SEVENTH SOJOURN

It is always a pleasure to listen back to such a relaxing innovative band as The Moody Blues. "Seventh Sojourn" is really a less discussed album than some of the earlier material perhaps as it does not have the creative consistency of previous albums. However, there is enough on this to warrant serious consideration. It begins with a melodic reflective piece 'Lost In A Lost World' with Mike Pinder soothing on vocals, the band searching for the answer as always, and accompanied by flute passages and uplifting harmonies.

'New Horizons' is full of beauty, generated by sweeping violins and very soft vocals with a romantic flavour. 'For My Lady' is a single and always one of my favourites with a lovely melody and memorable happy woodwind. Justin Hayward has golden tones on these ballads. The medieval sounds are strong and it has some of the more poetic lyrics of the album. It is more like the Jane Eyre period of the 1800s in feel then anything else on the album. The romantic flutes are simply gorgeous; best song on the album easily.

'Isn't Life Strange' is another very popular song gracing many compilations with the previous song. Personally I tire of this easily and can't stand the monotony of the tune and that warbling vocal is mush to my ears. 'You And Me' is better with a rockier beat and some nice orchestra. The guitar riff is rather heavy for The Moody Blues and the violins are majestic throughout.

'The Land Of Make-believe' is an acoustic and flute-driven quiet piece. It sounds rather dated due to the lyrics and overall style. A real flower power throwback that is a throwaway, only saved by Hayward's uplifting vocals and moving orchestral arrangements. A genuine album track found on this release alone. 'When You're A Free Man' is another song only found on this album for good reason. It is forgettable lush.

'I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)' ends the album on a high point. It rocks hard and is perhaps as heavy as the band gets. It works on all levels, vocally, melodically and lyrically. The song was a live staple for The Moodies and often is found on compilations.

Here once again is an inconsistent album that will be the hallmark of most of The Moody Blues albums following. Parts are excellent and parts are okay, but it is nevertheless full of beauty and some of the Moodies best songs. After this it all went belly up and the band became a top 20 singles pop group, with hit and miss tracks; the albums usually with only about 3 tracks of any significance.