Customer Reviews

A Night At Red Rocks With The Colorado Symphony Orchestra

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This show was a great collaboration with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and finally the band is showing it some deserved respect. You can throw away the original Red Rocks disc because this is the full unedited show on two discs and it includes a 28-color page booklet including liner notes by Bill DeYoung.

If you're really devoted, you can see these "new" songs, including the complete version of the "Legend Of A Mind" on the video "The Other Side of Red Rocks," which documents the preparation for the big concert.

I gave this album 4 stars for the NATURAL performances on nearly all the songs, which resulted from the anxiety of trying something new. Touring with orchestras worldwide continued over the next ten years following this milestone and in 2000 they released "Hall of Fame," another live album that could barely serve as another greatest hits package. The difference between "Red Rocks" and "Hall of Fame" is obvious when you compare the set lists: "Red Rocks" includes the bands favorite songs, "Hall of Fame" includes only the bands hits. This album is important if you want to understand the Moody Blues' musical transformation in the 1990s.

I'm glad to see the whole concert in one package. If you are fortunate enough to have the 5-disc Time Traveller set, then there are five or six songs on the bonus disc that should have been included in the original Red Rocks CD. Now that it has been reissued in its entirety, we have the whole concert. This was an excellent performance by the Moody Blues and a daring one at that since it was their first time ever playing in concert with a real live orchestra. It worked out beautifully. I just love the extended version of Legend Of A Mind. What a tease Ray is with this one. This is a must have for any Moody Blues fan. If you have the original Red Rocks CD.....can it!

It's not too difficult to choose which of the three `live' Moody Blues albums to buy. "Caught Live" is a recording mess actually from a 1968 performance and the latest, "Hall Of Fame" has too many rough points to really impress. This "full" concert from Red Rocks is unmatched by many live recordings, especially now that it has been remastered to near perfect quality. You can actually hear the difference between the original CD recording and this remastered version - it's that good.

The song selection is standard (or classic) Moody Blues, but the Colorado Symphony adds so much more ambiance. It is not a perfect orchestra, which makes it all the more appealing with a rock band. The booklet contains great information with photos and a thoughtful essay. The DVD makes a nice companion piece, but the sound through a set of headphones is mesmerizing. The only drawback might be the songs from, "Keys To The Kingdom", but that's not much to complain about.

I'm shaking my head at those who are dissing this album. I was disappointed when this album first came out as a singe CD. I was disappointed when Hall of F(Sh)ame came out. Neither of these disks truly represented a Moodies show (although both were very well executed). They were ever so brief.

The breadth of material on this collection covers many years. Its the best selection of songs on any official live Moody's album (Caught Live had a great selection for the period it covered)...Emily's Song? Voices in the Sky? Exquisite.

Sure, we could have done with one or two less samplings of Keys to the Kingdom but the completist has to contend with the songs for which the band was touring, when you get a full concert recording...at least they chose wisely from the album.

Granted, the second disk sounds like just about any other Moodies show...the last 1/3 of their program hasn't changed in decades (Just A singer => Nights => Legend => Question => See-Saw), I don't think that will ever change. And with the exception of Legend of a Mind and Singer in a Rock n Roll band, they seldom stray from the studio interpretation. But when they do, oh, the treatment! Legend is worth the price of the disk alone. The only Ray Thomas jam session that's better is the Veteran Cosmic Rocker suite from the above mentioned '83 show...good luck getting that!

Bottom line...top rank sweeeeeeet stuff. If you're a diehard fan, don't complain, its been a long time coming and its the best of their lot. If you are a fair-weather fan...great compilation to start with. If you're tired of your geriatric bands turning out several live albums instead of studio material...make an execption with this CD...its worth the price.

A NIGHT AT RED ROCKS WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA is an exceptional Moody Blues live album that shreds CAUGHT LIVE+5 for two reasons. First of all, the earlier live album had actually been cut in 1969, when the band was high on drugs and/or drunk. Secondly, G-d created Red Rocks Ampitheater with excellent acoustics, so you can hear each instrument on its own AND as part of the whole group. The songs are all acknowledged classics, and this setting shows how Justin Hayward's, John Lodge's, and Ray Thomas's voices have deepened and matured over the years. This album is an important addition to any Moody Blues collection.

Finally, the full concert in a CD. All the songs are here. It was more cost effective to buy this CD and the Red Rocks DVD separately than to buy the box set. The CD has been remastered and all the songs from the concert included. Why they aren't included in the video is beyond me. There is a companion DVD that included the left out songs and more interview, but it is difficult to find. Since they did such a wonderful job with this CD, hopefully they will integrate the DVD and rerelease it also.
The sound on this CD makes you feel as if you are truly right there!

It's hard to say something about the Moody Blues. They were a terrific band back in the day, kept it going for a long, long time, and yet they still find a way to entertain an audience of all ages. As an owner of multiple studio albums, I finally decided to purchase a live album. Red Rocks rocks! This newly remastered edition has a great mix, and I love the band banter. Buy it, if you don't mind the price tag. Which I don't for good music.

This CD was a great buy. The music is excellent and it got to me quickly. If your a fan of the Moody Blues be sure you add this to your collection. A Night at Red Rocks really does.

If you enjoyed them many years ago, be prepared to take a ride down memory lane. Their expertise at creating very versatile songs is astounding. Add the Colorado Symphony and the entire DVD is "awesome." I highly recommend this DVD for an evening of outstanding music.

This is the most comprehensive collection of Moody Blues work I've ever seen. I was priviledged to watch the show live on our local PBS station and this collection has songs they didn't show. It's absolutely wonderful. A must-have for anyone who loves the Moody Blues.