old are either one or the other, but very few groups are good at both. For example, Hendrix was an extremely talented guitar player, but he was not so strong in the singer/songwriter department. Crosby Stills & Nash, IMHO, were superb singer/sonwriters, but only about average when it came to actual talent with musical instruments.

I know this doesn't have to do with ELO/whatever, but have you heard of Josh Ritter. IMO he is an amazing songwriter and singer, and has an amazing band to back him up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbCPDHZG2W4
One of my many favorites from him.

And while writing this, I listened to some ELO and personally, I didn't like them. But that was only the first youtube result for them.

Quote:And while writing this, I listened to some ELO and personally, I didn't like them. But that was only the first youtube result for them.

Well, I searched youtube for videos on "Pieanater," and I must say: I was equally unimpressed....

ELO was an obscure (though fairly well known) English progressive rock group that existed during the late 70's and into the 80's. I highly doubt that youtube contains anything of value regarding them.

I mean, that would be like me going to the local corner grocery store in search of some specialized power tool. Of course you would be unimpressed...

OMG I <3 ELO. My parents have ELO, ELO2 and Out of the Blue on vinyls and after I listened to them I wanted to make a techno orchestra.

Thank You! A real human (as opposed to a youtube video with crappy-quality ELO music playing in the background) has spoken an honest, qualified opinion.

I think they were great! They're quite popular (here in NW England) considering it's generally not a very popular genre. Even amongst the "younger" generation they're still reasonabley popular. My parents generation though, they we're huge! Plus, everybody loves Mr Blue Sky, right?

I think they are considerabley strong in every area of their music, from vocals to individual instruments. I love the composition of their songs, also.

Used to love the ELO, but I got bored of them because I listened to them too much.