Speaking with Stevie J of TotalRock during this past weekend’s Maid Of Stone festival at Mote Park in Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom, GIRLSCHOOL guitarist Jackie Chambers discussed the band’s plans for the months ahead: “Well, we have a new album we’re sort of… Well, we’re supposed to be writing. [Laughs] We will get round to it, we promise. But we have got a new album coming out, well, for our 50th, ’cause obviously we’re aiming now for 50 years. So next year — what is it now? 48? 48 now, so we’ve got two more years, and it’s our 50th, so, of course, we’re planning a big tour for that, and a new album… Our record company’s here today, so we’ll be chatting to them later to see what else they’ve got lined up for us.”

Girlschool is:

Kim McAuliffe: rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals
Denise Dufort: drums
Olivia Airey: bass guitar
Jackie Chambers: lead guitar, backing vocals

Το άρθρο GIRLSCHOOL: TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM IN 2028 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

by Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Apart from being a remarkable artistic achievement, El Dorado also became a major commercial success—especially in the United States, where it earned a gold certification. This first taste of widespread recognition gave Jeff Lynne the confidence and determination to move forward with even greater focus, intent on writing songs that would make music history. And that’s exactly what happened, as Face the Music went on to achieve platinum status!

In 1975 there were some important changes in ELO’s line-up; Mike de Albuquerque had departed during the El Dorado recording sessions, while cellist Mike Edwards left shortly after the subsequent tour. These musicians were replaced by Kelly Groucutt and Melvyn Gale respectively – they both were crucial for ELO’s sound, Groucutt with his humble bass playing and his harmony vocals, Melvyn with his distinctive cello sound. That’s how the classic line-up was formed!

During the first North American leg of the El Dorado tour, ELO often served as the opening act for Deep Purple, one of the biggest hard rock bands of the era. Sharing the stage with such a powerhouse not only gave ELO invaluable exposure to larger audiences but also allowed them to refine their live performance and stage presence. And Deep Purple, impressed by ELO’s musicianship and unique fusion of rock and classical elements, recommended Musicland Studios in Munich—a state-of-the-art recording facility they themselves frequently used. That studio would soon become the place, where Jeff Lynne crafted many of ELO’ s most celebrated works, developing a strong and productive working relationship with sound engineer Reinhold Mack along the way!

New elements were introduced to create a richer, more sophisticated sound. Among these were female backing vocalists—Ellie Greenwich, Susan Collins, Nancy O’Neill and Margaret Raymond, a full choir and an expanded orchestral arrangement. The band’s string trio of Mik Kaminski, Hugh McDowell, and Melvyn Gale was integrated into the larger 30-piece string section, blending seamlessly with it while still being given the opportunity to perform standout solo parts on the recordings. The orchestral parts were recorded separately from the band’s main sessions, taking place at De Lane Lea Studios in London, England. The album was mixed at The Record Plant, in New York City.

“Face the Music”—a phrase meaning “to be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions”—opens with one of ELO’s most distinctive instrumentals, “Fire On High”. This haunting symphonic/progressive rock piece showcases intricate orchestral arrangements, powerful rock passages with Jeff Lynne’s soaring guitar solos, Richard Tandy’s mesmerizing keyboards, and lush choral sections. Adding to its mystique, drummer Bev Bevan delivers a back-masked message: when played in reverse, it clearly states, “The music is reversible but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back, turn back.” This playful addition was an inside joke by Jeff Lynne, created in response to mild controversy from a Christian fundamentalist group that had accused him of embedding backward Satanic messages in “Eldorado” from ELO’s previous album. A fan favorite and a historic prog-rock milestone, “Fire On High” was also released as the B-side of the US single “Sweet Talkin’ Woman” and the UK single “Livin’ Thing”.

The album’s second track, “Waterfall”, is a stunning ballad featuring exceptional vocal melodies, rich instrumentation, and intricate arrangements. Its refrain, in particular, is irresistibly catchy. Although the song wasn’t released as a single in most countries, it did see single releases in France and Australia, where it became a minor hit. Jeff Lynne has often cited “Waterfall” as one of his personal favorite songs in the entire ELO catalog.

Next comes “Evil Woman”, widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever written and one of ELO’s most iconic hits. Jeff Lynne composed the track in just a few minutes near the end of the Face the Music studio sessions in June 1975. Originally intended as a filler to extend the album’s runtime, it quickly blossomed into a global hit and was released as a single just a month after the album’s debut. The song’s magic lies in its perfect blend of elements: Richard Tandy’s sparkling piano, a warm and infectious groove, Lynne’s signature sweet vocals, Bev Bevan’s powerful drumming, and the breathtaking orchestral strings. Together, they create a true masterpiece—a brief but stunning showcase of Jeff Lynne’s artistry and a shining example of rock ’n’ roll brilliance. Simply gorgeous!

The first side of the vinyl closes with “Nightrider”, a mid-tempo prog-rock track infused with classical music influences, dynamic rock passages, intricate keyboards, and tasteful female backing vocals, all showcasing Jeff Lynne’s imaginative songwriting. The song is particularly notable for featuring both Lynne and Kelly Groucutt on lead vocals, though they alternate rather than sing together. Released as a single, “Nightrider” failed to chart, despite its sophisticated arrangement and undeniable musical finesse.

The B-side kicks off with a powerful rocker: “Poker”. This fast-paced, hard-hitting track features Kelly Groucutt on both lead and harmony vocals—one of the rare occasions where Jeff Lynne does not take the lead. Bev Bevan delivers explosive, high-energy drum fills between the verses, while Richard Tandy drives the rhythm with a moog synthesizer arpeggio. Midway through, the song slows into a bluesy bridge with the line “Play me another hand” complemented by Tandy’s subtle synthesizer accents. A magnificent rock track, “Poker” is a shining example of rock ’n’ roll history written in golden letters!

Next comes “Strange Magic,” a beloved ELO classic that commands nothing but admiration. Released as the second single from Face the Music in February 1976, this mid-tempo track has become a live staple for the band. Its charm lies in Jeff Lynne’s enchanting vocals, the lush interplay of violins and cellos, and Richard Tandy’s delicate, melodic keyboards. True to its name, “Strange Magic” is exactly that—pure, unadulterated magic.

Following that is “Down Home Town,” a country-rock gem that highlights ELO’s musicianship and artistic vision. With its roots in American folk-rock, the song captivates with lush orchestral arrangements, charming vocals, and playful, Western-inspired lyrics. Another standout track, it serves as yet another testament to Jeff Lynne’s genius.

“One Summer Dream” closes out the album as its eighth and final track. A serene and enchanting piece, it mesmerizes with its rare beauty and evocative, mysterious soundscapes. Interestingly, Jeff Lynne’s father—who had been vocally critical of his early work—admired the song so much that he would hum it regularly. In the Flashback notes, Lynne described it as a kind of “protest” song. It’s a track that lifts you, telling a musical story that captivates the imagination and lets you dream endlessly—a perfect conclusion to a majestic, phenomenal art-rock album.

Notably, the orchestra for the whole album was conducted by the one and only Louis Clark.

Face the Music stands as one of Electric Light Orchestra’s finest albums—a true showcase of symphonic and progressive rock at its best. The record seamlessly blends a variety of musical styles, combining rock energy with lush orchestral arrangements, intricate keyboard work, and inventive songwriting. Every track demonstrates the extraordinary collaboration between the band and the orchestra, all masterfully guided by the incomparable Jeff Lynne. His visionary direction turns the album into a cohesive, unforgettable musical journey, cementing Face the Music as a timeless masterpiece in ELO’s legendary catalog.

Το άρθρο ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – “FACE THE MUSIC” (1975, UA/JET)/50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

First released in November 1975, “A Night At The Opera” showcased QUEEN’s classic lineup—Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon—and became their boldest artistic achievement and biggest success at the time, topping the charts in five countries, including the U.K.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the album will return on October 18 in the U.K. (for National Album Day) and October 17 worldwide, pressed on luxurious crystal-clear vinyl with gold labels.

QUEEN’s iconic single “Bohemian Rhapsody”—which originally held the U.K. No. 1 spot for a record-breaking nine weeks—will also be reissued on October 31. Fans can pick it up as a transparent blue heavyweight 12” vinyl, an exclusive 12” picture disc, or a blue cassette single.

Both reissues will be handled by Universal globally (excluding the U.S.), with Hollywood Records overseeing the American release.

Το άρθρο QUEEN: 50TH-ANNIVERSARY REISSUES OF “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA” ALBUM/”BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY” SINGLE εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

“Billion Dollar Babies: Trillion Dollar Deluxe Edition” will be available from Rhino on March 8 on 3-LP and 2-CD. Both feature a newly remastered version of the original album, along with bonus material, including studio outtakes, single mixes, and an electrifying 1973 concert recording. In the vinyl edition, the gatefold cover faithfully replicates the original’s textured snakeskin wallet design and comes complete with a $1 billion dollar bill tucked inside.

The single version of “Elected” from the upcoming set is available today digitally.

Upon its March 1973 release, “Billion Dollar Babies” swiftly became a sensational hit. This platinum-certified album delivered a captivating blend of hard rock and glam, adorned with macabre lyrics delving into the darker facets of wealth, decadence, and fame. Now newly remastered, the iconic album sounds more vibrant than ever.

The “Trillion Dollar Deluxe Edition” is a treasure trove, incorporating outtakes like “Coal Black Model T,” single mixes such as “Mary Ann,” and the elusive “Slick Black Limousine,” originally released on a flexi-disc within New Musical Express. Additionally, this deluxe edition treats fans to a live performance recorded during the “Billion Dollar Babies” tour in Texas, April 1973. The electrifying show features live renditions of album tracks like “Elected” and “Hello Hooray,” alongside earlier hits like “I’m Eighteen” and “School’s Out.”

Both the LP and CD versions include an oral history of the album and bonus tracks narrated by surviving band members Alice Cooper, Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce, and Neal Smith, along with insights from Bob Ezrin, the album’s producer. Sadly, guitarist Glen Buxton passed away in 1997.

In the notes, Cooper recalls writing “I Love The Dead” and “Sick Things”. He says: “We were writing those songs looking at each other, and every time we’d write a line I’d say, ‘Oh, this is gonna kill them. Oh, they’re gonna hate us on this one.’ But at the same time, it was almost like an Edgar Allan Poe short story when you listen to ‘I Love The Dead’. I tried to write that the way Vincent Price would sing it.”

Το άρθρο ALICE COOPER: CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “BILLION DOLLAR BABIES” εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

photos by Iro Kalligeri

Το άρθρο ILIAS ASVESTOPOULOS 2002 GR – KYTTARO, ATHENS, GREECE – 13/01/2024 εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.