Search - Moody Blues :: Live at the BBC: 1967-1970

Historic stuff

W. Schmidt | Beaverton, Oregon USA | 06/01/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you have the new SACD special editions of the "core 7" original albums you've already heard most of these tracks. They were added as "special material" to those releases. However, as the other poster mentioned if you didn't want to spring the big money for albums you already own here they are, collected on two discs. The quality is no great shakes for the most part - mostly mid-range and brittle highs, but these date from over thirty years ago, and for radio to boot. The performances in many cases are a bit suspect as well; in some cases the instrumental sections sound identical to the studio versions with live vocals added. I think the Moodies did occasionally do this, considering how dense their studio recordings were it's no wonder. Other tracks however are totally live . . . they're ragged compared to the studio counterparts but have a wonderful energy that makes them a treasure on their own terms.



The studio albums are definitely the best way to acquaint one's self with these songs if you haven't already, but for the hardcore fan this is a very worthwhile release to add to the library."

Good Sounding Moody Blues Stuff!!

J. R Sategna | Martinez, California United States | 06/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was waiting for this 2 cd set to come out for a long, long, time. The sound is pretty good and the song selection is excellent for the time it was recorded. At least on this BBC recording, unlike other BBC live recordings, it doe not have an announcer before each song with on occasion, a one question interview with a band member. I find that part unnecessary and am glad its not on this set. The only problem I have with this set is the editing. Moody Blues songs usually have great endings to their songs but on this release the endings are cut off and an audience applause in put in rather bluntly at times which cheapens the recordings. The sound is great for a BBC live set-average stereo but the songs seem cut off and shortened in places--- I guess to save room for other songs. This results in the whole song version not heard at times. That is probably the only thing wrong with this 2 cd set. It ought to be re-edited and the songs presented the way they were played--take out a few if you have to but lets keep the original song in. Despite this problem, I recommend this set highly. Do not let it get away. Enjoy Moody fans!!!!!!!!!! Good linear notes and pictures also."

Worth having.....BUT......

silly narwhal | Portland, OR United States | 07/12/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love BBC sessions~ I seek them out for every band I like, and wish they would all release everything that exists. So I'm definitely glad to have the live BBC performances here. HOWEVER.....



Not unlike the supposed "live" 1970 Moody Blues DVD that surfaced a few years ago, there's some false advertising here. I got briefly excited to see The Actor, House of Four Doors, and Visions of Paradise on here; but something told me it was too good to be true, and it was. The "Colour Me Pop" session, SEVEN songs, are nothing but the studio versions; and not even that: they're studio versions that cut out mid-song. I don't know what these were on TV, perhaps videos of sorts. But make no mistake going in: tracks 3-9 on Disc 2 are bogus.



Also, a few legit BBC tracks aren't included: Are You Sitting Comfortably, one of the best BBC tracks from the SACD Threshold of a Dream deluxe release, isn't included here from the 2 Apr 69 session. To include the garbage noted above, and not this? Less crucial given the two fine performances of the song included here--but for the record--the 1 Jan 68 version of Nights In White Satin found on the SACD Days of Future Passed is also excluded here.



Of what is, there's some great stuff. Love the early versions of Peak Hour and Twilight Time~ it's fun hearing Hayward tackling the strange harmony vocal on the latter. There's a later Peak Hour, too, as well as another Voices In the Sky (& Dr. Livingston, and Ride My See-Saw), and a rare To Share Our Love, all first-time releases. Plus the Tom Jones stuff--Nights In White Satin (with a few live horns) and the equally rare Another Morning. These arguably make it worth picking up even if you have the studio deluxes. Tuesday Afternoon is stronger vocally than the old "Live + 5" version, and Best Way to Travel surpasses even the studio version, perhaps the gem of the whole set.



As for the live audience session from Dec 69, it's a mixed bag. Gypsy & Sunset are fantastic; Legend of a Mind is cool to hear live but gets diluted by a different, circus-like arrangement on the "along the coast you'll hear the most" section. Nights In White Satin, though, is a crime~ it's a short version where the band cuts out the flute solo (my favorite part). (Note I only mentioned TWO fine versions of the song above; this one doesn't count.)



And I'm still trying to discern if some of the 18 Feb 69 tracks are mostly studio (with live vocal) or not; suspect, to my ears, are Lovely to See You (the other one from April is clearly live) and especially Send Me No Wine. I've nearly declared So Deep Within You to be an entirely different performance (plenty of different tracks in any case); same for To Share Our Love, but I need to listen to that one again. Other opinions?



My only other small caveat is some of the abrupt beginnings & endings. This is obviously because the compilers decided to exorcise the radio announcer wherever they could, which many might applaud. Personally, I'd rather hear the full performances even if I have to grin & bear the announcer talking through the opening phrases.



Quality booklet of liner notes & photos, which always enriches a package.



All in all, then, a release that is certainly welcome and worth having, but also imperfect and at times frustrating. My true vote would be 3.5 stars, but I chose to curve down to 3 given that most others here are giving higher marks with fewer complaints.



In any event, thanks for this release!



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