Blue Jays

John Lodge, Justin Hayward, Justin Hayward & John Lodge | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B000001F6P
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,628 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. This Morning

2. Remember Me (My Friend)

3. My Brother

4. You

5. Nights Winters Years

6. Saved By The Music

7. I Dreamed Last Night

8. Who Are You Now

9. Maybe

10. When You Wake Up

11. Blue Guitar

Editorial Reviews

Digitally Remastered Edition of the 1975 Extra Curricular Duo Album from the Two Leading Lights of the Moody Blues. Includes the Single "Blue Guitar" as a Bonus Track. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moody without the Rest of the Blues, August 10, 2002

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Jays (Audio CD)

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.

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soaring on wings of music, riding the wind of brilliance. ., December 6, 1999

By 

John A. Kuczma "RogueUlfric" (Marietta, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blue Jays (Audio CD)

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.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two of the Moody Blues, October 30, 2005

By 

Lonnie E. Holder "The Review's the Thing" (Columbus, Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blue Jays (Audio CD)

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.