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Post by bluey on Jul 24, 2017 21:28:06 GMT
Here is an unofficial recording of Hugh McDowell's Cello Solo in Osaka, Japan, during ELO's "Out of the Blue" Tour in 1978.
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Post by janne on Jul 25, 2017 9:48:03 GMT
Cool stuff.
Is it known why Hugh was picked to do the solo spot when Mike Edwards left? Was he a better cellist than Melvyn Gale? Or was it just a question of seniority, because he came into the band first?
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Post by fireonhigh on Jul 25, 2017 12:44:04 GMT
I always thought when Mike Edwards was on stage 'playing' the cello solo, it was actually Hugh behind the scenes playing and Mike just miming as he used an orange as a bow and then his 'cello' was rigged to explode?
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Post by janne on Jul 25, 2017 12:49:21 GMT
I always thought when Mike Edwards was on stage 'playing' the cello solo, it was actually Hugh behind the scenes playing and Mike just miming as he used an orange as a bow and then his 'cello' was rigged to explode? No, I think it was a backing track? But anyway, Mike had the solo spot and then Hugh did it. So my question remains. Anyone remembers why Hugh got the solo spot?
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Post by galesgal on Jul 25, 2017 17:19:48 GMT
Reading Mel's interview with Martin Kinch for Cherry Blossom Clinic, he says that Hugh had always performed the cello solos, and that he was happy to let him continue. I guess Hugh was more extrovert than Mel, who always seemed quite shy.
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Post by fireonhigh on Jul 25, 2017 19:11:10 GMT
I always thought when Mike Edwards was on stage 'playing' the cello solo, it was actually Hugh behind the scenes playing and Mike just miming as he used an orange as a bow and then his 'cello' was rigged to explode? No, I think it was a backing track? But anyway, Mike had the solo spot and then Hugh did it. So my question remains. Anyone remembers why Hugh got the solo spot? Just looked through the 'Unexpected Messages' book and on page 49 mention is made about Mike Edwards feigning a cello solo (together with playing cello with an orange and the exploding cello) for which Hugh was responsible backstage and if the cello not exploding Mike getting an applause for a solo played by Hugh!! So this certainly happened on the Eldorado tour
This still doesn't answer your question but I guess it is to do with Hugh a) knowing the music better due to his previous years in the band leaving Mel to concentrate on learning the 'proper' elo songs, b) being happy and having the confidence to play solo rather than Mel, c) maybe there was a 'seniority' within the cello ranks. Annoyingly I knew someone years ago who knew Hugh. If I still knew them, I could have asked the question, but I've lost contact with them.
I will look in Bev's book on ELO later and see if that sheds anymore light on the matter
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Post by queenofthehours on Aug 6, 2017 19:30:59 GMT
Here is an unofficial recording of Hugh McDowell's Cello Solo in Osaka, Japan, during ELO's "Out of the Blue" Tour in 1978.
Other bands have drum solos!
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Post by Timeblue on Aug 6, 2017 22:11:43 GMT
Not for ELO a drum solo,no no no,Cello's and violins are the order of the day....
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