Flashback [Box] by Electric Light Orchestra (CD, Nov-2000, 3 Discs, Legacy Recordings)

I like all kinds of music from heavy metal, rock n' roll to blues and jazz, or from classical to the beatles. And I have always loved ELO, the great melodies,the great hooks, and of course Jeff Lynne's voice! What a voice, and singing style! I don't think I've ever heard anything quite like it. If you like or love ELO like I do you're going to love this box set, It's got all the hits and then some! And the box set is more like a little book that you can carry around with you, It has the 3 CD's and a full color booklet with great photos of Jeff and the band, very convenient! Great stuff! A+

Well, if you didn't already understand the music business, here is what the fantasy is for every record company: They find and artist who has a few hits - the artist leaves the spotlight for awhile - the artist prepares for a "comeback" release so the company puts a compilation of old songs together into a box set - it creates new interest in the old artist - new album comes out on the heels of the box set and "VOILA", old albums get re-released and new revenue is generated at a minimal cost of production.

"Flashback" had that exact effect upon me as I was interested in hearing some more of the songs ELO recorded beyond the obvious hits. Just after the box set came out, the follow-up album of new ELO songs were released on the "Zoom" CD in 2001.

But here's what blew me away: on the back flap of the "Flashback" box was the website of ELO/JEFF LYNNE (singer, songwriter, producer, et al). Visiting the site I discovered that the "old catalogue" of albums were being remastered with bonus tracks to be released between 2001-2007. Not only did I find myself utterly amazed at what the remastered versions sounded like (with fabulously annotated new booklets inside), but my anticipation for every new re-release filled my year of 2007 with a JOY OF MUSIC BUYING that I had not experienced since 1987 when The Beatles catalogue was finally being released on CD.

Now that I have purchased 11 new remastered CDs of ELO I have "Flashback" and the ELO website to thank - the box set did it's job on me!

I think that this is a great collection of songs by the group Electric Light Orquestra. I had just recently got into this group's music after hearing the song "Living Thing" that was featured in the movie "Boogie Nights". I had since heard more songs by this group and decided to get a little more than a "Greatest Hits" CD. A very good purchase on my part.