Record Reviews

ANNIE HASLAM ~ ANNIE HASLAM T-BIRD 0022 (Barcode: 5013929882263) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1988 - 1989 Released: 2010 3rd album by the divine Annie HaslamFind albums by this artist, one of the most distinctive voices of British Prog, mostly known as the lead singer of the legendary band RenaissanceFind albums by this artist. Haslam maintains a solo career since the original Renaissance disbanded. Based in the US, she often performs with the former band members and participated in several reunion projects. This album was her most ambitious effort to capture wider audiences, but unfortunately the initial impact it made was cut short by her illness, which kept her silent for a few years following the album´s release. The album includes many guest artists of fame, such as Justin HaywardFind albums by this artist (Moody BluesFind albums by this artist), Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist (King CrimsonFind albums by this artist) and many others and presents her five-octave voice in the full splendor. Lavishly produced by Larry FastFind albums by this artist, the orchestral instrumentation is however all synthesized, which is the only drawback. The material is all new and written especially for this album except for one classic Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist song. Considering the fact that this album was unavailable for so long should make the numerous fans of Annie Haslam truly happy!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MOODY BLUES ~ SEVENTH SOJOURN (EXPANDED EDITION) THRESHOLD 9845507 (Barcode: 602498455074) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2007 8th album by Moody BluesFind albums by this artist and their 7th opus (as suggested by the title). By the time this album was recorded the band had behind it five years of grueling schedule of non-stop touring and recording, which basically created a complete burnout of everybody’s energies. Nevertheless they still managed to produce yet another masterpiece this time, but it will take 6 years to make the next Moody Blues album (OctaveFind albums with this title – the last album as a quintet) and their glory days were definitely over. Of course the public was unaware at the time of the situation and the group’s (temporary) disintegration came as total surprise. The album includes all the essential Moody Blues ingredients to make it a classic: a great mixture of fabulous songs, some romantic ballads and other up-tempo rockers and rich instrumentation with layers upon layers of sound. Justin HaywardFind albums by this artist, Mike PinderFind albums by this artist, Ray ThomasFind albums by this artist, John LodgeFind albums by this artist and Graeme EdgeFind albums by this artist will stay forever in our minds as creators of cutting-edge music and the seven classic albums constitute one of the mightiest musical achievements of the era. The new edition adds never previously heard bonus tracks (among them the only track recorded in 1973 as part of the failed effort to start the next album) and a crystal clear remastered sound, including the SACD 5.1 mix. Essential!

CD 1 Digipak SACD Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

MOODY BLUES ~ THE POLYDOR YEARS 1986-1992 POLYDOR 602537894147 (Barcode: 602537894147) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1986 - 1992 Released: 2014 This is a reissue / archival Box Set presenting the music recorded by the seminal British Pop / Rock band The Moody BluesFind albums by this artist between 1986 and 1992. The group enjoyed an enormous, both artistic and commercial, success between 1967 and 1972, with a stream of seven brilliant and innovative albums. A period of concentrating on solo projects between 1974 and 1977 ended, when the band reunited and released an album in 1978 followed by founding member vocalist / keyboardist Mike PinderFind albums by this artist leaving the band for good. The remaining four founding members: vocalist / guitarist Justin HaywardFind albums by this artist, vocalist / bassist John LodgeFind albums by this artist, vocalist / drummer Graeme EdgeFind albums by this artist and vocalist / multi-instrumentalist Ray ThomasFind albums by this artist were joined by ex-YesFind albums by this artist Swiss keyboardist Patrick MorazFind albums by this artist. They released two further albums for DeccaFind albums on this label, until the label was bought by PolydorFind albums on this label, where the story of this Box Set begins. This Box set includes the remastered and expanded versions of the four albums The Moody Blues released on Polydor: “The Other Side Of LifeFind albums with this title” (1986), “Sur La MerFind albums with this title” (1988), “Keys Of The KingdomFind albums with this title” (1991) and finally the live album “A Night At Red RocksFind albums with this title” (1993) recorded in 1992 with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, expanded to two CDs. Also included is a live CD “The Other Side Of Life Tour”, as well as a DVD of “A Night At Red Rocks” and another DVD with the documentary “The Other Side Of Red Rocks” and finally a vinyl single – altogether six CDs, two DVDs and a vinyl single, a hardcover book with essays and photographs - quite a package indeed. Although the music produced by The Moody Blues during this period is often dismissed by fans and critics alike, this is completely unjustified. They retained four of their founding members with their brilliant vocal harmonies and incredible songwriting talents and although the keyboards work by Moraz bears many of the dreaded 1980s synthesizer sound characteristics, it can be accepted as part of the time’s ambience. Overall, this Box Set is an incredible time capsule and a loving tribute to one of the greatest Classic Rock bands of all time. It offers a remarkable opportunity to re-discover (or simply discover) this chapter in the band’s activity and witness a process of musician that are able to age well and remain productive. I had an unexpected fun to listen to this music, a joyous ride indeed!

Updated: 27/09/2021Posted: 27/09/2021

CD 9 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend