JEFF LYNNE – Long Wave (2012)

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After 22 years since his last solo album, JEFF LYNNE, the man described by The Washington Times as ‘the fourth greatest record producer in history’, returns with two recordings; Mr. Blue Sky featuring ELO classics, and this one, “Long Wave”, a love-letter to the songs Jeff Lynne heard on his dad’s radio, songs which inspired him while growing up in Birmingham.

“Long Wave” celebrates the music of a time when Lynne’s lifelong passion for music began, evoking an era back when old standards were just giving way to rock & roll.

Surely it’s musical memoir of his youthful influences, as old songs are recast in new lights: “She” features Beatle-esque harmonies, “Smile” has a lollopy cowboy charm, “Let It Rock” becomes a lazily galloping boogie and “Beyond the Sea” replaces Bobby Darin’s glide with a languid swagger that works quite well.

“Let It Rock” (Chuck Berry) is nicely done by Lynne, while covers of Roy Orbison’s “Running Scared” and The Everly Brothers’ “So Sad” employ impressive vocal arrangements.

Best of all is a version of Don Covay’s “Mercy, Mercy” on which Jeff Lynne simulates the Midlands beat-boom attack of a misspent youth when he was in The Idle Race (pre- ELO).

“Long Wave” is a nice, nostalgic take on these – some of them – classic songs, arranged and recorded with the usual meticulously crystal clear sound expected from Jeff Lynne.

The whole thing could have been a pointless exercise in the wrong hands, but Lynne brings enough unpretentious charm to the project to make it endlessly endearing.

Perhaps only a must have for ELO, Traveling Wilburys and Lynne’s fans, but a nice listen fon any Classic Rock aficionado as well.

1. She

2. If I Loved You

3. So Sad

4. Mercy, Mercy

5. Running Scared

6. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

7. Smile

8. At Last

9. Love Is A Many Splendored Thing

10. Let It Rock

11. Beyond The Sea

Jeff Lynne – Vocals, All Instruments

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