Disco de The Moody Blues: “Hall of Fame: Live at the Royal Albert Hall”

Moody Blues performances have always been about the music - no gimmicks, no fake emotions - and this is fine a collection from their recent tour when, once again, they were in fine form. For a foursome of some 35 years, unlike many other 'troopers' peddling muscial nostalgia, the Moodies' new songs stand up to the old favourites, especially 'Haunted" and 'Words You Say' - indeed few other bands would risk playing 25% new songs and dropping some of their back catalogue from their act. Sure, there are numbers we wanted to hear and it's sad that the solos in 'Singer in a Rock and Roll Band' and 'Legend of a Mind' had to be cut to fit on the CD, but this is a great performance and, while some may think the reaction of the English audience quiet, at least it was genuine and from the heart. The recording is crystal clear and a rich, bassy sound unlike the more lacklustre, thin and muffled sound of 'Red Rocks'. The Moodies still have much to offer, both in terms of recording new material and touring - long may they keep us on the threshold of our dreams.

I was disaapointed in the sonic quality of this CD. I bought it because I had enjoyed the PBS broadcast of the concert but after listening to the CD on both my trucks CD player and an excellent home stereo system I think it is a poorly engineered recording. Maybe the broadcast was done with the DVD version.

I saw 3 shows on the "Strange Times" tour, and was very excited when a tour concert album was released. But boy was I PISSED when I got it!

First off, the whole point of this tour was to promote their new album, "Strange Times." 5 songs from that album were performed on tour; only 3 are on this cd. Why? To make room for greatest-hits tracks that were already included on Red Rocks, showing a total disregard for the real fans and catering instead to the masses who might buy one Moodies cd in their whole life. They actually had the audacity to omit "Strange Times" and "Nothing Changes" to make room for tracks we all have on the Red Rocks cd.

Second, they butchered two of the best tracks. I was very excited to see "Legend of a Mind" included, as it was inexplicably left off the Red Rocks cd though it has always been an absolute highlight of their stage show for me. But, in order to cram everything on the one cd, the bastards sliced Ray's ENTIRE FLUTE SOLO out of that song and also the ENTIRE MIDDLE VERSE of "Isn't Life Strange." They should've released a double album or gotten rid of tracks that are already on Red Rocks. God forbid we should have a cd that doesn't have "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" or "Wildest Dreams" on it. If they can cut out "The Voice" they can cut out a couple more. To their credit, they did include "Story In Your Eyes," which was left off Red Rocks. They really ought to include as many songs that would be unique to this album as possible. How about "Steppin' in a Slide Zone," which was added to their show after Red Rocks and was performed throughout this tour?

Third, I saw the Moodies with and without an orchestra on this tour and they were better without, because their own instruments were more prominent and the band was more relaxed and got into it more, not having to worry about timing things just right with the orchestra. Since we already have the Red Rocks cd, why not record a show sans orchestra? The orchestra on this album is sluggish anyway. The "Overture" (why couldn't THAT have been omitted so that we didn't have to cut down LOAM and ISL??) is painfully slow, for example.

I still have to give it three stars because, extremely poor song choice decisions aside, I can't deny that the cd sounds great. In many ways the sound is superior to Red Rocks. I like these versions of "Wildest Dreams" and "Nights in White Satin" in particular better than the Red Rocks versions. And the three new songs that did make the cut, "English Sunset," "Haunted" and "Words You Say," sound fantastic. Having fresh live renditions of these great new songs is worth the price of the cd. It was because of them that I own a copy of this despite my many complaints about it.

Still, I think that, if another Moodies live album is released, it ought to be a double album so as to include everything. We really didn't need another greatest hits live cd! I hope the next Moodies live album is made with the FANS in mind. If it weren't for us die hard fans, the Moodies would not have been touring at all.

A frequent listener of beethoven.com, I requested a selection from the Moody Blues with Orchestra, and the dj played a selection from this cd.

I noticed in the reviews the differences noted between this and the Red Rocks concert. So, I tried this one and it is excellent. All the old Moodies cuts are here, well done, especially I'm Just A Singer, Nights in White Satin, Legened of A Mind, Question and a wonderful finale on Ride My See-Saw.

Introduced to some of their newer material, I was blown away by fine cuts of English Sunset and Words You Say.

Orchestra provides great backdrop with great Overture.

Review no.42.Hard for me to believe,but I think this CD might be like only the second ever release of the Moody Blues I've ever had.'Hall Of Fame' was recorded on May 1,2000 at London's famed Royal Albert Hall.With a total of fourteen tracks,I found myself being wrong about assuming these guys always play the exact same set year after year.Turns out they have several live CD's and DVD's available that I wasn't aware of.From what I've seen they maybe switch around like three or four tunes on each tour they do.Some material on this disc that I don't remember,but was somewhat impressed with were the well-written "English Sunset" and "Haunted".One cut I do recall from the '80's was "I Know You're Out There Somewhere"(always have enjoyed the Mtv video).Of course,their classics are here to fully experience,like "Tuesday Afternoon","I'm Just A Singer(In A Rock&Roll Band)",the ultimate hopeless romantic theme of all time "Nights In White Satin","Legend Of A Mind","Question" and possibly one of the better psychedelic tunes to have ever made it big "Ride My See-Saw".Line-up:Justin Hayward-guitar&vocals,Ray Thomas-flute&vocals,John Lodge-bass and Graeme Edge-drums,Gordon Marshall-keyboards backed by the World Festival Orchestra.Believe that flutist/founding member Ray Thomas had recently retired due to health reasons.Not sure if they could stand to lose another member.Let's hope we don't have to find out.Great progressive album rock,that is a must-have.Superb sound mix.