Caught Live + 5 [LIVE] [EXTRA TRACKS]

The Moody Blues

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 22, 1997)
• Original Release Date: 1977
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Live, Extra tracks
• Label: Polydor / Umgd
• ASIN: B000001F64
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #42,210 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Features Five Extra Tracks.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Moodies' "Three Sides Live", June 18, 2004

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

In 1977, as the Moody Blues were coming to the end of their six-year sabbatical from recording, they released "Caught Live + 5," a double-album that featured three sides of a live concert recorded at the Royal Albert Hall on December 12, 1969, and one side of 5 rare studio tracks. Very similar in format to the 1982 double-album by Genesis, "Three Sides Live," but "Caught Live + 5" proves that the Moody Blues got to this concept first. The live concert recording---the only live Moodies release featuring original keyboardist Mike Pinder---is excellent, with the Moodies giving some of the tunes a refreshing, rough-and-tough live treatment, especially "Gypsy," "Peak Hour," and "Ride My See-Saw." The live portion of the album shows what a tight band the Moodies are, as they also give tremendous performances of other favorites like "Dr. Livingston I Presume," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Nights In White Satin," "Legend Of A Mind," and the progressive-rock suite of "Have You Heard" & "The Voyage." For those of us who never got to see the classic Moodies line-up live, the "Caught Live" portion of the album is definitely the next best thing. As for the five studio songs, they're all quite good. John Lodge's "Gimme A Little Somethin'" is a nice number, and Mike Pinder's "Please Think About It" is a fine, slow-but-steady piano shuffler. But it is Justin Hayward who shines the brightest with his trio of compositions. "Long Summer Days" is a marvelous light-hearted song, and "King And Queen" and "What Am I Doing Here?" are both wonderful, dramatic, haunting Moody Blues songs.With the long-awaited, brand-new Moody Blues studio album "Octave" still a year away, the Moodies sent their fans a very generous postcard with "Caught Live + 5," a most-appreciated combo platter of vintage live and studio material. For the diehard Moody Blues fan, this album is a must-have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The only offical early Moodies live stuff available, February 15, 2001

By	Matt Walsh (Pepperell, MA United States) - See all my reviews

It's tragic that this is the extent of early Moodies live stuff that has been released. And they probably could have found a better show than this random, short 1969 set. But the fact that it's the only official early live stuff available is what makes it such a must for any Moodies collection.

The "+5", in case you don't know, is 5 songs from their classic period that for some reason or another didn't make it onto an album. They are all awesome; "King and Queen" and "What Am I Doing Here" are masterpieces.

As for the live stuff, it's awesome too. The highlight is a live rendition of the final third of "On the Threshold of a Dream," which consists of "Are You Sitting Comfortably," "The Dream" and the "Have You Heard" trilogy. It's wonderful to hear "Have You Heard" live, as it is such a masterpiece, and "Are You Sitting Comfortably" is mystical and achingly beautiful here... Ray's flute work is amazing! Far superior to the album cut! Other highlights include "Legend of a Mind," "Nights in White Satin" and "Peak Hour." There are a few weak performances, but even those are fascinating. The banter in between songs, with Mike Pinder doing most of the talking, is also awesome. I agree with an earlier reviewer that liked the raw sound of this album in contrast to the carefully orchestrated "Red Rocks" tracks. I have seen the Moodies perform with and without the orchestra, and I will always prefer them without, because their instruments are in the spotlight all the time.

It's a unique and very cool concept to get a live show and studio rarities on one cd. It's really a great deal!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All in all...a great souvenier for 1969 Moodies fans, October 29, 2006

By	Lee J. Davito - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I will admit that the sound quality isn't the best...but anybody who was around in 1969 can agree that most all live recordings from this era sound about the same.

If you're a long time Moodies fan and never got to see them live....and if you never grabbed the vinyl version when first released in 1977...this would be a bargain for you....and a nice addition to your collection.

The recordings acoustics are similar to that of an arena...I believe it was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall...as that is the building pictured on the case. I personally like the audience and background noises....it gives a bit of realism and an audience vantage point to the listener.

The 5 bonus tracks were also released on the PRELUDE cd..along with 6 other unreleased tracks from the early days. Something else that all true devoted Moodies fans should be without.