ELO Compilations, Greatest Hits and Best Of
albums issued World Wide in 2001 to 2004
In association with Patrik Guttenbacher - Face The Music Germany, presented here is a discography of Electric Light Orchestra compilation LPs & CDs issued world wide in 2001 to 2004 along with information/description on each release.
Vinyl LPs plus later released CDs/MDs are listed along with the countries there were issued in, example front covers, LP labels and CDs are also shown. Please see the countries listed on the main menu above for full catalogue numbers/details/issue variants.
Click a album cover below to be taken to the release information and details.
Title
Electric Light Orchestra - The Ultimate Collection
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
2001
Sony TV Music
2 x CD Germany
2 x CD UK
Track List
CD1:
Hold On Tight
Rock 'n' Roll Is King
Calling America
I'm Alive
Confusion
Last Train To London
Do Ya
Showdown
The Way Life's Meant To Be
Turn To Stone
Here Is The News
Evil Woman
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (7" Edit)
Shine A Little Love
Strange Magic (7" Edit)
Twilight
Wild West Hero
Nightrider (7" Edit)
Xanadu
CD2:
Don't Bring Me Down
Livin' Thing
All Over The World
Mr. Blue Sky
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Don't Walk Away
10538 Overture (7" Edit)
Secret Messages (Special Version From The LP)
Ticket To The Moon
Telephone Line
Ma Ma Ma Belle (7" Edit)
Rockaria!
Getting To The Point
Across The Border (EP Version)
Roll Over Beethoven (7" Edit)
So Serious
Illusions In G Major
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Four Little Diamonds
Completely unexpected, a double compilation from Sony appeared on 30th June 2001 in Germany: “The Ultimate Collection”, EPC 504428 2, which was even promoted on the radio and entered the German Charts at no. 100.
The cover shows the “Flashback”-spaceship in front of a blue planet, and the two Picture-CD's let the spaceship fly in the proximity of a space fog. The 12-page booklet contains a 1986 picture of Jeff, a group photo from 1978 in Osaka as well as a few pictures from the videos of Rock 'n' Roll Is King and Hold On Tight.
The nearly error free German liner notes were written by Gerald Wetzel. Interesting is the last but one page, on which the E.L.O.-back-catalogue is presented, announcing “On The Third Day”, “Face The Music” and “A New World Record” for autumn 2001 and “Out Of The Blue”, “Balance Of Power”, “The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach” and “Armchair Theatre” for spring 2002! An inquiry postcard is attached to the booklet, on which advertisements for “Zoom” and the first four remastered albums are printed.
All song versions had already been used on the English “Light Years: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra” and were arranged in a running order better for the German market. Thus all songs on “The Ultimate Collection” are included in its European single versions.
The single versions on “The Ultimate Collection” with their small deviations were already described with “The Light Years”. Since the album was very successful in Germany, Sony UK rush-released an English edition at the end of the year. STVCD 126 got a new title font layout and was promoted on the TV too.
A more detailed one from Rob Caiger replaced the German text, and the announcement of the further remaster albums shifted into “the future”. On Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Roll Over Beethoven it was specially mentioned, that they were lifted off the album “Eldorado”, respectively “Electric Light Orchestra II”, although the songs included, were the single versions.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Electric Light Orchestra - Classics
2001
Sony
Format & Country
CD - USA
Track List
Evil Woman
Boy Blue
Telephone Line
Rockaria!
Don’t Bring Me Down
Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
Bluebird
Loser Gone Wild
Waterfall
Sony issued almost a "new" compilation, entitled "Classics", a variation to "E.L.O. Classics" from 1990. Sony Music Special Products and the KRB Music Companies label decided in 2001, to re-release the album with new artwork and coloured "Time" Press-Picture on the 1-page insert.
The slightly revised album title pays tribute to the difference that KRB7045-2 now includes Waterfall instead of Birmingham Blues. All songs are represented like in the 1990 edition. An interesting publication, which also shows that licenses handed out to Sony Special Products are barely controllable.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Track List
First Light - The Electric Light Orchestra
2001
EMI Harvest
2 x CD - UK / Europe
2 x CD - Japan
Brian Matthew Introduces Elo 10538 Overture (Acetat Version)
Look At Me Now (Quad Mix)
Nellie Takes Her Bow (Quad Mix) (The Battle Of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644) (Quad Mix)
Jeff's Boogie No. 2 (Live)
Whisper In The Night (Live)
Great Balls Of Fire (Live)
Queen Of The Hours (Quad Mix)
Mr. Radio (Take 9)
10538 Overture (Live BBC Session)
Whisper In The Night (Vocals, Guitar)
The record company went completely new ways with compilation albums by the Electric Light Orchestra in October 2001. It had become common use in the meantime with other bands to include unpublished songs and versions on the albums. With this release they even went one step further and created a compilation, which appeared along with a regular album in a slipcase.
“First Light”, EMI Harvest 7243 5 33374 2 1, appeared together with “The Electric Light Orchestra” as “30th Anniversary Limited Edition” with the order code EMI 7243 5 33372 0 9. The regular first album “The Electric Light Orchestra”, EMI 7243 5 3373 0 8, with bonus tracks, enhanced CD section and 24-page booklet will not be discussed here in the compilation series, as it is not a compilation, but a remaster edition of a regular album.
“First Light” contains a 16-page booklet, whose sleeve shows a collage of the two roadies in masks from the promo clip. The booklet contains texts and pictures about the development of First Light and the search for the original recording tapes: First Movement - at Orchestral Odyssey, including a quadraphonic plan for Look At Me Now, for the track separation into four channels.
The song selection is special, as nearly without exception unpublished material had been used. Brian Matthew Introduces ELO is a spoken introduction of the press release, which Brian Matthew had read on BBC radio 1 on 4th February 1972 for the first radio show. While on the radio he had played the album version, here the 10538 Overture (Acetate Version) follows. Directly cut on an 8”-disc during the recordings of the master tape, it shows an intermediate stage of the recording sessions. The e-guitar is more in the foreground. The French horn and the small hunting horn at the conclusion are still missing. In addition one hears the third cello voice very loud.
Look At Me Now (Quad Mix), on which the vocals can be heard only on the right, has a more spatial sound and more clearly separated channels of the instruments. Clear differences in the mix can be heard on Nellie Takes Her Bow (Quad Mix). The violin for instance is faded in much earlier and is more prominent, Jeff's singing is more dramatic and the backing vocals are louder. Roy can be heard too.
The Battle Of Marston Moor (July 2nd 1644) (Quad Mix) is likewise a genuine Re-Mix, with longer shouting of the farmer army and the missing conclusion chord. Jeff's Boogie No. 2 (Live) originates from the fourth E.L.O. Live-Concert on 9th May 1972 in Manchester recorded for the Granada TV programme “Set Of 6”. The version is played like the later released In Old England Town, but with different lyrics.
From the same show Whisper In The Night (Live) with very beautiful drums and Jeff on the e-Bass guitar follows. A genuine version with the complete band. The conclusion of the set is Great Balls Of Fire (Live) in the most initial E.L.O.-version at all, since after each singing line a classically arranged instrumental line follows.
Worth to mention is the first saxophone entry in E.L.O. with Roy playing the baritone saxophone. Queen Of The Hours (Quad mix) originates likewise from the only in Brazil published quadraphonic album, with many refinements, which become only audible through the re-mix.
Mr. Radio (Take 9) from 18th November 1970 is yet opened by Steve Woolam at the violin. Recorded with bowed double bass and still without drums, the violin can be noticed particularly well and clear. The background singing in the centre section, sung backwards, is good to hear too. In the conclusion part only Steve's violin follows in place of the orchestra insertion.
10538 Overture (Live BBC session) is a version, which was recorded for the TV-appearance on “Top Of The Pops”. Jeff sings his live vocals over the album version and Wilf Gibson arranged a violin part, in order to replace the horn sounds of the missing Bill Hunt.
As hidden track Whisper in The Night (Vocals, Guitar) follows after about a one minute break, which, as the name already says, is a voice and guitar-only version. Roy performs it with acoustic guitar, slide guitar and glockenspiel.
All in all the album “First Light”, which was only available in this 2-CD-release, offers a very beautiful insight into the time of the recordings for the first album and the first concerts and TV-show-appearances. Hardly another compilation album can offer this. In principle all song versions appeared for the first time on a compilation. An intelligent release by EMI and Rob Caiger.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Track List
Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman
2001
Epic
CD - Germany
Evil Woman
Livin' Thing
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Showdown
Turn To Stone
Rockaria
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Ma Ma Ma Belle
Strange Magic
Mr. Blue Sky
In November 2001 Sony released “Evil Woman”. EPC 450357 6 is the second new edition of the album “ELO's Greatest Hits” from 1979, which had already been re-released in 1998 with the title “Simply The Best”.
The new edition was probably necessary for having an E.L.O.-compilation in the Low-Budget range too. The sleeve had been designed by Bert Hülpich and shows an “evil woman” with cigarette and whisky. Worth to mention is the E.L.O.-logo necklace, which is never the wrong way round despite the reflected photos.
All song versions are as on “ELO's Greatest Hits”. “Evil Woman” offers nothing new, but should gain new fans for E.L.O. After this release Sony changed their re-release politics and permitted no uncoordinated national releases without consultation with Jeff Lynne via Rob Caiger.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Track List
Electric Light Orchestra - The Ultimate Collection
2002
Sony
2 x CD - Germany
CD1:
Hold On Tight
Rock 'n' Roll Is King
Calling America
I'm Alive
Confusion
Last Train To London
Do Ya
Showdown
The Way Life's Meant To Be
Turn To Stone
Here Is The News
Evil Woman
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (7" Edit)
Shine A Little Love
Strange Magic (7" Edit)
Twilight
Wild West Hero
Nightrider (7" Edit)
Xanadu
CD2:
Don't Bring Me Down
Livin' Thing
All Over The World
Mr. Blue Sky
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Don't Walk Away
10538 Overture (7" Edit)
Secret Messages (Special Version From The LP)
Ticket To The Moon
Telephone Line
Ma Ma Ma Belle (7" Edit)
Rockaria!
Getting To The Point
Across The Border (EP Version)
Roll Over Beethoven (7" Edit)
So Serious
Illusions In G Major
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Four Little Diamonds
In the year 2002 the German edition of Electric Light Orchestra - The Ultimate Collection was re-released in a paper /cardboard slipcase in the series 'The Best Of The Best Platinum' as Low Price product with the order code EPC 504428 9, which is only printed on the slipcase.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
The Lost Planet - The Electic Light Orchestra
2003
EMI / Harvest
2 x CD - UK / Europe
2 x CD Japan
Track List
Brian Matthews Introduces ELO
From The Sun To The World (Boogie No. 1) (BBC Session) Momma (BBC Session)
Roll Over Beethoven (Single Version)
Showdown (Take 1)
Your World (Take 2)
Get A Hold Of Myself (Take 2)
Mama (Take 1)
Wilf's Solo (Instrumental)
Roll Over Beethoven (BBC Session)
In the same design as the album “First Light” from 2001, in 2003 a further compilation album by the Electric Light Orchestra appeared. “The Lost Planet”, EMI Harvest 7243 5 43330 2 6, packaged together with “ELO 2” as “Limited Edition 2 CD Set” with the order code EMI 7423 5 43328 2 1. The regular first album “ELO 2”, EMI 7423 5 43329 2 0, with bonus tracks and 24-page booklet will also not further be discussed here in the compilation series.
The title “The Lost Planet” is based on the original working title for the second E.L.O.-Album, which was however not finished in such a way. For the artwork parts from the cover of the American United Artists release were used, which should find no more use in the common new remaster concept.
The text in the booklet explains the development of this CD. The 16 pages contain further unpublished pictures, newspaper cuttings, quotations of Jeff Lynne from the year 2002, Carl Wayne's detailed description of its contribution and a sort-of update, what the band members are involved with today.
For the BBC radio appearances E.L.O. recorded three songs on 1st November 1972, which were broadcast on 27th November 1972 in the Bob Harris Show: Brian Matthews Introduces ELO: From The Sun To The World (Boogie No. 1) (BBC session) / Momma (BBC Session) / Roll Over Beethoven (BBC Session). After the introduction by Brian Matthews follows the song From The Sun To The World. The piano Intro and the Moog synthesizer seem to originate from the album tape, while from 0:40 on the drums, the piano and the strings are played live, like the voice from Jeff too. In the slow part the horn is over-sounded by the synthesizer. Quite nice is the “new” e-guitar-solo at 3:35 and the live accompaniment of the cellos and violin. The song is unfortunately faded out in the E-guitar-solo and ends at 7:20.
Momma seems to be recorded completely live in the BBC Studio, but sounds like the album version. The voices of Jeff, Michael and Richard are separated well from each other. At 3:35 the instrumental chorus is played somewhat differently, while the synthesizer ringing sound like on the album.
Roll Over Beethoven (single version) is included in its 4:30 - single version. Showdown (Take 1), working title Bev's Trousers No. 7, is the session master tape, from which different mixes were created. Besides clearer bass drum and bass the e-guitar-rhythm can be pursued better. Also Michaels backing vocals are better to hear. Prior the lyric lines in the chorus and guitar-solo of the two guitars Jeff sings “oh oh its…”, “oh you gotta save me…”, or “gotta do it now…” and another conclusion lyric, before the song closes with a correct end.
The following three songs had been recorded by E.L.O. with Carl Wayne, since he was in search for a hit single. Don Arden arranged a sample recording session for Carl Wayne at Air Studios with Jeff, Bev, Richard and Michael, for which Jeff wrote two new songs, which remained however unreleased until yet.
Your World (Take 2) is based on a heavy guitar played by Jeff and sounds like a kind of Gospel ballad. Carl sings very powerful and screams the chorus. A strong guitar-solo from Jeff in the middle section makes the song beautifully heavy, before it turns into a ballad again.
Get A Hold Of Myself (Take 2) begins very well with a great guitar riff, before the song changes into a ballad, in order to then hit after one minute immediately again a harder sound. The electric piano produces a nice mood. The background singing “do you believe…” sounds rather like guest singers. A fine song by Jeff, which was very well performed by E.L.O..
Mama (Take 1) is the soft version by Carl. The synthesizer is too much mixed to the front; otherwise the song is carried by the piano. The strings and a guitar mixed to the very pitiful voice track, which sounds even sadder by the long fade-out. Wilf's Solo is a beautiful solo by Wilf, who plays very high notes. Starting at 1:38, a few words follow, and then it starts once again. The solo sounds a bit like a Slavic dance, at which the band could have joined in easily.
Roll Over Beethoven (BBC session) begins with a further announcement of Brian Matthews. This is followed by a pre-recorded tape of the 5th Symphony, with strings and bass playing live along with it. After that the complete song is live. The voice is beautifully close and rough and the rhythm guitar can be followed throughout the track. The 8:02-version was performed live, but as the harmonium Intro is missing, this version ends at 7:40. Compared to the other BBC session tracks, this version sounds however very “thin”.
“The Lost Planet” is a fantastic compilation, which was worth its effort.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
The Essential Electric Light Orchestra
2003
Epic / Legacy
CD - Canada
CD - USA
CD - Japan
CD - Argentina
Track List
Evil Woman
Do Ya
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Mr. Blue Sky
Strange Magic
Livin' Thing
Turn To Stone
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Shine A Little Love
Hold On Tight
Calling America
Rock And Roll Is King
Don't Bring Me Down
Roll Over Beethoven
On April 1st 2003 the compilation “The Essential Electric Light Orchestra”, Epic/Legacy EK 89072 appeared in the USA.
According to the sticker it contains “15 Digitally Remastered ELO Hits”, which suggests a secondary utilization of “Flashback” material. However neither the album version of Do Ya nor the 4:31-single version of Roll Over Beethoven are on “Flashback”! All other songs are represented in their album versions, with the exception of Evil Woman and Strange Magic without orchestra introduction and Rock 'n' Roll Is King without album outro.
The 8-page Booklet folding sheet contains on 3 sides liner notes by Jaan Uhelszki as well as two pictures of Jeff and an updated US CD-discography.
The USA first issue had a "Best Value" gold sticker on the CD front case. The Canada copy has Made In Canada printed on the CD and more album credits on the rear in lay.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Electric Light Orchestra - ELO Classics
2003
Sony
CD- USA
Track List
Evil Woman
Boy Blue
Telephone Line
Rockaria!
Don’t Bring Me Down
Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle
Can’t Get It Out Of My Head
Bluebird
Birmingham Blues
Loser Gone Wild
As early as 9th August 2003 Sony USA released for the Low-Price range “E.L.O. Classics” on the Collectables label. The order code COL-CD-9341 Sony (A-21583) refers to the “ELO Classics”-release by CBS from 1990, which was re-released despite the slightly changed album title.
The 6-page folding sheet contains 5 advertising pages for the “Priceless Collection”-series. The new sleeve contains elements from the album artwork of “On The Third Day”, “No Answer”, “Eldorado” and “A New World Record” as well as the “Xanadu”-characters.
All versions are like on the 1990 release, thus without introduction of Evil Woman and Boy Blue, 2 seconds earlier fade-out on Boy Blue, Bluebird, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and Telephone Line as well as the 17 seconds shorter Birmingham Blues.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Track List
Electric Light Orchestra – Definitive Collection
2003
Sony Music
CD - Switzeland
Showdown
Eldorado Overture
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Evil Woman
Strange Magic
Livin' Thing So Fine
Rockaria!
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Turn To Stone
Mr. Blue Sky
Don't Bring Me Down
Shine A Little Love
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
All Over The World
Twilight
Rock 'N' Roll Is King
Hold On Tight
Secret Messages.
Missing From My Collection
The re-release of the “Definitive Collection” was intended as a German release of the already in 1992 published E.L.O.-compilation. 472421 5 was already announced in June 2003, but was then however only available in Switzerland in late 2003.
Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH & CO KG made taken much effort with the design of the new artwork. The Cover by Preusse-Huelpuesch is based on the design of the last E.L.O. - Album “Zoom”, which was probably also the problem with this compilation.
The single-handed attempt was not agreed upon with Sony UK and the E.L.O.-management, although one had agreed to better coordinate the releases of E.L.O.-compilations straight after the uncoordinated publication of “ELO's Greatest Hits” as “Evil Woman”. Along with a 4-page booklet the album had a sticker, which informed us that the album used a “SBM Super Bit Mapping”-procedure. Thus it had to be assumed that the CD had again been remastered.
The error of the three preceding editions, in which Above The Clouds had been attached to Livin' Thing, was now finally repaired. All songs appear in their album version with the exception of Evil Woman, which is included without transition.
Twilight is faded-in later as in the single version and lasts with the album outro 4:43 minutes, while starting from 4:40 the Intro of Rock 'n' Roll Is King is already faded-in. Rock 'n' Roll Is King is thus contained in its full album version, even if the first seven seconds are a part of the preceding song.
On Hold On Tight, in the last second the Intro to Secret Messages is faded in already somewhat earlier, while So Fine fades smoothly into Rockaria!
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Track List
Electric Light Orchestra - The Collection
2003
Marks & Spencer / Sony
CD - UK
Mr Blue Sky
Don’t Bring Me Down
Strange Magic
Evil Woman
Can’t Get It Our Of My Head
Showdown
Rockaria
Sweet Talkin’ Woman
Wild West Hero
It’s Over
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Waterfall
Do Ya
Calling America
Hold On Tight
Rock N Roll Is King
By the end of the year 2003 an E.L.O.-compilation with the title “The Collection” appeared in the UK. The fashion house chain Marks & Spencer released on the internal Universal Music Operation label its own compilation licensed by Sony.
The CD appears in a cardboard slipcase, on which the Artwork appears, which is an adapted E.L.O. - Logo, which seems to be a connection between the “On The Third Day”- and the “A New World Record”-Logo.
Most songs are contained in their album versions. Mr. Blue Sky begins directly with the weather forecast without radio station tuning Intro. For Can't Get It Out Of My Head the 3:06 - single version was used, while Evil Woman and Strange Magic are featured without their orchestral intros.
A further single version of Rockaria! (without the false start) is included. Interesting is Waterfall, which is contained with its own orchestra introduction and contains at the end the complete orchestra introduction for Evil Woman, with which Do Ya is then introduced.
On the single versions of Hold On Tight and Rock 'n' Roll Is King the last three seconds are faded quieter, so that one cannot hear the following initial tones of the outros. “The Collection” has a bit of an unusual song selection without the usual hit singles and makes a good impression on E.L.O.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Best Of Best Gold - Electric Light Orchestra
2003
Epic
CD – Brazil
Track List
Evil Woman
Livin' Thing
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Showdown
Turn To Stone
Rockaria
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Ma Ma Ma Belle
Strange Magic
Mr Blue Sky
Brazilian only re-issue of ELO Greatest Hits in a cardbaord slip case. All song versions are as on “ELO's Greatest Hits”.
Title
First Issue Date
First Label Issue
Format & Country
Electric Light Orchestra - Early Yaers
2004
EMI
CD - UK
CD - Europe
Track List
Roll Over Beethoven (Single Version)
Look At Me Now
"Auntie" (Ma-Ma-Ma Belle Take 2)
First Movement (Jumping Biz) (Quad Mix)
From The Sun To The World (Quad Mix)
Mr. Radio (Quad Mix)
Manhattan Rumble (Quad Mix)
Showdown (Alternate Early Mix)
Mama (2001 Edit)
In Old England Town (Boogie No.2) Take 1 (Quad Mix)
Whisper In The Night (Quad Mix)
In The Hall Of The Mountain King (BBC Live In Concert)
10538 Overture (Quad Mix)
(silence)
Kuiama (Instrumental Mix Version)
In early March 2004, the compilation "Early Years", EMI 7243 5 92808 20, with footage from the "First Light" series, was released. The 12-page booklet includes colour photos of the band from 1973, two pages of liner notes by Rob Caiger, and a page of notes to some of the versions.
Look At Me Now and Roll Over Beethoven are the normal album, or 4:31-Single version. "Auntie" (Ma-Ma-Ma Belle Take 2) is the same version as on the remaster edition, while Mama (2001 Edit) originates from "Flashback" from the year 2000(!). Showdown (Early Alternate Mix) has a lot of phasing on the instruments and voice, and was until then the fifth different version of the song. It contains no "rainin ', rainin'" by the female singers and is still missing the cello-break at 2:39.
First Movement (Jumping Biz), Mr. Radio and Whisper In The Night already appeared as (Quad Mix) on "Early ELO 1971-1973" released in 1991. The individual drums on First Movement were strictly separated, arranged on the outside left and right and appear somewhat quieter. The guitar is as always in the middle, and the bass-picking is more prominent.
On Mr. Radio the station tuning is clear on the left and the voice on the right is more distorted. Cello on the right, violin left, very prominent backwards singing, a French horn on the left, and nice bass work. The violin at 3:20 is clearer and there is a small break at 4:21 before the violin/piano part. A different recording of the Radio Orchestra has been used.
On Whisper In The Night the glockenspiel plays only in the left channel and is louder. Roy sings only on the right, while guitar and cellos are distributed on both channels. Children's Choir and slide guitar are added in the middle and on the left. For the first time on CD as Quadraphonic-Version is Manhattan Rumble (49th Street Massacre), on which the first piano tone is missing, while the melody sounds are deep left, and the piano sounds on the right. The kettledrums are louder at 1:40, and the clarinet is better to hear. The voices appear in the left channel and the piano sounds of the last verse, which had been distributed on both channels in the stereo mix, are now only on the left.
Also for the first time on CD is 10538 Overture (Quad Mix) with a very beautiful and bright sound. Roy's acoustic guitar is on the right, Jeff's electric guitar is arranged on the left, harder and more consistent to follow. The voices are clearer understandable and the "Ah-ahs" in the second verse have more phasing. In the final part the French horn at 3:54 is not audible, and the version is faster faded. The additional titles Discreet Quad Mixdown and Quad SQ Mix indicate the different Quadraphonic-Systems.
The Quad version of From The Sun To The World has no differences to the stereo version. The SQ version will probably only be interesting with four channels. In Old England Town (Boogie No. 2)(Take 1) is an early version, which begins with a quirky "Let's go". The vocals are clearer. The violin was discretely mixed down at 0:49 and 4:35. Apart from that it is heard louder from 2:10 on and impresses at 5:10 with a vibrant, interesting fiddling. At 6:12 it is even played with two voices. The piano sounds appear clearer at 4:11 and in the - otherwise only by piano accompanied chorus - at 5:30 all the instruments of the band play along.
In The Hall Of The Mountain King (BBC Live In Concert) had been recorded on the 19th April 1973 at the Paris Theatre and aired on 12th May 1973 by BBC 1 in their "In Concert" series, but has not been included on the "BBC In Concert" Transcription Services Promo-LP. This version appeared for the first time in 1999 on "The BBC Sessions" by Eagle Records. It is played somehow slow, but all the tracks are clearly separated. The violin solo is not identical to the album version.
Kuiama (Instrumental Mono Mix) is a hidden track after the last song. It begins at 5:38 directly with the descending chords of the 3rd and 4th verse. At 7:09 it shifts to the sung middle section, followed by the 5th and 6th verse and the solo part. With a cut at 8:39 it goes into the violin solo. The next cut is at 9:13 for the descending chords and after a further cut at 9:20 it continues with the 8th verse. From 10:39 on the song is faded until 10:51 with a Synthesizer Sound right before the Moog-flickering.
This version was mixed in mono and was intended as an instrumental backing track for TV, but never used in the end. "Early Years" offers seven previously unreleased versions, which is a good deal for a compilation in the normal price range