Electric Light Orchestra - General Compilations issued on LPs & CDs in the USA
Due to the size of the USA and various pressing plants around the USA, it is nearly impossible to collect and show all the different label variations. So instead, listed below are the main found issues of ELO's compilation LP & CD issues in the USA.
Click an album cover below to be taken to the release info and details.
Title
Joyrider
Format
Vinyl
Catalogue
UA LA784H
Label
United Artists
Issue Date
1977
Chart Position
Notes
For the soundtrack of the United Artists teeny road movie "Joyride" featuring the ELO tracks - Tightrope, Cant Get It Out Of My Headm Boy Blue, So Fine, Telephone line, Rockaria !
Came in a plain white inner sleeve.
Title
Joyrider
Format
Vinyl
Catalogue
UA LA784H
Label
United Artists
Issue Date
1977
Chart Position
Notes
Re-issue on Sunburst label. Film sound track contained ELO tracks - Tightrope, Cant Get It Out Of My Headm Boy Blue, So Fine, Telephone line, Rockaria !
Came in a plain white inner sleeve.
Title
Destination Unknown
Format
CD
Catalogue
Label
Issue Date
Sony
1990
Chart Position
Notes
Only weeks before the release of the 3 CD set "Afterglow" in the summer of 1990, CBS Associated released a Promo-CD as Picture CD in the USA. It was distributed to the Press and Radio Stations. "Destination Unknown" ZSK 2109 had 'Limited Collector's Edition!' printed on the CD itself, as it was never meant for a regular release, but as a 'Demonstration - Not For Sale' CD.
It looks like CBS had made thousands of it, as it was quite easy and cheap to get your hands on a copy back in 1990.
Title
Afterglow
Format
CD Box Set
Label
CBS Records
Catalogue
Z3K 46090
Issue Date
1990
Chart Position
-
Notes
3 CD & Tape Box set with lavish colour booklet and previous un-realsed tracks including missing Secret Messages Double LP tracks.
The 3 CD Box Set "Afterglow“, released in 1990 by CBS on Epic Associated Z3K 46090, marks several turning points at once in the compilation policy by the Electric Light Orchestra. "Afterglow" was not only the first three records set but also the first sampler not to be released on vinyl.
For the first time since 1979, Jeff Lynne wrote down his own personal comments for a sampler. "Afterglow" marks the end of the first part of the career of E.L.O.
There was 3 CD versions / issues / pressings.
-
One set of CDs from 1990 was missing the "Compact Disc" logo.
-
Another set from 1990 had the "Compact Disc" logo.
-
Another set from 1998 had the "Compact Disc" logo and the DIDP code printed on the CDs.
There was also a "Club" issue, only change was the "Bar Code" on the rear box.
Plus there was a version issued in Canada with "Made In Canada" CDs
Missing From My Collection
Missing From My Collection
"Club" CD Edition and Triple Cassette Issue
Title
ELO Classics
Format
CD
Catalogue
A 21583 & A24981
Label
Issue Date
Sony
1990 + 1992
Chart Position
Notes
There are 2 versions of this issue of ELO Classics from.
-
First 1990 USA issue edition came in a "long box", manufactured by CBS Records.
-
Second was a Excelsior edition in 1992 after the take over of CBS, manufactured by Columbia Records.
All CD’s in the USA were released in long boxes, until in 1991 when the US record industry turned against it. Because of ecological reasons & decreasing the costs for a CD.
Title
Burning Bright
Format
CD
Catalogue
A 22639 & A25306
Label
Issue Date
Sony Music
1992
Chart Position
Notes
In 1992 again Sony USA released another album on the label Sony Music Special Products.
"Burning Bright" was issued only two years after "ELO Classics" and was done in the same low-budget sampler manner.
There was also an Excelsior edition, A25306, issued at some point in 1992 after the take over of CBS.
All CD’s in the USA were released in long boxes, until in 1991 when the US record industry turned against it. Because of ecological reasons & decreasing the costs for a CD.
Title
Strange Magic
Format
Double CD
Catalogue
Z2K 64157
Label
Epic/Legacy
Issue Date
1995
Chart Position
Notes
In 1995 Sony issued in the USA a 'double disc greatest hits', which appeared on Legacy / Epic Associated. "Strange Magic : The Best Of Electric Light Orchestra" Z2K 64157, was released in a double CD Jewel Case including the sticker: "A gigantic collection of hits... 29 songs spanning the band's entire singles career.
Comprehensive liner notes, track annotations & photos.
Title
ELO Classics
Format
CD
Catalogue
A28027
Label
Issue Date
Sony Music
1997
Chart Position
Notes
"ELO Classic" CD, released in 1997 in the Sony Music Special Products series "Six Pack - Six Great Hits" on the label KRB Music Companies.
The album artwork shows a colorized adaptation of a "Balance Of Power" press shot and is very well done.
Title
Burning Bright
Format
Catalogue
CD
A28277
Label
Sony Music
Issue Date
1998
Chart Position
Notes
In 1998, "Burning Bright" appeared in the Sony Music Special Products series "Six Pack - Six Great Hits."
KRB Music Companies A 28277 has only a two-page leaflet and a much less sophisticated artwork, making this issue appear particularly cheap.
Title
Flashback
Format
Tripple CD
Label
Epic/Legacy
Catalogue
E3K 85123
Issue Date
2000
Chart Position
--
Notes
Issued in a long box / tall book style folder. Flashback features greatest hits, personal favorites, alternative takes & previously unreleased material as well as historical photos, extensive liner notes & personal commentary from Jeff Lynne.
Title
Flashback
Format
Tripple CD
Label
Epic/Legacy
Catalogue
AE3K 85123 - Promo
Issue Date
2000
Chart Position
--
Notes
"Fatbox" Jewel case triple CD promo
Black & White cover/back - no booklet or other information as is present in retail USA release
Front cover, and on all 3 disc rims: "For Promotional Use Only. Not For Sale"
Title
ELO Classics
Format
CD
Catalogue
KRB7045-2
Label
Sony Music
Issue Date
2001
Chart Position
Notes
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 now includes Waterfall instead of Birmingham Blues
Title
The Essential ELO
Format
CD
Catalogue
EK 89072
Label
Epic / Legacy
Issue Date
2003
Chart Position
Notes
Issued in USA & Canada, with 4 page fold out booklet withe track and band info and 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
ELO Classics
Format
CD
Catalogue
Label
Issue Date
COL-CD-9341 \ A 21583
Sony
2003
Chart Position
Notes
In 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.
Title
ELO The Hits
Format & Country
Catalogue
Label
Issue Date
CD - USA
ZK 36310
Sony / BMG
2005
Chart Position
Notes
Immediately after the fusion of Sony and BMG, a re-release of "ELO's Greatest Hits" was released in 2005 in the USA in a cardboard slipcase with printed sticker and liner notes.
It had the new title "ELO - The Hits." Even the old order code ZK 36310 of the CD release from the year 1986 was taken over by Sony BMG. Thus the song versions are as on the original album.
Title
ELO - 2 CD Collection & Platinum
Format
Double CD
Catalogue
Label
Issue Date
A 712251
Sony Music
2007
Chart Position
Notes
Sony BMG released in 2007 in the USA, a double CD issue called "Electric Light Orchestra 2 CD Collection"
It contained “Burning Bright” and “ELO Classics” CDs from their 1992 and 1990 original releases.
Shortly before Christmas 2007 Sony BMG Canada released "Platinum" a new double-CD compilation on the Madacy label MEG2 53449.
This Canada issued double CD album contained the two USA issued CDs of "Burning Bright" and "ELO Classics" from their first issues in 1992 and 1990.
Canada Edition
Title
ELO Playlist
Format
CD
Catalogue
Label
88697 29802
Epic Legacy
Issue Date
2008
Chart Position
Notes
Re-issue of "The Esential ELO", see above, In cardboard Eco slip case. Including an enhanced computer track to download PDF files and log in, via the internet, into sites with ELO Pictures, discography, liner notes, wallpapers and MP3 tracks to download.
Title
ELO Playlist
Format
CD
Catalogue
Label
88875 14913 2
Epic Legacy
Issue Date
2011
Chart Position
Notes
In 2011 a re-issue of "Playlist" from 2008 released in a Jewel Case, Epic Legacy 88875 14913 2 with an unsplitted ELO-Logo on the sleeve.
The 4-page booklet sheet informs about the online multi-media available booklet, liner notes and pictures
Title
The Essential ELO
Format
CD
Catalogue
8697977522RE1
Label
Epic Legacy
Issue Date
2012
Chart Position
-
Notes
Double CD issue in Jewel case, the colour of the sleeve text was change for the USA issue compared to the Euro/World issue.
"The Essential" is a series by Legacy, which enjoys great popularity in the United States and has all the leading artists of Sony Legacy featured.
In 2003 a single CD with 15 songs had already appeared from E.L.O.. The new completely revised set now contains 37 E.L.O.-singles.
The revised artwork for the entire series is based on a base colour and is otherwise entirely held in black / silver reflective paint.
Title
Mr Blue Sky
Format
MP3/LP/CD
Catalogue
FR CD 570E / FR CD 570E
Label
Frontiers Records
Issue Date
8th October 2012
Chart Position
118
Notes
Released as a hard cover booklet and in a normal Jewel Case, with all lyrics and liner notes by David Wild and Jeff Lynne
Mr. Blue Sky CDs were all made in Italy by Frontiers Records for the whole world, (except Japan and South Korea)
The LPs were also only made in Italy for the whole World.
But Frontiers was too small to deliver to the whole world, so the vinyl’s were re-issued in the UK by Let Them East Vinyl for the whole world See HERE
A number of the Italy issues were imported in to the USA, but no changes were made, so the rear covers do not have the USA / FBI copyright notice.
