Record Reviews

MAINHORSE ~ MAINHORSE TIME WAVE 001 (Barcode: 604388669523) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2006 Only album by MainhorseFind albums by this artist, which was the first group to feature the amazing talents of the Swiss keyboards wizard Patrick MorazFind albums by this artist. A typical early Progressive work, with plenty of great instrumental moments. Moraz composed all the music for the group. Unfortunately the group split shortly after recording this album. Moraz would of course later join YesFind albums by this artist in their high glory days (replacing Rick WakemanFind albums by this artist) and record the classic RelayerFind albums with this title album with them. Later on he joined The Moody BluesFind albums by this artist (replacing Mike PinderFind albums by this artist). This album remained unreleased on CD for many years and is one of the most sought after Prog rarities in history.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MOODY BLUES ~ IN SEARCH OF THE LOST CHORD (DELUXE EDITION) DERAM 832147 (Barcode: 602498321478) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 3rd album in which the Moody BluesFind albums by this artist undertake the impossible task to follow up their previous album, which became an instant absolute classic. Very few rock groups managed to accomplish this, but they surely are one of those few. The group decided to relay on their own strength this time and did not involve an orchestra. Instead they initiated the use of the Mellotron, which proved to be an ample replacement in the hands of Mike PinderFind albums by this artist. The melodies are as beautiful and eloquent as ever, with the group members using a wide array of instruments to enrich the sonic textures. There is of course a distinct psychedelic influence present, not surprising as the album was recorded at the peak of the psychedelic period, but the Moodies turn those influences into something uniquely their own. This new edition adds an entire CD of previously never heard material, both studio and live (BBC), which of course is a revelation, considering how long it was kept in the vault and how great it is. The new remasters are pristine and sound better than anything recorded these days. This is an absolute classic and a must in every record collection.

CD 2 Digipak SACD Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

MOODY BLUES ~ ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM (EXPANDED EDITION) DERAM 832153 (Barcode: 602498321539) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2006 4th album and the first album the Moody BluesFind albums by this artist really had time to prepare for, as the recording of their previous album (In Search Of The Lost ChordFind albums with this title) was squeezed between grueling touring schedules. Not willing to use an orchestra, they fully utilized (and in many respects invented) the (then) new instrument – the Mellotron – played by Mike PinderFind albums by this artist. Pinder used the Mellotron for the first time on their previous album, but here he really got the grip of the full potential of the instrument, creating new sound vistas previously unimaginable. The original idea of the album was to present two different “sides” of the group, split between the two sides of the LP: on side A they placed a set of more “rocky “ songs and on side B the more complex, lyrical ones, which turned out to be their best to date. It seems the Moodies were unstoppable at creating one masterpiece after another at the time and the combination of great composers and excellent musicians worked as a magic formula. This magnificent new edition adds a set of fascinating bonus tracks, all previously unheard and a new pristine remastered sound, with the SACD 5.1 mix based on the original 1972 Quadraphonic release. Another timeless classic and a must.

CD 1 Digipak SACD Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential 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