Time Traveller

by

The Moody Blues

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There are a few drawbacks to this otherwise incredible collection of Moody Blues music. The first is that the group continued to produce albums after release of this set. Another is that the Moody Blues first seven albums were all concept albums, and purists will decry the missing music. However, the music captures much of the essence of the Moody Blues from their creation of the first true rock concept album, "Days of Future Passed," their contributions to progressive rock, climaxing in their most unusual album, "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," and their steady transition to a pop ballad group.

Yet another drawback is that hardcore fans will already have most or all of the music in this collection, as I do. However, I still liked the collection as a different way of listening to the Moodies' music. Some rarities or alternative recordings would have been nice. Also, the original release had a live fifth disk that is difficult to find, which also reminds me to warn you that all the music on the four disks are the studio versions, not live.

Most Moodies fans date back to the "Classic 7" released in the 60s, "Days of Future Passed," "In Search of the Lost Chord," "On the Threshold of a Dream," "To Our Children's Children's Children," "A Question of Balance," "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," and "Seventh Sojourn," each of which is amply represented in this collection. Each of these albums had a different concept. Each member of the five member band, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder, and Ray Thomas, provided at least one song or, in the case of Graeme Edge, a poem, for each album. The music was marvelously bombastic with wonderful crescendos of percussion and pealing guitars and Mike Pinder's soulfully melodious mellotron, later chamberlain. Moodies fans continue to maintain that the contribution of the first seven albums to rock should be the Moodies entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, justifiably so.

The Moodies went on hiatus in 1974. John Lodge and Justin Hayward recorded an album, "Blue Jays," with a style so like the Moodies that six songs from that album are included. Justin Hayward also released the single "Blue Guitar," supported by members of 10cc, and that song is included.

The Moodies gathered in 1978 to record "Octave," the last album to feature the keyboard talents of Mike Pinder. Three songs from this album are represented. Also in 1978, Justin Hayward contributed the haunting and melancholy "Forever Autumn" to Jeff Wayne's "War of the Worlds" album, a hard to find song included here.

The Moodies released the final album that still retained a strong flavor of their early years in 1981, "Long Distance Voyager," with three songs represented.

"The Present," "The Other Side of Life," "Sur La Mer" and "Keys of the Kingdom" are represented by ten songs. Excluding "The Other Side of Life," these CDs are generally mellower with the exception of the occasional nod to contemporary music. "The Other Side of Life" is perhaps the weakest of all Moodies albums with frequently overwhelming keyboards and the two songs from that album are the best two from the CD.

Since this boxed set was released the Moodies have released more albums, including 1999s "Strange Times" and the 2003 Christmas album "December." While both albums have their strengths and weaknesses, the better tracks would be valuable in a future edition of this boxed set.

The Moody Blues have been releasing albums since 1967. The group has gone through several transitions, including the departure of Mike Pinder in 1978 to be replaced for a while by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz, and more recently the retirement of Ray Thomas. Graeme Edge is backed by a second drummer in concert. Their most influential years were in the 60s, and yet, the skill and the talent are still there. This collection remains the most comprehensive retrospective of the group and their incredible history. Regardless of whether you love the Moodies or despise them, they should not be ignored because of their contributions to the evolution of rock. Listen to this collection and look forward to the day the Moody Blues finally take their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

As an avid and passionate Moody Blues fan, I definitetly looked forward to a lavish boxed set treatment on this group. This set didn't dissappoint on some grounds and DID dissappoint on several.

First, the praise: Excellent sound, liner notes, and I loved the original mixes from Days Of Future Passed. They did manage to hit the high points from all their albums.

However, many opportunities were lost. As was already pointed out, the set opens with three songs featured on the out-of-print Prelude: Fly Me High, Love and Beauty, and the b-side of Nights in White Satin, Cities. However where are I Really Haven't Got The Time, and Leave This Man Alone (the b-sides to the first two Hayward-Lodge Moody singles)?

Where is the original stereo mix of A Simple Game (also from Prelude), the b-side to Ride My See-Saw? The only version available is the remix, edited by 30 seconds on This Is The Moody Blues.

Next, we have way too many tracks from Blue Jays. Space should have been used for solo works from Lodge, Pinder, and Thomas (who are overlooked).

Finally, the boxed set does manage pretty well to edit the conceptual albums down to suites around 20 minutes each. However, it is sloppy when it gives Every Good Boy Deserves Favour this treatment. One can hear the fade-out of Nice To Be Here under the intro to You Can Never Go Home.

Stick with the albums and wait for maybe a full career restrospect (that hopefully will gives us a generous treatment of the Denny Lane period as well!