The Present

The Moody Blues

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1983
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B000001F2S
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,193 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Japanese-only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD) paper sleeve pressing of this classic 1983 album. SHM-CDs can be played on any audio player and delivers unbelievably high-quality sound. You won't believe it's the same CD! Universal. 2008. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Present, February 4, 2005

By	Alan Caylow (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

A somewhat-overlooked album in the Moody Blues' catalog, 1983's "The Present" is a wonderful album. It was the follow-up to the Moodies' #1 smash-hit release from 1981, "Long Distance Voyager," but for some reason, "The Present" just didn't sell as well, and today, the Moodies no longer perform anything from it in concert, which is a shame. Song for song the album is fantastic, starting with guitarist Justin Hayward's atmospheric rocker "Blue World." "Meet Me Halfway" is a breezy number co-written by Hayward and bassist John Lodge. Lodge's "Sitting At The Wheel," the album's lone Top 40 single, is tremendous fun. Then comes "Going Nowhere," one of the best songs ever written by drummer Graeme Edge, and beautifully sung by flautist Ray Thomas. Next up is a double shot from Lodge, the powerful instrumental "Hole In The World," and the truly sparkling number, "Under My Feet." Hayward returns with a pair of beautiful love songs, "It's Cold Outside Of Your Heart," and, one of my all-time favorite ballads from Justin, "Running Water." Finally, Ray Thomas concludes the album with the mystical "I Am," and the wonderful "Sorry." The band, along with keyboardist Patrick Moraz, sound incredible on this album. "The Present" is a brilliant Moody Blues album that deserves to be rediscovered. I'm sure many Moodies fans out there will greatly appreciate this present.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The last truely great Moodies album, January 4, 2007

By	Dark Star-The Other One (The Bus To Never Ever Land) - See all my reviews

I've always found it disappointing that this album is somewhat forgotten in the Moodies catalog. It IS really their last great album from beginning to end. It doesn't have the slick sound that Long Distance Voyager has, but it does have an earnest sound. This would also be the last album where all the band members share equally in songwriting. There is not one bad song on here. From the opening song Blue World by Justin Hayward to John Lodge's rockin' Sitting At The Wheel to Ray Thomas' nice ballad Going Nowhere. This album is a class act from beginning to end. It's a shame that this album didn't really sell as well as Long Distance Voyager and as a result the band, who by the way, thought it was one of their best, hired a new producer and went for a more 80's radio friendly sound. I saw them on this tour and it was the five of them putting out a great concert dressed in regular clothes however when I saw them on their next tour, The Other Side Of Life(which was popular with Mtv) they were all Miami Viced out and loaded with sound samples backup singers and addittional musicians as well as clips from The Kirate Kid 2. I can't help but think had this been a better seller perhaps the quality of latter Moodies albums woundn't have suffered so. I should also point out that since this album's release I've played it for many people some fans of the band, some not so much and this one seems to go over well with just about everyone.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Present, February 17, 2000

By	"salymander" (IL United States) - See all my reviews

This collection (aka album) is absolutely wonderful. The reasons that the Moody Blues have endured have to do with their trieds and trues, versatility and just plain genius. Tracks like "Blue World" use machines, but hey, it's 'The Present', and it sounds completely natural... Put this one on when your out roller-blading around the lake on a summer day! "Meet Me Halfway" is another nether-nether Justin love dream song, ominous sounding. "Going Nowhere" has great lyrics and tunehship. One I am sure you will enjoy over and over again is "Hole in the World/Under My Feet". The lyrics are right there with a very focused and dynamic energy. "Cold outside of Your Heart" is the first time I heard Justin gone country, and it's a worthy effort. "Running Water" (I saw Justin play this in St.Paul 1983 with the Moodies after 'The Present' was released) is sad, but beautiful, of course. Ray Thomas delivers on the majestic and mystical sounding "I Am", followed by an eventually rollicking "Sorry", finishing off another must have by the legendaries.