Songwriter [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Justin Hayward | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 3, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Polygram UK
• ASIN: B0001DMMX4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,971 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Tightrope

2. Songwriter (Part One)

3. Songwriter (Part Two)

4. Country Girl

5. One Lonely Room

6. Lay It On Me

7. Stage Door

8. Raised On Love

9. Doin Time

10. Nostradamus

11. Wrong Time Right Place (Bonus Track)

12. Marie (A-side Released 1979) (Bonus Track)

13. Heart Of Steel (B-side Released 1979) (Bonus Track)

14. Learning The Game (Prev Released 1987) (Bonus Track)

Editorial Reviews

1987 reissue on Decca of the Moody Blues vocalist's top 401977 album with a cover of Buddy Holly's 'Learning TheGame' added as an unmarked bonus track. 12 tracks total,also including the singles 'Lay It On Me', 'Country Girl'and 'Songwriter - Part 2'. Ori --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Songwriter Revisited, May 4, 2004

By 

Holly L. Eckert (Claremont, NH, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songwriter (Audio CD)

I have been a fan of this songwriter for 30 + years and never tire of listening to his music, because I always find something new when I play the CDs. "Songwriter" is no exception. It still seems fresh, innovative in its songs and arrangements, and I'm always impressed by the musicianship, as well as the vocals. I don't think this man has ever written a bad song and this first solo release was the promise of more to come (take a listen to "Moving Mountains" and "View From the Hill"). As the first solo album, this set the standard of future solo releases by Justin Hayward, who always writes very personal songs that touch common nerves. I hope the music keeps flowing for a very long time.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just great tunes!, May 1, 2004

By 

Peggy Evans "Anne Evans" (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songwriter (Audio CD)

There are not many of the true troubadours left anymore...sad to say. Music is changing as with all things that is inevitable. This is that rare one of a kind keeper you would have to have if you could own say 10 CD's to listen to for the rest of your life.
This came about I believe while the Moody Blue's were on a four year "break-up". Justin Hayward had already made an album with Moody Blues bassist John Lodge aka The Blue Jays and felt he had more songs left inside. I hope and pray the well never runs dry.

At this writing Justin has several solo albums in his extensive songwriting career but this first one I believe to be the best of the best. I bought the promo LP from a collector and was impressed with his vulnerability and style of writing. He really opens his heart and soul and makes this perhaps his most personal work of all. He plays practically every instrument himself. A hauntingly beautiful and thought provoking example is on "Nostradamus". A collage of beautiful instruments. Check out his Tom Tom playing talent on that one! The sound quality is superior to the first "Songwriter" CD previously released. Hearing is believing.

Songwriter is a story of love and the life of a guy doing what he does best. Writing and singing songs about love and life. Songs that make you think, and smile, and sometimes cry. Four bonus songs were added to the original version. "Wrong Time, Right Place", "Marie", "Heart of steel", written by him and the last one "Learning the game", written by his mentor Buddy Holly.....Thanks Buddy..if you helped spark this flame...what more can I say?

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Respectable Effort, May 17, 2004

By 

Jason F. Johnson "comicbook devotee" (Duluth, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Songwriter (Audio CD)

If you're like me, you first had this album on vinyl and then bought the CD issued in 1987 with 2 of the 4 bonus tracks appearing here. Now you're faced with the decision of buying the CD again (as a $22 import) for the 2 extra tracks--or even 1 extra track, if you have the single to "Heart of Steel." Is it worth it? Oh...I guess, if you're a hardcore fan. Both songs are in the "good not great" category.

If you haven't heard the album at all, then it makes things easier; by all means, get it. But I think this ranks in the middle of Justin's solo releases (nowhere near the quality of Moving Mountains or View from the Hill). A lot of these songs go on way too long, given that many don't have bridges--or even 2nd verses! Consequently, they can be quite repetitive. But "Songwriter Part 1," "Raised on Love," and "One Lonely Room" are nice enough ballads, "Lay It on Me" and "Country Girl" good enough rockers, and "Nostradamus" has a lot of fun with its great string arrangements.