Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra is a compilation album featuring re-recordings of classic hits by Jeff Lynne, released in 2012 by Frontiers Music. This project coincided with Lynne's cover album, Long Wave.
The concept for the album emerged when Jeff Lynne revisited the original Electric Light Orchestra recordings and felt he could produce superior versions based on his extensive experience as a record producer. He began the project with a re-recording of "Mr. Blue Sky," which he found immensely satisfying. After sharing the new version with his manager, who encouraged him to continue, Lynne expanded the project to include additional hits like "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic," ultimately creating a full album of re-recordings.
The album features fresh recordings of several ELO classics and includes two bonus tracks: a new song titled "Point of No Return" and a live recording of "Twilight," specifically for Japanese releases. Upon its debut, the album reached number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and number 2 on the UK Top 40 Independent Albums Chart. In the U.S., it peaked at number 118 on the Billboard 200, number 29 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and number 46 on the Top Rock Albums chart.
Mr. Blue Sky received a positive reception, with fans appreciating Lynne's updated interpretations of the beloved tracks, which maintained the essence of ELO while reflecting Lynne's evolved production style. The album serves as a nostalgic yet fresh homage to Lynne's musical legacy and the enduring appeal of Electric Light Orchestra.
