Customer Reviews

Journey into Amazing Caves: Soundtrack from the IMAX Theatre Film

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

... . This beautiful soundtrack has ten tracks... 2 new Moody Blues songs unavailable anywhere else and 8 instrumental tracks from the score. There is NO new version of "Ride my See-Saw" on the CD at all. But that is hardly something to argue about when there is so much good to say about this. The two new songs are wonderful. "Water" is an inspired Moodies instrumental similar to "Hole in the World" from The Present album. "We Can Fly" is typical "Strange Times" Justin and John, a song that would easily fit the theme of the latest studio album. But that's not all for Moodies fans! Every track of the score (except one) features melodies from Moody Blues classics and best of all, Justin plays extensive guitar passages on all eight of the tracks, and he even sings a few bars of "Question" during one of the pieces. Overall, the score (featuring very cool orchestral renditions of Nights, Wildest Dreams, I Know You're Out There Somewhere, and Question) along with a new Moodies instrumental and a great four minute song with vocals by Justin and John...this is fantastic, almost as good as a brand new studio album, just with a little less singing. Very good for a Tuesday afternoon or two...

I'm a hard core Moody Blues fan. When I heard that Justin Hayward did a movie soundtrack, I couldn't wait to get it. But then I heard it was for National Geographic and I was quite hesitant. A friend told me about the CD so I took a chance and bought it. This CD is the one to listen to if you want to unwind or just sit and relax. I have found that it helps me to get to sleep because it is so relaxing. Throughout the CD you can hear clips of classic Moodies tunes in a way you've never heard them. The Latin touch to some of the tunes is excellent. Then, of course, there is another original Moodies track, an instrumental (Water), included. It's a good tune but nothing like in TOCCC or their other instrumentals. Then there's another Moodies original called We Can Fly. I really get into this song. It's a great tune and Justin's voice sounds just like in the old days of the Classic 7. This CD is a must for any hard core Moodies fan or for anyone who just like to listen to easy listening and relaxing music.

Even though this CD shows up as a Moody Blues CD, it's actually a multitude of artists; the credits list Justin Hayward on guitars, vocals, arrangements of Moody Blues' music and co-writer with John Lodge of "We Can Fly" and "Water." The vocal on "We Can Fly" sounds to me like John Lodge is singing the song with Justin. The harmonies on "Water" may also include John. The music was composed and arranged by Steve Wood and Daniel May based up the two new Lodge and Hayward songs intertwining elements of the Moody Blues songs "Days of Future Passed," "Question," "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," and "Your Wildest Dreams." The result is a sumptuous neo-classical work that makes for an outstanding soundtrack for the IMAX film "Journey into Amazing Caves."

The introduction, "To Extremes," begins wonderfully bombastic transitioning into an angelic vocal. Almost halfway into the first track are elements borrowed from "Nights in White Satin" that fit well with the lead-in. There are traces of "Nights in White Satin" in the instrumental as violins swell and take over the music, then the violins decrease in volume until the music quietly fades away near the end, becoming a beautiful introduction to this soundtrack.

Flutes (though I'm not sure what kind of flutes, they sound like pan flutes, piccolo or a recorder) open "Search for Daylight" with a short selection of music from "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" that transitions to a brief vocal by Justin Hayward from "Question," then transitioning back to guitars for more of "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," with original score by Steve Wood and Daniel May filling out the transitions. The music borrows traces of "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" to the end.

The next track, "Arizona," borrows from all three of the previously mentioned Moody Blues songs. "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" is especially prominent in this acoustic piece. A portion of the vocal is sung by someone with a very young-sounding voice.

"Water" is the first of the two Lodge/Hayward compositions. The electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards and harmonies are the style we've heard from The Moody Blues since the 60s. I could wish that the quality of all the tracks on "Strange Times" was equivalent to this particular track. This track is ethereal and beautiful, and it is way shorter than I could have wished. There is a musical theme here that could be explored in greater depth in the tradition of longer Moody Blues compositions.

In "Crystal Chamber" you are in an indescribably beautiful cave chamber. An echo effect is used to enhance the feeling at the beginning of the track. Wood and May used elements from "Nights in White Satin" along with elements from "Your Wildest Dream;" fitting given the subject of the track. The portions of "Nights in White Satin" used completely changes the flavor of the song and is contextually wonderfully beautiful.

"Blue Cathedral" is a completely original Wood and May composition. A piano opens the piece, soulful and haunting. An Enya-like harmony builds and the piano gives way to a recorder or flute. There is just a touch of Native American flavor, perhaps Navajo, which changes the nature of this song.

Music from "Question" gently introduces the next selection, "Frozen in Time." The Native American influences from the previous track continue to flavor this track. The music keeps a Native American flavor and adds music from "Nights in White Satin," including an electric guitar, to create a totally unique work. Had we not known the origin of this song we could easily have thought it was created specifically for this CD. Near the end of this track the music changes as a brief, but significant Hispanic flavor is added.

"Home of the Mayan Gods" begins as a dramatic song. "Nights in White Satin" is sprinkled in this song to tie the musical theme to the other compositions. This time there is a touch of Mexican flavor with drums and an acoustic guitar to flavor the song to tie it as closely as possible to the Yucatan peninsula.

"Horizons Turn Inward" once again uses elements from "Nights in White Satin." An electric lead guitar serves as the centerpiece for the arrangement, with orchestral components entering and exiting as appropriate to the pace of the song. This arrangement is much more complex than The Moody Blues attempted on "The Days of Future Passed." While the orchestra tends to dominate this piece, there are places where the potential of re-arranging the original song can be seen.

The final selection is the second of the Lodge/Hayward compositions, "We Can Fly." This song has quality similar to that of the first selection. Once again, had the quality of the songs on "Strange Times" met this standard, I think the album would have been significantly better. This song is mellow and harmonious with classic Moody Blues style, harkening back to their early years.

The Moody Blues created their own genre while being part of the creation of progressive rock. Their music is still somewhat unique. That their music is amenable to the expert manipulations of Steve Wood and Daniel May speaks volumes of the strongly classical origins of their music. Bombastic, harmonious, mellow, creative, and wonderful are all terms appropriate to this music. A passer-by listened to this CD for a while and said they thought it was Pink Floyd when "Water" was playing. I'll match this CD with some of the best in New Age, light rock, and even classical music being produced today. If your tastes run to these genres, then this CD is a must have.

Singer/songwriter Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues has wanted to write a soundtrack for many years; he and his bandmates finally got the chance to be contributors with "Journey into Amazing Caves", the companion to the IMAX movie of the same name. I received my copy yesterday and eagerly popped it into the stereo and was greeted with sounds and music that can only be termed exquisite and majestic. The Moodies have 2 new songs on this CD (written by JH and bassist John Lodge), the haunting instrumental "Water"--which at less than 3 minutes is too short in my book--and the truly uplifting "We Can Fly". Justin was asked to play guitar throughout this album and he contributes his vocals and the riffs on all 10 songs, with snippets of "Nights in White Satin", "Question", "Your Wildest Dreams", and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" swirling in and out of the 8 original songs written and arranged by Steve Wood and Daniel May. The sound here is ethereal, reverent, and soaring; where Justin contributes the guitar solos to the very different interpretations of the classic Moody Blues' songs, they do not overpower the soundtrack. A caution to Moodies' fans--if you are looking to hear "that sound" that's synonymous with their many albums, you may be disappointed because this is a very different set of songs. You CAN "find it" if you listen hard enough, but it's not "obvious". However, their 2 original contributions are definitely "moody" melodies. This entire venture is stunning and beautiful and I think a masterpiece the band and Justin can and should be proud of. The music here is beyond exquisite.

How gorgeous is this musical experience? I believe music is meant to lift us up, to help us transcend the mundane areas of our lives, and there is no other band that can do this as well as the Moody Blues. This CD took me somewhere else, and does every time I listen to it. If you want to experience flying on melody, this is the CD for you. I only wish I could rate this 10 stars!

This CD is a wonderful musical experience. The Moody Blues have two new songs, the instrumental "Water" and the upbeat "We Can Fly." The remainder of the album has orchestral arrangements of the Moodies' music. The Moodies have been known for years for their symphonic rock, and in recent years have toured with orchestras, so "Journey Into Amazing Caves" gives the listener another side of their music, leaning toward New Age. It's a very enjoyable, very relaxing, and very good soundtrack.

Melody has become hard to come by in so much of the music being written for today. For a simple comparison all one has to do is listen to the classical pieces that remain among the most popular music still enjoyed in the 21st century--the many works of Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Beethoven, et cetera. Therein, it becomes easy to appreciate the importance that melody plays in forging our individual emotional bond with such timeless music.

The soundtrack to the Imax film "Journey Into Amazing Caves" highlights the music of arguably the most melodic rock group of the past 30+ years--The Moody Blues. Clearly, as you listen to these latest tracks from the venerable band, the guitar and songwriting skills of Justin Hayward continue to remain in the forefront. Immerse yourself in the ethereal, guitar-driven instrumental "Water". Catch the easily identifiable refrains from some of "The Moodies" greatest songs interspersed with the melodic instrumentals and vocals from the other artists encountered on this CD. Undoubtedly, you will find yourself turning once again to your Moodies CD catalog for a full-fledged trip through their consistent harmonic excellence.

Finally, when you hear the Moodies (led by Hayward) on their latest vocal effort (the last cut on the "Journey"CD) "We Can Fly", you'll agree that it is the melody that makes for music that endures. This soundtrack CD strongly brings that message home.

Never to exhaust their wealth of musical contributions, the Moody Blues have now recorded a mammoth soundtrack to an IMAX production. Once again, this recording proves that the songs are timeless and can be interpreted in many ways. The soundtrack score relies on numerous versions of the perennial favorites, "Nights In White Satin", "Question", "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" and "Your Wildest Dreams". With Justin Hayward on guitar and vocals and a large set of studio professionals, the sound interpretations include African percussion and woodwinds, British chorals, foreign spoken word, a bevy of synthesizers/programmers, incredible orchestration and fantastic guitar work. The sounds are perfect for the screen topics format. Two new Moody Blues songs are present including a tremedous Hayward guitar solo of "Water" and the uplifting "We Can Fly". The Moody Blues have experimented over the years with other vocalists, musicians and orchestras from all over the world on other albums, but these song interpretations bring out the true ethereal, mysterious mood that brought the Moody Blues such fame and adultation.

Just when you think the Moody Blues can't get any better, they do! I'd been hoping for a tribute of some sort with instrumental versions of their best songs ... dreams really do come true. What a stunning soundtrack, with beautiful and lush orchestrations. I do recommend that you purchase the DVD also, what an amazing world to explore! I've been a MB fan for years, and they never cease to amaze me. The new track "We Can Fly" is great also, an encouraging way to end a masterfully doen soundtrack. If you love soundtracks, or the Moody Blues I recommend this one. It's a nice addition to the vast melodies the Moodies have done over the years, and quite an accomplishment. Peace, Dakota

This compilation of works brings back a part of Justin Hayward's spirit that as not truely been reached since "In Search of the Lost Chord". This album brings back very familiar and fantastic soundscapes that have their territory within that album. It rekindles the psychedelic magic that has always been, and now, New-Age soundscapes are being added to create a more ethnic and tranquil feel with the influence of India and the Four Corners in mind. This album greatly shows a peace and a magic within vast soundscapes that are being rekindled that haven't sounded in any such way as creative and unique in 35 years.

Peace,
Ben. the 16 year old.