Voices In The Sky - Moody Blues (The)

Advantages: Original, psychedelic, distinctive Moodys sound, an extra hour of music
Disadvantages: The album without the extras is rather short

...Of A Mind. ***** This is a much more serious Ray Thomas opus and is a tribute to Professor Timothy Leary (the father of LSD). He has taken to using this as his 'solo spot' in the Moody Blues concert tours - usually achieving a standing ovation for it. The pace is upbeat and it is a pronounced acid sound ('He'll fly his astral plane, take you trips around the bay, bring you back the same day … '). There is a change of tempo for each of the verses where plucked guitars, tympani and flutes accompany the voices. As the track nears a climax there is further evidence of the sound engineering of the album with ethereal sounds of swaying Mellotrons changing channels. This builds up to an intense wall of sound before the verse is repeated once more and the song blends back into … 6. House Of Four Doors (Part 2) ***** The same themes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Original, psychedelic, distinctive Moodys sound
Disadvantages: Quite short

...hallmark of the Moody Blues sound. 3. Dr Livingstone I Presume. *** This is a light upbeat song by Ray Thomas. It is lyrical but has fairly non-consequential words. There are good harmonies between the guitars and Mellotrons. 4. House of Four Doors ***** This mystical almost ghostly song starts with synthesisers and drums telling the story of an enchanted house in the midst of a forgotten land (?Lost in a Lost World). The choruses are sung falsetto with a regular verse counterpoint. There is a musical continuum between the verses that varies from an Elizabethan to a Rachmaninov feel. Listen to the stereo sound effects - especially the creaking doors. After the last door opens, the song blends into … 5. Legend Of A Mind. ***** This is a much more serious Ray Thomas opus and is a tribute to Professor Timothy Leary (the father... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A couple of superb songs and my all time favourite track
Disadvantages: A filler album really

...and the sound of rushing waves. It build to an upbeat wall of sound, with a driving beat and soaring voices in harmony. The verses include some of Justin’s most poignant words and encapsulates the yearning for young love, lost … ‘Once upon a time, once when you were mine, I remember skies reflected in your eyes. I wonder where you are, I wonder if you think about me, once upon a time in your wildest dreams’. Wasn’t that how it was, for me? For you? Once upon a time? There was a beautiful video made to accompany this release which is a great representation of the track. (I remember when girls wore (heavy two-tone) eye make up like that!!!) It is recorded on the compilation DVD or Laserdisc ‘The Moody Blues – Legend of a Band’ Interestingly Justin wrote a follow up track (‘I Know You’re Out There Somewhere’) which appears on the next album... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful