Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits

Last updated

Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits
Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits.jpg
Studio album by
Released1994
StudioCream Studios, Germany/Studio M, Germany/CAS Studio, Germany/Smetana Studio, Praha (Prague) and Dolphin Studio
Genre Symphonic rock
Label Phantom Sound & Music
Justin Hayward chronology
Classic Blue
(1989)
Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits
(1994)
The View from the Hill
(1996)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [1]

Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits is an album by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues with the Frankfurt Rock Orchestra and Michael Sadler of Saga and Shaun Williamson as guest-singers. It's an album of tracks taken from the Moody Blues discography, played with orchestral arrangements with lead vocal duties being taken in turn by Hayward, Sadler, and Williamson.

Contents

It was originally released with a cover title of Moody Blues – Unplugged – Greatest Hits in 1996 on Phantom Sound & Vision. [2] A 1997 release by ISBA was titled Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits [3] while a 2003 release on Armou was titled Justin Hayward and Friends and the Frankfort Rock Orchestra Perform the Hits of the Moody Blues.

Allmusic described the album as uninteresting and mostly plodding, with Hayward "becoming the Engelbert Humperdinck of 1960s rock crooners". [4]

Track listing

All songs written by Justin Hayward except "Isn't Life Strange" and "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" written by John Lodge and "Forever Autumn" written by Jeff Wayne, Gary Osborne and Paul Vigrass.

  1. "Nights in White Satin" (Michael Sadler – Vocals)
  2. "Question" (Shaun Williamson – Vocals)
  3. "Forever Autumn" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)
  4. "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" (Shaun Williamson – Vocals)
  5. "Running Water" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)
  6. "New Horizons" (Michael Sadler – Vocals)
  7. "Blue World" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)
  8. "Isn't Life Strange" (Shaun Williamson – Vocals)
  9. "The Voice (Michael Sadler – Vocals)
  10. "Blue Guitar" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)
  11. "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" (Shaun Williamson – Vocals)
  12. "Voices in the Sky" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)
  13. "Your Wildest Dreams" (Michael Sadler – Vocals)
  14. "In My World" (Justin Hayward – Vocals)

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Moody Blues</span> English band

The Moody Blues were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in May 1964.

<i>Days of Future Passed</i> 1967 studio album by The Moody Blues

Days of Future Passed is the second album and first concept album by English prog rock band The Moody Blues, released in November 1967 by Deram Records. With its fusion of orchestral and rock elements, it has been cited as one of the first examples of progressive rock.

<i>A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra</i> 1993 live album by The Moody Blues

A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is a live album by The Moody Blues, recorded from a live performance at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre on 9 September 1992. This performance was the first time The Moody Blues performed in concert backed by a full orchestra. The concert was held in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their second album, Days of Future Passed, which had featured the London Festival Orchestra. The full video of this concert was broadcast as a fundraising broadcast for PBS in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Hayward</span> British musician, lead singer and guitarist for Moody Blues

David Justin Hayward is an English musician best known as the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of the rock band the Moody Blues. Hayward became the group's principal lead guitarist and vocalist over the 1967–1974 period, and the most prolific songwriter and composer of several international hit singles for the band.

<i>Seventh Sojourn</i> 1972 studio album by the Moody Blues

Seventh Sojourn is the eighth album by the Moody Blues, recorded at Decca Studio 4 on Tollington Park in North London, and released in 1972.

<i>Octave</i> (album) 1978 studio album by The Moody Blues

Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1978, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who left during the album's sessions and declined an offer to tour with the group. He had just started a new family in California, and found that he was not getting along with his bandmates as he previously had. Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1978-1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history. Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nights in White Satin</span> 1967 single by The Moody Blues

"Nights in White Satin" is a song by the Moody Blues, written and composed by Justin Hayward. It was first featured as the segment "The Night" on the album Days of Future Passed. When first released as a single in 1967, it reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart and number 103 in the United States in 1968. It was the first significant chart entry by the band since "Go Now" and its recent lineup change, in which Denny Laine and Clint Warwick had resigned and both Hayward and John Lodge had joined.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)</span> 1973 single by The Moody Blues

"I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" is a 1973 hit single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, written by the band's bassist, John Lodge. It was first released in 1972 as the final track on the album Seventh Sojourn and was later released as a single in 1973, with "For My Lady" as its B-side. It was the second single released from Seventh Sojourn, with the first being "Isn't Life Strange", which was also written by Lodge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuesday Afternoon</span> 1968 single by The Moody Blues

"Tuesday Afternoon" is a 1968 song written by Justin Hayward that was first released by English symphonic rock band the Moody Blues on their 1967 album Days of Future Passed and later released as a single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Know You're Out There Somewhere</span> 1988 single by The Moody Blues

"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" is a 1988 single by the English rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, and it is the sequel to the Moody Blues' 1986 single "Your Wildest Dreams", also written by Hayward. It is the band's final Top 40 single in the United States, peaking at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Question (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1970 single by The Moody Blues

"Question" is a 1970 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was written by guitarist Justin Hayward, who provides lead vocals. "Question" was first released as a single in April 1970 and remains their second highest-charting song in the UK, reaching number two and staying on the chart for 12 weeks. The song reached number 21 on the Billboard Top 40 in the USA. It was later featured as the lead track on the 1970 album A Question of Balance. The single also features the song "Candle of Life" on its B-side, which was from the Moody Blues' previous album To Our Children's Children's Children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gemini Dream</span> 1981 single by The Moody Blues

"Gemini Dream" is a 1981 single by the progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It reached number 12 on the US Hot 100, as well as number 1 on the Canada RPM Top 100 Singles chart. It is ranked as the 28th biggest Canadian hit of 1981.

<i>Anthology</i> (The Moody Blues album) 1998 compilation album by The Moody Blues

Anthology is a compilation album by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was released in the US on 20 October 1998. It was not released in the UK until 2001 under the title The Collection with different artwork but with the same tracks as the US release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Story in Your Eyes</span> 1971 single by The Moody Blues

"The Story in Your Eyes" is a 1971 hit single by the English rock band the Moody Blues. Written by the band's guitarist Justin Hayward, it was first released as a single with "My Song" on the B-side, and then on the 1971 album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour shortly after.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isn't Life Strange</span> 1972 single by The Moody Blues

"Isn't Life Strange" is a 1972 single by the English progressive rock band the Moody Blues, which was based on Pachelbel's Canon In D. Written by bassist John Lodge, it was the first of two singles released from their 1972 album Seventh Sojourn, with the other being "I'm Just a Singer ", also written by Lodge. "Isn't Life Strange" is one of the Moody Blues' longer songs, lasting for over six minutes. Cash Box described it as "symphonic rock extraordinaire", and also said that it had a "strangely intriguing, euphoric production that stands out in any crowd." Record World said that "lush orchestration and Bee Gees-like harmonies are the notable features" of the song, which also has a "pretty melody and production." Writing for Rock Cellar magazine, Frank Mastropolo rated the song as number 1 in a list of "Top 11 Question Songs". Classic Rock critic Malcolm Dome rated it as the Moody Blues' 4th greatest song. PopMatters critic Sean Murphy rated "Isn't Life Strange" as the 67th best progressive rock song of all time.

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Moody Blues album) 1989 compilation album by The Moody Blues

Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues, released in 1989. The band recorded new versions of "Isn't Life Strange" and "Question" with orchestration by the London Symphony Orchestra. The arrangements were overseen by Anne Dudley, who also produced the recordings with Justin Hayward and John Lodge. In 1990, only a year after it's original release, the album was re-released as Legend of a Band: The Story of the Moody Blues with different artwork to coincide with the release of the home video documentary of the same name.

<i>Hall of Fame</i> (The Moody Blues album) 2000 live album by The Moody Blues

Hall of Fame is a live album by the progressive rock band the Moody Blues. It was recorded at a concert performed at the Royal Albert Hall, which included backing by a live orchestra. The album was released on 8 August 2000. It is the second Moody Blues live album to feature a live orchestra, with the first being A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. This is the last live release to feature Ray Thomas. A decade on, all but "Overture" and "Legend of a Mind" appeared on the budget release Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the World Festival Orchestra released by Sony Music Custom Marketing Group in the United States. The concert is also available on DVD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue World (The Moody Blues song)</span> 1983 single by The Moody Blues

"Blue World" is a 1983 single by the Moody Blues written by Justin Hayward. It was first released as single in August 1983, and was later released on the album The Present. "Blue World" was one of three singles from The Present, with the others being "Sitting at the Wheel" and "Running Water." "Blue World" also referenced two earlier Moody Blues songs, "The Voice" and "Fly Me High". "Blue World" was a moderate success for the Moody Blues in the U.S., charting at #32 on the Mainstream Rock chart, and at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In the UK it reached #35, proving to be their first UK Top 40 hit in ten years, barring a reissue of Nights in White Satin, and remains their last there to date. The single's cover is the painting Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish.

<i>Lovely to See You: Live</i> 2005 live album by The Moody Blues

Lovely to See You: Live is a two-disc live album by The Moody Blues. Released on 15 November 2005, Lovely to See You: Live was recorded at a performance at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, California. The album is named after The Moody Blues song "Lovely to See You", from their 1969 album On the Threshold of a Dream. Unlike the Moody Blues' two previous live albums A Night at Red Rocks with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Hall of Fame, Lovely to See You: Live does not feature a live orchestra. It is also their first live album since Ray Thomas retired due to health issues.

<i>Days of Future Passed Live</i> 2018 live album by The Moody Blues

Days of Future Passed Live is a live album by The Moody Blues that consists of their live performance at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto in 2017. The album was released on 23 March 2018.

References

  1. Eder, Bruce. Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits at AllMusic
  2. "Justin Hayward & Friends Sing The Moody Blues Classic Hits (product description)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  3. "Justin Hayward". MTV Artists. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
  4. Bruce Eder. "Justin Hayward Sing the Moody Blues' Classic Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 September 2014.