Question of Balance [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Question

2. How Is It

3. And The Tide Rushes In

4. Don't You Feel Small

5. Tortoise And The Hare

6. It's Up To You

7. Minstrel's Song

8. Dawning Is The Day

9. Melancholy Man

10. Balance

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And The Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise And The Hare
It's Up To You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is The Day
Melancholy Man
The Balance

Customer Reviews:

Just Slightly Off-balance .......2007-06-07

I hesitate to even write this because I know I am going to feel guilty for speaking ill of my beloved Moodies. In posting, it will be evident that I am not so biased in my love for Hayward and Lodge that I can't give a critical assessment, contrary to what some of my other glowing reviews might lead one to believe. I did give AQOB 3 out of 5 stars so I didn't think it was ALL bad: my all-time favorite Justin Hayward song (written/sung by him for the MB'S) is on this CD.

The Hayward-penned 'Question' is reason enough to own this album. This is the BEST of his Moodies songs, bar none. It should be the one Justin is remembered and lauded for, not NIWS. This brilliant song is superior to 'Nights' in every way possible- arrangement, melody, tempo, lyrics- not to mention the way JH absolutely sings the living daylights out of it. The fact that the song was an "accident" just shows the depths of this man's awesome talents. He tells the story of how he needed a song at the last minute for a recording session and didn't have one ready. He did have 2 songs that were both unfinished AND in the same key. He decided to just go to the studio and fake it, as he put it. The result is just pure brilliance! Unfortunately nothing else Justin contributed to on this album appealed to me at all, save his great backing and harmony vocals on Lodge's 'Tortoise and the Hare'.

Speaking of my dear Lodgie and 'Tortoise': this is a rocking, fun, little song that for some reason has been sadly over-looked. I love the unique way JL re-tells the classic story. The words, music, beat and tempo are great, not to mention the great harmonies from J&J. John's other offering, 'Minstrel's Song' has taken me some time to warm to it, though I don't quite know why. Perhaps this song is a reflection of how John sees himself: as a simple minstrel traveling around singing his songs for the people. Both Graeme's percussion work and Justin's guitar riffs are outstanding on this song, and John's voice is so strong and pure. I have to say though, that I am liking 'Minstrel' better and better every time I hear it. Maybe it's one of those songs you have to listen to several times to fully appreciate how good it actually is.

Ray Thomas' 'And the Tide Rushes In' is a breathtakingly beautiful song and Ray sings it to utter perfection.

Apart from the one song from Justin, one from Ray, and the two from John, this album really just didn't "do it" for me, sorry. Nevertheless, it's still infinitely better than 99% of the drivel that's passed off as music today.

Don't Question This Classic Collection! :).......2007-06-02

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

Here is where my favorite mix of "Question" can be found (I prefer this mix over the mixes featured on the "This Is The Moody Blues" and "Voices In The Sky" collections, because I was first introduced to the album mix). The loud and energetic introduction, with the crashing drums, mellotrons, and chanting vocal, really gets me psyched, whenever I hear it! Good for the 1996 compilation, "The Best Of The Moody Blues" (And 1998's "Moody Blues Anthology") featuring the album mix of this Justin Hayward hit, I might add. :)

"How Is It (We Are Here)" features outstanding mellotrons, making me think back to the mellotron-driven sound of "To Our Children's Children's Children" ... This Mike Pinder track sounds more like a track from "Children's," more than any other on "A Question Of Balance." The instrumental break is out of this world, featuring the electric guitar (sounding like a prelude to the "bee buzz" electric guitar heard on "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and onward) blending in with the mellotrons, as well as the super-cool high "squeaking" synthesizer effects, giving the song an otherworldly sound.

"And The Tide Rushes In" makes for a calm and beautiful tune, and the instrumentation creates the setting of a tranquil seashore with waves "rushing in," in the distance. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" sounds a bit on the eerie side, with the whispered voice accompanying the singing (You can hear the same style of vocal overdubbing on The Doors' hit, "Riders On The Storm"). Ray Thomas plays the flute in a similar fashion to the solo heard in the middle of "Legend of A Mind," from "In Search Of The Lost Chord," and it sounds superb! You can also hear some deep haunting sounds from the mellotrons, near the end of the song, reminiscent of the mellotrons heard on the "Children's" track, "Eternity Road." This is an unusual but cool sounding Moody Blues' track. :)

The percussion sounds excellent on John Lodge's "Tortoise and the Hare," and so do the rockin' double-tracked lead guitars, during the instrumental break ... Also, notice that John Lodge's voice is double-tracked (And also separated, slightly, from one another, in the stereo field, as heard through headphones), as he sings in two octaves during the "While you were sleeping" parts of the song.

"It's Up To You" reminds me of "Lovely To See You," from "On The Threshold Of A Dream," only slightly more mellow. The double-tracked electric guitars sound wonderful, once again, and I like the "wave-like" effects from the drums during the "If they knew that we have got nothing to lose" parts of the song. :)

"Minstrel's Song," much like "Every Good Boy's" track "Nice To Be Here," is an upbeat, cheerful tune, and the flutes and percussion really stand out, on this track. Justin Hayward's brief solo, "Listen to the One ... Who sings of love," near the end of the song, is sung with perfection, and right on the beat!

"Dawning Is The Day" reminds me of "Tuesday Afternoon," from "Days Of Future Passed," when listening to the combination of the flute, mellotron, and piano. Notice how, near the end of the song, the Moodies chant, "Listen, we think we have found you," repeatedly, but right before the song fades into "Melancholy Man," the lyrics switch over to "Listen, we think we can see you" ... How sneaky! :)

Similar to the "Caught Live +5" track, "What Am I Doing Here?," "Melancholy Man" makes for a beautifully dramatic dark Moody Blues' composition ... Just like "How Is It (We Are Here)," loads of interesting sounds and keyboard elements are featured on this particular Pinder tune. The combination of the wind (or "whirlwind") effects and the intense synthesizer sound, in the middle of the song, puts the "icing on the cake," when it comes to following through with the theme of the song! Nice job with the backing vocals on the choruses, mainly from Justin and Ray.

"The Balance" made for the perfect poetic finale to the album ... The chorus is catchy and the instrumentation is arranged beautifully. Also, the individual band members' voices are heard, near the end of the song, as they take turns singing lines like, "Do you realize?," "Yeah, yeah...," and "Just open your heart." Also, is that John singing in falsetto behind Mike's narration? :)

In conclusion, ask no "questions" about adding this classic Moody Blues release to your audio library! Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)

the Flash, then the Dud.......2007-04-14

The Moody Blues were for my generation the Powerhouse Band that fused hard rock with classical to create dreamscapes. Their signature sound enthralled millions!

Yet they started to slip from their pedestals, beginning with this album.

The Song "Question" was by far one of their most powerful, beautiful and brilliant pieces ever created. Yet the other songs and ballads on this album are, in my opinion, mediocre.

The blues resurfaced and climbed their pedestal once again with "Seventh Sojurn." From then on, they have never been as creative as they were on "To Our Children's Children's Children."

The best way to buy this album is to get on an online MP3 service and purchase only the song: "Question."

The Perfect Balance Between Prog and Rock.......2007-01-30

The best set of songs and most hardrocking set by the Moodies. Good album.
They tried to get away from overdubbing here so they could do it live.

My least favorite of the Classic 7.......2006-11-23

But still, when it works, it's great. By now, the MBs world view is incorporating environmentalism (we'll spoil the seas with the rivers we've lost, concrete caves with iron doors), give-and-take with relationships (the tide rushes in), and sobriety (the overall feel of the album is certainly less spacey). Especially for Pinder's contributions, their familiar themes are for the first time sounding a bit weary, like the interminable "Melancholy Man" and the sappy "Minstrel's Song", and the more-preachy-than-protest "How Is It". Justin Hayward's songs are top-notch, "Question" I find a bit disjointed but the two parts that comprise it are brilliant. "Dawning is the Day" is a beautiful song, brimming with optimism and Ray Thomas's best flute break (if you can call it that). "It's Up To You" is a fine, uptempo rocker with very nice guitar/bass interplay. John Lodge's "Tortoise and Hare" has a mesmerising 12/8 beat (but you don't have to know that to like the song, which is a hard rocking musical version of the old fable), and "Minstrel Song", once you get past the sappiness, has beautiful melodies and harmonies. Graeme Edge makes his songwriting debut here with "Don't You Feel Small", and it's actually a very effective song. Ray Thomas's only song is a bit lightweight (Tide Rushes In) but inoffensive, and the song he co-writes with Edge, "The Balance", shows admirable restraint, given that it is widely seen as a standard pompous portentious philosophic statement that is supposed to end this particular opus.

Average customer rating:

"Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :)
HEADACHE
A Question Of Mix
INTENSE re-mastering...
Beautiful Sounds

Question of Balance
Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EHQ57Q
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Album Description

UK SACD Deluxe Edition. Features five bonus tracks, Question - Alternate Version (Bonus Track), Minstrel's Song - Original Mix (Bonus Track), It's Up To You - Original Mix (Bonus Track), Don't You Feel Small - Original Mix (Bonus Track) and Dawning Is The Day - Full Original Mix (Bonus Track). Universal. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

"Don't Question This Classic Collection," Deluxe Edition! :).......2007-06-02

*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:
"A Question of Balance" by The Moody Blues (Audio CD - 1997) - Original recording remastered

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

"Mike's Number One:"
An upbeat and beautiful spiritual sounding Mike Pinder tune ... Based on the lyrics, this song could have been titled, "A Happening," "Do You Know?," or "See The Glory." The track definitely has that "A Question Of Balance" sound to it, but it also would have made a fine addition to Mike's 1976 solo release, "The Promise," or could have made a possible bonus track for that CD release. :)

"Question" (alternate version):
This mix is like an extended version of the single mix of the song ... The sound quality is outstanding on this mix, especially on the louder elements of the song. The track also comes to a full ending with somewhat of a Spanish-flavored guitar style, at the very end. :)

"Minstrel's Song" (original mix):
This is probably the least interesting of the bonus cuts, because the song fades in, on this occasion, with very faint vocals heard in the intro. The song also fades out in the exact same spot as the album mix, because while the final version fades into "Dawning Is The Day," we can still hear The Moodies chanting "Around, around," one last time, very faintly, at the beginning of "D.I.T.D." The only positive side to this mix is that it is not cross-faded with the tracks that surround the song, on the final version.

"It's Up To You" (original mix):
Much like the single and "Best Of" (Ex: "The Best Of The Moody Blues," "Gold") mixes of "The Story In Your Eyes," from "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour," this version of "It's Up To You" is similar to the original album version, but the instrumentation near the end of the track is carried on a little bit further, before the fadeout ... It's good "ear candy" which listeners haven't heard before. :)

"Don't You Feel Small" (original mix):
This version has an extended beginning AND ending to it! The instrumental lead-in, at the beginning, is awesome, and sounds similar to the instrumental fadeout, near the end of the song ... Nice job on the guitars, mellotrons, and percussion, all at the same time! :)

"Dawning Is The Day" (full original mix):
Same format as the previous mix (above), and the deleted material sounds just as great! :)

In addition, the CD booklet, that accompanies this release, provides readers with the details on the controversial album cover to this LP (rear sleeve) ... Check out this release to get the full story (Page 13). Fans who own both this CD release and the 1997 CD remaster will notice that this version features the artwork that was changed while the 1997 version features the original artwork.

Just like the 1997 CD remaster of "A Question of Balance," 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... :)

HEADACHE.......2007-04-08

I love the Moody Blues. I love this album. Alas, I am no audiophile. I dont have a turntable that is aligned with the axis of the earth OR a surround sound system or SACD--you get the picture. I got the disc for the bonus tracks (I paid 30 bones--buyer beware)....But the album itself on this disc sounds terrible! Its like they threw all the levels in the red (I just got done listening to it and my ears feel terrible!) and compressed the ever living life out of it! All levels red with no compression works for Iggy and the Stooges (thank goodness) but not the Moody Blues.....

the other discs in the European SACD series have sounded spectacular even on a regular player but this one is horrible! Im not trying to be negative....This is the first disc I have owned to give me a HEADACHE! Im serious! LET IT BREATHE!

A Question Of Mix.......2007-01-13

Okay, let's start off by addressing some of the complaints that most people have. As far as the bass being mixed too low on this release I have to say after owning this in every lp and cd edition that the bass was always a bit lower on this album than on some of the other Moodies albums. The mix itself is from the original quad lp versions done by producer Tony Clarke in early 1972. The quad mixes were different in order to take advantage of the four way split instead of the regular stereo two way split. This meant mixing the album differently from a conventional stereo album. Many of the "effects" that are in the backgroud of the stereo version are turned up here changing the overall "balanced" sound of the album in order to give the best quad sound. As far as the music itself, this album has a much more basic feel than the band's last, To Our Children's Children's Children which might have had in part something to do with the fact that it wasn't the big hit the band wanted at the time it was released. That was the first released for their label Threshold. The opening song Question had been released on single a few months before this album's release and had become a big hit for the band. This album includes many Moodies classics and doesn't have a bad song on the release. Songs like Question, Melencholy Man, And The Tide Rushes In, and It's Up To You sound just as well today as they did back when this album was released. If you like the Moodies, you'll love this album.

INTENSE re-mastering..........2006-07-15

Well shame on the people involved in this "SACD Deluxe Edition" project. Oh, maybe that's a little harsh.
First off, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the sound has been aggressively compressed, which means, by the time you've reached the later stages of 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. Another sign of over compressing. It seemed to help at least a couple songs "The Balance," where the bottom end was a lot more in control and "Never Comes The Day," which sounded really clear and focused. But, overall, has the whole music industry gone "compression" crazy? Or, are the Moody Blues worried that their back catalogue (the holy seven) was lacking musical muscle, and are super charging it with heavy compression?

Also, another reviewer talked about the bass being too quiet for the surround sound mix, but I felt the bass wasn't as strong on the "regular" mix, as it is on the other "SACD Deluxe Editions." It's reasonable, but not as breathtakingly boosted as the others in this deluxe series.

Another thing about aggressive compression, this also happened about a year ago when I bought the EMI "re-master" of Deep Purple's 1973 album "Who Do We Think We Are." By the time I got towards the end, my ears were tired. So, recently I bought the gold disc version which avoids over compression, and it not only sounded better, but my ears weren't tired by the end. But, since the Moodies don't play as loud, it shouldn't be a problem. Now that I got that off my chest...

Secondly, the "SACD Deluxe Edition" bonus track enticement, just ticks me off to no end. Sure, there's a good rare track here, from keyboardist Mike Pinder, but the rest is nothing special.

Thirdly, as another Amazon reviewer noted, the great cover artwork has been ruined by the people in charge of reproducing the cover! The cover images have been reproduced way too light so that nearly all the detail has been faded. But, the booklet is great with lots of color photos, stories and studio information.

In conclusion, after hearing a number of these "SACD Deluxe Editions," I'll be keeping my old (1997) re-masters, after all, they still look and sound great. So now I'll have two versions of each album. Just what I needed?!

Beautiful Sounds.......2006-07-14

The Moody Blues albums have always been famous for their sophisticated production and engeneering (in the vynil era at least)but the CD transfers up ' til now were absolutely disastrous sounding.
These SACD re-issues finally seem to make things right.
I have only listened to "Question" but was amazed at the clarity and power of this remastering.
I have not heard the 5.1 suround mix because although i have a Sony dvd player with SACD capability you also have to have a receiver with the proper connections wich is not the usual optical one used for getting surround from movies and such.
Anyway,the stereo remastering has been supervised by Justin Hayward and it shows in the care that was put in this project.
Truly beautiful sound that finally matches the quality of the original recording and does justice to a great album.

Ah yes ! It sounds very good on an ordinary cd player too.

Average customer rating:

Question of Balance
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seventh Sojourn
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ASIN: B000063KZV
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And the Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise and the Hare
It's Up to You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is the Day
Melancholy Man
Balance

Album Description

Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2007.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Sleeve. The Progressive Rock Classic Now Looks Like it Did Years Ago, Only Miniaturized. The Pressing is Limited to 5000 Pieces Only, So Stock Will Only Be Available for a Short Period.

Average customer rating:

Another awesome album from the Moodys!
good stuff

Question of Balance
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
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ASIN: B000001F6A
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And the Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise and the Hare
It's Up to You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is the Day
Melancholy Man
Balance

Customer Reviews:

Another awesome album from the Moodys!.......2004-08-07

This album weaves a magical sonic trail through your imagination. Perfect for listening in good headphones, this is one of the best of early '70's psychedelia. The Moody Blues were at that time definitely not your average pop group, sounding at times more like a troupe of Rennaisance artisans than rock musicians. The Mellotron of Mike Pinder and guitar tracks of Hayward and Lodge were, as usual, simply stunning, the melodies simple but dense with nuance and feeling. (Personally I think you should buy a copy of all their albums, but they are my favorite band ever so I'm a bit biased.)

good stuff.......2001-02-14

Being in my opinion one of the best (and my personal favorite) albums The Moody Blues has ever put out, I was extremely surprised to find that this CD hasn't gotten one review so far. I'll make this review short, but this album has amazing songs with some very beautiful melodies. Highly recommended.

Me and Amy and the Two French Boys/ 33 1/3 album

Average customer rating:

Good, But It Gets Better...
Nah..nah..
I PLAN TO MAKE MY FIRST MILLION NEXT WEEK

Me and Amy and the Two French Boys/ 33 1/3 album
From Bubblegum to Sky
Manufacturer: Eenie Meenie Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen

ASIN: B000068CS3
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

Hello Hello Hi
Shaboom They Said
Don't Let The Day Go Mistreating You
She Floats
You of Summer
Ask the Space Invader
Major J
I Wanna Be an American Boy
Me and Amy and the Two French Boys
My Thousand Years With Robots
Beat To Beat

Album Description

Hot on the heels of the successful single, "my thousand years with robots," eenie meenie is proud to announce the release of "me and amy and the two french boys" the new full-length by from bubblegum to sky. A sexy sweet blend of euro-pop and american lo-fi, the 11 fresh tracks on the CD sparkle like uncut gems. Composed and performed solely by Mario Hernandez (former member of the duo "ciao bella"), "me and amy and the two french boys" is disarming, funny and weird. Whether staring at the sidewalk or gazing at the sky, from bubblegum to sky is the perfect soundtrack for everyone's private daydream.

Customer Reviews:

Good, But It Gets Better..........2006-05-20

I'll admit i was somewhat late discovering Mario Hernandez and his child-like voice, so i judge this album on the basis of hearing 'Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen' first. After registering with e-music and finding his second album (and excessivley listening to it) i decided to buy this album 'Me And Amy And The Two french Boy's', and at first i instantly decided that 'Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen' was better, but after a few days of listening to this album bit by bit, the lyrics and tunes started to get stuck in my head. The title song 'me and amy and the two french boys' is grungey, creepy and the weirdest song i've ever heard, low guitars play throughout, while mario sings in an echoey voice which transforms into what could be five decapitated childrens doll heads singing during the chorus, if you have seen the film 'May' think the end theme song to that mixed with grungey indie pop. The clear gems of the album (for me) have to be 'Ask The Space Invader' which starts off almost too quiet, like a few kid's playing with instruments before their school music lesson starts, the trumpets are there from the start, but you slowly realise how important they are to the song, especially after the screeching climax (in a good way) they bring the song right back down to it's quiet beggining to give a really satisfying end. The other song i loved was 'Shaboom They Said', mostly for the same reasons, this song is hectic, yet slow and full of dispear, after you know the lyrics it's hard not to sing along or at least mime to mario's voice. If you buy this album knowing you want something sweet, raw and catchy, you won't be dissapointed. It's a mix of excellent song writing, lyrically and musically, with a sweet twist that will leave you craving another rush, theres no 'Average' about this album, you will either love it or hate it. But i wouldn't reccomend this if you easily get a toothache.
I would also reccomend buying 'Nothing Sadder Than Lonely Queen' first, even if a few of my favourite bubblegum tracks are on this album, 'nothing sadder than lonely queen' is the most satisfying, overall.

Nah..nah.........2006-04-01

Don't do it...my heart goes out to From Bubblegum to Sky for trying to put this together...but it's just bad all around...stick with Built to spill..or...The Sleepy Jackson

I PLAN TO MAKE MY FIRST MILLION NEXT WEEK.......2004-04-19

wotta anthem t'was!

i called the radio station hundreds of times playing the song i had taped for like a year then dj ADAM told me who it was. i hopped in my rocket ship and flew to boston newbury comics and traded my three magic beans for this album. justin likes it too.

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And the Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise and the Hare
It's Up to You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is the Day
Melancholy Man
Balance

Average customer rating:

Question of Balance
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000068D1O
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And the Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise and the Hare
It's Up to You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is the Day
Melancholy Man
Balance

Average customer rating:

An Example of the Moody Blues at their peak
Reply to bill
Their best ever album
'MUDDY BLUES', NOT 'MOODY BLUES'

Question of Balance
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000G2OW
Release Date: 1998-11-17

Tracks:

Question
How Is It (We Are Here)
And The Tide Rushes In
Don't You Feel Small
Tortoise And The Hare
It's Up To You
Minstrel's Song
Dawning Is The Day
Melancholy Man
The Balance

Customer Reviews:

An Example of the Moody Blues at their peak.......1999-10-22

I'm trying to figure out what album Bill listened to. I might agree with him if he was talking about Octave.....but certainly not a A Question of Balance, which is one of the best Moody Blues Albums of all. Granted it was not an official 'CONCEPT' album as were the 4 prior to that....but it still turned out that way...I remember still the day the album came out and I heard it for the first time back in 1970....As a total Moody Blues freak at the time (and still to this day)....I was certainly not dissappointed...and it was probably the last album that they released that I felt that way...although I have enjoyed them all. Their latest Strange Times...recaptures some of that great energy of their first 7.....I Believe that Question is one of thier very best albums...EVERY song on it is classic Moody.

Reply to bill.......1999-06-27

Yes Bill this album wasn't planned. The Moodies went into the studio and constructed this album in 5 weeks. If yo had gottewn Time traveler you would know this. but the range of music IS tied together...even though it wasn't planned. Even though Question was the HIT of the album there were a few songs that should have recieved airplay. Songs such as Don't You Feel Small?; Its Up to You; and How is It We are Here? If a song moves you in an emotional sort of way....and that was the arttists intent...then they have been successful. I LOVE this ALBUM. The Best album the Moody Blues recorded in the 70's

Their best ever album.......1999-03-21

First of all I would like to correct the bad impression given by the previous reviewer. Question is only one of many fine songs; from And The Tide Rushes In and Melancholy Man to more up-tempo numbers like It's Up To You and Minstrel's Song, the standard never slips. The fact that I own 2 vinyl versions & 2 cd versions speaks for itself. After 28 years this is still one of my favourite albums.

'MUDDY BLUES', NOT 'MOODY BLUES'.......1999-01-21

I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE ANYTHING AWAY FROM THE TITLE TRACK; IT IS INDEED A POWERFUL STATEMENT. BUT, THE REST OF THE ALBUM HAS ALL THE APPEARANCES OF SOMETHING THAT WAS ASSEMBLED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO PLANNING OR DIRECTION. FOR A GROUP WITH THE LONGEVITY AND (USUAL) QUALITY OF THE "MOODY BLUES," THE "QUESTION OF BALANCE" ALBUM IS A TOTAL SHAME! NO TWO SONGS ON THE ENTIRE ALBUM ARE SIMILAR, AND THEREIN LIES AT LEAST PART OF THE PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS FOR ALL THE WORLD AS IF THE BAND MEMBERS WERE AVOIDING EACH OTHER, ADDING THEIR OWN CONTRIBUTIONS WHEN NO ONE ELSE WAS AROUND! WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LANDMARK ALBUM INSTEAD BECAME SOMETHING TO BE AVOIDED, SUCH AS A MUSICAL DETOUR!!! THE GROUP WAS FAR MORE TALENTED AND PURPOSEFUL THAN WAS DEMONSTRATED BY 'BALANCE,'AND, OVER THE YEARS, THIS ALBUM HAS LOST MUCH OF THE INITIALLY HIGH HOPES THAT THE PUBLIC HAD FOR IT. THE MOODY BLUES WERE CAPABLE OF MUCH MORE, AND, THANKFULLY, THEY SHOWED IT, IN THEIR FOLLOWING WORKS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TITLE TRACK, 'QUESTION OF BALANCE' IS AN ALBUM THAT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BY ANY REAL FAN OF THE GROUP. IT'S JUST THE RESULT OF A SEEMINGLY VERY LONG AND VERY BAD DAY IN THE CAREER OF THE 'MOODY BLUES'.

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Question
2. How Is It
3. And The Tide Rushes In
4. Don't You Feel Small
5. Tortoise And The Hare
6. It's Up To You
7. Minstrel's Song
8. Dawning Is The Day
9. Melancholy Man
10. Balance