This piece has Roy Woods stamped all over it. Roy always seemed to be experimenting with outrageous ideas which would in turn lead to brilliance on offshoots like ELO, which it seems he got bored with and headed off in yet another direction. Bev & Jeff put their own stamp on it and sought (and gained) greater popular appeal. Jeff himself went that same route when he disbanded the strings in the group and while they still churned out good music....they were never the same!
@dvfmliv Yes, I can imagine that, and can also picture Jeff and Bev giving each other a look as though they're thinking, "Ahh-dunno if this was really such a good idea."
What an accomplishment for a "pop-rock" group. Just think, Roy is playing almost everything there. It really gives a feel for the time and place they're writing about. Always thought that part starting at 2:57 was beautiful. The alternating with the menacing cellos gives such strange, confused feelings. This is really virtually soundtrack music -- but it paints a soundscape without the need for pictures.
Witchhunter32 - The Earl of Manchester was a Parliamentrian not a royalist. Manchester's Regt. is part of Oliver's army.
In June 1644, Manchester led the Eastern Association north to join forces with the Covenanters and Lord Fairfax at the siege of York. At the subsequent battle of Marston Moor, Manchester distinguished himself as the only one of the three senior allied generals not to flee from the battlefield.
I was introduced to ELO in 1979 with the Discovery album. I then began to buy the back catalogue. When I heard this song I thought it was utter crap and the rest of the album no better. However I was only 13. Now I think the song is very clever and when I hear it I am always reminded of the scary film Witchfinder General set during the civil war.
Lets face it the song is good but Jeff would never have made his millions by keeping to this formula.
Not bad but you should note that it is "Marston Moor" with no E on the end!
Roy Wood plays old English instruments here; the Krumhorn and Shawm. See my "Battle Scarred Castles of England" video for more accurate information than given here.
Nice to hear you using vinyl for this vid., well done!
Wow, this song is impressed in my oldest brain cells-I couldn`t believe it, when I heard it again-and then to hear the history behind the title-amazing!
This piece has Roy Woods stamped all over it. Roy always seemed to be experimenting with outrageous ideas which would in turn lead to brilliance on offshoots like ELO, which it seems he got bored with and headed off in yet another direction. Bev & Jeff put their own stamp on it and sought (and gained) greater popular appeal. Jeff himself went that same route when he disbanded the strings in the group and while they still churned out good music....they were never the same!
4391214 7 months ago
Bev Bevan refused to play the drums on this track.
no1elofaniknow 10 months ago
You can imagine Jeff in the control room holding his head in his hands wondering why he'd got involved!!!!
dvfmliv 1 year ago
@dvfmliv Yes, I can imagine that, and can also picture Jeff and Bev giving each other a look as though they're thinking, "Ahh-dunno if this was really such a good idea."
no1elofaniknow 11 months ago
It's the Move masquerading as the Electric Light Orchestra. Brilliant stuff!
dvfmliv 1 year ago
XV the flying V
SpazManiak713 1 year ago 4
@SpazManiak713 yeeaaah you know it! #squarianforlife
JackBradleyyy 1 year ago
That wonderful, but this is crazy musical fantasy.
TheHernanPatricio 1 year ago
Jeff should know, he was there. SF Bacon, I think.
2012listo 2 years ago
@2012listo I LOVE bacon. ;-)
no1elofaniknow 1 year ago
What an accomplishment for a "pop-rock" group. Just think, Roy is playing almost everything there. It really gives a feel for the time and place they're writing about. Always thought that part starting at 2:57 was beautiful. The alternating with the menacing cellos gives such strange, confused feelings. This is really virtually soundtrack music -- but it paints a soundscape without the need for pictures.
ericebryan 2 years ago
Agreed.
Parts of this remind me of something like Star Trek The Wrath of Khan.
GREAT piece and one of my favourites, shame there are no live versions floating around.
imperialpod 2 years ago
Comment removed
djminimoto 2 years ago
Love this track......Roy Wood at his best.
Witchhunter32 - The Earl of Manchester was a Parliamentrian not a royalist. Manchester's Regt. is part of Oliver's army.
In June 1644, Manchester led the Eastern Association north to join forces with the Covenanters and Lord Fairfax at the siege of York. At the subsequent battle of Marston Moor, Manchester distinguished himself as the only one of the three senior allied generals not to flee from the battlefield.
sailor1955 2 years ago
Is this recorded from vinyl rather than CD>
ajbonmg 2 years ago
Yeah, it's vinyl.
locojets 2 years ago
the earl of manchester was a royalist
witchhunter32 2 years ago
I like the whole song but my favourite part is from 2:14 to 2:35
MorganKent 2 years ago
I was introduced to ELO in 1979 with the Discovery album. I then began to buy the back catalogue. When I heard this song I thought it was utter crap and the rest of the album no better. However I was only 13. Now I think the song is very clever and when I hear it I am always reminded of the scary film Witchfinder General set during the civil war.
Lets face it the song is good but Jeff would never have made his millions by keeping to this formula.
punditpete 2 years ago 2
Jeff didn't write this one Roy Wood did.
locojets 2 years ago 3
hahahahahahaha
myenglishland 2 years ago
Yes, Roy did write it.
In a way though, Jeff was part of a band using this formula so would never have been as successful sticking with it.
I think its one of the best pieces, the later stuff was FAR too cotton candy!
imperialpod 2 years ago
Not bad but you should note that it is "Marston Moor" with no E on the end!
Roy Wood plays old English instruments here; the Krumhorn and Shawm. See my "Battle Scarred Castles of England" video for more accurate information than given here.
Nice to hear you using vinyl for this vid., well done!
Mike.
mikesey1 3 years ago
Wow, this song is impressed in my oldest brain cells-I couldn`t believe it, when I heard it again-and then to hear the history behind the title-amazing!
babyfacekannon 3 years ago
A very brave attempt at modern baroque every instrument bar the horns were by Roy Wood, even the percussion! cos Bev Bevan refused to play on it ,lol
ELONut 3 years ago 2
This kind of music cannot be rated like
ordinary pop/ rock- music.
You like it or not.
FinnMove 3 years ago
What a great song it is as well love Shirlsxx
shirls2 3 years ago
The Roy Wood tracks on ELO´s first album
are more his solo projects than band work
except First Movement. He even plays drums
here cos Bevan refused to play on this.
A very conceptual track with no special
melody on which they are usually based on.
FinnMove 3 years ago
2:57 to 3:35...BEST CELLO SOLO. That thing is so cool sounding!
dylanmonacelli 3 years ago
I see ELO produceed a historical song. Interesting.
ALaudun 3 years ago
Impressively presented. =)
5*
Keeneyville1 3 years ago 3
i started this one in august but then gave up on it. The last couple of days I finished it.
locojets 3 years ago