Electric Light Orchestra on ARTIST DAY, 3 more OST tracks, and what was your favourite song/single of the 1980's???

Morning everyone - hope you're all well!

Today is ARTIST DAY, and as I said I would write about Electric Light Orchestra today, and why I like them so much!

Three immediate reasons as to why I love ELO:

1. The blend of orchestra and rock works - they've proven so, again and again
2. I admit to not being the greatest fan of lyrics in the World (very often ignore them over the music and melody), but Jeff Lynne is a genius!
3. Fabulous songs like...

Well, the list is a very good one:

Mr. Blue Sky - catchy, and pop-tastic! I dare you not to have this on in the car the next time you're driving along with blue sky in the distance!
Turn to Stone - great harmonies
Wild West Hero - well, it must be said, that if we're talking about harmonies, this is the song - WOW!
Telephone Line - another catchy number, and some great lyrics:

Doowop dooby doo doowop doowah doolang
Blue days black nights doowah doolang

Oh, well, I meant:

I look into the sky, the love you need ain't gonna see you through
And I wonder why the little things you planned ain't coming true
Oh oh Telephone Line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight
Oh oh Telephone Line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight

I don't think my love of ELO is simply justified by being introduced to them at such an early age (I guess I first heard songs like the above when I was 7 or 8 years old) - what they do, they DO exceedingly well! They do bring LIGHT through orchestral-pop, and all credit to them! They cornered a market, as far as I'm concerned, and should be commended for that!

I will admit that, apart from the (many) greatest hits albums that they've released, I don't know enough about their backlist! But, if you were to hit this album at the very least, you'd have some fun, and get to know a fab and importantly, fun band!

The songs are great to sing along to, and admire!

The ELO collab playlist on SPOTIFY is still available - check it out:

http://open.spotify.com/user/menoir16/playlist/4Hfee7VdH1pOsR8tBcLOyo
spotify:user:menoir16:playlist:4Hfee7VdH1pOsR8tBcLOyo

...and for more official(ish) information on ELO, check out the following websites:

http://www.elomusic.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Light_Orchestra

Menace2Music official soundtrack

We're getting into double-figures now - so, lets get cracking....the next three are:

Romeo and Juliet (Balcony Scene) - Craig Armstrong
FILM: Romeo and Juliet

The Grace of Undomiel - Howard Shore (featuring Renee Fleming)
FILM: Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

The Asteroid Field - John Williams
FILM: The Empire Strikes Back

Craig Armstrong is one of the finest composers working in film today - as well as R&J, you'll have heard his music on films like Moulin Rouge, Plunkett and Macleane and World Trade Center. This track is one of R&J's major highlights, hence the reason it appears on albums like "The Most Relaxing Classical Music in The World...Ever"

The Lord of the Rings trilogy are amongst, in my opinion, the finest movies ever made. I was never the most enormous "fantasy" fan, but these films were so accessible and majestic. The music throughout was fabulous. If I have any criticism, its that it has not had the longevity on the iPod unlike other soundtracks. I am looking forward to owning the full set (they have released further albums with ALL of the music, and not just selections), which might give me a further glimpse into Howard Shore's masterwork.

Wow, how have I got to 12 tracks, and only just inserted John Williams, the King of Move Soundtracks! Not sure, but I am sure this track (which I think is one of the best pieces in all of the Star Wars movies) will be the first of many Williams tracks on this list as it develops!

Here are the links for the Menace2Music OST:

http://open.spotify.com/user/menoir16/playlist/0QpCoaV6eGuZ7gQj5ChDFc
spotify:user:menoir16:playlist:0QpCoaV6eGuZ7gQj5ChDFc

Lastly, today's question was about your favourite song of the 1980's:

Starship "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"

A-Ha "Take On Me"

Def Leppard "Animal"

I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts on this - the above three would definitely feature in my top 10 of the 1980's, for sure!

Have a great Thursday, everyone! Guy Fawkes night, and I just happen to live in the centre of the World when it comes to this night - Lewes. Tonight, thousands of people will descend upon the town, and hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of fireworks will be sent up into the sky, along with a few effigies (I hear Alistair Darling is one) will be burnt to smithereens (always wanted to use that word!!!). To all, have a fabulous night!

Menace2Music
menace2music@googlemail.com
http://twitter.com/menace2music
http://open.spotify.com/user/menoir16/playlist/1j3HXNYIHuGDfW7aLh5OlL