EMI
Records in the U.K. relaunches the fabled Regal Zonophone label with
their 2007 remaster of The Idle Race - Back To The Story. Before
he joined The Move and formed Electric Light Orchestra with the great
Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne was a key figure in The Idle Race. Back To
The Story collects and compiles 47 tracks representing the bands
two full length albumsBirthday Party (1968)
and Idle Race (1969)on disc one, with
a second CD featuring ten non album tracks and a 1971 album recorded
without Lynne entitled Time Is, with songs penned by the bands
cofounder Dave Pritchard. Key to the early success of
the Idle Race was future Yes producer Eddie Offord, who worked
closely with the band on their first 1967 album. Interestingly, the
gatefold sleeve of The Birthday Party revealed a photo montage
featuring IR famous friends like The Move, The Beatles, Brian Jones
and Hank Marvin. Interestingly, Roy Wood first asked Lynne to join
The Move back in 1969, but Lynne refused, instead moving on with recording
the second, self-titled Idle Race album. By 1970, Lynne had
indeed joined The Move in time for their groundbreaking, and underrated
Looking On album. With excellent in depth liner notes and rare
photos, Back To The Story is the first ever Idle Race compilation
to recall the bands entire history. Highlighting Jeff Lynnes
early genius for crafting pop classics, the double CD set spotlights
an overlooked, yet completely essential slice of British rock history.
www.ftmusic.com