THE THRESHOLD OF THINGS TO COME - Re-released (On The Threshold Of A Dream - The Moody Blues)

Member Name: Newfloridian

Product:	On The Threshold Of A Dream - The Moody Blues
Date:	15/10/06 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Foretold their development and their record label

Disadvantages: Perhaps not of immediate appeal but it will draw you in

I am taking you back in time over thirty years for this review - back to the days of "Tommy", flower power and the concept album.

The Moody Blues produced two studio albums in 1969: this is the first and was also the last that was issued on the DERAM label. It is programme music in the sense that the tracks run one into the next without a definite end. Indeed on the original vinyl LP the final strains were recorded into the run-out track so that if the stylus was not lifted the music never ended. I well remember finding myself fast asleep in the armchair under its influence.

In 2003 Universal Music embarked on a project to re-master the first five of the Moody Blues albums from the original tapes using modern production techniques. They also decided to issue additional tracks - alternative takes and versions - which were not included on the final album. This is the 2006 deluxe SACD edition and this review, the third in the series.

THE ALBUM

There is also a loose thematic concept running through "Threshold". There are suggestions of the dream like quality of life with psychedelic overtones. The first few tracks start cheerfully enough but the atmosphere becomes increasingly introspective as the album proceeds. Many of the arrangements are complex and the sounds experimental and adventurous for the day. This album needs to be listened to in its entirety and may need several plays for its full impact to be felt.

The line up is the familiar five of the first period: Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas. The album reached No.1 on the album charts in the UK in April 1969, and a peak of No.20 the following month in the US. The original album is short even by Moody Blues standards (37 minutes).

The following is the play list and my personal rating (out of five) of each track

1. In The Beginning (2:07) ***

An ethereal, 'music of the spheres' sound initiates the album. This leads into a Graeme Edge spoken verse which is broken up into several different vocal types (human and digitised).

2. Lovely To See You Again (2:34) *****

A rousing Justin Hayward song with happy sentiments sung by voices in unison. This is accompanied by chiming guitars and the Moody Blues familiar 'wall of sound'

3. Dear Diary (3:56) ****

This is a slower Ray Thomas song with his usual lighter hearted slant on life ("Someone exploded an 'H'-bomb today but it wasn't anyone I knew"). The voices have been filtered and modified. They are accompanied by a complex synthesiser, flute and string arrangement with jazz overtones.

4. Send Me No Wine (2:21) *****

John Lodge sings an upbeat ballad with a good melody and flowing harmonies.

5. To Share Our Love. (2:53) **

This is a very different John Lodge sound which does not work for me. There is a discordant beginning with an intrusive bass track. The voices are out of step. Not a typical Moody's sound.

6. So Deep Within You (3:07) ***

A moody but romantic song from Mike Pinder accompanied by Mellotrons.

7. Never Comes The Day (4:43) *****

Justin Hayward has continued to develop his 'two tone' brand of songs. These often start with a slow plaintive verse which he accompanies on his guitar and then there is a build up to the crescendo of the chorus. This romantic song is of such a mould. The chorus exhibits soaring guitars, soaring vocal harmonies and string sounds.

8. Lazy Day (2:43) ***

Again a Ray Thomas song with a similar feel the 'Dear Diary' although the voices are recorded 'straight' on this occasion. The words are simple reflecting an uncomplicated way of life where expectations are not high. ("That Sunday roast is something good to eat. Must be lamb today because beef was last week") A harmonica supports the middle section.

9. Are You Sitting Comfortably. (3:30) ****

This is a collaboration between Justin Hayward and Ray Thomas and is a slow, melodic song with a dream-like quality (there are references to visiting Seven Wonders of the World, Camelot and Merlin). The backing is a melange of horns, flutes and synthesisers.

10. The Dream (0:57) ***

Graeme Edge reads a verse which could be part 3 of the spoken part from 'Days of Future Passed. He is accompanied by an unearthly backing.

11. Have You Heard (Part 1) (1:28) *****

This and the following two tracks make up the last part of the album. The track starts with descending cello cadences and then leads into a slow rolling drum and guitar riff. The lyrics are reflective and carry forward the dream concept.

12. The Voyage (4:10) *****

The middle section is an instrumental blend of Mellotrons, strings and cymbals which rises in a slow crescendo. There are ethereal and celestial sounds with long sustained chords and low rumbling cello effects and flutes. The atmosphere is reminiscent of 'House of Four Doors' from the 'In Search of the Lost Chord' album. There is an overall modern classical feel. The track fades back with a piano continuum to …

13. Have You Heard (Part 2) (2:36) *****

Descending cello chords lead to the remaining verses of the song. When these are through, there is a slow fade away of the 'music of the spheres' sound.

EXTRAS

The following is the running order of the bonus tracks.

14. In The Beginning
15. So Deep Within You
16. Dear Diary
17. Have You Heard
18. The Voyage
19. Lovely To See You
20. Send Me No Wine
21. So Deep Within You
22. Are You Sitting Comfortably

14, 15, 17 and 18 are presented as the original full "takes" of the tracks in the recording studio. It has been noted before that much of the ambience of the Moody's album comes from the way in which the individual tracks are mixed down and cross faded. The first two tracks are complete here; the first with its ending, the second with it's introduction. On the album, "The Voyage" is spliced into the two halves of "Have You Heard". This is a fascinating way of hearing both elements as separate entities. 16 has an alternative voice part by Ray Thomas.

19, 20 were recorded live for John Peel's programme "Top Gear" from February 1969.

21, 22 were a session recorded for the BBC programme "The Tony Brandon Show" in April 1969.

THE TECHNOLOGY

As before I now have copies of both versions of this album in my collection. The disc is a dual layer hybrid CD. The universally accessible layer contains the Stereo CD mix. I have to admit that even this version played into the inputs of a Dolby 5:1 capable amplifier produces a remarkable clarity of sound and a pleasing three dimensional ambiance to the performance.

My current equipment, a Denon 2800 player, is not equipped with SACD circuitry. The SACD layer has the version from the 1972 quadraphonic master tapes remixed into a full surround sound output. I have my SACD player on order!!

THE PRESENTATION

Unlike the first two SACD albums in this 2006 series, "Threshold" has been remixed onto a single disc. Probably because of this, the accolade "DeLuxe Edition" has been dropped and there is no slip case to protect the digipak. Even so they have crammed another nine tracks on to the CD.

The 24 page booklet reproduces the original album cover right down to the purple ink, the songbook, photographs and the (now) rather trite eulogy from Lionel Bart (musical luminary of the time). The rather surreal cover illustration, spreading front and back, is again by Phil Travers and components within suggest elements of the songs. The booklet also delivers another chapter in the story of the Moody Blues and how this album came about and recaps events from the previous two albums.

AVAILABILITY

ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM - Moody Blues (1969)
Hybrid SACD (2006) DERAM 983 215-3
Amazon.co.uk £10.99
Sourced from Amazon Jersey £ 9.89

COMMENTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The tracks from this album do not figure largely in their current repertoire. I think I recall Ray Thomas playing 'Lazy Day' at a concert we attended a couple of years ago.

If you have never listened to the original Moody's this is perhaps not the album to get you started. It is an offering that takes a little bit of effort to get into. I first bought this it in its original incarnation 40 years ago and well remember periods of reverie submerged under its hypnotic effects. I had not listened to this album for several years but I have to admit that I was pleasantly by how well this remastering has "polished up". Maybe it didn't produce quite the same "buzz" in me today as it did when I first heard it - but then I have aged those 30 years; the album has not. It still gave me a warm comforting glow of familiarity.

Is the new version worth the extra money (the old CD is still available)? Yes it is. Funnily enough (again I've bought a copy anyway!!) there is enough new material and an excellently updated recording to make this a strong recommendation for the firm fan who already owns the album.

I am an inveterate Moodies collector - it has to be in there!

Chart statistics from "The Great Rock Discography" 6th edition. 2002 Strong M.C

Summary: An excellently updated recording