If "Am I A Dreamer" sounds like a long-lost Electric Light Orchestra single from the late '70s, there's good reason.
"Am I A Dreamer" was written, produced and performed by Kelly Groucutt, the bassist and co-lead vocalist for Electric Light Orchestra between 1974 and 1983. The single is the opening track from Groucutt's sole solo album, 1981's Kelly. ELO's Bev Bevan (drums), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Mik Kaminski (violin), and the band's orchestral co-arranger and conductor, Louis Clark, all join Groucutt on the album. I guess Jeff Lynne wasn't available.
Alright then, let's get back to "Am I A Dreamer."
The track is a pristine slice of orchestral pop with a sweeping string arrangement, gently strummed acoustic guitars and a steady backbeat of bass and drums. With lines like "In an illusion I saw you last night / You were dancing under misty starlight," the lyrics on "Am I A Dreamer" echo the production and arrangement's whimsical feel. On the vocal front, Groucutt, like Lynne, never had a powerhouse singing voice, but his sweet tenor suited this kind of hyper melodic pop.
Groucutt passed away in 2009 after suffering a heart attack. While most rock fans will remember him from his work in ELO, for me, "Am I A Dreamer" is his most powerful legacy.
