Customer Reviews

Songwriter

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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?

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.

Justin Hayward, the leadsinger of The Moody Blues, made his first soloalbum in 1977. In 1975 he already made a famous album with John Lodge "Blue Jays".

Hayward always wanted primary to be known as a songwriter and many of his famous songs with the Moodies shows his ability of writing very good songs. Songs that always have spoken to me and my own moods.

Songwriter is without doubt the best of Haywards five soloalbums. He plays nearly all the instruments himself. The songs are good and the titlesong, Songwriter, reflects on his wishes to be a songwriter. All the songs togehter shows Haywards strength in singing, his caracteristic voice and also some of them let you enjoy his especially tuned sologuitar. I was always very fond of his solos. Of all the songs I am most touched by "Raised on love", a beautiful, simple song, where his voice is very strong and good. But also "Nostradamus" is very interresting musically and rich. I suppose the text reflects the toughts of Hayward.

There are two bonussongs on the CD that were not on the original album. The advantage of a CD ist that it offers more space, but on the other hand the two songs do not belong to Songwriter and do somehow not fit to the concept of the album. I am nut sure if it is necessary to publish unknown sogns in this way, because an album has always it proper concept of music and sound.

For everyone who is very found of The Moody Blues and especially the songs of Justin Hayward, Songwriter is a musthave in the collection.

One would think something perfect could not be produced any better. Well, think again. Besides the inclusion of an amazing version of Heart of Steel, previously unreleased for some ungodly reason, the original tracks come out like they have never before. I was truly amazed at the sound quality of the old tracks.

I have loved this CD since it came out in the 70's, and love it even more now remastered. Well worth the money.

Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward's first solo album after the temporary breakup of the band in the mid 1970's is a great example of what a solo artist can do apart from the rest of his group. Produced by longtime Moodies producer Tony Clarke, this album wonderfully showcases Hayward's diverse instrumental, songwriting, and singing talents. From rock-n-roll numbers like "Tightrope", and "Doin' Time", to more MOR tracks like "Country Girl" and "Lay It On Me", to the mystical "Nostradamus", to more mellow selections like "Raised on Love" and the orchestral "Stage Door", Hayward once again shows why is one of the world's most respected singers, songwriters, and guitarists. He is indeed the consumate musician!

Although this album is not as lush, moving, and orchestral as his collaboration with fellow Moody Bluesman John Lodge in 1975's "Blue Jays", this album is a "can't miss" for the Justin Hayward/Moody Blues fan. Highly recommended!

P.S. If you can locate this CD with the 4 bonus tracks, do so! "Wrong Time, Right Place" and "Heart Of Steel" are vintage Hayward, and are excellent additions to this album!

I am so pleased that "Songwriter is out on CD with 4 bomnus tracks. I do think Justin Hayward is one of the best singer-songwriters (and darn good guitarists) there is. He is certainly the heart of the Moody Blues.

After the release in 1975 of Justin's collaboration with John Lodge, "Blue Jays," which really sounded like a Moody Blues album without the other guys, both Hayward and Lodge released solo albums in 1977. Both albums were real breaks with the past. Although they were produced by Tony Clarke, who had produced the Moodies' Magnificent 7 albums, they both assembled a band (Lodge more so than Hayward) and even broke with Phil Travers as their cover artist. Hipgnosis, who also did Yes' albums, did Lodge's cover. I forget who did Hayward's. (Travers also did the covers for Ray Thomas' two solo albums and, I think, at least one of Graeme Edge's.) The cover is somewhat reminiscent of the Moddies 1970 opus, "A Question of Balance," with the two lovers in the corner.

Hayward kind of did the Paul McCartney thing, recording all or most of the instruments himself. Though the title is "Songwriter," his songwriting is featured less than his singing and playing. Many of the songs, such as "Tightrope" and "Country Girl," feature the same verse over and over or with slight variations. For me, "Songwriter, Parts 1 & 2," and "Stage Door," are the high points. The latter is a letter from a performer's parents who wrote him to say how much they miss him (the character in the song is actually a girl -- I think I remember that the spoken part is Jus and his wife) and would love for him to come home ("Clean sheets on the bed in your room and a place at the table and in our hearts.") The performer is just going on stage when the letter arrives and doesn't see it. The song is kind of a counter-point to "Tightrope" ("I never left a note saying/ I was going away.") "Nostradamus" is Jus essentialy imitating Mike Pinder to decent effect. He plays a really thumping bass on that one, almost as if he had been listening to John Entwistle of The Who. The pathos of "One Lonely Room" sets off the thumping rock of "Tightrope" very well. "Raised on Love" does, I admit, does sound like it might have been originally intended for a subsequent solo album as it is more in the style of "Moving Mountains" than of "Songwriter."

Unlike other commenters, I prefer this one to "View from the Hill," which to me is the weakest of all Jus' solo efforts. For my taste, this is the best. There are numerous musical styles, and that voice is always there. Hayward can't roar like Roger Daltrey or croon like Robin Gibb, but his mellow baritone simply can't be matched (although his former bandmate Ray Thomas gives him a run for his money).

It's interesting that the last bonus track is a Buddy Holly song. To younger kids today Holly is a historical point in music. To my generation, he was an icon. He was a huge influence on The Beatles. The Rolling Stones recorded Buddy Holly songs. (One of their earliest hits in Europe was Holly's "Not Fade Away.") Pete Townshed imitated Holly's strumming style. Peter and Gordon recorded "True Love Ways." Hayward has said that he idolized Holly so much it was what he tried to emulate in writing, singing, and playing, just like Holly did. He even went to sleep with Holly's picture as a kid.

While not *quite* as good as Blue Jays, Justin Hayward's second album titled Songwriter is almost in the same league.

The only thing that slightly bothers me about Songwriter is that the songwriting feels a bit telling of the times- that being, 1977 when the disco scene was fully underway and the 80's new wave scene was right around the corner. You can hear these styles creeping in every so often while listening to the record, usually in the drumming which, more often than not, comes across as nothing more than steady predictable beats. Besides that, the songwriting is pretty much what you've come to expect if you've been listening to the Moody Blues -and specifically paying attention to Justin Hayward- since the 60's.

"Songwriter Parts 1 and 2" are both really melodic songs with meaningful vocal melodies and lyrics. Again, these two particular songs sound a bit dated in comparison to, say, Seventh Sojourn (an album that doesn't sound dated at all) because of the lyrics that focus on love and sappiness, but really, who cares? These two songs flow into each other beautifully and perhaps I'm completely losing my mind by making this comparison, but there's a certain section in "Songwriter Part 2" that sounds exactly like Black Sabbath's "Gypsy". The piano, electric guitar AND drumming all resemble one section of the Sabbath track. It's either an amazing coincidence or members of Justin Hayward's band were listening to Sabbath one year earlier. I highly doubt Justin himself was listening to them.

"One Lonely Room" features another wonderful helping of Justin's sincere "nearly makes me cry" style of singing. I LOVE when he sings like that! Triggers and immediate emotional punch. My favorite song on the entire album might just be "Stage Door" because of the vocal melody. It's a really good one. The flutes and orchestration on "Nostradamus" are really good and actually help elevate only a so-so vocal melody by Justin Hayward. Still, a good song.

Then you have shorter songs like "Raised on Love" that work as really melodic pop songs, but honestly, I expect a little more out of someone the caliber and high talent of Justin Hayward. The childrens choir is a bit cheesy and out of place. Probably the best of the bunch is "Country Girl". An extremely melodic REO Speedwagon-like vocal melody leading into a really good bridge- excellent song. "Lay It On Me" rocks pretty hard and reminds me of "The Story In Your Eyes" in the guitar playing. Great song. Actually the more I listen to it, the more I believe it should have been a hit.

Overall, yes it's weaker than Blue Jays but it's STILL a 5-star album.

Justin Hayward had so much music in him that even his solo albums and Blue Jays effort were extraordinary. Upbeat tunes and pretty ballads make this a must-have album for all Moody Blues fans.

It was a gift to my husband who loves Justin Hayward. His lyrics are very compelling and worth hearing today.