THIS IS THE MOODY BLUES

Woo hoo! My first Moody Blues purchase and I have sentimental value for this double vinyl album that I have held onto for decades. I stared at that cover and the gatefold for hours as the music unfolded before my impressionable ears at the tender age of thirteen. And what incredible music it was. It's all here, everything the band did that was worthwhile from "Days of Future Passed" up to and including "Seventh Sojourn". The magnificent 7 album septet was the band at their hiatus, the peak of their existence and it all went downhill from this mountaintop unfortunately apart from the odd single such as the glorious 'Gemini Dream', 'The Voice' and 'Steppin' in a Slide Zone'. First up, there is 'Question' and I will admit unreservedly that 'Question' is one of the greatest Moody Blues songs and I am stunned by the musicianship and the magical lyrics that never fail to lift my spirits; "And when you stop and think about it, You won't believe it's true, That all the love you've been giving, Has all been meant for you, I'm looking for someone to change my life, I'm looking for a miracle in my life, And if you could see what it's done to me, To lose the love I knew Could safely lead me through..." Beautiful, simply soul stirring stuff. 'Eyes of a child' is another definitive highlight from TOCCC with those uplifting harmonies in the chorus; "With the eyes of a child, You must come out and see, That your world's spinning 'round. And through life you will be A small part of a hope, Of a love that exists, In the eyes of a child, You will see." Unforgettable.

'Dear Diary' is melancholy and sweet with some trippy phased vocals similar to The Beatles 'Blue Jay Way' and I always loved that mystical enchanting sound.

I hate to repeat my words but 'Legend of a mind' is another classic that most Moody Fans would be familiar with. I like the lyrics on this; "Timothy Leary's dead, No, no, no, He's outside looking in, He'll fly his astral plane, Takes you trips around the bay, Brings you back the same day, Timothy Leary". Leary was the psych drug king who influenced this generation of 1968 and was himself an icon of pyschedelica and the Haight Ashbury scene. The Moody Blues knew it and capitalised on it with this track. The song features some very proggy mellotron sounds and an odd meter with intriguing structures.

'Lovely to see you' has one heck of a catchy chorus that infects you forever. It is gloriously uplifting and psyched up. 'Isn't life strange' is a huge hit for the band but I have forgotten it myself.

"Ride my see-saw" is an excellent infectious track that reminds me of early Pink Floyd. The lyrics are pysch bliss; "Ride, ride my see-saw, Take this place, On this trip Just for me, Ride, take a free ride, Take my place, Have my seat It's for free". The harmonies are arousing and it has a driving beat that captures the glorious scene of the flower power late 60s.

'Tuesday afternoon (forever afternoon)' is a classic. As I said elsewhere, words cannot express how much I adore this, but I will try. Hayward sings this beautifully and I love the way it changes time signature, a complete detour, and Hayward sings, "I'm looking at myself, Reflections of my mind, It's just the kind of day To leave myself behind, So gently swaying Through the fairy-land of love, If you'll just come with me And see the beauty of Tuesday Aaaaaafternooooooooooooooooooon...." This track would absolutely permeate itself in the band's repertoire. It encompasses everything the band stands for, soaring vocals, emotive thought provoking concepts, and music that reaches into the stratosphere.

Another highlight is the rocking 'I'm just a singer (in a rock and roll band)' a fun romp into the poppier side of the band's music. 'For my lady' is another hit I had heard many times on radio and always loved that lilting flute sound and poetic lyrical passage; "My boat sails stormy seas, Battles oceans filled with tears, At last my port's in view, Now that I've discovered you, Oh I'd give my life so lightly, For my gentle lady, Give it freely and completely To my lady." The drumming is almost military style and there's a nice epic feel to this. Ray Thomas's lyrics capture an ethereal atmosphere taken from the "Seventh Sojourn" album.

'Melancholy man' is another huge hit with interesting melodies that warrant attention. But it all pales to insignificance in comparison to the next track. 'Nights in White Satin'. I am in awe of this quintessential Moody Blues brilliant master work. It begins with astonishing orchestration as good as you will hear on a movie soundtrack. It rises to a crescendo and settles as the bass and drums keep a constant stream of rhythmic patterns. Hayward's voice is angelic, "Nights in white satin, Never reaching the end, Letters I've written, Never meaning to send..." I learnt this entire song off by heart as a teenager. The way the chorus lifts with choral massed choir and very strong melodies is unsurpassed. The flute solo is mesmirising and I have never been able to get it out of my head, it's there indefinitely and I am intoxicated by its spell... and it even ends with an epilogue 'Late Lament' that is part of the whole experience.

4 years later they released "Octave" and it was rather a lethargic effort. So there you have it. One of the best compilations of this band, released during an absence of newer material. I don't award masterpieces to compilations often, unless they offer something new to the table, but this is still worthy of the coveted 5 stars as everything the Moodies did that was worthwhile from their first 7 albums is here. So in essence you can save your dollars and skip straight to this compilation. That in itself is worth 5 stars.

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