ALL OVER THE WORLD: THE VERY BEST OF ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA

Making a single-disc compilation of a band with so many rich albums in the course of their existence is never an easy task, and the labels "definitive," "complete," and "very best" are misleading at best, or patronizing at worst. This one doesn't do a bad job of it, though, as many of the crowd favorites are present. Noticeably absent is the ever-delightful "Boy Blue" (a favorite of mine), but it's replacement, the quirky "The Diary of Horace Wimp" (another favorite of mine) compensates. Nothing from the debut is included, nor is anything from the sophomore album here (likely due to time constraints with respect to the latter). The version of "Xanadu" is not the original, but is a complete overhaul by Jeff Lynne alone (meaning without input from either Olivia Newton-John or his anyone else in the band). While I myself would spring for the more robust double disc ELO compilation, Strange Magic, this is recommended; for someone wanting a fantastic single-disc compilation of the fabulous Electric Light Orchestra, this is an easy choice, one that should either satisfy or leave the listener with a desire for studio albums, and that I suppose is the idealistic motive of such a product.