ESP - Patrick Moraz

Advantages: Great selection of songs. Different styles
Disadvantages: Can be hard to find a copy these days.

...Well as you may or may not know, I have been a fan of the Bee Gees for a few years now. This album is one which I bought ages ago, but recently dug out for another listen. I am so glad that I did! ESP was released in September 1987. This was their first new album for 6 years as they had been concentrating on writing material for other artists during this period of their career. The album is now available in some of the larger music stores, as well as on various online sites such as Play or CD-Wow for around £6 - £10. You may also be able to purchase a second hand copy for a little cheaper if you are lucky on EBay. The album itself was not the overwhelming success that previous offerings had been. Although it sold very well here in the UK and other European countries, it struggled in America, where only two singles where released... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant, absolutely brilliant
Disadvantages: None, absolutely none

...In the spring of 1988 the Moody Blues issued their twelfth studio album and their fifth since their reunion of the mid 70s. The cover notes record that it was twenty one years since ‘Days of Future Passed’ and that at that date the band had sold over 50 million records world wide. The line up is again Justin Hayward (vocalist and lead guitar), John Lodge (vocalist and bass), Ray Thomas (flute), Graeme Edge (percussion) and Patrick Moraz (keyboards). Moraz toured with the Moodys around this time and featured on several of the later studio albums. He was also a member of the group ‘Yes’ in his time after Rick Wakeman left. The cover (a pale blue impressionist painting ‘Le fort d’Antibes’ by Nicolas de Stael) is understated in comparison with those of the earlier psychedelic works of art and does not prepare you for the musical tour... Read review

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Advantages: It’s the Moody Blues. It completes the collection.
Disadvantages: Nothing to write home about

...There was to be a wait of over two years in the early eighties for the follow up to the successful album “Long Distance Voyager”. By this time the Moody Blues had settled into their post-break line up of Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Patrick Moraz (sometime of ‘Yes’) who had replaced Mike Pinder on keyboards. The album overall feels comfortable and familiar (like an old slipper?). This is obviously a Moody’s record but there is nothing that immediately grabs the attention. This is a pleasant enough middle of the road collection of generally medium tempo or up-beat songs. It is not a programme or concept album and there is no specific theme. The inventiveness of earlier works is missing. So, generally, is that ability to paint the colours of emotions and the human condition in music and lyric. Released... Read review

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