Sojourn

Sojourn

Editorial Reviews
- Ken Hill, Station Manager, Masters Of New Age Radio, & Composer
"I haven't lost myself in an album in a long time. "Sojourn" comes highly recommended. Don't pass this gem up."

Product Description
Sojourn, the 4th album by fingerstyle guitarist Jonathan Nicholson, is a unique blend of delicate, soothing melodies, subtle undertones, and an understated yet advanced technique.

His signature sound is evolved further through his unique approach to harmonics and a love for exploring altered tunings, as well as his ability to draw the listener into a very personal, introspective and reflective space.

Sojourn

Tracks:

Lost In A Lost World
New Horizons
For My Lady
Isn't Life Strange
You And Me
The Land Of Make-Believe
When You're A Free Man
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)

Customer Reviews:

The Rocker and The Balladeer.......2007-06-08

This album is not my favorite MB offering, but there are four incredible songs on it that I dearly love, one being my "sometime" favorite MB tune. I'm only going to mention these songs in my little piece here. I titled my review as I did because of the perfect display of Justin's and John's strengths on this album, Justin being the soulful balladeer and John the ultimate rocker. These two great men are just "all that" in my book, so I gotta give 'em their due.

Justin Hayward's 'New Horizons', partially inspired by his late father, is a stunning song in every way. Both the arrangement and the music are wonderful, with the strings and Justin's guitar sounding almost mournful at times. Hayward's voice has such a sad and deep note to it as well and he uses it masterfully. His wide vocal range is spotlighted here, along with John's perfect use of subtle and understated harmonies. This song just grabs you by the heart and never lets up, but at the same time it's so beautifully done that you have to enjoy it as well. "Horizons" is just simply Justin Hayward doing what he was born to do.

Ray Thomas' 'For My Lady', written for the woman he was then married to, is this man at his awesome best. His rich baritone voice, with all its layered nuances has never sounded better, and it soared on the higher registers. The music and lyrics, which are both outstanding, complement each other so well. What more can I say except this is a beautiful song and Ray sings it to perfection. As an aside, I am so very glad he sang it at the 'Red Rocks' concert a few years back for all the world to discover and enjoy.

John Lodge once again manages to both playfully rock me and deeply touch my heart with his two songs on this album. A lot of fans and critics consider Lodge's beautiful 'Isn't Life Strange' to be his best song. It is a favorite of mine, as well. To all those who say John is neither a great singer or writer, I dare you to conclude that after giving this song a really good listening to, preferably two or three. John has never written so poignantly and eloquently as on this song. He writes: "Isn't life strange? A turn of the page. A book without light unless with love we write". WOW! is all I can say. John's airy, ethereal voice- not to mention his fabulous falsetto- have never sounded better or stronger. Justin's co-lead and harmonies once again show how terrific these two men sound together. The orchestral arrangements are wonderfully done without overwhelming the song, only adding to its magnificence.

I'm saving the best for last: John's 'I'm Just a Singer In a Rock n Roll Band'. This song frequently trade places with 'Ride my Seesaw' as my absolute favorite Moody Blues song. 'I'm Just a Singer' is THE consummate rock song and John Lodge is so very much in his element on this great song. My gosh but the man can rock it out like no one else. John wrote this song in response to the legions of "spaced out" fans who worshipped the Moodies as their messiahs. Thank God for those misguided fans or I wouldn't have this great song to enjoy- lol! Not only is the song plain fun to listen to, its lyrics actually have a deep meaning. This song is a winner in every way possible. All the Moodies give stellar performances vocally and instrumentally. The rhythm, beat and tempo of this song are outstanding, carried along by the masterful hands of Graeme Edge on percussion (his best performance, IMO) and John on his funky Fender bass. Mike Pinder's keyboards/ Mellotron work is absolutely incredible, and Justin's blazing guitar solo blisters the ears. I love to listen to this song cranked up full throttle while wearing headphones. I hit 'repeat' and off I go rocking for an hour or more on just this one song alone. (No, I never get tired of it- not yet anyway) I'm sure I have sustained major ear damage but the sheer joy this song brings me is well worth it. If I still smoked cigs, I'd have to light one up after experiencing the genuine pleasure this song gives me- it's that good! To all the fans who got to see this song performed live pre-hiatus, I am so very green right now. To me, this phenomenal song is the Moody Blues at their ultimate best.

Well dear folks, that's my take on 'Seventh Sojourn', four songs of it anyway. Take a listen to it...... and enjoy. As for John Lodge and The Moody Blues, I have to say that they are MUCH more than "just singers in a rock n roll band" to us fans. They are a fantastic group of talented men who bring so much needed joy and pleasure to a hurting world. Thank you!

"Seventh Heaven!" :).......2007-05-20

To start off, what a topnotch remastering job on this splendid release! :)

On this occasion, Mike Pinder gets to open up a Moody Blues album with one of his compositions, "Lost In A Lost World"... I like the instrumental verse in the middle of the song, as well as the stereo effects on the vocals near the end, with the "So many people" chant on the right channel and the "Lost In A Lost World" chant on the left (Best experienced through headphones).

"When You're A Free Man" is an equally fine Mike Pinder song, and there is a sense of hope in the lyrics ... I love the one line that states:
"You know that love lasts ... For Eternity...
Let's be God's Children ... And live in Perfect Peace"
I love how the instrumentation in the fadeout to this track merges with the fade-in of the drums in the intro to "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)." Both this superb John Lodge composition and Justin Hayward and Graeme Edge's "You And Me" are excellent rockers that open up and close the second half of this album ... The brass effects on the former track are really neat and give the song that extra "punch," plus the group chant on the Justin and Graeme composition, before the lyrics "You're an ocean full of faces" is executed to perfection!

Both Justin's "New Horizons" and "The Land Of Make Believe" have a dreamy atmosphere about them, especially "Make Believe" (Beautiful xylophone effects and flute). Excellent dueling electric guitars (Also best experienced through headphones) on the solos to "New Horizons," as well. :)

For me, Ray Thomas' pleasant "For My Lady" paints the picture of a man on a cruise boat with the woman of his dreams! I love the way the song flows into John Lodge's fantastic "Isn't Life Strange," as both songs are played in the same chord ... Both Justin and John do an excellent job trading off vocals, and the harmonies sound nice on the choruses. I'm glad that this remastered edition of the album (As well as "Time Traveller") features a clean fadeout of the song that doesn't abruptly merge into the intro to "You And Me," like the earlier CD format of the album, released in the 1980's, did. To go off on a slight tangent for a bit, I'm probably one of the few (Or maybe the only one) listeners who enjoys the 1989 orchestral remake of "Isn't Life Strange," from "Legend Of A Band," just as much as the original version!

It's difficult for me to pick a favorite on this recording, since I enjoy all eight songs equally! I want to close this review by typing out one of my favorite Justin Hayward quotes from the live "Hall Of Fame" release:
"We're just Singers in a Rock and Roll Band!"
Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

The last of their golden era, and one of their best.......2007-05-12

Said to be loosely based on the Canterbury Tales (or at least it started that way), Seventh Sojourn was the Moodies' last album before a lentghy hiatus. They definitely went out on a high point.

Three of their FM radio/concert staples are found here: "For My Lady," "Isn't Life Strange," and "I'm Just A Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)". That alone will probably be enough for any serious fan to want this disc. (If you are a serious fan and you aren't familiar with any one of those, trust me, you need to buy this!) But what about the five other songs? Like most Moody Blues album tracks, they take a bit of getting used to, but are worth the repeated listens. The opener, "Lost in a Lost World," comes as close as any song does to explaining why they broke up temporarily after this album, with its themes of isolation and lack of communication. But on the surface at least, it's not autobiographical. It's more of a rather cynical statement on the world at large. "New Horizons" begins almost dirge-like, but the balladish melody masks an optimistic tale of finding oneself. "You and Me" is one of their heavier rockers, and the "story" it tells works on a couple of levels. "The Land of Make Believe" and "When You're a Free Man" are characteristic acoustic ballads with orchestral backing, less radio friendly than the songs you already know but just as enjoyable once you get used to them.

The Moodies are as close as any progressive rock band ever came to being singles-oriented rather than album-oriented, and it does show occasionally here. Still, it's one of the most consistent albums they ever made.

A must have for any Moody Blues fan.......2007-04-15

While this is not my personal favorite , it is the most commercial of the 7 concept albums . It is a stylistic bridge to the band's later work . The weakest cut is When You're A Free Man . Even though it marked the end of the band's 2nd incarnation ( remember Go Now ) it really doesn't come off that way . I have 14 of their albums , including all 7 concept albums ( in vinyl and CD ) and this is the one I would recommend to the casual fan . This is the first art rock band that was commercially successful . King Crimson , E L P and Yes all came later . It is unfortunate that this , last album arrived at a time when the art rock era was just starting . It actually propelled sales of the band's earlier work . The band would have even more wildly popular had Days Of Future Past been released in 1971 instead of 1967 . This is the only album of their's to be released during tha art rock era and by the time they got back together , the era had passed .

The Sojourn is Over.......2007-01-30

I like this album , it's the perfect ending to the Classic 7. As usual the Moodie 3 R's - Rock, Romance and Risk are all covered.

Average customer rating:

Their Best Album
Mike Pinder's Lost World
"Seventh Heaven," Deluxe Edition! :)
CD vs. SACD...some people just don't get it...
INTENSE re-mastering...

Seventh Sojourn
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
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ASIN: B000MGVCFY
Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

Lost in a Lost World
New Horizons
For My Lady
Isn't Life Strange
You and Me
Land of Make Believe
When You're a Free Man
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
Isn't Life Strange [Original Version][#][*]
You and Me [Beckthorns Backing Track][#][*]
Lost in a Lost World [Instrumental Demo][#][*]
Island [#][*]

Customer Reviews:

Their Best Album.......2007-06-06

If you ever want to try out a album by The Moody Blues. Get this one, this is & forever will be the best album ever released by the band. If you want to go one step further, get the SACD version containing bonus tracks. Every track is a classic. Search Judemac Forever on msn

Mike Pinder's Lost World.......2007-05-25

If anything, this final CD reissue of the Moody Blues initial seven records will remind the listener how vital Mike Pinder was to the Moody Blues. On each track of Seventh Sojourn, his arrangements come to fore, his stamp is on each track. The wispy figure in "New Horizons", the swirls in "You and me" and "Singer in a rock and roll band", the thick flute sounds of "My Lady". These are some of Pinders most imaginative moments in Moody Blues history.
He also provides the much-needed edge on this release, compensating for the rather sedate predecessor "Every Good Boy". On Seventh Pinder uses a Chamberlain to great effect, producing a cleaner, brighter, less murky sound than the mellotron used on subsequent recordings. Pinder also opts for one of the few bona-fide Justin Hayward guitar solo's (and a memorable one) on his composition "When You're a Free Man".
"Seventh" was recorded during a period of band fatigue. Like the Beatles, they had spent most of the early adult life together. The liner notes detail the unusual length of time (for the Moodies) spent in 1972 on completing this eight song album.
Fans will not want to miss the 4 bonus tracks. The never before released 8 minute version of "Life Strange' is the first highlight- opening with a piano count in omitted in the standard release. The clarity of this version is better, one can hear the pump organ breathing and wheezing through the track. . However, the big surprise is when after the oboe fade sequence Pinder's Chamberlain swoops in to begin a 2 minute instrumental section. As is, it seems to have been left unfinished-to these ears, it seems to have been laid down as the background for a big guitar solo. It's assumed the band decided to leave this section off the track before atempting overdubs.
The "Lost World" instrumental demo is another revelation and the highlight of this release. It opens quite differently than the released version with a prominent, ominous guitar riff, and has a slight 70s soul sound to it. (Not too surprising, considering Pinders r&b roots.) The drumming also has more of a soul feel to it, and it really stands as a track on its on-it would fit nicely into a soundtrack.
"Island" appears to be an abandoned track with a scratch vocal, the chorus is not developed, (Justin Hayward scats this section) and what remains is a basic backing track with a neat ascending Chamberlain figure that repeats in intensity until the end of the track. What is also interesting about this track is that the band recorded this as early as Feb 1973- only a few months after "Seventh Sojourn" had hit the top of the charts. The liner notes make no mention of any other recording attempts after "Island" and after a long lull of seeming inactivity the band embarked on a world tour (perhaps obliged by contractual reasons) in Sept. 1973 ending in Feb. 74 in San Francisco.
One hopes a live concert from one of the 74 concerts is eventually released. The song selection was challenging (the concert opened with "Higher and Higher" which morphed into "Out and In", and numbers such as "Eternity Road", "One More Time to Live","Watching and Wating" and an extended "Legend of a Mind" were performed.)

"Seventh Heaven," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-05-20

*The following comments are in regard to the bonus tracks on this release. To read my opinions on the original content of this album, check out my review under:
"Seventh Sojourn" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

Here is what I enjoyed about each of these outstanding bonus offerings...

"Isn't Life Strange" (Original Version):
The piano "count in" was a surprise, as I don't believe a piano was anywhere to be heard on the final version of the song! The instrumental break, that was edited out of the final version, was beautifully executed and reminded me of "The Voyage" from "On The Threshold Of A Dream" (In certain places) and "The Word (Mellotron mix)" from the Deluxe Edition of "In Search Of The Lost Chord," in true Mike Pinder mellotron style! The fadeout is extended a little further, so we can hear The Moodies singing a tad more than on the final version of the song. :)

"You and Me" (Beckthorns Backing Track):
This version of the song blew me away with the keyboard tracks in place of the vocals ... To me, the instrumentation sounded similar to the mellotrons heard on "The World Today," from Mike Pinder's 1994 release, "Among The Stars." The extra instrumentation, that was edited out of the finished product, was a treat, as well! Sounds like background music that could be used during a Moody Blues radio interview. :)

"Lost in a Lost World" (Instrumental Demo):
The haunting electric guitars, in place of the vocals, really grabbed my attention on this version of the song ... This riff sounds more like David Gilmour's style (Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and "A Momentary Lapse Of Reason," in places) than Justin Hayward's! What a wickedly beautiful sound! :)

"Island:"
Until this reissue came along, this amazing unreleased gem would have made a fine bonus track to Justin Hayward's "Songwriter." The tune also reminds me of something Justin would have come up with for "A Question Of Balance," had The Moodies created the song at that time. More magnificent mellotron/Chamberlain playing from Mike Pinder, yet again! "Island" definitely has that "'Classic 7' Moody Blues" feel to it. :)

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "Seventh Sojourn," this Deluxe Edition also featured a topnotch remastering job! I would recommend this release to any Moody Blues fan or collector. Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

CD vs. SACD...some people just don't get it..........2007-04-26

The focus of this review is sound quality only; as such, it is restricted to the SACD version/disc on this two-disc package. The only reason to pay the cost of these reissues (I suspect most true fans have already bought the five albums released last year) is the high resolution available via the SACD format. If we take for granted that you have the necessary hardware to properly decode/playback this format, then these reissues are well worth the extra cost, as they reveal greater dynamic range, increased resolution and 'air', and a far deeper and wider soundstage (even through two channels). By the way, these are NOT 5.1, but 4.1 (they were sourced from the quad mixes, remember?). Some of the very minor audio drawbacks that plagued the DVD-A 'Perceptions' box-set by the Doors (see my review there for more details) are also present here, but overall, this SACD offers sound quality that comes about as close to the warmth of fine analog as the digital format currently allows. Remember, these recordings (these comments can be extended to include the SACD version of 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favor') are 35+ years old. By the way, the only "compression" I noticed was when I wore my headphones too tight, so I'm at a loss to explain the observation expressed elsewhere; perhaps Home-Theatre-In-A-Box strikes again, who knows?

INTENSE re-mastering..........2007-04-24

This review is based on the CD portion of the disc only.

If you are hoping these "deluxe editions" will sound even better than the re-mastered discs of `97 you will be disappointed. The old re-masters sound much more pleasant to the ears than these "deluxe" discs. Doing a side by side comparison, using top of the line monitors, these "deluxe" versions don't come close to the last round of re-masters which breath much better. The "deluxe" versions have been once again aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the middle to later stages of the album (depending on the album), you may experience some ear fatigue. The sound is unrelenting and it changes the original dynamics. I felt like I was hearing a whole new mix, which is a sign of over compressing. For example, the song "For My Lady" seems to have lost all it's relaxed nature and Ray's vocals were lost in the mix! Has the music industry gone compression mad? Or, were the Moodies worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) lacked musical muscle, and super charging it with heavy compression is the answer? Or both?

The bonus tracks were very interesting to hear, but not really important unless you are a Moodies fanatic. The booklet's in this "deluxe" series are all a little redundant, you'll be reading a lot of the same text from booklet to booklet. The picture selection was a bit lacking in imagination. It appears that the people responsible for the booklets went with one photo session. Is that lazy or boring?

In conclusion, after hearing all of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still sound great. Perhaps the other two layers of these "deluxe editions" will be rewarding, but if you still haven't bought any of these yet, you are way ahead of the game.

Average customer rating:

Grey Eye Glances - Well Done Pop With Excellent Female Vocals
A Spell Has Been Cast . . .
A must have album
Beautiful
You will love this!

A Little Voodoo
Grey Eye Glances
Manufacturer: Sojourn Hills
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000068793
Release Date: 2002-06-18

Tracks:

Close Your Eyes
Oh No
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The One
Good Folks
Big Red Boat
He And She
Even
Keep On
All Because Of You

Amazon.com

New Jersey's Grey Eye Glances began their career rooted in '70s folkie-prog of U.K. bands like Fairport Convention and Renaissance. But they were also informed by a raft of evolving alt-pop and subtle country influences that bubbled to the surface on Painted Pictures and Eventide, drawing favorable comparisons to 10,000 Maniacs in the bargain. Voodoo finds those sensibilities blossoming (burnished by a lineup of producers that includes Jerry Marotta, Paul Bryan, and the band itself) into a full-bodied sound that ably demonstrates how thoroughly the alt consciousness has become mainstream.

The occasionally precious melodic sense of previous albums gets a tougher edge on "The One" and is downright muscular on tracks like "Close You Eyes" and "Keep On." That bigger-is-better gambit has pushed vocalist Jennifer Noble (often compared to Natalie Merchant, but with a commanding sense of vocal drama here that recalls Aimee Mann as well) to good effect, encompassing the spare, haunting melancholy of "Good Folks" and "Even," the rhythmic pop of "Oh No," and even some surprisingly straightforward rock turns. It's this last sensibility--exemplified by the riff-heavy guitar assault of "He and She" and Noble's sweet and gritty way with a pop hook--that may take Grey Eye fans by surprise. Voodoo's expansive production and harder edges may be a long way from the band's coffeehouse roots, but it's a compelling argument for their restless ambition. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Grey Eye Glances - Well Done Pop With Excellent Female Vocals.......2007-04-28

I first was led to discover Grey Eye Glances because the band contains two members of one of my favorite progressive rock bands Echolyn. Brett Kull and Paul Ramsey are members of both bands and I was interested in finding out about their side project Grey Eye Glances. Although the music here is a far cry from the expansive progressive rock of Echolyn, Kull and Ramsey are allowed enough room to move within a pure pop context to add their distinct musical flavor to the material. Grey Eye Glances reminds me a lot of bands like 10,000 Maniacs / Natalie Merchant or a more rocked up version of Cowboy Junkies. In fact a couple of the mellower tunes on this disc would fit right at home on a Cowboy Junkies disc. The center point of the band is vocalist Jennifer Nobel. She has an outstanding voice and delivers these pop gems in a warm fluid style that fits perfectly with the music. The rest of the band is also talented on their respective instruments. I do not own any of the bands other albums, so I don't have anything to compare, but overall if you are a fan of nicely done pop with excellent female vocals this band might be for you.

A Spell Has Been Cast . . . .......2006-08-09

I received this cd just about a month ago, popped it in my cd player in the truck and . . . I haven't taken it out once since. I love to hear instruments and voices that blend so perfectly together that they almost become one (throw in a teanie tiny bit of piano and I'm almost always hooked). Add to that some truley brilliant lyrics and I couldn't be any happier. My favorite song is the last one on the cd (which is actually two songs bridged together as one). The melodies are great, I can see "the brillance of the light at night", and I enjoy the manner in which the voices play with each other on this one.

I don't own any other Grey Eye Glances but this WON'T be my last. Thanks to Amazon for the recommendation. I've tripped across some great finds thanks to this feature.

A must have album.......2005-11-25

This GEG effort is sublime. You will not be disappointed.

Beautiful.......2005-01-13

I love this album (so why only 3 stars?). It is NOT prog. Even though Brett Kull and Paul Ramsey from Echolyn are a part of this group and GEG's previous releases had a lot of prog flavor, it's still not Prog. I highly recommend this to MUSIC lover's of the Natalie Merchant/Sarah McLachlan ilk. Fabulous lyrics, the incredibly silky voice of Jennifer Nobel, well crafted melodies, catchy hooks, highly polished musicianship and crystal clear production.

This is music for couples, played loudly winding down the coastal highways. It's hard for me to choose one tune as THE standout track. It flows along seemlessly, which is hard to believe since three different producers pieced this together; Jerry Marotta, T-Bone Wolk and Brett Kull.

Kulls guitar gets its moments to shine but he plays within the context of the tune. Ramsey's drum work is solid with the less then stressful stuff he played with Echolyn. Dwayne Keith's keyboard work is more ambient and fills the backgrounds nicely. Eric O'Dell lays down some nice bass work that enhances the tunes and keeps them moving.

Obviously GEG is looking for the limelight, and why shouldn't they? Is writing smart thoughtful tunes, even in a pop setting, wrong? Not at all. Buy it, even if it's not prog. Your wife or girlfriend will like you better for it.

You will love this!.......2004-04-09

I love this CD. It's not like anything else I own. The lyrics are beautiful and the music is really diverse. It's soft at times and rockin' at other times. The tunes will stay in your head long after you listen to them. The singer's voice is beautiful.

Average customer rating:

Summer Sojourn
Jeff Victor
Manufacturer: Inspired Artists
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000JS5
Release Date: 1996-04-24

Tracks:

Sunrise
Circles On A Pond
Papillion
Jus Mozeyin
The Tree That Saw The Civil War
Mississippi Moon Song
The Laughing Forest
Heat Lightning
Night
Tomorrow Comes Too Fast
I Flew Through The Arc Of A Rainbow
Field Of Memories

Average customer rating:

Captivating
Beautiful music carries insightful thoughts
Worth Having
Luminous, thoughtful music

Further On...
Grey Eye Glances
Manufacturer: Sojourn Hills Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00001NFUH
Release Date: 1994-06-02

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I Know What It Means
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Take My Heart
Snow
Something To Live For
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It's Only Me

Album Description

The 2nd of Grey Eye Glances' Independent albums which led to their signing with Mercury Records in the mid-nineties. A fan favorite!

Customer Reviews:

Captivating.......2006-02-05

I received this CD as a gift over 10 years ago and I still return to it at least once a month. GEG's music is melodic yet soulful, and most often riveting. In a subdued way, Jennifer Nobel has an astounding voice -- deep, complex, and involving (she is even more so in person). All in all, I can't say enough in praise of this CD.

Beautiful music carries insightful thoughts.......2001-08-08

My first aquaintance with GEG was the "Eventide"-album as an Amazon-recommendation. After the short RealAudio-samples I felt I'd like this band. A few days later the CD arrived (along with 7 others)...and for weeks it virtually stayed in my CD-player. The next purchase, of course, was "Painted Pictures" but I hesitated to also buy "Further on...". Why? - Cause it contains tracks which I already knew from "Eventide", besides there are only 9 tracks on it, and finally there were neither any audio samples, nor much reviews on this album, so I got cautious. Now I KNOW that it was unnecessary, and to show how much I love this album too I decided to write this review.

"Further on..." is _not_ a nice first try followed up by better albums. It is great and perfect on its own. This music is full of kindness, beauty, sadness and insights. Just listen to this from "Whispers":

"I took seven looks but I counted too fast / It all was so clear hidden deep in our past / It was very quiet despite the great blast /

Darling / Are you out there / Hidden in the fog / Did you cross / When you were told to / What happened?"

Worth Having.......2001-07-12

Grey Eye Glances has wonderful harmony and a haunting tone. With all of their music, this CD will tend to stay in the player longer than most. Although their "Further On" CD is not quite as spectacular as their other two releases, it is well worth having. If you you have tried their others first, you'll want this one. I also strongly suggest the group October Project. Their style is similar, and the voice of their lead singer is penetrating.

Luminous, thoughtful music.......2000-03-16

I love this CD. It falls short of 5 stars only because a couple of the songs ("Whispers" and "It's Only Me") seem to meander a bit. But it contains what may be my favorite Grey Eye Glances song ever, the lovely "Take My Heart," and I think the version of "Snow" found here is much better than the one that ended up on "Eventide."

Grey Eye Glances is a tough group to pigeonhole; that's part of their appeal. They remind me (and many others) of October Project, but the mood of their songs is more open and light. There is an optimism, a sense of a quest, that runs through their music.

By the way, while they *sound* nothing like Moxy Früvous, GEG is a lot like the boys from Toronto in that their live show is an absolute must-see for a fan, and could easily convert a casual listener to a devotee. The onstage banter is priceless (the guys like to tease Jen about being shy), and the songs are often much richer-sounding and more immediate. The last time I saw them, they riffed on "Feel Like Makin' Love" - it was hilarious. I highly recommend all their recordings, but be sure to see them live if you get a chance!

Spirit Sojourn
Average customer rating:
Spirit Sojourn

Manufacturer: NatureQuest
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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ASIN: B000CA6X9U
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Average customer rating:

SEVENTH SOJOURN!!!
still going strong--the last Moodies album before an extended hiatus
The Primer...
Thanks for this album
This is a great album to listen to from beginning to end.

Seventh Sojourn
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
Days of Future Passed
Question of Balance
In Search of the Lost Chord
On the Threshold of a Dream

ASIN: B000001F60
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Lost in a Lost World
New Horizons
For My Lady
Isn't Life Strange
You and Me
Land of Make-Believe
When You're a Free Man
I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)

Customer Reviews:

SEVENTH SOJOURN!!!.......2007-05-28

THIS IS MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE FROM THE MOODIES. I LOVE THE MOFI VERSION.

still going strong--the last Moodies album before an extended hiatus.......2005-09-17

Originally released in November of 1972, "Seventh Sojourn" is the last of what is known as the Moody Blues' "Core 7", i.e. their 1967-1972 era albums. Although it's fair to say that the band had undergone a certain evolution over the course of this period, it's also fair to say that by this time they had settled into a formula and were no longer breaking new ground, and at times it sounds like the group would have rather been elsewhere.

One interesting thing about the album that does set it apart is the presence of the Chamberlain which is used in place of the Mellotron in certain places, providing the album with some extrodinarily lush sounds. Granted, keyboardist Mike Pinder was a master of the Mellotron, and the previous 6 albums were all lush in their own right, but the Chamberlain provides a bit of a different and unique feel.

There are some great songs here. The album opens with Pinder's pleading, arrestingly dramatic epic "Lost In A Lost World" which has a winding, expansive feel. It's followed by Justin Hayward's moving ballad "New Horizons" which is one of his most tender compositions--excellent layered vocals and layered guitar work from Justin on this track. Pinder's ultra-atmospheric ballad "When You're A Free Man" has an arresting spiritual quality to it and has a note-perfect double-tracked Hayward guitar solo, a snippet of which sounds almost exactly like what he'd later play in the intro of "Steppin' In A Slide Zone". John Lodge's uptempo album-closer "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)" is extremely catchy and energetic, with another great Hayward solo, and the synthesized brass gives the song a strangely primitive and profound quality.

Absolutely none of the remaining tracks are weak, although they occasionally sound tired an uninspired. Ray Thomas' folky, medieval-sounding "For My Lady" is nicely melodic, but the dorky accordian on the chorus is ultra-hokey. Lodge's "Isn't Life Strange" is quite strong, with moving verses, but the chorus is overly-bombastic, with lead guitar work that's crafty but feels out of place. "You And Me" has great layered guitar licks from Hayward, and the verses and chorus are catchy, but it's attempt to be anthemic feels a little forced. "The Land Of Make-Believe" is a characteristic Hayward epic along the lines of the previous album's "You Can Never Go Home", starting off mellow and folky before quickly building--unfortunately, it's way too melodramatic and bloated to really take off, although it's still reasonably pleasant.

In closing, "Seventh Sojourn", despite the flaws, is solidly recommended--it's a strong ending to this era in Moodies' musical career, and if you're a fan of the band, it's inconceivable that you'll dislike it.

The Primer..........2004-12-06

Here is the single BEST intro to the Moody Blues that any non-fan could ever pick up. It is more solid and less expansive than any of the so-called 'Core 7'(ie: Days Of Future Passed, Lost Chord, Threshold, Children's Children, EGBDF, Question, and Sojourn). This album is simply an 8-song set of stand-alone tunes that won't confuse the listener who may or may not be accustomed to the Blues' style of organic album-writing which has been tagged with the title "rock symphonies".

"Lost World" is a straight-ahead, middle-of-the-road groove rocker, while "Isn't Life Strange?" sounds like something that KISS might have covered(believe it or not...just listen to "Great Expectations" on 'Destroyer'), and "Singer In A Rock & Roll Band" is the closest that the Blues ever came to 70's funk(ironically enough, considering its title) and is one of the greatest "goodbye kisses" that a band ever gave to its audience(right behind the Beatles' Abbey Road medley with "The End" and Cream's farewell concert).

In all, recommend this to someone who doesn't have a Moody Blues collection and tell them to start their "7 Shades Of Blue" here, in reference to the "Core 7" albums at the heart of the Moody Blues collection.

Thanks for this album.......2003-11-20

I just wanted some other Moody Blues fans to know how much this album meant to me. I was born an only child to a single mom back in 1965. My mother passed away in 1998. I was pretty strong at the time, I barely cried during the whole funeral. A few days after the funeral I was playing some of my old records, and Seventh Sojurn was one of the records I was listening to. When I got to Living In a Land of Make Believe, I just started to cry. I couldn,t stop. I must have played the song 10 times that night. But I really listened to the lyrics, It made me feel very good because I knew that eventually I would see my mother again and I know that she,s watching me every day.
It,s a great album all around but the 5 stars are mainly for that song alone. Thank you Moody Blues and thank you Justin for the emotional release you gave me that night....

This is a great album to listen to from beginning to end........1999-08-04

As with many of the earlier Moody's albums (Days of Future Passed, On the Threshold of a Dream, Lost Chord, etc.), Seventh Sojourn will transport you off into an interesting world if you listen to it cover to cover. A world of love, hope, religion, and, of course, harmony. Check out how the Moodys puncuated their songs with just the right amount of added instruments. It's like a recipe: a cup of electric guitar (isn't life strange (refrain)), a pinch of flute (for my lady), and a hundred pounds of kettle drums (lost in a lost world). It's another masterpiece from a band that made music that was more than the sum of its parts.

Average customer rating:

Rejoice
Wonderful
Love it over and over again
A Christmas CD set apart from the rest
Beautiful and Unusual

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Comfort & Joy: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
Narada Presents: The Best of Celtic Christmas
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ASIN: B00005PJBV
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Maddy Prior
Gloomy Winter - Bonnie Rideout
Christ Child's Lullaby - Sheena Wellington
Sou Gan - Steve Schuch And The Night Heron Consort
Oiche Mhaith Leibh/Good Night To You - Aine Minogue
The Wexford Lullaby - John Renbourn
Draoicht Na Hoiche (The Magic Of The Night) - Dordan
Cradle Song - Maddy Prior
Spered Hollvedel - Revels
Misteriou Joaius - Ensemble Choral Du Bout Du Monde
Leanbh Ghil Mhilis - Dordan
A Midwinter Waltz - Boys Of The Lough
I Saw A Maiden - Nowell Sing We Clear
The Ditchling Carol - Waterson:Carthy
Personent Hodie/Cantus - Connie Dover
O Na Kaerra Burzud - Ensemble Choral Du Bout Du Monde
Silent Night - Aine Minogue

Amazon.com

On A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Brian O'Donovan, the host of the Celtic Sojourn radio show, compiles a collection of songs that mixes the contemplative with more raucous fare, ancient melodies with modern, and the earthy with the ethereal. The musicians come from all corners of the Celtic world, and include the Breton choir Ensemble Choral du Bout du Monde, who blend medieval vocal harmonies with modern instruments such as the tin whistle and the guitar; Dordan, the masters of Irish baroque music; and the pan-Celtic band the Boys of the Lough. Also included are English performers Maddy Prior (the lead singer of Steeleye Span) and the family group Waterson:Carthy, who deliver a hearty version of the "The Ditchling Carol." The majority of the tracks feature vocals, but the instrumental selections--particularly fiddler Bonnie Rideout's haunting "Gloomy Winter" and the lovely "Midwinter Waltz" from the Boys of the Lough--do a beautiful job of wordlessly evoking the season. By passing over too-familiar Christmas songs in favor of less-well-known melodies, O'Donovan has come up with that rarest of all holiday treats--a gift that that both surprises and delights. --Michael Simmons

Customer Reviews:

Rejoice.......2007-01-04

I LOVE this Christmas cd (and I don't love very many). It's not too too overproduced, but still sublime. Has an authentic feel - often ethereal and sometimes just a little gritty too. This is the one to curl up with as it snows outside the window. I also love its cousin, "Comfort and Joy".

Wonderful.......2003-12-17

I absolutely love this cd. The first time I listened to it, its soothing music almost put me to sleep. It's really good for relaxing, and the Christmas songs were some I had never heard of, making the cd new and interesting.

Love it over and over again.......2003-06-06

This is by far one of my favorite Christmas CDs, one of my favorite Celtic CDs, one of my favorite CDs period. I can listen to it for hours while driving through the farmlands in the US. It has a dreamy quality and my daughter day dreams out the window on our long cross country jaunts. If you enjoy the music in Rob Roy, Braveheart, or Lord of the Rings, you'll enjoy this. My favorite selections are #3 Christ's Child Lullaby, #4 Sou Gan, #9 Spered Hollvedel, and #12 A Midwinter Waltz.

A Christmas CD set apart from the rest.......2002-12-30

I purchased this CD because of some of the musicians listed on the CD and after listening to some of the excerpts. This is one CD that I have repeatedly listened to this Christmas season. Not only can it be listened to during the holiday season, but throughout the year. Much of the music is not the traditional Christmas music and has an earthy, folk sound to it. Every time I have played this with company here, someone has wanted a copy of it!! If you are looking for Christmas music that doesn't have the commercial sound to it, this is the CD for you!!

Beautiful and Unusual.......2002-12-12

A wonderful collection of traditional yet uncommon Christmas music from Celtic artists. A far cry from those overplayed poppy commercial compilations. I totally disagree with the first reviewer's one star rating. This music is off the beaten path, and I celebrate this.

Comfort & Joy: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn

Average customer rating:

Rejoicing
A different take on Christmas -- lovely stuff!

Comfort & Joy: A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Rounder / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
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ASIN: B0000E332Z
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Tracks:

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Maddy Prior
The Destressed Soldier/Angels We Have Heard On High - Cherish The Ladies
The Wexford Carol - Boys Of The Lough
Shepherds Arise - Waterson: Carthy
Babe Of Bethlehem - Nowell Sing We Clear
Horn Dance - Aine Minogue
Three Kings - Robbie O'Connell
The Little Drummer Boy - Cherish The Ladies
Noelenn Brehed - Group Vocal Jef Le Penven
Ding Dong Merrily On High - Dordan
The Boar's Head - Maddy Prior
Christmas Capers - Druidstone
My Dancing Day - Maddy Prior
Jesu Joy Of Man's Desiring - Druidstone
O Holy Night - Cherish The Ladies
Pa Voe Ganet (When He Was Born) - Ensemble Choral Du Bout Du Monde
The Twelfth Day Carol - Robbie O'Connell

Amazon.com

Traditional Celtic music has a peculiar way of turning the simplest musical phrase or familiar carol into a timeless reverie. At 17-tracks deep, Comfort and Joy is indeed a joy and a comfort. There's a distinctive dramatic sweep in many of these pieces, especially in Cherish The Ladies' elegiac medley of "The Distressed Soldier/Angels We Have Heard on High," Maddy Prior with The Carnival Band's "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," and the Watersons' stirring and powerful "Shepherd's Arise." Among the traditional Irish, Scottish, and French Celtic favorites (Group Vocal Jef Le Penven's "Noelenn Brehed" is a discovery!) are Robbie O'Connell, harpist Aine Minogue, and Dordan. O'Connell's own "Three Kings" is a smart seasonal sing-along, while Boys of the Lough's splendid vocal realization of "The Wexford Carol" will stay with you for days. Lovely instrumental pieces such as Minogue's "Horn Dance" and her original "Christmas Capers," plus other delights like Cherish The Ladies' pop-styled arrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy" make this yet another treasure of fine Celtic Christmas music. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Rejoicing.......2007-01-04

I LOVE this Christmas cd (and I don't love very many). I feel as though I've been transported to a rustic hearthside in a different time and place. Has an authentic feel - often ethereal and sometimes just a little gritty too. No glitz or pop pretensions. I'll listen all year long, I'm sure. (I also love its cousin, "Celtic Sojourn".)

A different take on Christmas -- lovely stuff!.......2003-11-21

This is the second set of Celtic and British holiday music compiled by American public radio show host Brian O'Donovan, host of "A Celtic Sojourn," on Boston's WGBH.
This disc is somewhat earthier than the first (which I found a bit sugary and cloying...) yet again includes selections from Maddy Prior and the Watersons, as well as Cherish The Ladies, Robbie O'Connell, Boys Of The Lough and others... The first volume in this series didn't do much for me, but this is a pretty classy holiday offering, with some truly lovely harmonies, gorgeous melodies and odd, interesting, sometimes challenging versions of old songs and holiday carols that we know and love. Recommended!

Music Review:

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