The Moody Blues Album: “BBC Sessions 1967 - 1970”

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!

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

They earned the title "Magnificent Moodies" early on. The assemblage of the BBC tracks only further solidifies the reward. While the double package is called "Live At The BBC 67-70" there is more! The second disc is audio from TV tapings.

If you are a collector of must have Moody Blues recordings this entered the list the second it left the factory. For those that purchased some of their material in the past it will give you another side of the band. The track listings couldn't be a better representation of the collective genius from the group. Not only are the hits and radio tracks available for your enjoyment but some of the more esoteric and underrated tunes ("Best Way To Travel", "Visions Of Paradise, and "The Actor"). "Best Way To Travel" has never received the acclaim it deserves. While previously tracks were available as a bonus on special SACD pressings, this gives it to you in the full and proper dose.

Before we check out some of their superlative versions of their own material it must be written how great the cover of the Animals hit "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" was constructed.

The back-to-back combination of "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Ride My See-Saw" offers enough exquisite beauty to enthrall the harshest critic but "Lovely To See You (With the acoustic guitar sounding as if it is in your living room) could accelerate the pulse of the most docile individual.

As you sample the choice cuts don't forget to digest the short version of "Nights In White Satin" clocking in a shade over three minutes."

Could you ever get enough versions of "Gypsy"? Its inclusion here only solidifies it's golden splendor.

Forty-one tracks for your pleasure. Are you sitting comfortably?

Enjoy the music and be well,

Craig Fenton

Author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent"

I own the two-CD set of this album. Though about twice as much as the download version, mine included a nifty insert with text and photographs--more than worthwhile for fans who might be able to secure a physical copy, which appears to now be out-of-print after a surprisingly short run.

I say that this is a mixed bag because any true Moody Blues fan has been waiting for such a release for literally decades, so expectations were incredibly high. The result is so-so. First of all, many of these tracks have been readily available for years in the ether of cyberspace, swapped by fans, and the sound quality is about the same quite honestly. Secondly, the "live" part of the title is a bit misleading. In fact, I could detect three types of songs in this collection. First, there's the honest-to-goodness live tracks, which are a fan's dream come true and more than make this set worth purchasing. But then there's the second type -- live vocals against the original album instrumental, sort of a glorified karaoke performance, though still pretty neat to hear the band in their golden years. The third type is, sadly, unnecessary and ridiculous. Using audio culled from 1960s television broadcasts, this set actually provides edited album versions of some of the songs with the only truly "live" component being the audience applause at the end. One could achieve the same result by playing the same song on a very bad stereo and then clapping at the end. Now, what is the ratio among these three types with a total of forty tracks? That's hard to say, though I'd guess that it's about even between the three. Thus, if you're picking and choosing songs individually for downloading, be very careful. You just might end up with a poor quality studio recording that once fooled a television audience.

Another great musical entry for the Moody Blues; the soulful singing and addictive melodies make this a great addition to any collection. Highly recommended!

this is a must have for any one who ever has liked the moodys.all recorded live at the bbc for radio and tv.you can hear them from their beginnings and through some of their best music ever,and all done live.you will hear just what a great bunch of musicians they are.there is music hear that you will listen to again and again.even if you own all of their cds you will find the music so fresh and irresistible on this cd that you will be playing it again and again.