December

Peter Gabriel, following a break of almost equal length to the Moodies own, releases an album that not only stands up to his past work but actually is preferred by a huge majority of fans (2002's Up) and tours the world with one of the most critically acclaimed stage shows ever concieved.

Yes, having been reduced to a 4 piece for the first time in their 35 year career and no longer bothering with a keyboard player (an element many would have said was vital to the Yes sound) write and record an album that many say is their best since the early 70s (2001's Magnification).

The Moody Blues release a Christmas album.

Said album is immediately packaged with yet another compilation in a package where the COMPILATION is actually the main product in every country except America.

This is a depressing release. Only "December Snow" shows Hayward's impeccable songwriting ability - all the other new material is just Moody Blues By Numbers. There's a flute solo, but what's the point if it's not Ray Thomas? What is the point of this release?

Ultimately that's the problem. Unlike their old contemporaries above, The Moody Blues have nothing left to say. I hope and pray that they can pull one last good album out of their collective hats. It would be a terrible shame if this was the end of a journey that was so creatively fruitful in it's early days that they made SEVEN classic progressive rock albums in SIX years.

Avoid.


Variety is the mulled wine of life   November 14, 2003
 9 out of 11 found this review helpful

On first hearing December, I thought hmmm. On second hearing, I understood. One thing about the Moodies is that they never follow fashion . . . they do what they want to do and believe in . . . and December illustrates this perfectly. Thought-provoking, beautifully performed and recorded, soothing and, at the same time, slightly unsettling, December is a seasonal album, celebrating the joy of Christmas and also questioning attitudes. It's neither your usual Christmas party knees-up collection or your syrupy easy listening album, but far more reflective. On first listening, it seemed slow, but the second time you realise it's faster and quite well paced.

Favourite tracks: December Snow, On this Christmas Day. The track listing is inspired with a bizarre, over-the-top, totally fun White Christmas capped by a stunningly bare rendition of In the Bleak Midwinter.

While it's sad that flautist and singer Ray Thomas has retired, I believe December shows that the Moodies have accepted the changes of a band that is growing older. They're all in their 50s and 60s, but their attitude is that they love music, want to play and perform for other people and are looking for everyone to enjoy it - including themselves. Far better than trying to strut about, pretending to be young.

And one last point. In the past, the Moodies have been pointedly described as not being virtuoso performers. December trounces this view - they are true virtuosos. Hayward and Lodge's confident vocals are superb and well out in the front of the mix - what singer can touch Hayward at his best?

Enjoy this album for the rich, mellow music and true reflectiveness - ideal for winter, Christmas and December.

Thanks for dropping this early present into my Christmas stocking, chaps!


Winter "Bluejays"   November 2, 2003
 24 out of 26 found this review helpful

It may come as a surprise to some that the Moody Blues would release a Christmas album, but they manage to pull it off. Ray Thomas is missing this time and although Graeme Edge is in the liner note photo, his work is not mentioned. The arrangements seem more like a throw back to "Bluejays" (1975), with the heavy orchestration and low key mood pieces. Hayward's three contributions are thoughtful breezy ballads, with great guitar work and magical keyboards. "Don't Need A Reindeer" stands out among the three. Lodge makes two contributions, but as is usually the case, his songs are melancholy and about loneliness and longing. Some of the lyrics seem stilted and forced. It surprising to see no Hayward/Lodge collaborations on this set.
There are several covers on this album and that can always be a tricky endeavor. "In The Quiet Of Christmas Morning (Back 147)" succeeds in maintaining the original mood of the piece. "In The Bleak Midwinter" stays true to its original nineteenth century poetic intent and its simple beauty. Even "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is an acceptable remake keeping John Lennon's spirit alive. The Moody Blues have smoothed it over, without the raw simplicity that Lennon and Ono had with the original children's chorus. Longtime collaborator Mike Batt (with Tim Rice) contributed "A Winter's Tale"; a pleasant holiday song that is pure Tim Rice (written in 1989). Only "White Christmas" rides the fence of uncertainty, but that's only because no one has yet to ever match the Irving Berlin/Bing Crosby classic.

True Moody Blues fans will cherish this set but new comers may be put off. It's not meant to be pretentious or self important, it's just the Moody Blues singing and playing at their best. Time will tell whether this album becomes a Moody Blues classic.