Album Description

1997 compilation on Epic in a double slimline jewel case. Features 38 tracks, including all 20 U.S. top 40 hits: 7in edits of 'Strange Magic' & 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head',7inversions of the other 18, plus 'Secret Messages' (Special Version from the LP), 'Across The Border' (EP Version) and 7in edits of 'Ma Ma Ma Belle','Nightrider', '10538 Overture'and 'Roll Over Beethoven'. The full title is 'Lightyears: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra'.

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Discs and Tracks

Disc 1
  1 - Turn to Stone
  2 - Evil Woman
  3 - Livin' Thing
  4 - Twilight
  5 - Telephone Line
  6 - Four Little Diamonds
  7 - Xanadu
  8 - Last Train to London
  9 - Strange Magic
  10 - Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
  11 - Confusion
  12 - Rock & Roll Is King
  13 - The Way Life's Meant to Be
  14 - Can't Get It Out of My Head
  15 - Secret Messages
  16 - Calling America
  17 - Don't Walk Away
  18 - Don't Bring Me Down
  19 - Mr. Blue Sky

Disc 2
  1 - Sweet Talkin' Woman
  2 - I'm Alive
  3 - Shine a Little Love
  4 - Ticket to the Moon
  5 - Illusions in G Major
  6 - So Serious
  7 - Nightrider
  8 - All Over the World
  9 - Here Is the News
  10 - The Diary of Horace Wimp
  11 - Across the Border
  12 - Showdown
  13 - Hold on Tight
  14 - Wild West Hero
  15 - Do Ya
  16 - 10538 Overture
  17 - Getting to the Point
  18 - Rockaria!
  19 - Roll Over Beethoven - Electric Light Orchestra, Berry, Chuck

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The son of Loretta Lynne ...        Rating:


At some point in time, maybe it was on VH1 someone said that Jeff Lynne was the son of Loretta Lynne. When I heard that, I thought that finally everything in the world made sense now. All the nations at war, settled and went home for a late tea and an early bedtime. The planets aligned, my cat was happy and my asthma seemed to lessen, even if just ever so lightly.

Then I found Wikipedia. Sigh ... and I realized that it was all a lie. It was like something right out of the mouth of Adolf Hitler. "The bigger the lie, the more people will believe it." I guess I bought in. It made sense. Loretta Lynn, Country Western musical genius that she is, and wonderful performer to boot, gives birth to a son who is the musical equivalent of a modern Mozart and an earlier version of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. A man who writes, composes and plays every instrument on the album and sometimes even does the back-up vocals. Could he then be the grand-father of Modern Techno? Something fantastic, perhaps? Something other than great album art, which ironically, is something that he didn't do.

Alas, Loretta Lynn has a few children but none of them are Jeff Lynne. Maybe it was the spelling that finally gave it away. Laughing quietly to myself, now.

Lately, ELO has had a mild resurgence with a few of their songs popping up in mainstream films such as Stranger Than Fiction, Martian Child and a host of television commercials both in the United States for Volkswagen and Marks & Spencer's in England.

The truth is pretty simple regarding ELO. They've always been good and never needed a resurgence or to be re-discovered by a generation of people that will probably go onto make ELO musicals or cover Lynne's songs on American Idol and the like. This compilation of songs is a great place to start for any casual music listener, but go to the actual albums if you're left looking for more. The albums still hold some quality gems.

Top Notch!        Rating:

This is a fantastic collection of ELO songs. I already had almost half of them and it was still worth the purchase. If you have ever liked any of their music, (It's a livin' Thing, Telephone Line, Evil Woman, etc.), then you will love this set. Highly recommended.

An ELO fan "must have"!        Rating:

If you are a ELO fan and want a large collection of their music without breaking the bank, this is the one to get. Just like the label of this CD says, "The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra"

great cd        Rating:

all these songs are great-I remember hearing most years ago-the one's I have not heard before, I like-if you like E.L.O., get this!

OUTSTANDING!        Rating:

I gave this CD to my husband for Christmas . . . he was extremely happy that all the top songs that were on the CD.

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