THE BEST OF MOODY BLUES

This cd is probably my introduction to The Moody Blues, but I don't think it qualifies as a Prog masterpiece. It is a one cd introduction to some of the hits of The Moody Blues (and other additions such as "Blue Guitar" and "Forever Autumn"). If you are new to the band, it is an excellent place to start, as it offers songs from most of their albums (it has no tracks from To Our Children's... which I think is a huge failing! However, like APP, their albums (mainly the core seven) are concept pieces, and by taking songs out of their context some of the magic is lost. My advice for beginners is to start with "Days of Future Passed" or "To Our Children's..." in order to get a taste of the Moodies' sound... you WILL want to pick up the rest of the Seven though! Hardcore fans should avoid this album as they will most likely find nothing new, unless of course they wish to get an idea of what the band sounded like later in its career.

I may have heard Days Of Future Passed before this, but this compilation was my introduction to the Moodies. Not much of an introduction, because I had heard a lot of these songs on the radio before. And there lies the problem: this is more of a singles-oriented 'greatest hits' than a true 'best of' collection. At least this is a fairly definitive singles collection. Included is the band's first hit "Go Now" from 1964/65 before Hayward and Lodge had joined(and with future Wings member Denny Laine). Here also is a track from the Hayward/Lodge Blue Jays album. Hayward's song from Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds album is here too.

When it comes to the Moodies, I prefer their album tracks from 1967-72 to their singles from any era. I even think that some of their '80s singles are better than most of the singles from the '60s/70s era. The two singles from Long Distance Voyager(when Patrick Moraz joined the group) are two of the best songs here. The single best song on this collection is probably "Your Wildest Dreams". 1980s pop/rock rarely gets better than that song.

I think you are better off getting their albums from 1968-70 if you want to start on your Moodies journey. I know not long after getting this I bought the early albums because I knew there had to be more to this band than what I heard here. And there was. Most of the songs here you will probably hear on the radio at some point. 2 stars.

All of the greatest Moody Blues songs jammed onto one CD.

I love the way there are almost 80 minutes of solid gold Moody Blues with almost not an inch of CD to spare. This is a terrific compilation and is designed for people who cannot be bothered wading through the huge album catalogue of past treasures. This was a gift to me and I received it gladly even though I had most of the tracks elsewhere, many on vinyl.

It is a great collection as it spans the full career of this amazing band. 'Go Now' kicks things off and then the quintessential tracks from "Days of Future passed" are here; 'Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)' and the brilliant 'Nights In White Satin'. After this the rollicking 'Ride My See- Saw' and the mystical 'Voices In The Sky'. 'Question' is indispensable followed by 'The Story In Your Eyes' and 'Isn't Life Strange'. As usual on compilations 'I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)' features followed by 'Blue Guitar' and the only decent track from "Octave" 'Steppin' In A Slide Zone'. 'Forever Autumn' is pleasant from War of the Worlds, a different version that does not blend in with Jeff Wayne's music. The two treasures from "Long Distant Voyager" are featured; 'The Voice' and 'Gemini Dream', both of which represents the triumphant return of the band after a period of mediocrity. 'I Know You're Out There Somewhere' ends the album with another spiritual mystical reflection.

So there it is; a cheapy full of the greatest tracks of arguably one of the most influential prog bands of the 70s. If you have no Moody Blues albums at all, grab this and experience the magic of Justin Hayward's haunting vocals and The Moody Blues.