A dream of a CD! (On The Threshold Of A Dream - The Moody Blues)

Member Name: SusanLesley

Product:	On The Threshold Of A Dream - The Moody Blues
Date:	07/02/03 (102 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Dream!

Disadvantages: Some tracks a bit too unusual

A friend of mine has always been a fan of The Moody Blues and I do mean a FAN! He has every record and CD that they have ever made and sees them in concert at least three times each time they tour.

A few years ago I happened to mention that I wouldn't mind seeing them in concert and he straight away offered to drive from London, pick me up in the Midlands, take me to see The Moody Blues in Sheffield and then bring me home. Now that's what you call a friend! Anyway that's how my love of the Moody Blues was born.

At this point in my life I had been through a bad time in my personal life and I was just beginning to get some of my self-esteem back, so when the concert began with Graeme Edge reciting 'The Dream' I felt as though he was speaking to me. The piece concludes with the words -

'As new life will come from death, love will come at leisure. Love of love and love of life and giving without measure, till in return a wondrous yearn of a promise, almost seen, and hand in hand together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream.'

The concert itself was magical but I had to get a copy of the CD with The Dream, I had to listen to it again and learn the words, after all he had spoken to me hadn't he?

And so it was that I bought my first Moody Blues album - On The Threshold of a Dream.

This happened in the mid 90's and the album had been recorded in 1969 - I wonder if it's significant that it was recorded the same year that Dave was born - the man who was to restore my faith in love and help me to live my dreams?

The album itself is what they used to call a 'concept album' back in the 60's and has a distinct theme running through it.

The Moodies at the time were Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge and Ray Thomas although Mike Pinder has since parted company with the rest of the band.

Anyway the album goes like this and I w
ill apologise before I start as I am not good at describing sounds in words but I will try and do it justice.

In The Beginning

The album starts with an almost spooky sound leading into the voice of Graeme Edge speaking the opening track.

Lovely To See You Again

This is a lovely song by Justin Hayward expressing the joy of seeing a friend. This one is upbeat and easy to sing along with, quite a typical 'pop' song in my opinion. I love it!

Dear Diary

This one is sung my Ray Thomas, who in my opinion has a beautiful voice. It's a slow track with strange lyrics some spoken some sung to a backing of synthesiser, flute and strings. Not one of my favourites even though I love the sound of Ray Thomas' voice.

Send Me No Wine

This one is sung by John Lodge and is another upbeat track with lilting melodies.

To Share Our Love.

This one is an unusual track that doesn't seem to flow in the way that we expect from the Moody Blues. I'm not keen on this one at all I'm afraid.

So Deep Within You

This is a romantic track sung by Mike Pinder. The Mellotron provides a deep recurring theme throughout the song. I like this one.

Never Comes The Day

This one is Justin Hayward and his guitar with a slow verse and a chorus of strings and harmonies; a lovely track.

Lazy Day

Another Ray Thomas song, again a description of life with Sunday roast and happy days. This time it is a lighter melody that 'Dear Diary' and is altogether a happier track, with a harmonica accompaniment.

Are You Sitting Comfortably?

Now this is one of my real favourites - full of dreamy references to Merlin and Camelot, with lilting melodies. I love this one.

The Dream

This is the spoken piece by Graeme Edge that I mentioned at the beginning of this opinion accompanied by an ethereal backing. It do
esn't matter how many times I hear it, it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!

Have You Heard (Part 1)

The Dream leads straight into this next track carrying on with the theme of dreams beginning with cellos, drums and guitars.

The Voyage

This middle section is an instrumental blend again using the Mellotron this time with strings and cymbals giving an almost classical effect.

Have You Heard (Part 2)

The Voyage fades out and back into Have You Heard for the final verses and that's the end of the album.

Even though I don't 'love' every track on this album, I never tire of hearing it and remembering that first concert and the many more that have followed since!

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