By the time they released their seventh studio album, Out of the Blue,  British rock band E.L.O., also known as the Electric Light Orchestra was a successful machine for rock hits with a “Beatleseque Pop” sound.  The Beatles connection was not random, as guitarist and founding member Roy Wood wanted to introduce strings, violins, cellos, basses, horns and woodwinds to Rock music, and “pick up where the Beatles left off.”  ELO was formed by Wood on guitar, Bev Bevan on drums, and Jeff Lynne on  vocals and guitars.  Over time Lynne would become  synonymous with the group.  

Out of the Blue is a double album written by Jeff Lynne in less than a month.  He was staying in a chalet in the Swiss Alps and couldn't come up with any songs during several weeks of dreary weather.  One day the sun came out, and an incredible burst of creativity came upon Lynne as a result.  The album makes extensive use of strings, and also a vocoder to produce unusual sounds.  The album was accompanied by a tremendous special effects-laden stage show and tour.  

Jeff Lynne acquired the rights to the name Electric Light Orchestra from co-founder Bev Bevan in 1999, and tours as Jeff Lynne's ELO today.

Sit back and enjoy - “there ain't a cloud in sight!”

Turn to Stone
This track opens the album.  Jeff Lynne stated in a Rolling Stone interview that this is one of his most favorite songs — he loves the "shuffle beat."  It was the first singe from the album, and reached number 13 on the US Billboard chart.

Wild West Hero
This is a deeper cut from the album, with a softer, wistful sound and great harmonies.  Westerns were a popular genre when Lynne was growing up.  The band's cello player played the honky tonk piano.  Supposedly Jeff Lynne wrote this in 4 minutes.

Standin' in the Rain
Side three of the double album is subtitled “Concerto for a Rainy Day,” with four tracks about the weather.  This deeper cut leads off the concerto, and you can hear a vocoder about 30 seconds in, with a thunder crackle voicing the words "Concerto for a Rainy Day."

Mr. Blue Sky
This well known song is the final track from “Concerto for a Rainy Day,” at which point the sun comes out.  The major key and fast pace give this song an amazingly optimistic feel.  Rob wants this played at his funeral — “Never mind I’ll remember you this way.”  

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“That's All Right” Elvis Presley
The last concert recorded by The King before his death was broadcast in this month.  Elvis had passed two months earlier in August 1977.

STAFF PICKS:

Brick House by The Commodores
Bruce's staff pick started as a jam originated by bassist Ronald LaPread.  Producer James Carmichael challenged the band to turn it into a song.  Band member William King brought it home and his wife, Shirley Hanna-King wrote the lyrics based off the expression “built like a brick $#@!-house.”  Drummer Walter “Clyde” Orange sings lead instead of their normal front man, Lionel Ritchie, because the band thought he had the right funky voice for it.

Strawberry Letter 23  by The Brothers Johnson
Brian keeps up the R&B flavor with this Quincy Jones' produced song.  It tells the story of the 23rd love letter between two lovers.

Whips and Furs   by The Vibrators
You can count on Wayne for a deeper punk cut.  He discovered this on a compilation album.  Good new-fashioned rock! 

Isn't It Time  by The Babys
Rob's staff pick was penned by Babys bass guitarist Jack Conrad and songwriter Ray Kennedy.  It is Kennedy's story about falling in love with a Mademoiselle.  The song alternates between a soft and hard rock sound, and the chorus goes back and forth between the left and right channels.  “I just can't find the answers to the questions that keep going through my mind, Hey Babe...isn't it time?”

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

The Iron Dream by Hawkwind
We finish off this week's podcast with a prog rock instrumental piece.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?” 

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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.