Disco de The Moody Blues: “Collected”

This 3-CD set is definately a must for all Moodies fans and would also be a great introduction for someone who doesn't know Moody Blues music and are inquisitive about the Moodies. This compilation has a lot of songs that you would normally see on a Moody Blues compilation but the treat is, there are a lot more songs that you wouldn't find on Moodies compilations. For Ray Thomas fans, this compilation has 4 Ray compositions on it. Sadly though, it does not include For My Lady. A non-Moody Blues composition, This Is The Moment, that was included on the Time Traveller bonus disc is also included on this compilation. So anyone that might be looking for that song, here it is. There are also two solo songs, one from Justin and one from John that is included in this compilation. In my opinion, of all the Moody Blues compilations that are out there, this is the best one of them all and a definate must for anyone. I'm glad to see that all the Moody Blues members, with the exception of Graeme, have been represented on this new compilation release. So if you want a fantastic Moody Blues compilation, this is the one for you! Hurry, don't delay!!!!!

I LOVE the Moodies but I do wish that if Universal keeps releasing all these "Best Of..." albums that they would hire someone who can do a better job of song placement. On one hand, they try to lay this album out as that flow in chronological order with the oldest first but they actually stick the oldest songs at the end of the third disc. By the way, shouldn't the studio songs from Caught Live +5 have been placed with the albums that they were originally recorded for? Unfortunately, the way the songs are arranged on this release tends to bunch up all the Justin, Rays and so on rather than arranging them like that would be on an original Moody Blues album. The album also puts too much energy on the Justin solo/Blue Jays songs while bypassing some classic Moodies songs. The Amazon listing price for this is also quite high considering the packaging isn't super great although third party sellers (as usual) have it at a better price. I was just surprised when I bought this on first release as the package material that makes up the box itself seems quite cheap. The sound quality on here isn't bad but it isn't as good as I expected either as the albums from Days to The Present had just been remastered and re-released. I have those and they don't sound like the ones used here but rather the earlier versions.

On the plus side, the album does contain a couple of rare songs that aren't currently in print anywhere else on cd: John Lodge's Carry Me from his Natural Avenue album (needs to be reissued) and This Is The Moment from Soccer Rocks The Globe, Time Traveller (only on the bonus disc version) and on the Japan pressing of Strange Times. Given the high list price, not so great song placement, not the best transfers of the songs and the cheap box design, I can't give this a higher rating.

Even though I own all the Moody Blues recordings I bought this collection because of the great packaging and of course the choice of tracks in this set. This collection is a great way to introduce the current young generation of music lovers to one of the greatest bands ever!!!!

My husband and I enjoy listening to the Moody Blues. This CD is great. The compilation of the Moody Blues' music in this 3-CD is wonderful. We are enjoying it very much.