Electric Light Orchestra’s tenth studio album, 1983’s Secret Messages, will finally be released the way it was intended. Jeff Lynne announced on his Facebook page on June 5 – the album’s 35th anniversary – that the “eclectic creation” would finally be heard “as originally conceived.” Six tracks “all with cutting-edge synthesizers as well as up-front guitar mastery” originally recorded for the album are being added to the 150-gram, 2-LP Secret Messages when it lands on Aug. 3 via Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings.
The six songs ultimately appeared on the 1990 Afterglow box set. Pre-order is available in the U.S. here; and the for the U.K., here.
The release coincides with the start of the 2018 tour of Jeff Lynne’s ELO. (See below for dates and ticket info.)
When Secret Messages was originally released, it reached #4 in the U.K. and was a Top 10 success in many European territories. In the U.S., it peaked at just #36, snapping a streak of Top 20 successes dating back to 1973. The album contained just one chart hit, “Rock ‘n’ Roll is King.”
Joining Lynne on the album were ELO co-founder/drummer Bev Bevan, keyboardist Richard Tandy and bass guitarist Kelly Groucutt, making his final appearance on a ELO album.
Secret Messages Vinyl Track Listing
Album One, Side One
Secret Messages
Loser Gone Wild
Bluebird
Album One, Side Two
Take Me On and On
Stranger
No Way Out
Letter From Spain
Danger Ahead
Album Two, Side One
Four Little Diamonds
Train of Gold
Endless Lies
Buildings Have Eyes
Rock ‘n’ Roll is King
Album Two, Side Two
Mandalay
Time After Time
After All
Hello My Old Friend
Watch the video for the title track
Jeff Lynne’s ELO 2018 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
Aug 02 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
Aug 04 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Aug 05 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
Aug 08 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
Aug 10 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Aug 13 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
Aug 15 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Aug 16 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Aug 18 – Toronto, ON – Air Canada Centre
Aug 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Aug 24 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
Sep 12 – Stockholm – Ericsson Globe Arena
Sep 14 – Oslo – Spektrum Arena
Sep 16 – Copenhagen – Royal Arena
Sep 18 – Hamburg – Barclaycard Arena
Sep 19 – Berlin – Mercedes-Benz Arena
Sep 21 – Munich – Olympiahalle
Sep 23 – Vienna – Stadhalle
Sep 25 – Mannheim – SAP Arena
Sep 27 – Amsterdam – Ziggo Dome
Sep 30 – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena
Oct 03 – Glasgow – SSE Hydro Arena
Oct 05 – Manchester – Manchester Arena
Oct 06 – Manchester – Manchester Arena
Oct 09 – Newcastle – Metro Radio Arena
Oct 10 – Birmingham – Birmingham Arena
Oct 12 – Birmingham – Birmingham Arena
Oct 13 – Birmingham – Birmingham Arena
Oct 15 – Leeds – First Direct Arena
Oct 17 – London – O2 Arena
Oct 18 – London – O2 Arena
Oct 20 – London – O2 Arena
Oct 21 – London – O2 Arena
Oct 23 – Liverpool -Echo Arena
Oct 25 – Dublin – 3Arena
Oct 26 – Belfast – The SSE Arena
Related: The inside story of the Electric Light Orchestra
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2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationIt’s not as it was originally intended as “Beatles Forever” isn’t included. Pretty disappointing.
Well from what I’ve read and heard, this reissue is somewhat of a disappointment. Not only is “Beatles Forever” omitted (shame on you, Jeff Lynne; it’s not that bad of a song and releasing the double LP this way won’t stop us fans from asking for its release), but the originally-intended album artwork wasn’t included and some of the perks of the single LP version are gone, too (the ‘hidden messages’ warning tag and the original’s liner notes including lyric sheets).
A lot of people are now seeing this as a cash grab and I’m inclined to agree.
Jeff, no one will think less of you if you include “Beatles Forever” on the CD edition–and we’d better get one.