Search - Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) - Out of the Blue: Live at Wembley on DVD

It's about time

Michael J. Cohen | Queens, NY United States | 06/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The original release of this program, first on cable and VHS and then on DVD, featured an altered audio track in which tracks from the "Out Of The Blue" album were dubbed over the live performances. This gave rise to unfair claims that ELO lip-synched their concerts. However, this new remaster restores the live sound as heard at Wembley that night--and proves that the overdubs were unnecessary. Some of the video effects are cheesy by today's standards, and the band does use some pre-recorded effects and string augmentation (NOT vocals or principal instruments), but on the whole, this is a great document of a fine LIVE band at its commercial peak."

Finally it's done right!

John | Santa Maria, CA United States | 12/13/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"About 20 years ago, I decided to rent the ELO Live at Wembley VHS to which my girlfriend at the time said, "Oh, they lip-synched..." Her proclamation seemed confirmed as I watched Jeff and the boys appear to sync to the studio versions. Why were the crowd so crazy about them? Why would Bev flail at his drumkit with such abandon if he were not, in fact, playing for the audience? I was crushed, and I had a difficult time reconciling those who I considered professional musicians of integrity with folks like Milli Vanilli, etc. -- considering that, the Wembley VHS was a horrible ambassador for ELO as a live band.



This reissue DVD fully clears the band's reputation: They weren't frauds who faked their way through concerts! The original sound has been restored, no dubbing with the studio recordings and the band showed an amazing amount of confidence, power and energy. The band is not as tight as the 2001 Zoom edition, but the 31 year old Jeff Lynne was a lot more energetic that the 54 year old edition. My only regrets are the focus on the Out of the Blue album (that they were supporting) so you don't get too many classic songs from the back catalog, and a poor encore rendition of "Livin' Thing" which sounded insufficiently rehearsed. However, "Do Ya" and some of the older songs sound absolutely awesome. Anyway, I quite enjoyed the concert, and if you ever witnessed the sacrilege of the old Wembley editions, give this one a look. Nice packaging as well!"

A wonderful trip down memory lane

Ray Warren | USA | 01/11/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The audio is great, the video looks good even after 30 years. This is a must have for any ELO fan!"

BIG DRUMS, A TOTAL ELO AUDIO EXPERIENCE. OUT OF THE BLUE 19

Patrick Miller | NEW YORK | 02/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Zoom dvd performance is more tighter, but I like "Out Of The Blue" because seven of the original 1970s Elo Members are performing live. Above all this performance kept those big drums in play, as they are clearly not heard on "Zoom". The picture quality is faded but a beautiful remastering job never the less. The theatre system sound options include DTS, Dolby 5.1, and the ear shattering PCM Stereo. If you watch "Out Of The Blue" on your theatre system you will feel like your at the concert circa 1978. 13 songs of pure Elo madness. This was really a well performed show. A true 1970s trip. This dvd is a must have, and must be watched and heard on a theatre sytem to feel, and really understand the true audio remastering of this dvd release. THE PCM AND DTS OPTIONS ARE AN AUDIO MARVEL THAT MUST BE HEARD ON A THEATRE SYSTEM..............................

OF COURSE YOUR SEVEN ELO MUSICIANS WHO MADE THIS DVD A MUST HAVE........

JEFF LYNNE

BEV BEVAN

RICHARD TANDY

KELLY GROUCUTT

MIK KAMINSKI

HUGH McDOWELL

MELVYN GALE

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