Question of Balance - Moody Blues (The)

I have to admit that my first view of the Moody Blues playing 'live' was on BBC television's "The Lulu Show" back in 1970 when they performed the title track of this album. I had of course experienced their previous studio offerings and was well versed in the Moody sound. "Question of Balance" remains a firm favourite from their early years and is a good introduction to their musical style. It also demonstrates the distinctive vocal styles of each of the group. The lyrics are less "acid" than some offerings but still plumb the depths (the "Whats", the "Whys") of man's condition in life.

"Question of Balance" was the Moody Blues fifth studio album and recorded in 1970. In 2003 Universal Music embarked on a project to re-master all five of these early Moody Blues albums from the original tapes using modern production techniques. They also decided to issue additional tracks, alternative takes and other versions which were not included on the final album. This review is the fifth and last on these 2006 SACD reissues.

This album is perhaps the best example of the all round, all pervading sound of the Moody Blues from its climactic start to the final note. The Moodys gained the reputation of building a distinctive 'orchestral' wall of sound. The tracks tend to run one into the next. The opening of the next track is usually subdued and gives a (temporary) feeling of anti-climax but it too develops into its logical and majestic conclusion.

THE ALBUM

At 38½ minutes this is a fairly short album but is packed with dynamic rock at its best. The line up is the established one from the early period: Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder and Graeme Edge. They all contributed songs and the cover notes indicate that all instruments were played by the Moody Blues.

Question was released as a single (coupled with "Candle of Life" from "Children's Children's Children" as the B-side) reaching number 2 in the UK and No 21 in America in April 1970. The album reached No.1 in the UK album charts in August 1970 and No.3 in the States the following month.

The running order and my personal appraisal of each track (marked out of five) is given below.

1. Question *****

The most remarkable and dramatic start to the album with belting guitars, strident strings and vocal harmonies, this is the Moody's 'wall of sound' at its best. Justin Hayward describes how he had two songs, both in the key of C that he could not complete and he eventually combined them to this one. There are such contrasts between the aggressive choruses "Why do we never get an answer when we're knocking at the door with a thousand million questions about hate and death and war" and the tender longing of the verses "I'm looking for someone to change my life. I'm looking for a miracle in my life".

At one point there was a suggestion that the song was a protest against the Vietnam War and a video of the time (included on the "Legends of a Band" DVD) also hints of this.

A real "goose bumper" of a track!! It has always been one of my own favourites.

2. How Is It (We Are Here) ***

A song from Mike Pinder which demonstrates the anti-climactic beginning. There again you wonder how anything could follow "Question" but in its own way the song does. The track is accompanied by Mellotron and guitar with string sounds in the chorus.

3. And The Tide Rushes In ****

Ray Thomas starts his first song on the album quite quietly with an acoustic guitar accompaniment. There is also a short instrumental middle section with complex guitar melodies before with final crescendo.

4. Don't You Feel Small ****

Again the feeling of anti-climax is heightened by the change of key and rhythm. This is one of Graeme Edge's best songs. The vocals proceed initially in unison with a whispered voice giving an uncomfortable emphasis to the words. There are flute trills in the background. The tempo progressively increases throughout the track.

5. Tortoise And The Hare ***

Another change of key! John Lodge's rocker has a driving drum beat and chiming guitars but quite understated vocals.

6. It's Up To You *****

This is another classic Justin Hayward composition and shows off his distinctive voice in the lyrical romantic verses "When the breeze between us calls, love comes and lingers into our lives" counterbalanced by rhythmic chiming guitars. The other group members provide a distinctive descant harmony.

This song was the great opener to Side 2 of the original album.

7. Minstrel's Song *****

The second John Lodge song is a slower ballad with a gentle beat. There are many complex vocal harmonies in the verses which lead through a slow crescendo to the vocal refrains of the chorus sung in unison.

8. Dawning Is The Day *****

This is a slow song from Justin with quiet reflective verses. These are offset by an emotional chorus with Justin's voice accompanied by Ray's flute and the background 'wall of sound'.

9. Melancholy Man ****

A self-explanatory song from Mike Pinder using voices coming down the scale both in unison and descant. Again the track is a long crescendo to its conclusion.

10. The Balance ****

This is Graeme Edge's once customary monologue. He is accompanied by muted guitars and vocal harmonies. There is a mystical, possibly religious, slant to the words of the verses and a hint of hope for the future "Just open your eyes and realise the way it's always been … Just open your heart and that's a start".

THE EXTRAS

There are six previously unreleased tracks appended to the album. The play order is as follows:

11. Mike's Number One
12. Question
13. Minstrel's Song
14. It's Up To You
15. Don't You Feel Small
16. Dawning Is The Day

11 is a curiosity in that it is a Mike Pinder composition and is performed live but incomplete during one of the recording sessions for the album. Mike ceased performing with the Moody Blues in the years between their seventh "Seventh Sojourn" and eighth "Octave" albums. This tape was rediscovered during the restoration work in 2003.

12 is an alternative recording of "Question" which formed the basis for the single version of the song. It does feature a rather different arrangement with much less prominent orchestration than the album version.

As with many of the early Moody Blues albums it was the post recording mixing and engineering work carried out by producer Tony Clarke that produced the characteristic feel of the whole. Tracks cross faded into one another without gaps between the songs. 13 - 16 are the original recordings prior to that editing and fading.

THE PRESENTATION

Unlike the first three SACD albums in this 2006 series, "Question" as "Threshold Of A Dream" had been before it is remixed onto a single disc. There is no protective slip case and the accolade "DeLuxe Edition" does not appear here either. There are a further six bonus tracks on the CD.

The sleeve reproduces the original gatefold album cover complete with the artwork by Phil Travers. This time it has a planetary and pollution theme with an earth encircled by clouds of smoke, motorcycles, Einstein and rocket ships. The 20 page booklet continues the story of the Moody Blues into the early 1970s and recounts the background to the creation of this album. A songbook is printed over photographs of the members of the group. The rear page gives details of the origin of the additional tracks.

THE TECHNOLOGY

I have followed the Moody Blues almost from their origins. They write my kind of songs and play my kind of music. I bought copies of all five of these new releases even though it duplicated the CDs in my collection.

Does this remastering make any difference? Bearing in mind that I was making the comparison using a Denon 2800 player which is not equipped with SACD circuitry there is a very noticeable improvement in clarity, channel separation and bass tone when the stereo output is passed into a 5:1 surround capable amplifier. There is also a very pleasing three dimensional quality to the while performance.

This is a dual layer disc. The universally accessible layer contains the Stereo CD mix. The SACD layer has the 1972 quadraphonic master tapes remixed into a full surround sound output. I can't wait for my new SACD player!!

AVAILABILITY

A Question Of Balance Moody Blues 1970
Hybrid SACD (2006) THRESHOLD 983 770-6
Amazon.co.uk £10.99

COMMENTS

For reference the other four titles that have been reissued are:
Days Of Future Passed
In Search Of The Lost Chord
On The Threshold Of A Dream
To Our Children's Children's Children

If you haven't listened to the Moody Blues before or you want to renew your acquaintance with the band then this re-release is an ideal place to start. Is the new version worth the extra money (the old CD is still available)? Yes it is. Funnily enough I think there is enough new material and an excellently updated recording to make this a strong recommendation for the firm fan who already owns the album.

Mind you, maybe you could say I'm biased. When are they starting the remastering of the next five ….. ?