Jeff Lynne's ELO, Dhani Harrison deliver a night of top-tier songcraft in Anaheim

Jeff Lynne's ELO
With: Dhani Harrison
Where: Honda Center in Anaheim, CA
When: Thursday, June 20, 2019
Next: Jeff Lynne's ELO is scheduled to perform in Sacramento on June 22
Information: https://jefflynneselo.com/events/


Review by Robert Kinsler

Jeff Lynne's ELO posing in front of a packed Honda Center in
Anaheim, CA on June 20. Photo: Courtesy of the artist

Although I never caught the Electric Light Orchestra during the rock troupe's initial 14-year run in the 1970s and '80s, I've been making up for lost time since catching Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Hollywood Bowl in September 2016. I subsequently was thrilled when the group played at the Forum in Los Angeles County in August 2018; I was mesmerized a third time throughout their concert at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday night (June 20, 2019).

The show at Honda Center was the opening date of Lynne's 20-date North America Summer Tour with the current jaunt also offering the chance to catch emerging solo artist Dhani Harrison – the son of the late George Harrison – on a major concert stage. Dhani Harrison's appearance provided this writer with a chance to hear live versions of material off his excellent full-length solo debut In///Parallel (released by BMG in October 2017).

A capacity crowd filled the home of the Anaheim Ducks to take in the special concert and I can certainly guarantee no one left disappointed. Performing a perfect set complete with a couple of welcome surprises, Lynne and his amazing 12-member ensemble delivered a flawless night of luxurious songcraft. The fast-paced 95-minute headlining set from Lynne's ELO offered up faithful takes on all the hits (spanning from 1972's "10538 Overture" to his 2015 comeback single "When I Was A Boy and everything in between).

Opening with a swirling cover of the classic ELO cut "Standin' in the Rain," the hits would keep coming and coming and coming. An infectious "Evil Woman" and even more dazzling "All Over the World" followed. Throughout the concert, a wall of rear projection screens and brilliant lighting effects enhanced the experience.

Lynne impressed with his signature vocals to be sure; but his artful guitar playing was displayed via melodic lead solos on "Showdown," "Mr. Blue Sky" and throughout an extended take on Chuck Berry's classic "Roll Over Beethoven" that closed out the night.

Among the moments that brought chills to this writer was a version of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care" where Dhani Harrison joined the group to sing his late father's section of the classic single, the disco-flavored pop sheen of "Last Train to London" and "Xanadu," and an acoustic flavored "Wild West Hero" complete with an acapella vocals section.

Jeff Lynne's ELO performing "Mr. Blue Sky" at Honda Center.

Melodic rockers such as "Don't Bring Me Down" and "Turn To Stone" continued to build up the night's momentum, before the sweeping symphonic masterwork of "Mr. Blue Sky" closed out the regular set with a high mark.  

The power of Lynne's songs, his still poignant lead vocals and sharp guitar work only begin to tell the tale when it comes to the bona fide power of Thursday's show. Musical director Mike Stevens (who assists with guitar and vocals), lead guitarist Milton McDonald, bassist Lee Pomeroy, dummer Donavan Hepburn, piano player Marcus Byrne, keyboardists Jo Webb and Steve Turner, backing vocalist-guitarist Iain Hornal, backing and lead vocalist Melanie Lewis McDonald, violinist Jessie Murphy, and cello players Amy Langley and Jess Cox complete this extraordinary touring group. If they are coming to your town, get there.

Dhani Harrison's set was the perfect way to open the magical night. Backed by a terrific four-member band, Harrison opened with a probing "Never Know," a song that recalls the experimental neo-classical touch of Dead Can Dance. The hypnotic and intoxicating quality of that song would be the perfect segue into other cuts offered up over 40 minutes. 

Other highlights included the ambitious "Summertime Police" and electronica-styled "All About Waiting," the latter song's journey ranging from a symphonic bit opening to dynamic musicianship and a colorful baroque keyboard solo.


Jeff Lynne's ELO: Setlist at Honda Center on June 20, 2019
Standin' in the Rain
Evil Woman
All Over the World
Showdown
Do Ya (The Move cover)
When I Was a Boy
Livin' Thing
Handle With Care (Traveling Wilburys cover featuring Dhani Harrison)
Rockaria
Last Train to London
Xanadu
10538 Overture
Shine a Little Love
Wild West Hero
Sweet Talkin' Woman
Telephone Line
Don't Bring Me Down
Turn to Stone
Mr. Blue Sky
Encore
Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)