TO OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S CHILDREN

If I may state an opinion about The Moodies it would have to be that they are an amazing band with immense song writing abilities, they pay attention to detail, they play an incredible amount of musical instruments, their music ranges from heavy, psychedelic, dreamy and mellow, bombastic, subtle, soft and acoustic, hard and electric, sparse, dense, catchy, experimental, down-to-Earth, lost-in-space, commercial and uncommercial - every emotion conceiveable, with an endless source of inspiration permeating their albums, yet the individuals as players, I wouldn't call 'virtuoso'. This particular album, 'To Our Children's Children's Children' is where the chemistry of the band was at its strongest (IMO), and EVERY track is perfect, displaying all textures above, yet flows effortlessly along to form my absolute favourite Moody Blues album. It is also recorded and produced really well.

Opening with a rather hallucinogenic atmosphere, 'Higher and Higher' showcases the power and eclecticism of the band with some wonderful poetry from Graeme Edge and some really 'hot' guitaring from Justin Hayward. Most keyboard sounds are provided by the Mellotron, of which Mike Pinder was a master of, having worked in the factory which manufactures them (Streetly Electronics) prior to joining the Moodies. 'Eyes of a Child I' is very beautiful, starting with Harp and flute, a soft melody and great harmony singing, with the ever-present Mellotron and catchy chorus. 'Floating' is a typical Ray Thomas song, almost child-like, cheerful and light-hearted, recalling Barrett-era Floyd (in inspiration, not sound), 'Eyes of a Child II' is a rocking, heavier arrangement of the first part, 'I Never Thought I'd Live To Be A Hundred' is a soft piece of just Hayward and acoustic guitar, next up is the AMAZING instrumental track 'Beyond', which is a sonic experiment with many stops and starts, with some unique mellotron work in its unusual structure. Side 1 finishes with the symphonic sounding (thanks to the blaring 'tron) 'Out and In' - a very catchy melody with the mellow singing of Pinder.

Side 2 kicks off with a stunning Hayward track, 'Gypsy' - a fast paced, epic song which fully deserves to be called a Moodies classic. Everything is in the right place here, the riffs, the singing, the Mellotron - man, what a track ! Yes, and I listen to the record I review, as I write. 'Eternity Road' is yet another beautiful track, with great lyrics and vocals, and superb progressions, especially leading to Hayward's simplistic, but effective lead break. The Mellotron is responsible for the breath-taking atmosphere generated in many Moodies' songs. 'Candle of Life' is a soft song, kind of sad and reflective, yet retains the general warmth and seamless flow of this album. Some nice piano playing as well as the 'tron. Faultless vocals. 'Sun Is Still Shining' is an Eastern-sounding tune, very 'hippy', yet catchy and accessible, and still in-keeping with the rest of the album. 'I Never Thought I'd Live To Be A Million' is a brief acoustic verse again like 'Live to a Hundred', and the album closes with THE MOST BEAUTIFUL Moodies track ever - 'Watching and Waiting' - the mellotron supplying the riff to this deep and meaningful track, all too short but ever so sweet. A masterpiece and absolute essential record (CD for the modernists !) in every way.