Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
From Mighty Ray!, July 9, 2005
Being a long time Moody Blues fan and being old enough to have all their vinyl recordings, it was a thrill to see them put out individual solo efforts. Ray Thomas especially. "From Mighty Oaks" is a day in the English countryside with a man who is very,very English. All of the songs in some way have you looking up! Co-written with either Nicky James or Terry James ( I'm not sure which one. Terry is the orchestral arranger ), the songs are rays (get it?) of sunshine coming from the light that shined on us all back in the 1970s'. I tend to fall back on music,especially these days, that is like a postcard from a time and place that was full of "Hopes,Wishes and Dreams", and this is no exception! The Moodies introduced a generation of rock fans to classical influences and "From Mighty Oaks", especially the title song, is a beautifully arranged piece that,as I said, makes you look up! From "Hey Mama...Life!" to "Adam and I"...."I Wish We Could Fly", all of the songs will lift you up and give you that sense of spirituality we get from nature and our most endearing quality, love. To listen to this recording now is to realize what an integral part of the Moody Blues Ray Thomas was..and is! Even though he is not touring anymore, I can only imagine he is home in his garden,(like me!) listening to what the the sun and the birds and the trees are saying to us. If you listen real close too, you will hear how these songs came about and understand completely where love comes from. I am so glad it is available on CD. Don't pass it up! Ray, we miss your flute and your stature that filled the left side of the stage! Ray Thomas will always be the one and only "Veteran Cosmic Rocker!"
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Solid Solo Debut From Moodies Flautist..., July 31, 2006
Released in 1975, Moody Blues flautist Ray Thomas goes it alone on his first solo album. Although lyrically this hard-to-find release might be considered insipid, from an instrumental and orchestral standpoint, this album can't help but hit the bullseye with the Moody Blues legion of fans. Thomas' solo work may not come to the instrumental grandeur and songwriting talents of fellow Moodies member and lead guitarist Justin Hayward (Thomas DOES NOT play any flute on this album), but in his own right, Ray's husky and distinctive baritone voice is what truly carries this great album.
It's a shame that following this collection and Thomas' only other album release "Hopes, Wishes, & Dreams" in 1976 that Thomas didn't record and release other solo material when he had the time and opportunity prior to his retirement from the band in 2002. By today's pop/rock musical standards, Ray's solo work indeed looks better all the time (right Britney Spears???).
And Ray, if by chance you happen to read this, hope your retirement years are wonderful...you deserve it! Thanks for the wonderful memories! We will greatly miss you!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best !, March 2, 2005
This is one of the best albums produced during the "solo" years the Moody Blues were each doing their own albums. I bought the album when it first appeared back then (and still have it). It clearly demonstrates the musical talents and ability of Ray Thomas who is one of the founding members of the Moody Blues. The music is just as good today as it was back then. Whether its the original black vinyl album or on CD, it is and remains a classic. Worth more than 5 stars.
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by Ray Thomas 
