STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA - FACE THE MUSIC

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Good morning record enthusiasts and welcome back to the Friday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again . Today we remember English bassist and occasional vocalist for the rock band Electric Light Orchestra, Kelly Groucutt (Michael William Groucutt), on what would have been his 78th Birthday. He was born September 8, 1945 in Coseley, West Midlands and began his musical career at age 15 as Rikki Storm of Rikki Storm and the Falcons. Years later while playing in the band Barefoot, ELO members Jeff Lynne, Bev Bevan, and Richard Tandy approached him after the show and invited him to replace departing bassist, Mike de Albuquerque. Kelly played with the group from 1974 and 1982. Today we have him on the group's fifth studio album, Face the Music. The LP was released 48 years ago this month on September 1, 1975 on the United Artists label and produced by Jeff Lynne. It peaked at #41 in Sweden, #31 in Canada, #30 in Australia, #24 in Italy, #13 on the Cash Box, #11 in the Netherlands, and #8 on the Billboard 200. The album marked a turn from the more large-scale classical orchestrated sound of their first few albums to a more radio friendly pop rock vibe. The change brought them their first Platinum certified record. "Evil Woman" (#23 Australia, 21 Netherlands, #20 Dutch Top 40, #10 Ireland, UK, Hot 100, #9 Cash Box, Record World, #8 New Zealand, #6 Canada) , "Strange Magic" (#85 Australia, #42 Canada Top Singles, #41 Canada Adult Contemporary, #38 UK, #24 Easy Listening, #20 Record World, #14 Hot 100, Cash Box)  and "Nightrider" (did not chart) were released as singles. Kelly Groucutt passed away February 19, 2009 from a heart attack. He was 68.

1. "Fire On High" 5:30
2. "Waterfall" 4:11
3. "Evil Woman" 4:35
4. "Nightrider" 4:26

Side two

5. "Poker" 3:31
6. "Strange Magic" 4:29
7. "Down Home Town" 3:53
8. "One Summer Dream" 5:47

Jeff Lynne – lead vocals, guitars, producer
Bev Bevan – drums, percussion, spoken intro (backwards), backing vocals
Richard Tandy – piano, clavinet, Moog, guitar, Wurlitzer electric piano, tack piano
Kelly Groucutt – vocals, bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Poker", co-lead vocals on "Nightrider"
Mik Kaminski – violin
Hugh McDowell – cello
Melvyn Gale – cello

Additional personnel

Ellie Greenwich – uncredited vocals[10]
Susan Collins – uncredited vocals[10]
Nancy O'Neill – uncredited vocals[10]
Margaret Raymond – uncredited vocals[10]
Mack – engineer
Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy and Louis Clark – Orchestral and choral arrangements
Orchestra conducted by Louis Clark
Although Greenwich, Collins, O'Neill and Raymond are not credited as vocalists, the liner notes indicated 'special thanks' to them.