Long Distance Voyager - Moody Blues (The)

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Brilliant Moodys album
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

You should know by now that I am a dedicated fan of the Moody Blues. They were one of the seminal groups of the 1960s and their popularity and influence has never faded. A recent poll of top rock earners in the USA for 2002 put them at number 8! (I bet that surprised a lot of readers!!) Over the last 30 years they have produced 14 studio albums and they are still on tour. Their 2003 tour kicks off in Atlantic City in early March. You can bet that there will be one or two songs from this album in their song list.

There was a barren period of over five years in the mid 1970s when the Moody Blues ceased working together. Their studio recording career stopped on a high note with “Seventh Sojourn” and recommenced with the rather speculative “Octave”. After that recording Mike Pinder, keyboard and Mellotron player decided that he wanted no further part in the rock industry.

It was a further three years before the Moody’s would venture into the studio again. Produced by Pip Williams (in place of Tony Clarke) “Long Distance Voyager” was the result. The line up now featured Patrick Moraz (who had also played with Yes in place of Rick Wakeman) on keyboards along side Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge. This partnership was to last through the 1980s.

This album is a well balanced combination of Moody Blues sounds, songs and instrumental arrangements. They are augmented by The New World Philharmonic Orchestra. The cover is an interesting village scene with entertainers attributed to the Arts Union, Glasgow. The words are included in the cover sleeve.

The play list and my own assessment (marked out of five) follows.

1. The Voice *****

With a synthesised sound introduction and an insistent beat this is a lyrical rocker. It is also a typical composition from Justin Hayward with a fine tune, intense words and harmonic accompaniments.

A great start to the album! The choice of the first track can often make or break the sound, feel and balance of the whole.

2. Talking Out Of Turn. *****

This is my personal favourite of John Lodge’s compositions. It is a song of desolation, of regret, of love lost. The words are supported by a complex arrangement and pizzicato strings. There are intelligent counter vocals from the other members of the group. The lush string accompaniment builds up to provide a tremendous example of the Moody’s ‘wall of sound’.

It is a deliciously long track (7 minutes 17 seconds) – a real tear-jerker!.

3. Gemini Dream ****

A driving rocker from the two “J”’s. Here you find short snappy verse with a canon-form chorus. It has a strong synthesiser accompaniment.

4. In My World *****

Soft guitar chords and a languid synthesiser introduce a deeply romantic Justin Hayward ballad. This is an example of his song writing at its best – painting the colours of emotion with words and music. “And I’m only just beginning to believe what you have done. How you turned it upside down this world of mine.” There are gentle rhythms and counter melodies. The track ends with a lush languid instrumental which builds to with soaring voices, chiming guitars and strings to a climatic crescendo over two minutes. Curiously this track also lasts 7 minutes and 17 seconds.

This is the Moody Blues at their ultimate best!

(I must pause the review to reach for a hankie and play that track again!!)

5. Meanwhile *****

This was the starter of side 2 of the original vinyl LP (if you could ever bear to turn the record over after side 1!)

The track starts somewhat anti-climactically but slowly develops into a superb sound of its own. It is again a gentle rocker from Justin with melancholic undertones (“I thought I’d end up the hero thought the glory would be mine. Very soon I was to find it wasn’t to be.”

6. 22000 Days. ****

A melodic song from Graeme Edge. The voices feature (chant-like) in unison with a driving beat.

By the way, 22000 days equates to sixty years three months – whatever the significance of that is.

7. Nervous ***

Accompanied by flute and guitars this is a slow John Lodge ballad. The choruses are reminiscent of E.L.O. (Electric Light Orchestra) in their heyday with similar vocal harmonies and strings.

8. Painted Smile ***

This and the following two tracks form a triptych from Ray Thomas all with a somewhat comedic, clown like quality. It is rather pedestrian in comparison with the rest of the album.

9. Reflective Smile **

A short (39 seconds) poem from Ray which leads straight into:

10 Veteran Cosmic Rocker ****

Good rhythms, harmonica and flute combine to produce a fast paced rock song from “I’m Just A Singer In A Rock ‘n’ Roll Band” stable. There is a short instrumental section which gives hint of Eastern influences.

Overall this is a great album. It is a prime example of the Moody’s at their best. The first half (the original Side 1) is perhaps the stronger but this is a “must have” CD. If you haven’t listened to the Moody Blues before this is a good place to start.

LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER - The Moody Blues (1981) DECCA CD820105-2 £8.99