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Blue Jays: Justin Hayward, John Lodge

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Average rating -

Rating: - A rare treat

I'm in the process of replacing rarely played old vinyl with CD and had truly forgotten what a fantastic album this is. I concur with the earlier comments and would add that every track is memorable and familiar as if all of them had been hits.

I've also got The Very Best of The Moody Blues on CD and I'd say that Blue Jays, in spite of being a different animal, is easily superior and will get played far more frequently.

Rating: - A timeless classic...

This CD is a remastering of the version issued in 1989 with the same track listing as here. The main protagonists of Justin Hayward and John Lodge were the first of the group to release an album following the Moody Blues' hiatus between 'Seventh Sojourn' and 'Octave' (the origin of the 'Blue Jays' title is hazy but there is the romantic notion that it was based on their membership of the group and that they shared the same first initials).
Every single track on the album is melodic, moody and mellifluous without being bombastic or saccharine. There is something different about each song but each has well-constructed melodies and simple harmonies with interesting choices of backing instruments (pipe organ and trumpets on 'Maybe' to a simple string quartet on 'Who Are You Now?' to the rocking guitar and piano on 'Saved by the Music') provided principally by Hayward and Lodge and ably assisted by members of groups signed to the Moodies' own Threshold label - Trapeze and Providence. With the Moodies' long-time producer, Tony Clarke, at the mixing desk, it is hardly surprising that this sounds like a Moody Blues album, although it is actually quite different in many respects.
The final track ('Blue Guitar') was a 1975 Top Ten single recorded at the Strawberry Studios (owned by Eric Stewart of 10cc) by Justin Hayward. Although Lodge doesn't play or sing on it, it was added to the Canon under the Blue Jays project to capitalize on the album's success. It showcases Hayward's prowess as a guitarist and he emotes precisely the song's title on the instrument. Produced by Clarke and 10cc, it had 'When You Wake Up' as the B-side and stormed the charts.
Following this album, both Hayward and Lodge recorded solo albums ('Songwriter' and 'Natural Avenue' respectively) before reforming the Moody Blues for Octave. Since that time, there have been many songwriting collaborations between the two (e.g. 'Gemini Dream' on 'Long Distance Voyager'), which provide echoes of what they achieved here. A fantastic album that one never tires of listening too - several times in one sitting!

Rating: - An Album that requires you listen!!

Blue Jays has to be one of the most evocative and emotional peices of music ever. The whole sound, reminiscent of the Moody Blues, but somehow even richer, conjures up so much emotion that this is not a Cd you can have on in the background - it requires you listen to it! The harmonies that Justin Haywood and John Lodge form are so rich that you wonder how many voice overs they needed to make them - then you hear them live and know that they didn't! In some ways it's a shame they never did another duo cd....but then in some ways it isn't because this is the way I always want to hear them! Perhaps one day they'll do another live show of the whole album......

Rating: - A Perfect Duo Recording!

Released between "Seventh Sojourn" and "Octave", Hayward and Lodge composed an album as worthy as any Moody Blues collaboration. Each song takes the Moody Blues atmosphere and elaborates on it. The natural strings are abundant and are well used as backgrounds and accents.

Opening with the wistful "This Morning", each songs glides into the next almost seemlessly; like a concept album. Only "Saved By The Music" is a tad jarring, but this is immediately replaced with arguably the most beautiful Hayward/Lodge song ever written, "I Dreamed Last Night". It is a masterpiece. "Maybe" was a FM staple that year of 1975 and it is a triumphant celebration filled with horns, cellos and strings. It reminds one of "Question" in it's structure more than it's sound.

The last song on the album, "Blue Guitar" is actually a bluesy number by Hayward that was added when this set was released on CD. It's a good finish to a moody and beautifully crafted album.

Rating: - An Enormous Album Full of Talent!

Released between "Seventh Sojourn" and "Octave", Hayward and Lodge composed an album as worthy as any Moody Blues collaboration. Each song takes the Moody Blues atmosphere and elaborates on it. The natural strings are abundant and are well used as backgrounds and accents.
Opening with the wistful "This Morning", each songs glides into the next almost seemlessly; like a concept album. Only "Saved By The Music" is a tad jarring, but this is immediately replaced with arguably the most beautiful Hayward/Lodge song ever written, "I Dreamed Last Night". It is a masterpiece. "Maybe" was a FM staple that year of 1975 and it is a triumphant celebration filled with horns, cellos and strings. It reminds one of "Question" in it's structure more than it's sound.

The last song on the album, "Blue Guitar" is actually a bluesy number by Hayward that was added when this set was released on CD. It's a good finish to a moody and beautifully crafted album.

Review Pages: 1 2 3 Next »