Mr Poo Sky

Jeff Lynne seems like an affable bloke. He always comes across as a normal guy with a huge talent who has nothing to prove to anyone. He made the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) a phenomenon in the ‘70’s and rode the wave of stardom from the bleakest parts of Birmingham to the brightest lights of Los Angeles. He has written and produced some of the greatest pop songs of the 20^th century and has collaborated with The Beatles, George Harrison and Roy Orbison to name drop but a few.

So why in the name of god has he resorted to producing the cynical pony that is “Mr Blue Sky”? Is his Los Angeles mansion costing him a fortune to air condition and he can’t afford the electricity bill? Lynne justifies the existence of “Mr Blue Sky” in the same way Mike Oldfield defended the re-recording Tubular Bells: new technology and experience means the flaws of the original can be rectified and a long held dissatisfaction can be eradicated. But as with all such re-recordings, people love the original recordings so much that a modern version is going to have to be very special to even come close to matching the original.

I for one don’t like these new versions. The opener “Mr Blue Sky” is OK, but suddenly ends where the extended coda of the original took the song into a dream like fantasy. Sure, the song is Lynne’s to do with as he wants, but as he points out in his liner notes, “Who’s in charge, you or the song?” For me it’s the song; and Lynne is trying to wrestle back too much control. Most tracks rumble by as just flat versions of the originals with the exception of “Telephone Line” and “Showdown” which I single out for special criticism. The only track to be improved is “10538 Overture” which was aptly the starting point for the band and the end of this album. Let it be the end of ELO.

Scissor Sisters Live

Until last night I had never seen Scissor Sisters live. But as Ana Matronic phrased it: Boy, I was bent over a barrel last night. It was not only the outstanding musicianship on show from the band, but the energy and sheer sense of fun that made this an outstanding performance.

As Jake danced around peeling off his clothing (a la Andy Bell circa 1988) and Ana whipped the crowd into action you couldn’t help but be drawn in by their enthusiasm. A great set list saw all the old favourites played with the assurance and self confidence of a band that have been performing together for ten years. Special mention also goes to the backing singers who were quite briliant when allowed to shine.

Wikipedia describes Scissor Sisters performances as “controversial or transgressive”, but I saw no evidence of that whatsoever last night. All I witnessed was great musicians and in an inclusive and fun loving atmosphere. Scissor Sisters live come highly recommended.