TIME TRAVELLER (BOX SET)

I am afraid this collection is a case of more not necessarily being better. I think anyone wanting a set of the Moodies more progressive offerings would be better off with 1974's outstanding 'best of' album This is the Moody Blues. That legendary compilation only contains tracks from their classic 1967- 1972 prog period and the quality never lets up.

This offering by contrast while good omits key tracks like Mike Pinder's outstanding ( Life is just a) Simple Game , a version of which incidentally was taken to no.3 in the U.K charts in 1971 by the Four Tops no less! It also includes tracks like the first 3 on disc 1 which while interesting for completionists are far from being essential. Some track selections from the classic 7 albums are strange such as the inclusion of The best way to travel (one of Pinders rare below par efforts) from Lost Chord and the irritating Minstrels Song from a Question of Balance which are both surely inferior to the omitted Ray Thomas track from the latter album the haunting 'And the Tide Rushes in'.

A bonus of this album however is the inclusion of the Blue Jays material and the wonderful Blue Guitar from 1975.

The selection from their later albums is mixed as although most of the better stuff is included there are some tracks that are pure mediocre filler such as Sitting at the Wheel. Their 1980's output was not particularly progressive despite Yes's Pat Moraz joining the band at that time.