EVERY GOOD BOY DESERVES FAVOUR

"Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" is a very unusual album. 'Procession' opens the album unlike any other The Moody Blues album. After a very spacey opening and some howling wind with unusual cries of "Desolation, creation", and the sound of rain falling during a storm, we hear the twittering of birds and jungle noises, tom toms are heard, an African beat locks in and the cry of "Communication", tribal chants, opening a very weird album for The Moody Blues. An Arabian theme begins and then flute. The medieval music is joined by Hammond and mellotron. Finally twin guitars float upon the scene and an acoustic rhythm progressing to 'The Story In Your Eyes'. The song has an upbeat tempo and Hayward excellent on vocals. I like the melody and sunshiny brightness; positive and spirit lifting.

This is followed by very slow and dreamy romantic songs such as 'Emily's Song'. 'After You Came' is more like it in terms of rocking with heavy guitars. The exuberant vocals are excellent with full on harmonies and a strong rhythm. This is followed by 'One More Time To Live' that returns to the theme of "desolation, devastation, creation, communication, revelation, humiliation, inspiration, elation, salvation, communication and other -ations." The progressive Moodies are miles better than the sound they would adopt in later years. This is the best song on the album and is very creative.

African beats return for 'Nice To Be Here', and a pleasant melody with bass, flute and soft vocals. The electric guitar augments the overall atmosphere. The album really runs out of steam towards the end with very soft dreamy lulling songs such as 'You Can Never Go Home' and 'My Song', which does have an inventive ending with effects and crescendos with dreamscape atmospheres. It is still a solid album, though patchy in places, and way better than the more recent efforts. At least here the band are making a genuine effort to be progressive and innovative.