How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
Brilliant, typically Moody's sounds
Disadvantages:
A bit short by current standards
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
This was the last studio album produced by the Moody Blues before they went into their six year exile of the mid 1970s. It is a surprisingly well rounded disc that has almost none of the psychedelic influences of previous offerings. It is a collection of individual songs (albeit written singly and in collaboration by all members of the group) rather than a themed album. It also contained two of the most distinctive of the Moody’s tracks. The content reflects the mature Moody Blues sound: gentle ballads alternating with driving ballads; rock guitars and synthesisers alternating with quasi-classical strings; lyrics that conjure up every human emotion. Given this, ‘Seventh Sojourn’ as an whole looks forward to the future albums of the 80s and 90s (despite the exile period and the changes in line up) rather than backwards to group’s origins.
The line up remains Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder and Graeme Edge. The producer is again Tony Clarke. The album sleeve was a double size fold-over job with a painting (Phil Travers) of a petrified landscape. The CD insert reproduces this and contains the words of the tracks. There are also a variety of small photographs of the band in concert and at leisure.
The album was released in November 1972. It reached a peak in the UK at No.5. and hit the number one spot in the US. The inspirational single release “Isn’t Life Strange” reached No.13 in the UK and No.29 in America. Curiously it was backed with “After You Came” from the album "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour” as the ‘B’-side.
“I’m Just A Singer In A Rock and Roll Band” backed with “For My Lady” was released in January 1973. This reached No.36 here in Britain and No.12 across the pond.
Although comparatively short (39 minutes 30 seconds) ‘Seventh Sojourn’ is my personal favourite of the first seven Moody’s albums. The running order and my assessment of each track follows:
1. Lost In A Lost World. ****
This is a melodic song from Mike Pinder. The verses generate feelings of yearning and hopelessness accompanied by synthesisers.
2. New Horizons *****
This is a typically marvellous romantic ballad from Justin Hayward with a beautiful theme. There are swirling strings and soaring vocal harmonies. In his inimitable style the choruses counterpoint the verses.
3. For My Lady. *****
A flute theme with a running guitar accompaniment feature throughout this song by Ray Thomas which has lilting verses and choruses. This was, and still is, a favourite track of my (86 year old) mother. It is also a favourite performance by Ray at many of their live gigs.
4. Isn’t Life Strange *****
This is a classic in its own right; one of the handful of Moody Blues songs that are immediately recognisable. The quiet start with string sounds and reverberating voices build up to a series of climatic choruses over its six minutes duration. Probably John Lodge’s best!
5. You And Me ***
A booming guitar riff and synthesisers introduce this fast paced ballad. There is a full range of the typical Moody sounds here.
6. The Land Of Make Believe *****
This is one of my all time favourite Justin Hayward songs and demonstrates the mastery of his song writing art. It features his sensitive lyrics (that pluck at your heart strings) and a brilliant arrangement. There are pizzicato strings and flutes providing the melodies with synthesiser and guitar counterpoints. There are walls of sound in the choruses and soaring vocal harmonies.
7. When You’re A Free Man ***
This offering is a rather melancholic song from Mike Pinder with mystical flutes and strings. I have the suspicion that this was autobiographical writing and predicted his ultimate disappearance from the group.
8. I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) *****
There is a short mysterious continuum after the previous track but this gives way to a rapidly increasing drum introduction. This is a driving, relentless rocker from John Lodge with the synthesisers producing the wall of sound, rocking guitars and brass.
This song is the other immediately recognisable Moody’s song and again features prominently in their live performances. Given that they start their 2003 World Tour in Atlantic City in March I bet there will be one of two songs from this album on the song list.
Overall this is a great album. It is some time since I listened to it last with any seriousness and depth but the writing of this review has rekindled my memories of ‘Seventh Sojourn’ and its place in my own personal history. To those of us who know, that’s what makes the Moody’s music so special. It is not as well known as ‘Days of Future Passed’ and was probably eclipsed by the band’s imminent furlough. If you don’t know the group very well, this is the ideal introduction into the world of the Moody Blues. You can work backwards or forwards from here.
Amazon has a page dedicated to this album which has playable extracts from the first five tracks. The web address is: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002GQL/ref=sr_aps_music_1_1/202-6075028-6120628
SEVENTH SOJOURN Moody Blues (1972) THRESHOLD CD 820159-2 £7.99
[Chart information has been gleaned from “The Great Rock Discography” – Sixth Edition (2002) by M.C.Strong]
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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