Opera + Electric Light Orchestra! Vocal ANALYSIS of "Rockaria!"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2023
- ELO has been on my happy playlist ever since analyzing "Mr Blue Sky" on this channel. So when all of you voted for Rockaria to be the next ELO song to analyze, featuring an opera singer, how could I say no? Let's add one more to my Spotify!
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Electric Light Orchestra performing "Rockaria" for the first time.
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Performed by Electric Light Orchestra - Words and Music by Jeff Lynne
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • Electric Light Orchest...
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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#elo #Reaction #TheCharismaticVoice
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As a side note, Jeff Lynne was inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame last week.
Justified and criminally late
What took them so long. He should have been in there decades ago. A master at all that he does musically.
About time love his music
Not before time.
Had no idea. Worthy entry. Cheers to Jeff 🍻
I remember in the 70's, mum was a rock fan, dad was into classical and baroque. He had a particular love for Mary Thomas as she was part of the movement to bring baroque back. The first time my mother put "A New World Record" on the turntable when it was released, she said to me "Watch This". I did, and as dad heard Mary Thomas' voice on Rockaria, his head snapped around and he made the Scooby Doo noise "herruh?". They then started rocking out in the livinig room together. They're in their mid-70's now, still rocking out together and I give thanks for the appreciation they gave me for all music.
wow, what a post. Awesome memory
Great story. Also, that, "A New World Record" album is one of ELO's best albums..
If you listen to it on the album, there’s a short outtake at the beginning where she starts the note, it cracks, and she says “whoops” in the most adorable voice!
She just started too early and had to start over.....
@@MrStillgotit5 Maybe so, but you can hear that she’s a bit sharp at the very beginning of the note. I always assumed that was the “oops” moment
I am glad it was left on the record@@Bass17yl 👍
Honestly I was disappointed not to hear it here. So perfectly imperfect. :)
If you want another ELO song with operettic vocals I would suggest "Shangri-La". It's an albeit short part of the song but imo it's one of ELO's most powerful and inspiring pieces.
Yes PLEASE! The ending never fails to give me chills and shed a few tears
Crazy! I was just listening to A New World Record” the other day and was thinking that both “Rockaria” and “Shangri-La” would be great ones to hear Elizabeth evaluate!
The operatic voice at the end of Shangri-la is so haunting and mixes so well. It should be a movie soundtrack.
Yes! Utterly gorgeous pice of music!
I concur
The song “Livin’ Thing” is an excellent example of their orchestral strings with a rock style. You want the strings to stand out? - Then that is your song! Plus, it was a huge radio hit. Also, from the album “A New World Record”
For me, THAT track is THE ELO sound, and the most perfectly arranged piece of music EVER.
ELO is a deep rabbit hole of great music; long way to go!
I totally agree..
Yes! The Move, the Idle Race, Lynne's solo work, Traveling Wilburys, and production work...
ELOOOOHHHHHHH............
Jeff Lynne is 75 now, and still sings every original note including that falsetto - effortlessly. His musical compositions are more elaborate, but remain true to our sonic memories. No compromises.
Holy moly that is hard to fathom. Our favorite songs are stuck in a time loop while the artists continue to age unbeknownst to us... until you're reminded. SeventyFive!
Mary Thomas was a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. Leonard Bernstein called her "La Thomas" and they played jazz duets on the piano. She was an accomplished pianist as well as a singer.
"Rockaria" is essentially a rock 'n' roll song so the operatic parts are used like an instrument much like Jeff Lynne was using his falsetto and used sparingly to create contrast and a balance of elements. Interestingly, the operatic parts were sung by their bass player, Kelly Groucutt, when they were touring...he also shared lead vocals with Lynne.
Good background info....I'm not too sure if Elizabeth was really aware of this one...Kelly Groucutt! That made it even more interesting...
I want to hear what this girl says about Freddy Mercury!
Shangri-La by ELO. I love that ending.
I've been asking for this one. My favorite song. Greatest ending
Oh yes, I agree.
I agree absolutely..Shangrla .amazing song, incredible ending.
This was a hoot! Thank you Elizabeth. So much fun. She was singing a line in German which Jeff Lynne wrote for the song. It's around on the internet, along with an English translation. On the take used on the LP, she came in slightly too early, audibly said a tiny "oops" then kept singing. They loved it so much they used it on the album. Like the little tradition of the fire extinguisher on 'Mr. Blue Sky', in some of the concert performance of 2016-2017 (which are wonderful and all over YT,) the singer comes in a tiny bit too early, deliberately!
this is the album version. they just don't use the first bit...
Your sheer delight for ELO warms my old heart.
The fact that ELO took good old rock-n-roll and combined that with orchestral and operatic themes to make something that was new to me as a young teen was awesome. So many more songs from ELO to enjoy as you explore this rabbit hole.
ELO introduced me to Beethoven, and basically got me into classical music. One of my all time favorites
ELO is such a fantastic band. Don't Bring Me Down is just an amazing piece. And their soundtack for Xanadu was superb.
Xanadu FTW, sooo under-rated. 👏
Also the soundtrack to electric dreams
Next one from ELO has to be Shangri-La, is sooooo good, and the end is just perfect
OMGOMGOMG! Thank you for the shout-out Elizabeth! I knew you were meant to react to this song. So much cool ear-candy. It's like Nutella with... More Nutella! One favourite moment of mine is when Jeff Lynne sings "I think she'd die for Beethoven" and Richard Tandy on the piano plays the first four notes of Beethoven's fifth. "Shangri-la" is another song of this record with Mary Thomas on it during the gorgeous ending as mentioned by others here. I think you would love it!
Read your comment and immediately searched for this hoping it too have happened. Thank you
RIP, Richard Tandy.
@@judsonkring464 Yes R.I.P. Richard Tandy. He was a big part of ELO and a good friend to Jeff.
Another vote for Shangri-La. As a mood it feels like Telephone Line, but it actually completes a story told by the album as a whole, and the coda at the end is one of the most devestating things I’ve ever heard.
That coda is the prequel to the one in Mr Blue Sky on the following album.
Agreed. That coda is one of the most haunting pieces of music I've ever heard; I just wish it would go on for a little longer! Oh well, I guess I can put it on repeat.
Oh man, it's especially haunting at 2 in the morning on late night radio when you're half asleep, which is how I first heard it.
@@HarrierMan99 the coda starts at 3:47 !
If you ever want a treat, choose a rainy summer afternoon and listen to ELO's double album "Out of the Blue" straight through. I was 12 when that album came out and it's still resonating in my soul 45 years later.
That is precisely how I first experienced that album at age 10!
I saw the touring band in 2018 and again in 2019 in California. I think the crowd was waiting to see who would sing that part, and roared when she pulled it off.
BANG ON. We've hit the jackpot with this one.🎉😊
Jeff Lynne is a true musical genius , a master of mixing operatic twist , with classical and rock , it’s brilliant
My dad said ELO was one of the best live gigs he had ever been to, and he had seen the likes of the Beatles, Stones, Rod Stewart and so on.
ELO is the best live band ever musically!
I can back him on that!! They were absolutely incredible live in the 70's and early 80's.
Like every other ELO song of this era you need to listen beyond the the vocals, because the orchestra, the string section, the keyboards, the choir and the bass line are all catchy tunes in their own right. Even now a the age of 60 I still hear new things, despite having listened to ELO since I was 12. Astonishing songwriting. Fabulous musicianship. And it's often overlooked that Jeff Lynne had (and still has) a superb singling voice. Love ELO.
Jeff was finally inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame this year. Jeff is simply outstanding in the field of music.
I love watching your happy face when doing these ELO reviews. They always seem to catch you out with some little twist or trick, and as somebody who has loved the band since childhood, I love the insight your giving. I know you have loads to do, but will always be happy to see more ELO on your channel. 😁🎤🤘
YES! well said!! Bringing new insight and dimension to music I’ve loved my whole life.
When my dad died, my local live music bar let me put a copy of Out of the Blue on their wall as a tribute (used to get my last feed at night to it, have it on vinyl, tape, CD, Special anniversary edition CD etc)
I know this is New World Record but it just floors me. The man is a genius. A few years back when he was on Chris Evans’ radio show he was genuinely surprised people still wanted to hear him. 150k texts in less than an hour… he is still touring. The world is glad. I am sad Kelly and Mik etc are not here but this music needs to live forever. ❤️
Rockaria is one of many great songs from ELO. Perhaps the best of progressive came from them. Great reaction Elizabeth.👍👍🤟🤟. The old rocker digs it and approves.
This song (Rockaria) by ELO was perfect for YOU to do this in-depth analyze. It really suits your sensibilities even though it was written and produced years before you were even born. Speaking of cross genres, I could blow your mind by telling you there is an episode of the 1960s comdey TV show called GILLIGAN'S ISLAND that had the Shakespeare play HAMLET put to the music of some great operas such as CARMEN and THE BARBER OF SEVILLE just to name a few. The episode is called THE PRODUCER and it is from Season 3 Episode 4. I doubt that you will ever see it but it is as trippy crazy as can be. Keep up the quality work.
Just. Pure. Joy. Jeff is nothing short of one of my all-time heroes. No other artist has been on my journey through music longer, than he. I'd put Rockaria in my top 3 ELO songs. And timely, as he has just been inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame.
For Opera/Rock colab; surely Barcelona with Freddie/Monserrat Caballe has been suggested before?...
I gotta tell you - my little Pavoratti-loving Italian grandma LOVED this song. Rest her soul.
As an 11 year old, I wrote Jeff Lynne back in 1976- year later I got an actual signed postcard. ELO is just the best!
Elizabeth, so happy that you chose this song to react to. As soon as I saw the title I already knew you would love it. I've been a huge ELO fan since I was a kid. Their sound is so unique and Rockaria! really highlights those unique qualities.
Elizabeth, I'm so glad that you got around to doing this, I suggested a while back on one of your earlier ELO reactions, it's always been one of my favourite ELO tracks.
I was already a member of your channel when you did the piece from The Fifth Element, in fact I joined when you were doing your vocal lessons before you started doing analysis of music tracks and vocal styles.
Great to see you enjoying another song by ELO, Elizabeth. Love the observations about opera and how they can complement rock. 😊😃
Thanks for your reaction. Your enthusiasm for the song is infectious!
Great song by ELO ! The vocals on this song is superb🎶❤️
Fascinating analysis of the tune that actually got me in to opera. Love opera and I love ELO. Still thrills me.
Watching this one again. One of my favourite reactions as it's so informative but also shows your joy for the performance. I love this song and your reaction to it. 🙂
Thanks Elizabeth for this. Keep up the great work. I have been an ELO fan since 1972.Your portal on the music world has meant I am now listening to lots of new to me music , thanks very much.
Elizabeth, I've been waiting SO LONG for you to react to this song. SO gratifying. I knew you'd love it and I'm glad you did. I wish you'd commented on the last part where everybody was as one, the rock and roll was so pure and even the mayor showed up. That's such a fun part of the song and I'm not sure you caught it. Still, great reaction and well worth the wait.
Just a couple days ago, this song came to my mind for whatever reason, and I thought to myself that I need to see if you ever reacted to it and I missed it. Needless to say, I was delighted when this popped up in my YT feed. Seeing the absolute delight on your face throughout the song, brought tears to my eyes, especially since ELO was one of my favorites when I was a college boy back in the late '70s.
Jeff Lynne is one of the greatest melodicists of the last 50 years. Brilliant songwriter, musician, and producer.
Love your comments and facial expressions, brilliant . I also love ELO .
Hi. In case you still don't know, the female operatic voice of Rockaria! was performed by Kelly Groucutt, the group's (male) bass player and singer. Lynne and his crew were and are very serious professionals indeed. Cheers!
One of my first few albums was from ELO, and I never looked back. These guys are fantastic. Jeff is just a master song writer.
Wow I was hoping you'd do this one. Looking forward to watching.
It was really enjoyable to listen to your fun and insightful review. More ELO reactions please. ❤🇦🇺
Hi Elizabeth.
Your joy is very infectious. Thanks for being you.
There is an influence that I want to mention when it comes to Jeff Lynne's own vocals. There is a lot of Little Richard in the way Jeff will suddenly hit these high notes almost effortlessly. Little Richard did so in almost every song..."Tutti Fruitti" and "Good Golly Miss Molly"...back in his heyday of the late 1950s and 1960s.
Yes. Jeff and Paul McCartney both adored Little Richard and incorporated his lyricism into their music.
Elizabeth, you make my day...much love and respect ❤️
Dang I really enjoy your excitement! You bring so much joy to my day.
I never really listened to this song the way you’ve interpreted it! Much more to this song than I ever thought about before!!! Thank you!
Yes! Suggested this one when you did your previous ELO songs. There were a lot of other requests in the comments for it, is I figured it would come up eventually. Really looking forward to it. I'm sure it was worth the wait. Will let you know more after the premiere tomorrow.
Yup! I have had this prepped for a little bit but finally got around to it!
@@TheCharismaticVoice We all knew you would really get into this one. It was just a perfect match. "Oh no. No. I'm not ready for this to be done yet." Just 3:13 of wall to wall perfection. "The way it is written is pure evil." I do love the 9th, but I never tried to sing it. For more symphonic rock check out 10538 Overture from their first album or Tightrope. There is an instrumental called Fire On High. The Eldorado album is a complete piece. Listen to Eldorado Overture into Can't Get It Out Of My Head. Good to see you enjoying yourself here and discovering more rockin' ELO.
@@KenRoerden And, *"Shangri-la".*
@@Cosmo-Kramer Absolutely. It is the resolution to a front to back great album.
@@KenRoerden Indeed.
ELO is Masterful, and totally under-appreciated by most people. So, so good.
I got lucky and found this album in a just donated collection at a thrift store and bought it having only heard of ELO but not actually listened to them. First track on the album and I was in love. Great album all the way through!
Loved this, one of your most fun reviews.
Sitting in an art classroom in the 1970s and hearing this on a tube silver tone desktop Hi Fi was something you just never forget. Oh how I miss those days. It really fit the weird but fun times. We got used to such well crafted music back then, ELO among the best of the era.
This was a great one! Glad you’re enjoying ELO❤
I’m glad that this song came up on your list. This song was a great surprise when I first played the album for the first time.
It was SO GOOD! I'm wondering what else ELO has to offer, though?!
@@TheCharismaticVoice There is so much awesome stuff. The full El Dorado LP is jaw dropping in it's scale. Laredo Tornado, Poor Boy (a Robin Hood song), Can't get it out of my head... Yeah- you need to dive right into the rabbit hole.
@@TheCharismaticVoice,Can’t Get It Out Of My Head, Strange Magic, Evil Woman, Livin’ Thing, Do Ya, Turn To Stone, Sweet Talkin’ Woman and Don’t Bring Me Down are some of the first steps into the rabbit hole that is ELO. Not a bad way to get lost in music. Have fun on your adventures.
@@TheCharismaticVoice "Poker" is one of their deep cuts from the "Face the Music" album and manages to shift from hard rock into soothing music and back to hard rock again. Another deep cut is "So Fine" from the "New World Record" album. It has plenty of odd noises amid great music. Finally, one of their most legendary songs is a cover of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" (full eight-minute version please). It has string and piano solos, with the start playing the iconic portion of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
@@TheCharismaticVoice Personally, I can't recommend a run of Eldorado through Time enough. (All albums released from 1974 through 1981). ELO's golden age!
This could easily have turned into a mess, but Jeff Lynne makes it into a gem. I love the soprano's (Mary Thomas) false start at the beginning and then that rushed finale from Jeff Lynne.
Also, I love Jeff Lynne's growling vocals on this song.
Jeff is so underrated , a great singer,producer ,and collaborations with the Travelling Wilburries ,and so many others , as well as ELO
@@davidsmith6976 you're absolutely right. He's way of singing on this track is so different from the other songs such as Turn to Stone, but it seems no one cares.
@@MrCarlesXX Seems the Americans ,appreciate him,more then the U.K.?
@@davidsmith6976never underrated, where do you get that idea from🤦🏻♀️
Yes it could've.
Such a JOY to watch, and ELO is awesome too!~
Your delight at the end of the song brought tears to my eyes! ❤
Loved the song since 1976 but first time ever seeing the video today
Loved every moment, thank you!
Don't ever lose that smile hon.. it lights up every video you make ❤
You are fantastic at this! Thank you. Very entertaining.
I have been waiting for your reaction to this song. I knew you would love it.
Your reaction to this is my fav of all your reactions. That smile is contagious
Great video! I love watching your ELO reactions! I always thought the double entendre of "and Verdi's always creeping from her room" was very funny in this song.
& you can double MY entendre any time you LIKE‼️😜😜
Loved your reaction. Very interesting and dig your enthusiasm for it. This is a great song, one of my favourites. They often do it live at their concerts and it's excellent. 👍
The 80s saw a fair number of opera vocalists fronting metal and rock bands. Grim Reaper was fronted by one and made the top 40 with See You in Hell. The 70s and 80s were just amazing for diverse, creative music and vocals.
My favorite ELO song. Thanks.
The late sixties and seventies were filled with geniuses of creativity… ELO, the WhO, Yes, on and on and on …
Well done! This is great … and it’s the song and video that started my life long ELO obsession.
Beautiful reaction!!
The opera part at the beginning is in German. "Weit hinein in die Ferne man hört, man hört die Musik". Which is German and means something like: "Far in the far distance one can hear (one can hear) the music playing". I didn't realize this until ten minutes ago doing research myself on the song. It was Welsh singer Mary Thomas who did the opera parts.
When I saw ELO live in 1981, it was bassist/harmony vocalist Kelly Grouchett who did the opera section. He has a high tenor (not soprano, as males can't sing soprano of course lol) and did a bang up job on it! I couldn't believe it when I heard him do it. That and the rest of the show was amazing!
Elizabeth, I appreciate your detailed, energetic, joyful analyses. You have a massive rabbit hole to explore with ELO, a close second favourite band of all time of mine just behind Supertramp. I'm so glad you reacted to Rockaria, an obvious choice for you but a song that is a hidden gem on the classic A New World Record LP (1977) but gets little radio airplay or reaction on various channels.
On a personal side note, you have beautiful hair and a great smile. I love your facial expressions as you enjoy the music.
I love to see them rocking those cellos. This video never gets old.
I love how much you love E.L.O. By the by, the opening vocals by Mary Thomas, "Aah, fern, wiet'r in die ferne, man hört man hört die Musik" roughly translates to "far, far away, the music is playing" per the Jeff Lynne Song Database.
The story in the lyrics are so beautiful.
Elizabeth you rock! Peace
I knew this would float your boat , I suggested it ages ago , thx for your breakdown
Your Fifth Element video is how I found you! Love ELO and feel lucky that I saw them live- they only had a string quartet for that show and it was glorious!
Jeff Lynne revered Chuck Berry. When ELO was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the current version of the group performed their cover of Berry's song "Roll Over Beethoven." What made it extra special was that Berry had died the month before and Jeff made sure to have Berry's image behind the group while they played.
A great rock band that regularly played with a full symphony is Procul Harum, especially the songs "Conquistador" and "Whiter Shade of Pale".
Jeff Lynne is an incredible songwriter! I've also noticed that I always go into a happy mood when I hear ELO. Loved them since the end of the 70's!
I am amazed by how much I can just sit and giggle along with you at these ELO songs. I grew up listening to them and their symphonic blues rock, and it's SO FLIPPIN interesting to listen to you analyzing it. Please don't stop the ELO train. My favorite, Wild West Hero, as the next one? It would mean the world. Thank you for this pure entertainment and good vibes :)
I wrote that comment literally seconds before you said "symphonic rock". I stopped in my original comment, trying to find the words to describe their music. I guess we established at least two of the three words 😂
Elizabeth you are robbing yourself if you don't react to the collaboration between ELO and Olivia Newton John on Xanadu. One of the best songs ever!
I am a huge Jeff Lynne/ELO fan. I have heard Olivia Newton John's version of Xanadu as well as the studio and live versions of the song by Jeff Lynne.
All of them are good. The song is excellent. That said, I would rate Olvia Newton John's version of the song the best with Jeff Lynne's versions a close second.
Sorry, but there is only on true Xanadu: Rush!
Part of the trick of ELO was that they had added pickups to their instruments. This is why they were an Electric Light Orchestra. They were smaller than a full orchestra (light) and they had electric instruments that would normally be acoustic.
Also, Mr Blue Sky is one of the best happy tunes ever.
Delighted you did Rockaria! One of ELO's best jams.
Years ago my friends in our high school orchestra used to get together at the conductor's home on Friday nights for pizza and new music. I took this with me one evening and we just about wore out the recording--it was an instant hit. Still a powerhouse classic to this day, and Mary Thomas knocks it out of the park!
My goodness.... It feels like I've waited forever for you to discover this one! It has been a favorite of mine since the first time my turntable's needle tracked through the vinyl groove of that LP... I'm elated you enjoyed this one so much (Beethoven notwithstanding).....
The love and joy you have for the music is sooooooooooo good to watch ... especially for one of my favourite tracks/bands
So much fun. Thankies.
Can't believe I didn't see this when you first uploaded it. From one of my favorite albums.
Just brilliant girl. Thank you.
Supertramp, Live in Paris. Hide in Your Shell. Fools Overture. Asylum. School. All these songs have that operatic feel to them. Plus, its Supertramp are their very best
Fantastic Elizabeth. I am surprised that you hadn't already covered this gem.
I hoped you would react to this at some stage, thoroughly enjoyed this reaction, thank you :)
It was really fun watching you go through the journey of this song... from "she ain't ready" to "Are you ready?" to "I'm ready" to the big ending. One of my favorite ELO songs. You should also try "Livin' Thing" from their concert at Wembley just a few years ago. Just spectacular.
New World Record and Out of the Blue are perfection.
Absolutely! My two fave ELO albums right there. Add Time and we have my top 3.
Great Video! I love your enthusiasm, yes, this song could be about you! 🥰