Moody Blues - Octave
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Music CD Cover
Artist: Moody BluesEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
Format: Import
CD Release Date: 2009-03-17
Music Label: Ume Imports
Free Music Notes for Octave
Free Music Review: FINALLY! A Magnificent Re-release of "Octave," by "The Moodies!" :)
Hit: 5 Stars
There are so many reviews of the albums of The Moody Blues all over the web, so please forgive me if I repeat what anyone had already said or for not being too original in my review. Here is my experience of this remastered edition of "Octave"...
First off, just like the famous early seven CD re-releases by The Moody Blues, whether they be the 1997 remasters or the 2006/2007 expanded editions, we are once again treated to another topnotch remastering job for the CD reissue of "Octave" ... What better candidate to have, when it comes to this task, than Moody Blue band member Justin Hayward?! :) Also, notice how the songs sort of segue together, unlike the original CD release from the 80's, where there would be two or three second gaps between the tracks, so once the last droplet of sound fades from a previous song, the next tune picks up right from that point ... This format takes Moody Blues listeners back to the early albums, when there were no silent gaps between the tracks. I'd also like to add that I am very pleased that, after all of the Moody Blues compilations that came out, since this album, this release features the full version of "Driftwood," and not the edited version that was faded out about a half minute sooner, as was the case on "Voices In The Sky," "Time Traveller," "Anthology," and "Gold." This is the only place (Just like the original CD release of this album) where you can find the full five-minute version of "Driftwood," which features excellent guitar and saxophone solos.
On this occasion, John Lodge opens up a "Moody Blues" album with one of his tracks ... I enjoy "Stepping in a Slide Zone," especially the synthesizer and sound effects at the beginning and end of the song. The guitar piece in the intro made for an eerie but awesome buildup to the opening lyrics, too. I also like the parts of the song where John Lodge shouts, "Slide zoooooooone!" ... My father (The original "Moody Blues" fan in my family) used to sing along on that line! :)
"Had To Fall in Love," "Driftwood," "Survival," "One Step Into The Light," and "The Day We Meet Again" are absolutely beautiful and are among the greatest songs ever written by the band, in my opinion ... They sort of have that "New Horizons" ("Seventh Sojourn") sound to them.
"I'll Be Level With You" is a fantastic group vocal effort, and the fade out is beautifully dramatic with intense electric guitar and synthesizers ... Love the earth-shaking bass effects from one of the synthesizer dubs, too!
Ray Thomas' selections sound different from his previous compositions, but I enjoy them just as much as his other songs ... I like the mellow and relaxing feel to both "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man," and the strings sound marvelous on both tracks, too.
"Top Rank Suite" is a unique sounding Justin Hayward track compared to his other songs, but it's so catchy and the saxophones add lots of pizazz to the track ... Another fine tune on the album! :)
After "Seventh Sojourn," the latter Moody Blues albums feature synthesizers replacing the mellotrons, as any Moody fan can tell you of course, plus Justin Hayward sings in a more mellow manner than the way he sang on the late 60's/early 70's albums. John Lodge rocks a bit more, at a few points, compared to on the earlier albums (Beginning with "Sitting At The Wheel," from "The Present"). Also, orchestral arrangements grace certain tracks ("Long Distance Voyager"). Not so much spoken-word poetry, either, until "Strange Times."
For the bonus tracks, I was overjoyed to find that there were previously unreleased live versions of some of the tracks from "Octave" ... The live performance of "Slide Zone" sounds unusual when compared to the studio version, but it still sounds amazing. The other live tracks sound similar to their original versions, but still have that unique "live" feel to them, too. :) A shame that the five-minute version of John Lodge's "Survival" (Found on some pressings of the original CD version of "Octave") wasn't also featured as a bonus track on this release. Here, we get the shorter version of the track. Hopefully, one day the full version may make an appearance on a possible future Moody Blues compilation or rarities collection ... That would be nice.
The CD booklet that accompanies this release is loaded with photos, lyrics, and a history of the band, so you get your money's worth on not just the disc, but with the insert, too! What an improvement from the simple "greeting card" format of the CD "booklets" that were featured within the original 1980's CD releases!
This is what a remastered, reissued CD release should be all about, and this edition of "Octave" really satisfies! Congratulations and job well done to Justin Hayward and everyone who worked on this fantastic CD re-release! Now, let's all hope and pray for some remasters of "The Other Side Of Life," "Sur La Mer," "Keys Of The Kingdom," a return of the "This Is The Moody Blues" and "Legend Of A Band" compilations, and also a return of the version of "Strange Times" that featured the bonus tracks, "Highway" and "This Is The Moment" ... Then, I'm sure we'll all be joyous and grateful "Moodies" fans. :) Thanks for reading and God Bless!
~KevyGuy :)
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Octave Poster
Digitally remastered and expanded edition of this classic 1978 album from the British Pop/Rock band includes five bonus live tracks and a 16 page booklet. The Moody Blues may not be mentioned in the same breath as The Kinks, The Who, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but they are more than deserving of being compared to those influential bands. From their beginnings in the '60s to the millennium, The Moody Blues have continued to create exceptional music and expand their devoted fanbase with each new generation. Universal. 2008.Classic Rock Music CDs
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