Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed Reis (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Now This Is A Decent Remaster!!!

R. C. Whiteley | Louisville, KY USA | 10/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I was never crazy about the 1997 remasters of the "core 7" period of the Moody Blues music. I listened to the original cd releases next to the '97 remasters, and really found little difference. Now, with the 2008 new remastered classics, the difference is clear! The sound is truly crisp and has a sonic clarity like never before (at least on cd.) I've read all the arguments about the "quad" versions picked for remaster here, but overall, I cannot complain about this new sound. I wish the "Peak Hour" track didn't have the analog crackling after the lyrics are over (at its end.) But, DOFP is a recording that is over 40 years old. Actually, it holds up rather well, all things considered! I love the Moody Blues, and I am so happy that I found a cd version of DOFP that I thoroughly enjoy. Lastly, the bonus tracks are amazing! There are five here from the "Prelude" compilation, a cd of non-album tracks. I'm so glad to have these songs on cd, since "Prelude" has been out of print for some time. I like the other bonus tracks as well. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" allows us to hear what the Moody Blues sounded like in 1967 in the studio off the cuff."

A true eternal masterpiece

Golovanov Alexey | Limassol, Cyprus | 09/11/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an amazing masterpiece of progressive (or symphonic) rock - whatever you choose. Well balanced, accomplished and ahead of time. Perhaps the best album of the genre - when the Beatles were shyly flirting with an orchestra (and their vocals still remain unconvincing), when John Lord desperately tried to bring together his group (Deep PurpleConcerto For Group & Orchestra) and the orchestra - and still they didn't sound as one thing - and Procol Harum was getting ready to play with Edmonton OrchestraLive in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra - the Moody Blues did it - together with the London Festival Orchestra conducted by Peter Knight. And the year of the recording was 1967, although the album was released in 1968 on their new label "Deram" and became their first GOLD DISC (followed almost immediately by another two golds -On the Threshold of a DreamIn Search of the Lost Chord- all 3 are must have. And still it remains the best example of symphonic rock, composed by rock-musicians. Superb, fantastic performance, mesmerizing vocal harmonies, incredible interplay of the band with an orchestra - a real feast. The first performance of "Nights In White Satin" is mind-blowing. One should keep in mind that the orchestrated passages were recorded separately and "stuck" to the band tracks, so in fact the band is not accompanied by the orchestra. But this is irrelevant - the final result counts. It is one of the top 100 albums of the century. Highly, highly recommended - buy it at least to know the highest standard

P.S. Try "David" - Another Day, Another Lifetime- to my humble opinion, that was the only decent authentic answer to Moody Blues (although under the spell of the Doors)"

Good but disappointing

Gibson EB3 | USA | 07/19/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"No question, for clarity of sound the 2008 remaster is the best CD issue of this album ever, but....

Those of us who have been listening to this album (on vinyl) since it's release in 1967 were no doubt perplexed when we first heard it on CD. Why? Because the LP and the CD(s) contain different mixes. The story, as I've heard it, was that the album was remixed in 1978 because the original master tapes had deteriorated and all subsequent issues of DOFP have been made from this remix which lacks several key overdubs found in the original.

To some, perhaps most, the mix differences are inconsequential and hardly noticeable. For them I heartily recommend this CD. The clarity here is stunning and aside from a few instances where the musical background overpowers the vocals its about as good of a remaster as you're ever going to hear. The bonus material is interesting as well.

What is disappointing to me is that no CD has been released of the superior original mix. I have heard that there were plans to release one in 1997 (from a submaster?) but that never came about.

Until that happens I will jealously guard my early pressing of the vinyl LP as my preferred listening source for this classic album."

Fantastic Work of Art

Chris Clement | Los Angeles, CA USA | 03/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own the 1990 CD release of this album and recently purchased both the 2008 release and the 2006 deluxe edition (SACD). There are subtle, yet noticeable differences between all of them and this one (Oct 2008 release) has become my favorite for casual listening. It offers increased clarity over the older CD release. The SACD version is cool in its own right for bringing an amount of surround sound experience to an album recorded before its existence. However, the SACD suffers from a lack of a center channel. The lead vocals are usually heard on the front channels and backing/background vocals are heard typically on the rear channels. My only complaint about the SACD version is the vocals. I wouldn't say that the mixing of the vocals is better or worse than the original CD release, just very different. Which takes some getting used to.

With that said, this is an absolute masterpiece and deserves the attention from all fans of progressive rock and contemporary orchestral movements. There are thematic elements that flow throughout the entire piece and tie it together nicely. It is really meant to be heard from start to finish and not one piece at a time.

This is subjective but my experience with this album is that the sounds communicate very well their intended purpose within the piece. The album is based on the day in the life of being human with lyrics that span from dawn to dusk following activities and thoughts that apply to many people. In addition, I believe it speaks to growing old as there are many passages that spark thoughts of nostalgia, growing old, and experiencing life. The orchestral segments really dial in the time of day if you are one who likes to link sounds with objects, environments, and actions."

Regarding the Remaster.

Erik Morton | Carmel, CA United States | 03/12/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I won't bother trying to review the album itself; it's reputation precedes it, and it deserves every ounce of praise and acclaim it has garnered since its release in 1967. But I just wanted to give a quick description of the remastering for those who, like me, already owned the previous remastered versions of the Moodies' "core 7" and were questioning as to whether the upgrade was worth it.

I'm no audiophile, and I have no expertise or knowledge in that field whatsoever. I also didn't bother to do a side-by side comparison of any of the tracks. But using only my untrained ear(s) and my love/familiarity with the music itself (I can't count how many times I've listened to this album), I didn't notice THAT much of a difference. The only thing I can really say about it is that the orchestra sounds more full/lush and richer sometimes. That's overall a wonderful thing, but there were a few times when the volume was pushed up too much in sections that were previously quieter, and were perfect the way they were. But off the top of my head, I can only think of two or three cases of this, and it's honestly not a big deal.

So overall, especially considering the low price, I recommend this remastered version of "Days of Future Passed." For an album that is so dependent on the strength of its orchestral music, the improvements, though nothing mind-blowing, overall behew the album."

Search - Moody Blues :: Days of Future Passed (Reis)

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