Customer Reviews

Blue Jays

5 star:		(94)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are some CDs that are more difficult to rate than others. Particularly when so many people rave about how great a CD is. You want to say something new, but you also want to be objective and fair to all those people who either don't know the Moody Blues or know the Moodies but not well enough to know esoteric references to members. This album is one of those.

Let's start with the basics. This album was released while the Moody Blues were on hiatus, trying to decide whether they had things to contribute musically individually versus as a group. The album was recorded in the mid-70s, and it sounds like mid-70s soft rock. The music sounds very very much like the Moody Blues, though not quite, since the talents of Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge are missing. So while there is no mistaking that this album is by members of the Moodies, it's still not quite the same.

What characterizes the songs on this CD the most are the harmonies. Justin Hayward and John Lodge have always harmonized well, and those harmonies are exploited for full effect on this album. Listen to "You", "My Brother", "I Dreamed Last Night" and "Who Are You Now" and you will see what I mean. These two are masters of mellow rock.

In fact, if you are looking for a romantic evening in front of the fire place with your favorite guy or girl, and a bottle of wine, and are looking for listening music, not talking music, pop this in, turn out the lights, and listen. This music will make you so mellow and feel so good that you'll not want to move, except for cuddling, of course!

This album was recorded with the fully matured voices of Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Their voices alone could have carried any of these songs. The songs are well performed, giving musical credence even to the weakest of lyrics on this album. Conversely, when the lyrics match well with the music and either or both of their voices, the songs are unstoppable. It's almost a good thing that this pair didn't record more albums separate from the Moody Blues because I'm not sure the world was ready for that many blues songs with so much feeling.

Bonus! This album includes Justin Hayward's solo song "Blue Guitar". The tone of this song fits well with the rest of the album, and helps to extend the length of the album to better make use of the time available on a CD, recalling that "Blue Jays" was originally recorded on vinyl. Furthermore, having "Blue Guitar" at the end makes you wish the album wouldn't end, so you have to go back and play it over again. Or pop in a Moody Blues album.

Do you like the Moody Blues, particular from the classic years? Do you like the songs Justin Hayward (who has one of the most unique voices in rock/pop music, ever) and John Lodge sing? Do you like mellow or romantic rock music? Why are you still reading this review? This album is excellent, so my advice to you is,

Go buy and good bye.

When I first found a copy of Blue Jays, I was only mildly interested but, hey, this was Justin Hayward and John Lodge, so it worth a listen. Since that day, the listens have been many and often, but the depth and beauty of the music only grows stronger. For those who like the hard-rockin' side of the Moody Blues, Blue Jays will be a bit of a change. For those who love Justin Hayward's profound ballads and John Lodge's airy harmonies, this disc is like finding buried treasure.

It would be hard to say any particular song is better than the next, but for sheer emotional magnitude and lyrical imagery, I Dreamed Last Night stands out. No one can sing of the bittersweet pain and promise of love like Hayward, and the songwriting combination of Hayward and Lodge is the best since Lennon-McCartney.

Don't look for deep philosophical ramblings here; you won't find them. But, if you love the unique sound of Justin and John blending their voices to paint with sound on the canvas of imagination, this album is a must.

Blue Jays soars beyond the clouds, finally finding its musical home where it belongs, among the stars.

Let's start with the basics. This album was released while the Moody Blues were on hiatus, trying to decide whether they had things to contribute musically individually versus as a group. This album was recorded in the mid-70s, and it sounds like mid-70s soft rock. The music sounds very much like the Moody Blues, though not quite, since the talents of Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge are missing. So while there is no mistaking that this album is by members of the Moodies, it is still not quite the same.

What characterizes the songs on this CD the most are the harmonies. Justin Hayward and John Lodge have always harmonized well, and those harmonies are exploited for full effect on this album. Listen to "You," "My Brother," "I Dreamed Last Night" and "Who Are You Now" and you will see what I mean. These two are masters of mellow rock.

In fact, if you are looking for a romantic evening in front of the fire place with your favorite guy or girl, and a bottle of wine, and are looking for listening music, not talking music, pop this in, turn out the lights, and listen. This music will make you so mellow and feel so good that you'll not want to move, except for cuddling, of course!

This album was recorded with the fully matured voices of Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Their voices alone could have carried any of these songs. The songs are well performed, giving musical credence even to the weakest of lyrics on this album. Conversely, when the lyrics match well with the music and either or both of their voices, the songs are unstoppable. It's almost a good thing that this pair didn't record more albums separate from the Moody Blues because I'm not sure the world was ready for that many blues songs with so much feeling.

Bonus! This album includes Justin Hayward's solo song "Blue Guitar." The tone of this song fits well with the rest of the album, and helps to extend the length of the album to better make use of the time available on a CD, recalling that "Blue Jays" was originally recorded on vinyl. Furthermore, having "Blue Guitar" at the end makes you wish the album wouldn't end, so you have to go back and play it over again. Or pop in a Moody Blues album.

Do you like the Moody Blues, particular from the classic years? Do you like the songs John Lodge and Justin Hayward (who has one of the most unique voices in rock/pop music, ever)? Do you like mellow or romantic rock music? Why are you still reading this review? This album is excellent.

This album is one of at least two versions available. Since the prices and features vary between albums, you may wish to determine what is available before buying.

This album came out while the Moody Blues were on their hiatus in the 70's, and for fans, which yearned for the band during this time, this was a lifesaver. One of the most beautiful albums made, it is full of love songs, (which is what Justin Hayward does the best!) wonderful singing by both Justin and John and the extra treat of their harmonies. This is something you want to hear after a stressful day, maybe in the car on the way home from work. Listening to "I Dreamed Last Night" can erase even the worst mood, or at least help. This even has the extra "Blue Guitar" which was not on the original vinyl release. I do remember that it was criticized when it came out that it was too much like a Moody Blues album. That's a criticism? I wish they still made music like this!

Mea Culpa! In a recent review of tone of the Moody Blues albums I mentioned that I really enjoyed this album, which I believed was unavailable on CD. While surfing the Amazon site, to my amazement and excitement I discovered it has recently been released. Needless to say, I immediately ordered it. This is an album released in the several year interregnum of the Moody Blues between the astonishing success of the late 1960s and early 1970s and their re-emergence with "Octave" later in the decade. This album satisfied those of us die-hard Moody fans who were willing to settle for the two "Js" (Justin and John) rather than go cold turkey with no Moodies at all. So, while this is a mixed bag in terms of the numbers included, there are several terrific songs and a number of superb instrumentals so reminiscent of the best of the group that I am glad it was finally re-released. My own personal favorites here are "This Morning", "Night, Winter, Years", and "I Dreamed Last Night". I also like "Who Are You Now", very much like some later Hayward compositions like "I Know You're Out There Somewhere". This is a slightly different slant on the Moodies, one consisting mainly of ballads and light tunes by the two main writing forces in the band. I am anxiously waiting for my copy to appear in the mailbox. I can hardly wait! Enjoy

I was so glad to see this in CD form -- my record LP of "Blue Jays" was long lost in the '70's. Unlike so much, this was as I remembered it, romantic and lush. Nobody does nostalgic longing better than Justin Hayward. "Nights Winters Years" seems a little over the top to some, to me, its just original 7 producer Tony Clarke giving the song a deserved cosmic treatment. "This Morning", "Saved By the Music" and the haunting "Blue Guitar" are among the standout tracks, but every song on this CD is memorable and well produced.

This CD is in my all time top 10.

I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviewers-this is the best of the solo Moodies ventures of the '70's...And here's the kicker-It was briefly available as a Quadraphonic 4 channel reel-to-reel tape, just as all the Moody Blues albums through "Seventh Sojourn" except "Magnificent Moodies" (1st LP) and "In Search of the Lost Chord" (3rd LP) were. Well, ALL the Moody multi-channels have been re-issued as SACDs, so where's the re-issue in 5.1 of "Blue Jays" ? We need to make some noise, fellow fans, because THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST MULTI-CHANNEL RELEASE by ANY artist I'VE EVER HEARD ! No, I'm not imagining it was, you see, I still own my 4-channel tape deck and all my 4-channel tapes ! I can assure you that you haven't really heard this awe-inspiring masterpiece in the way it was really intended until you've heard it in discrete surround sound. It is the sonic jewel of my entire audio collection ! Indeed, it is my favorite Moody Blues release-including all Moody Blues albums-that is the power it has in multi-channel ! Polygram, LET'S SEE THIS RE-ISSUED ON 5.1 SACD or 5.1 DVD-audio, please !

Possibly a biased view from an old and long-time fan both of these guys as a group and individually:

A beautiful contribution by Justin and John to the MB's collection of music. A little sad, but they ARE the BLUE Jays! Like most of their music it may take a little listening to get used to, but take the time. "I dreamed last night" and "Who are you now" are my special favourites - just listen to those strings!

I have heard comments that the orchestration is overblown and the songs sometimes pretentious - everyone is entitled to their opinion. The Moody Blues make life just that much more worthwhile.

Released between "Seventh Sojourn" and "Octave", Hayward and Lodge composed an album as worthy as any Moody Blues collaboration. Each song takes the Moody Blues atmosphere and elaborates on it. The natural strings are abundant and are well used as backgrounds and accents.

Opening with the wistful "This Morning", each songs glides into the next almost seemlessly; like a concept album. Only "Saved By The Music" is a tad jarring, but this is immediately replaced with arguably the most beautiful Hayward/Lodge song ever written, "I Dreamed Last Night". It is a masterpiece. "Maybe" was a FM staple that year of 1975 and it is a triumphant celebration filled with horns, cellos and strings. It reminds one of "Question" in it's structure more than it's sound.

The last song on the album, "Blue Guitar" is actually a bluesy number by Hayward that was added when this set was released on CD. It's a good finish to a moody and beautifully crafted album.

I think I might have gotten the last copy Amazon had it stock, because right after it was shipped to me it went to special order, and now limited availability. I came home for lunch and found this cd waiting at my door, stuck in in my car cd player and it was there for more than a week! From This Morning on the first track, to Blue Guitar on the last, this is one great cd. Rarely do I listen to a cd and not skip through tracks, this cd has me repeating tracks instead. Hayward and Lodge work as well here as on any Moody Blues' album.
This Morning, My Brother and I Dreamed Last Night are my favorite tracks. I even catch myself replaying John Lodge's Maybe once in a while. If this cd is out of print for long,it would be a real shame. I'm a big Moodies fan, and this may be their best work next to Days of Future Passed.