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Reformation in 2000
By serii | May 19, 2009
Jeff Lynne’s comeback with ELO started in 2000 when a retrospective box set was released, three CDs of remastered tracks and a handful of outtakes and unfinished works were released on Flashback, most notably a new version of ELO’s only UK number one hit “Xanadu”.
In 2001, Zoom, ELO’s first album since 1986, was released. Upon completion of the album Lynne reformed the band with completely new members including his then-girlfriend Rosie Vela (who had released her own album “Zazu”, in 1986) and announced that ELO would tour again. Zoom took on a more organic sound, with less emphasis on strings and electronic effects. Guest musicians included former Beatles Ringo Starr and George Harrison. Former ELO member Richard Tandy rejoined the band a short time afterwards for two television live performances: VH1 Storytellers and a PBS concert shot at CBS Television City later titled Zoom Tour Live that was released on DVD, the planned tour was cancelled due to many unknown factors, in mid-August 2001. The tour was not rescheduled due to lack of interest and slow ticket sales.
EMI and Epic/Legacy released ELO’s back catalogue from 2001 to 2007; included amongst the remastered album tracks were unreleased songs and outtakes, including a new single “Surrender” which did register on the lower end of the UK Singles Chart
at #81 for the band, some 30 years after it was first recorded.
Today much of ELO’s music is used in Hollywood movies, TV and advertisements, including films such as the track “Twilight” was used in the opening (animated) sequence of the immensely popular Densha Otoko drama in Japan. Doctor Who series, the episode “Love And Monsters” featured an ELO-obsessed major character who is in search of the Doctor. Also car commercials such as VW (2005) and Honda, then also Sears Department Stores, both in 2007.
A tribute to ELO, namely L.E.O., features original material written by devotees of Lynne’s unique orchestrated sound. American musician Bleu, brought together various musicians to record this ‘tribute’ in 2007. Andy Sturmer, of seminal ELO/Queen/Beatles influenced band Jellyfish co-wrote and provided some vocals for the project. The songs are written entirely in Lynne’s style and mimic ELO’s orchestration and production to a very high standard.
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