He did all of the graphics for the album, and whilst the results are pretty light hearted, I think it reflects the overall feel for the music well enough. I didn't want the sleeve to be to dark and serious. It had to have humour.

As most of you ELO fans will know, Kelly came in to sing lead vocal on "Everlastin' Love" which sounds pretty damn ace to these ears, and would make a great "Radio" record in the same style as "The Mavericks".

1/ Hands to Heaven. Brit pop has been around for some time now, but I wanted the album to kick in with a bit of simple guitar based pop. And this is it, though watch that volume knob at the start! - Respect to Windsor Davies for the sample.

2/ Border Town. Bruce Springsteen has always had the knack of taking the most basic elements in music and putting them together with utter conviction. This story of a man wrongly jailed for a crime he didn't commit is voiced by Ian Seigal who's vocal character gives the song absolute credibility.

3/ Simple Man. This was written with Bryan Adams in mind. It's a plaintive ballad that builds to an orgasmic crescendo with a soaring guitar solo by DougScarrat of "Saxon" fame.

4/ Warm. All music will, to some extent reveal where it's roots are, and whilst "Warm" is well late nineties in style. We've messed with it, creating loads of special vocal effects, and features my favourite instrument "The Mellotron" - well, samples anyway. We wouldn't have been able to get one of these mighty machines up Mick's winding staircase!

5/ Reach out for the dream (Supergnat). The working title of this track was "Supergnat" as it very much reminded us of those New York disco tracks of the early seventies. It was in fact written for Luther van Dross, with the arrangement featuring a bass/drum pattern with loads of strings and brass. Adam Phillips lays down a hot jazz electric guitar solo on this.

6/ Can't get over you. I started writing this around the time I lost my mum. Athough the lyric did evolve into something different, it still retains a wistful atmosphere. I wrote this with bands such as The Eagles and The Police very much in mind. Listen out for some tasty guitar from Alan Darby who I last saw playing in Eric Claptons band!

7/ Everlastin' Love. This is the track that's been generating keen interest among ELO fans. It started life as a Beatles type song (Every album seems to have one!), but after doing a simple string arrangement, it suddenly seemed to ELO itself! My brother Martin knows a few of the boys in the band, and was able to approach Kelly Groucutt to sing the lead vocal. Again, I reckon this is a great Radio record.

8/ My Captors Heart. Sting and Phil Collins are the main influences here. It's an atmospheric ballad which develops into a Latin based groove with a vocal chant! Interesting story here. When we began recording, the track immediately had that "Sting" feel. We speculated how brilliant it would be if we could find a soprano sax player who could play in this way. About two weeks later, a story appeared in the local press about "Butch" Thomas who originally came from New York, and has indeed played sax with Sting who was now living 3 miles down the road! Needless to say he was booked immediately, and does a fantastic job!

9/Heartbreaker. Probably the most "instant" song on the album. Based around a motownish tune, the song has real attitude and a really good groove. Star of the piece is Meli James, multi tracked to give that girl band sound.

10/Tear it up. A cross between Paul Carrick/Mike & the mechanics and, if they were still around Go-West. Again very commercial sounding track.

11/ Mountain. I wanted to close proceedings on an optimistic note. This is basically a gospel ballad about the human spirit, and how we can overcome whatever difficulties we come across in life if only we believe in ourselves and our fellow residents in this home we call earth. Whatever name we might give him, we give thanks to the great makerfor making it all happen.

I was thrilled when Mick was able to get Steve Balsamo to sing lead vocal here. The song needed someone who had a good range to his voice, and Steve cartainly has that! I find it ironic that the album should end with a gospel ballad, and I end up getting Jesus to sing it! Steve was at one time, playing the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar on London's West End.

This track also contains my favourite musical moment of the whole album - The short sax solo here by Butch is so uplifting! Also, again Meli has been multi tracked, and multi tracked again to achieve an authentic gospel choir!

When we were mixing CGOY, we accidentally took out the drums and bass. What we were left with is the sort of gentle ballad you sometimes get at the end of a movie whilst the credits are rolling.

This version of Border Town shows what a good song should be. When you strip the arrangement away, and you're left with a vocal and acoustic guitar, the song is revealed. If there is no song left then you're in trouble. Some have remarked how they prefer this song in this simplified format.

Final mention must be made of my co arranger/ vocalist/producer Mick Lister, for without whom these songs might still be unfinished!

If I've managed to whet your appetite and you wish to buy a copy of the CD, or just want to say Hi, then feel free to e-mail me at the address elsewhere on the site.