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The Moody Blues - Caught Live + 5  CD (album) cover

CAUGHT LIVE + 5

The Moody Blues

 

Crossover Prog

3.12 | 66 ratings

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ClemofNazareth
Special Collaborator
Prog Folk Researcher
2 stars For a couple years in the seventies this was the only Moody Blues album I owned (on 8-track no less) before I finally broke down and picked up 'In Search of the Lost Chord' and 'Days of Future Passed'. I figured by having this one, which was being sold at reduced price even when it was still new, I had much of the more well-known Moodies material without having to spend a ton of money on all eight (at the time) albums.

Imagine my surprise when I started buying the original studio releases and discovered that not only were these infinitely more interesting than this live record, but the sound quality and orchestral arrangements were far superior! I don't know if I never read the liner notes in 1977 or it just didn't register with me at the time, but I don't recall knowing this was nothing more than a 1969 concert recording that only included songs from a few of their albums along with a few outtakes. The sound quality was probably okay for me then considering I was listening to this on an 8-track tape, but hearing it now decades later I realize the quality sucked and wasn't much better than a simple soundboard recording (in fact, that's probably exactly what it was).

Anyway if you feel the need to have a live Moodies album this shouldn't be the one you look for. You can probably get it cheap and if all you want is to hear a live version of "Nights in White Satin" you'll get that, but honestly you can get that free on youTube and even have several versions to choose from (avoid the cover versions though; some of them are truly appalling). If you just want to hear the band at their live best I'd strongly recommend checking out the 'Night at Red Rocks' DVD instead, which has most of the more recognizable Moodies material, was recorded at the stellar Denver, Colorado outdoor arena known as Red Rocks, and has the band backed by a sizable symphony orchestra. You'll miss all that (not to mention the video) if you settle for the 'Caught Live +5' CD. This thing had a purpose in its day, but given the advances of both technology and the Moody Blues catalog I have to say this CD has outlived both its relevance and usefulness. Take a pass. Two stars.

peace

ClemofNazareth | 2/5 |

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