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Post by Horacewimp on Dec 27, 2015 21:19:07 GMT
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Post by BSJ on Dec 27, 2015 21:55:49 GMT
Interesting man. Didn't know much about him! Thanks!
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Post by dillwyn on Dec 28, 2015 10:00:48 GMT
Terrific talent not just as a musician but also as a band leader. Having seen this band up close, it is top class.
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Post by queenofthehours on Apr 12, 2016 20:45:23 GMT
I think it's safe to say this, I'm not giving away any spoilers here, that Mike Stevens is an absolute star and a great musical mastermind and ELO are lucky to have him.
Having seen him in action at Liverpool, anyone yet to see ELO is in for a real treat. He looks after the band in such a way that all Jeff needs to do is be upfront and emote his greatness to all of us.
Watching Mike, at Jeff's side throughout the whole concert, is like watching somebody who only wants the best for Jeff and his music. He performs with as much passion and care as if he'd written the music himself yet never upstages Jeff and he casts his eye over the rest of the band constantly conducting them to perfection. Jeff has a band behind him to be proud of because of Mike.
It's fitting Mike is the musical director for ELO as he's already worked with so many pop bands and taken on big gig responsibilities. This shows just how able he is to take a place in Jeff's band. I wouldn't even hesitate to say that Mike is almost as much as a genius as Jeff, he has natural talent, works well with others and has no desire for attention very much like our own Mr Lynne! One of the highlights of seeing ELO live was definitely watching Mike playing and enjoying the music. Mike, in fact all the band, played with great passion and as real fans of Jeff's music. It was a pleasure to see the musicians enjoying the show as much as we fans were and Mike was the one I noticed the most - he was having a whale of a time.
In him I saw every one of us in the audience. It was crystal clear Mike must certainly be a huge ELO fan. Mike Stevens is a rarity - a performer who plays his music as a fan who is also an expert musician to be admired himself. Much like a certain Brummie gentlemen we know!
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Post by Horacewimp on May 10, 2016 13:46:15 GMT
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Post by orangefiltersky on May 11, 2016 7:23:48 GMT
On stage in Zurich Jeff Lynne called Richard his "old pal" and Mike Stevens his "new pal". That shows how much Jeff appreciates Mike`s work for ELO from Hyde Park onwards.
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Post by queenofthehours on May 11, 2016 20:30:44 GMT
It looks good. I wish I could go . On stage in Zurich Jeff Lynne called Richard his "old pal" and Mike Stevens his "new pal". That shows how much Jeff appreciates Mike`s work for ELO from Hyde Park onwards. Good ol' Jeff. And he doesn't use the word "pal" lightly. Pal is an understatement for Richard so to be called pal Mike must really have earned his place .
I'm certain Mike is to Jeff what Jeff was to the remaining Beatles in the 90s.
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Post by nickheynes on May 13, 2016 8:56:51 GMT
Whilst trawling through you tube last night. I came across a performance by Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot (ex Housemartins) at Edinburgh in 2014 . Who were the band? Mike Stevens , Donovan Hepburn, Milton McDonald etc. They really are the "Go to Guys" aren't they.
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Post by queenofthehours on Feb 5, 2018 17:56:32 GMT
Last night in an idle moment I read about Mike on Wikipedia. He is a sax player so why doesn't Jeff utilise this? The group could easily recreate a few BOP tunes or some other Wilbury numbers.
It occurred to me on reading about Mike's successes that he is a Jeff-like figure himself as he has shaped lots of groups and is probably behind all your favourite 90s songs. The pop landscape back then would be barren without him just as the 70s would be without Jeff. Mike is the Jeff behind Jeff.
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Post by dillwyn on Feb 5, 2018 21:14:43 GMT
it would be great if they did 'Every Little Thing and Don't Let Go
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Post by Timeblue on Feb 5, 2018 23:44:37 GMT
Is Mike the new Jeff? What I mean is just as Jeff was the 'unknown' force in the early days of ELO, he worked and strived to be the driving force behind the band and got his and the bands recognition. These days it's Mike who is primarily the driving force behind the band (be honest, would Jeff have really put himself through these long arduous tours without Mikes input?)
I've had a couple or three (lost count..) JD's so my way of thinking at the mo' is a little all over the place but there are parallels...
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Post by babyzoomer on Feb 6, 2018 0:05:42 GMT
Is Mike the new Jeff? What I mean is just as Jeff was the 'unknown' force in the early days of ELO, he worked and strived to be the driving force behind the band and got his and the bands recognition. These days it's Mike who is primarily the driving force behind the band (be honest, would Jeff have really put himself through these long arduous tours without Mikes input?) I've had a couple or three (lost count..) JD's so my way of thinking at the mo' is a little all over the place but there are parallels... Pull over driver! Now just blow in this little bag.......
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Post by Timeblue on Feb 6, 2018 0:10:16 GMT
I'll need a bigger bag than that ocifer....'hic'
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Post by tightrope on Feb 7, 2018 2:30:19 GMT
Last night in an idle moment I read about Mike on Wikipedia. He is a sax player so why doesn't Jeff utilise this? The group could easily recreate a few BOP tunes or some other Wilbury numbers.
It occurred to me on reading about Mike's successes that he is a Jeff-like figure himself as he has shaped lots of groups and is probably behind all your favourite 90s songs. The pop landscape back then would be barren without him just as the 70s would be without Jeff. Mike is the Jeff behind Jeff. I was thinking today about all of the untapped talent in Jeff's band. The beautiful ladies in the string section who sing so well are an example. I hope if Jeff decides to produce again he will do something with them either as individuals or small groups. It would certainly be a nice reward for all their hard work. I have grown very fond of all of them especially after watching the Wembley or Bust interviews.
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Post by Horacewimp on Feb 7, 2018 8:29:43 GMT
Last night in an idle moment I read about Mike on Wikipedia. He is a sax player so why doesn't Jeff utilise this? The group could easily recreate a few BOP tunes or some other Wilbury numbers.
It occurred to me on reading about Mike's successes that he is a Jeff-like figure himself as he has shaped lots of groups and is probably behind all your favourite 90s songs. The pop landscape back then would be barren without him just as the 70s would be without Jeff. Mike is the Jeff behind Jeff. I was thinking today about all of the untapped talent in Jeff's band. The beautiful ladies in the string section who sing so well are an example. I hope if Jeff decides to produce again he will do something with them either as individuals or small groups. It would certainly be a nice reward for all their hard work. I have grown very fond of all of them especially after watching the Wembley or Bust interviews. I bet you can't wait for the Houston concert.
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