Light Messages

Sony Music have released a new 5CD from their Original Album Classics series which compiles the albums "Armchair Theatre," "Zoom," "Long Wave," "Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra" and "Electric Light Orchestra Live." These albums were previously released by Frontiers in 2012 and 2013, but went OOP when Jeff Lynne released "Alone In The Universe" and returned to touring. Despite the joy of having these CDs back in print, there are some differences with regards to bonus content. For example, the "Zoom" CD on this set omits the bonus tracks 'One Day' and the live version of 'Turn To Stone.' The "Armchair Theatre" CD on this set omits the bonus tracks 'Borderline' and 'Forecast.' The "Live" CD on this set omits the bonus tracks 'Out Of Luck' and 'Cold Feet.'

Sharing an identical track listing, albeit in a different order, with 1997's Light Years retrospective, The Ultimate Collection is a comprehensive overview of the hugely influential Electric Light Orchestra's illustrious career. Showcasing their signature melodic, classical rock sound, this 2001 release includes the hit singles "Xanadu," "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Sweet Talkin' Woman." Its 38 tracks are cherrypicked from their first 12 studio albums, from their 1972 self-titled debut right up to 1986's Balance of Power, but omits any material from their most recent album, Zoom.

Flashback is the second box set compilation by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released in 2000. In 2000, Jeff Lynne found a new impetus to work on the music of his old band and returned to the recording studio to work on an ELO project for the first time in some 15 years just prior to the comeback album Zoom in 2001. This work resulted in a digitally remastered compilation released in late 2000. Unlike its predecessors, this project, Flashback, was personally approved and endorsed by Lynne. The set includes songs featured from all 11 studio albums up to that point, including an edit of "Great Balls of Fire" from their live album The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach, plus some new recordings amongst the band's extensive back catalog, most notably a reworking of Lynne's only UK number one hit "Xanadu". The album includes liner notes by David Wild with quotes on each song from Lynne and a booklet inside.