ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM

On The Threshold Of A Dream (1969) was the Moody Blues' last album for Deram, and their first UK #1. It was also the third in the band's series of concept albums, this one concerned with the ideas of dreams and free thinking. On this recording The Moodies moved away from the Eastern influence found on the previous album, In Search Of The Lost Chord. This is possibly a more varied collection of songs that sees a slight return to the band's earlier R&B roots. Flautist Ray Thomas even plays harmonica on a couple of songs.

The undoubted centrepiece is the triptych of Mike Pinder compositions that brings the album to a close. It's comprised of the two-part song Have You Heard? on either side of the Strauss- inspired instrumental The Voyage. Featuring Pinder's boundary-pushing use of the Mellotron, this is one of the highlights of the band's lengthy career. The Graeme Edge poem, The Dream, acts as an effective prelude to it and was even included during live performances of the suite.

The other main highlights are Justin Hayward's uplifting concert favourite Lovely To See You, and his tender love-ballad Never Comes The Day. The remainder of the album consists of the usual mix of songs; some Ray Thomas whimsy, a couple of John Lodge's bluesy rockers, and so on. The Moody Blues had four guys who could sing and write great songs and herein lies much of their appeal, for me at least. This is another excellent Moody Blues album, maybe not quite as good as Lost Chord but worth 4 stars nonetheless.