Customer Reviews

December

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I normally don't listen to Christmas music too early in the season for fear of tiring of it too soon. I adore The Moody Blues, but was reluctant to go right out and purchase this CD as I've done with their music in the past. A friend of mine surprised me by sending a copy in the mail as a gift. The words that come to mind upon first listen are "refreshing" and "sincere." "Don't Need A Reindeer" is such a catchy, bouncy opener that has several hooks that just play through your head all day. "December Snow" is another favorite of mine, showcasing Justin Hayward's mind-blowing talent for writing such poignant ballads.

Though the remaining Moody Blues can handle the harmonies quite well, I do miss Ray Thomas' full, rich baritone that I've loved all these years. As for the flute-playing, Norda Mullen does a marvelous job on this recording, and in concert for the last year.

I echo the sentiments of those who regretted there not being more original tunes on the CD. I've read an interview where Justin stated that adding more "covers" was the idea of the record company rather than their own.

I also agree that this is a CD that is not exclusive of the holiday season. I think this is a positive thing, though. I'm going to enjoy listening to this great offering from my favorite band well into the new year!

Lovely! Captures the essence of the challenging times we face. There is a sweetness here, even in the midst of sadness -- a wistful yearning that we may yet find peace within our hearts...a wish that each person may build a better life, a life filled with love, light, and hope. These voices ring true with that wonderful Moody magic -- not too preachy, not too dark. Balm for the heart. Traditional, cheery Christmas music? No. But for those who recently lost homes in the California fires, for those still mourning the victims of 9/11, for those who are dealing with uncertain times, for those who are brokenhearted -- this music may offer solace, comfort, and gentle hope for a loving Christmas, and for a better tomorrow.

As a Moody Blues fan spanning the decades since there first recordings it still brings me chills with anticipation of a new release. This time however the thought of a Christmas Theme made me wonder what to expect and could the Moodies really spin their magic on a holiday theme? December comes to me as an extremely pleasant surprise! Beautiful music in the Moody Blues style. Justin's songs are wonderful. I fell immediately for "December Snow" and "I Believe". Some Christmas classics mixed in were a wonderful surprise. This has to be one of there best since "Seventh Sojourn"! Time will tell if this will be considered a great success but my thoughts are it will. Great music from the Moodies for old and new fans alike. Thank you Moody Blues for making my holiday spirits start early this year!

One of the best cd's the Moodies have made. It literally transports the listener to some past or future December... Cold and blustery winds may blow but the music and voices are warm and embracing.
I expected to like this cd...but after one listen I was in love!

The original songs like "December Snow" are instant classics. The lyrics will come to mind over and again throughout your day!
Thankfully, it is not strictly a holiday song... it is a song of happy memories, lost loves and undying hopes and dreams...

Other favorites are "Don't Need A Reindeer" (which is great fun and will have everyone dancing in no time!), "The Spirit Of Christmas" is heart wrenching...and very timely.

The covers of "Happy Xmas", "When A Child Is Born" and especially the hymn "In The Bleak Midwinter" feature wonderful vocals! Justin's version of the Mike Batt/Tim Rice "A Winter's Tale" is another treasure! Both John and Justin are in very good voice.

I have only one complaint...well, two...I do miss Ray Thomas' presence...and a bit more from Graeme would have thrilled..still, the band and their friends and fellow musicians did a splendid job on this cd!

Warning, you cannot listen to it "just once"! Plan the evening, place the cd on your player and prepare to spend the entire night enjoying this litte gem!

"December" is the first new studio album by The Moody Blues since the release of "Strange Times" in 1999. Not only that, "December" is the band's very first seasonal project. Although it has the sound of the modern Moody Blues, this album is almost a throwback to the concept albums that made the band famous so many moons ago. "December" not only features Christmas songs but also includes songs about winter, snowfall and other events associated with the month of December.

Musically, The Moody Blues are still in top-notch form as they perform spirited versions of "White Christmas", "In The Bleak Midwinter" and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas". Additionally, Moody members Justin Hayward and John Lodge add their own original material including Hayward's rocking opener "I Don't Need A Reindeer" and beautiful ballad "December Snow" as well as Lodge's lush orchestrated "On This Christmas Day" and "The Spirit of Christmas". The only minor drawback with this album is the absence of original Moody member Ray Thomas who retired from the band this year after 40 years. His unique vocals and haunting flute are missed but the three remaining members do more than their share of making up for Thomas's absence.
"December" is not only a fine addition to The Moody Blues lengthy catalog, it's also an excellent addition to one's Holiday music collection. Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge have put their trademark musical stamp on these Holiday favorites and originals. The could very well be an album that can be played year-round. Definitely a must for any Moody Blues fan.

There are many out there who will immediately dismiss the Moody Blues as has-beens, trite, dinosaurs, etc. or just simply ignore them. In my view that is like ignoring the depths of one's heart and soul. I admit that they can be overly dramatic at times and are not the adventurous ones that they were in the 60s and 70s, but insincere they are not. What comes across to me, especially in Hayward's contributions, is the epitome of sincere reflection that often reaches deep into the emotional psyche. In a year of a boatload of Christmas cds being released, "December" is an immediate standout. It's not another attempt at "all your favorite Christmas caroles," but a Moody Blues album that thematically reflects the Christmas season in all it's joy, pain and anticipation. Whenever I hear their music (and this album is no exception) I am called to reevaluate my present within the context of the ideals and values I grew to embrace. Those ideals and values always flow out of love. That's not hokey to me.
Hayward has a way of turning a phrase into a picture as he does on all his compositions on this album. I find Lodge's efforts a bit more forced, but his production efforts make up for it. The cover tunes and caroles are well chosen and well played. They are complimentary to the rest of the ablum and fit the concept.
I confess that I miss the retired Ray Thomas, but his contributions to Moody cds have been minimal to absent in the last two decades.
I do hope that this album won't disappear in the midst of a myriad of Christmas cds. I suppose it'll be up to fans to spread the word - but that isn't much different than it HAS been for quite a while, now is it?? This album will make nice Christmas gifts, too! :-)

For those of us who have kept the faith and for the newcomers to the Moodies' journey through time and space, our reward has arrived in October, not December!
Being a fan of the Moodies since '67, I definitely look forward to each new release like a letter from a loved one.. Full of where they are and what is going on in their lives, it's been an enduring relationship.
They have talked of making a Christmas album for a few years now, and holiday seasons have come and gone with no sign of it coming true until this year... December was well worth the wait..
The tonal quality of this CD is superb- it is so clear that it sounds like Justin and John are in your living room. A mix of traditional Christmas songs with a Moody touch ("Big Red" on White Christmas) and original compositions, it is more than "just" a Christmas CD. The rendition of Happy Xmas(War is Over) will remind a casual listener of "Isn't Life Strange" in the way John and Justin's voices interweave.. John's song "The Spirit of Christmas" questions where the spirit has gone and does have some antiwar sentiment between the lines...
If you're a Moodies' fan like me, you've already enjoyed this, maybe a couple of times already today. If not, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to give this wonderful gift from one of the most creative and influential bands a listen; like so many of their other releases it will take you on a journey, make you think, and leave you feeling just a little better afterwards...

As you can probably guess, the Moody Blues' latest release, "December," is a Christmas album, and it's a great one at that. The Moodies serve up five original Christmas songs and six covers of Christmas classics, all played & sung quite wonderfully. The original songs---Justin Hayward's "Don't Need A Reindeer," "December Snow" and "Yes I Believe," and John Lodge's "On This Christmas Day" and "The Spirit Of Christmas," are so good that you wish the band would've done an album of ALL original Christmas tunes! Still, the cover songs are all rendered with great care, too, including a charming soft rock treatment of "White Christmas," and the beautiful "When A Child Is Born" and "In The Bleak Midwinter." The Moodies' cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is a little curious on the first listen, as the band omit the closing "War is over/If you want it" verse, but maybe that's because of the current state of the world, as war is *not* really over at this time of year, so it's very understandable.Regretfully, "December" is the first Moody Blues album without singer/flautist Ray Thomas, who recently retired from the band. Though Ray is certainly missed, his flute duties have been taken up by a lady named Norda Mullen, and she steps in for Ray just fine with some lovely flute decorations on several tracks. With "December," Justin, John, and drummer Graeme Edge continue to keep the Moody Blues flag flying, and they have also crafted an excellent, joyful album for the holidays. Pick up "December," and have a very merry Christmas with the Moodies.

This one has got something for everyone, not just the loyal Moody Blues fans - although they will love it ,too. December is a Christmas CD in the best sense of the word, echoing the values and traditions of Christianity, and the universal themes of brotherhood, friendship and love, while warmimg the hearts of listeners with wonderful musical and lyrical pictures of the Christmas/winter season. The songs are a mix of sacred and secular music, featuring 5 original songs by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, 4 beautifully arranged covers of songs as diverse Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas", and 2 very elegant arrangements of works by J.S. Bach and Gustav Holst. Hayward and Lodge shine in this effort, not only as fine musicians , songwriters and vocalists, but as the producers of this disc - and their original compositions are some of the highlights of this truly unique collection of songs. Add to all of this the fine keyboard work and orchestrations of Danilo Madonia, and you have a holiday offering that is sure to delight the listener for years to come.

After listening to December several times in the last few days I can only shake my head in wonder. This is a beautiful CD. I don't know how Justin Hayward does it but once again he manages to write songs that can give me chills. The 3 original songs he wrote for this collection are superb, the best being "December Snow". It's a slow moving ballad with a subtle touch of jazz piano, and a haunting melody that is one of his best songs ever. "Don't Need a Reindeer" is a another in his canon of smooth flowing rockers that I find myself humming to all day. "Yes, I Believe" is slightly reminiscent of "It's Not Too Late" from View From the Hill. John's two contributions are less consistent. "On This Christmas Day" is a solid song but "The Spirit of Christmas" which starts out strong has a jarring middle eight that spoils the poignancy of lyrics and seems totally out of place. The remaining 6 selections are covers of Christmas songs and the band has shown alot of originality in their selections. Lesser know ballads such as When A Child Is Born and A Winter's Tale are highlights. Even when they tackle a standard like White Christmas they add an upbeat tempo mid way through which makes it sound totally fresh. Although Christmas is the over-riding theme, the CD comes across as less a joyous Ode to the holidays. The lyrics are wistful, with alot of hoping and longing for a better world. The arrangements are superb, the production flawless and Justin's and John's singing and harmonizing are at their best. Will somebody please give this CD some airplay? It deserves too be heard.