The Electric Light Orchestra - The Lost Planet (1972)

I knew nothing about the story of ELO's second album until I saw a post on Albums Back From The Dead, but that inspired me to investigate further and I discovered an intriguing story. Following the successful debut album by the group, they reconvened in early 1972 in order to start work on their second record, which was to be called 'The Lost Planet'. Part-way through the recording Roy Wood announced that he was leaving the group to form a new band called Wizzard, which would have a more retro take on rock 'n' roll - keeping the horns but losing the lush orchestral arrangements. Before he left he'd completed work on two songs - 'In Old England Town (Boogie No. 2)' and 'From The Sun To The World' - but Jeff Lynne then had to decide how to complete the album. He quietly dumped the 'Lost Planet' idea, and while looking for replacement musicians he asked ex-Move vocalist Carl Wayne to come in and sing on some tracks, and although they were perfectly fine recordings they weren't right for the album. Eventually Lynne recruited some extra players,  took over vocal duties himself, and 'ELO 2' was released in 1973. This album is not a 'what if...' as that's been done by Albums Back From The Dead, but it's a companion-piece to the released album, showing what the band could have sounded like if Carl Wayne had got the vocalist job. There are also a few other unreleased songs and rarities, such as a violin solo by Wilf Gibson which I've edited so that it becomes a prelude to 'Showdown', and an alternate take of 'Ma-Ma-Ma Belle' which rivals the released version. Add in a guest appearance from Marc Bolan and you have a nice little 40 minute album. 

Track listing

01 In Old English Town (Instrumental)
02 Everyone's Born To Die (with Marc Bolan)
03 Wilf's Solo >
04 Showdown
05 Your World (vocal Carl Wayne)
06 Get A Hold Of Myself (vocal Carl Wayne)
07 Baby I Apologise
08 Mama (vocal Carl Wayne)
09 Mambo (Dreaming Of 4000) (with Marc Bolan)
10 Auntie (Ma-Ma-Ma Belle)