The Best of the Moody Blues

by The Moody Blues

Overview

This single-CD compilation doesn't do too much more than scratch the surface of the band's sound at its most popular points, but it does do one thing that no prior Moody Blues compilation ever did -- it includes "Go Now," which, as the notes point out, is still the group's top-charting single in England. What it doesn't do is get "Go Now" in really good sound (no one seems to have a proper master source) or include their even better follow-up single, "From the Bottom of My Heart." Still, this body of work is pleasing and, thanks to its extension back to the original lineup, even a little bit informative, and it was the first Moody Blues compilation to be mastered in 20-bit audio. The dominant personality is Justin Hayward, who has provided the band with most of its hits, followed somewhat distantly by John Lodge, whose songs began to shine as the '70s dawned -- a pair of Hayward/Lodge songs and one solo Hayward release fill out the 17 tracks, which showcase the soulful, the mystical, and the psychedelic aspects of their music in equal parts. It's a good intro to their history, and anyone who wants more can jump to the Time Traveller box. ~ Bruce Eder

Product Details

Release Date:	01/28/1997
Label:	Chronicles / Polydor
UPC:	0731453580022
Rank:	531

Tracks

1. Go Now
2. Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)
3. Nights in White Satin
4. Ride My See-Saw
5. Voices in the Sky
6. Question
7. The Story in Your Eyes
8. Isn't Life Strange
9. I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock & Roll Band)
10. Blue Guitar
11. Steppin' in a Slide Zone
12. Forever Autumn
13. The Voice
14. Gemini Dream
15. Blue World
16. Your Wildest Dreams
17. I Know You're Out There Somewhere

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Moody Blues   Primary Artist
John Lodge   Primary Artist
Justin Hayward   Primary Artist
Peter Knight   Conductor,Conductor
London Festival Orchestra   Ensemble
New World Philharmonic   Ensemble

Technical Credits

Dorian Wathen   Compilation Producer
John Reed   Liner Notes
Steve Fallone   Mastering
Paul Vigrass   Composer
Pip Williams   Producer
Bill Levenson   Executive Producer
Jeff Wayne   Producer,Composer
Justin Hayward   Composer
10cc   Producer
Milton Bennett   Composer
John Lodge   Composer
Tony Visconti   Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Gary Osborne   Composer
Larry Banks   Composer
Tony Clark   Producer