Cheap Electric Light Orchestra Part II: Access All Areas (DVD) (Electric Light Orchestra Pt. 2) Price

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Customer Reviews of Electric Light Orchestra Part II: Access All Areas

So now with this DVD, we get a glimpse into the band's post-Jeff Lynne era and we see that they are better live, much more animated and have seemed to benefit from the infusion of some energy thanks to several new band members. I will also say that the filming/production seem to be well done as well. Unfortunately, if you're hoping for anything but increased physical access to the band (lots of back stage glimpses), you will be disappointed with the documentary itself. The content of the interviews is lacking - there's no real insight into the dynamics of the original ELO and the making of their classic material. There is mostly just a reading of the roster of who joined the band when, etc. and an interestig anecdote of Bev Bevan buying his first drumkit. You don't really learn anything new about the band and you're left with the distinct impression that everything you're not being told would be much more entertaining that what you're listening to.

But what about the music? The first few selections on the DVD include some great old ELO numbers and, with the higher energy level and the full orchestra, there is hope that the musical magic will be present. But, alas, the entire second half of the DVD is dominated by songs from the new album which are, unfortunately, absolute trash. As a musician, it's easy to spot that the craft is missing from the new material and that they really don't have anything left to say. Even Phil Bates comments that a writer of Lynne's caliber will be missed from any group, and that's glaringly true here. "Whiskey Girls", "Don't Wanna", "Ain't Necessarily So", these songs are completely uninspired, and at their best are pale imitations of the most simplistic ELO songs. It wouldn't be so bad if, as I said, the second half of the DVD is really dominated by this material.

Close it all with the embarrassing spectacle of show girls "dancing" on stage during "Don't Bring Me Down" and a video of one of the new songs, and what began as a potentially entertaining documentary of a more rocking ELO has deteriorated into a sad commentary on an aging cover band imitating music they didn't write and whose own originals [stink]. I felt sad seeing a band responsible for such great music back in the day reduced to just another bunch of dinosaurs. It speaks volumes that they gave up this project not too long after the making of this DVD.

Do yourself a favor and get the Zoom DVD instead. Sure you have to put up with some of Jeff Lynne's new tunes and he pretty much still just stands around, but overall the musicianship, craftmanship and feel of that show are much better. And it has twice as much music on it. Or pick up the "Out of the Blue" tour DVD and see the band at their peak of popularity plus some really fun/cheesy videos to boot. Access All Areas will just make you feel sad.

A good insight into ELO Part 2.
A good insight into the camaraderie and humour of a close-knit group on tour. The potted history, whilst being quite informative, appears to gloss over the importance of Jeff Lynne as captain of the original great ship ELO. The UK/USA tour ("on the road") footage is almost exclusively in black and white, whereas the Sydney concert footage switches to colour.

The DVD comes with two soundtracks: a straight stereo mix, which is clear, and a Dolby 5.1 mix which ends up being quite muffled and confusing.

The fact that Bev Bevan and Phil Bates have since left ELO Pt 2, and that the group's name itself has been changed to "Orchestra" means that we have here a mini time-capsule of ELO Pt 2 from the mid-90's, with arguably their best line-up, playing with full orchestral backing. The bonus videos of "All Fall Down" and "Ain't Necessarily So" show that they continue to evolve and develop their own material without loosing total focus of what Jeff Lynne and the classic ELO sound stood for.

WORST Audio I Have EVER Heard !!
Don't waste your time! The audio is muffled - at best. Even the interviews are of poor audio quality. I've seen ELO live, twice, and they are far, far better than this cheesey DVD. Fortunately, they are on tour again (Fall 2001) - so perhaps a good DVD production is just around the corner. The other reviews contained in this section appear to be biased. Save your money - you do not want to own this DVD.