Search - Justin Hayward :: Songwriter

A Songwriter shows his ability

Arne Marco Kirsebom | 02/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Justin Hayward, the leadsinger of The Moody Blues, made his first soloalbum in 1977. In 1975 he already made a famous album with John Lodge "Blue Jays".Hayward always wanted primary to be known as a songwriter and many of his famous songs with the Moodies shows his ability of writing very good songs. Songs that always have spoken to me and my own moods.Songwriter is without doubt the best of Haywards five soloalbums. He plays nearly all the instruments himself. The songs are good and the titlesong, Songwriter, reflects on his wishes to be a songwriter. All the songs togehter shows Haywards strength in singing, his caracteristic voice and also some of them let you enjoy his especially tuned sologuitar. I was always very fond of his solos. Of all the songs I am most touched by "Raised on love", a beautiful, simple song, where his voice is very strong and good. But also "Nostradamus" is very interresting musically and rich. I suppose the text reflects the toughts of Hayward.There are two bonussongs on the CD that were not on the original album. The advantage of a CD ist that it offers more space, but on the other hand the two songs do not belong to Songwriter and do somehow not fit to the concept of the album. I am nut sure if it is necessary to publish unknown sogns in this way, because an album has always it proper concept of music and sound.For everyone who is very found of The Moody Blues and especially the songs of Justin Hayward, Songwriter is a musthave in the collection."