Long Distance Voyager [Gold CD]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A regular fixture on the pop charts throughout the '70s, the Moody Blues roared into the '80s with this tremendously successful record. In fact, the album sounds only slightly different than its predecessors; the synthesizer textures are heavier (thanks to former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz), but the band's flair for catchy, melodic compositions is still very much in evidence. In retrospect, songs like "The Voice," "Talking Out of Turn" and "In My World," while solid, don't exactly measure up to such all-time Moodies classics like "Ride My See-Saw" or "Tuesday Afternoon." Still, this is probably the last truly consistent album the band ever made. --Dan Epstein

Tracks:

The Voice
Talking Out Of Turn
Gemini Dream
In My World
MeanWhile
22,000 Days
Nervous
Painted Smile
Reflective Smile
Veteran Cosmic Rocker

Amazon.com

A regular fixture on the pop charts throughout the '70s, the Moody Blues roared into the '80s with this tremendously successful record. In fact, the album sounds only slightly different than its predecessors; the synthesizer textures are heavier (thanks to former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz), but the band's flair for catchy, melodic compositions is still very much in evidence. In retrospect, songs like "The Voice," "Talking Out of Turn" and "In My World," while solid, don't exactly measure up to such all-time Moodies classics like "Ride My See-Saw" or "Tuesday Afternoon." Still, this is probably the last truly consistent album the band ever made. --Dan Epstein

Customer Reviews:

My intro to the Magical Moodies.......2007-06-07

This really isn't a review, just me wanting to briefly share my sentimental feelings about the Moodies and this particular album.

Having been born in 1964 into a household that did not allow rock music, I didn't discover The Moody Blues until the Summer of 1981. I can remember so very clearly lying on the floor on a hot day and hearing 'Gemini Dream' on the radio. I was instantly in love with the sounds of the music, lyrics, and what I was to later learn, John Lodge's unique voice. I was ecstatic when a few months later I got another delicious taste of the Moodies with 'The Voice'. I have been smitten by them ever since. Before LDV, I had never even heard of the Moodies and had certainly never heard anything sounding remotely like them. Since that time I have discovered the earlier works of this great band. They never cease to amaze, enthrall and delight me. Every time I listen to a Moodies song, they take up a little bit more space in my heart, where this album holds a very, very special place.

Now that I know them, I cannot imagine a world without the beautiful music and words of these talented and wonderful men who call themselves The Moody Blues.

Cover art trivia.......2007-03-30

Something I noticed years ago was the satellite passing through the sky on the album cover, an interesting anachronism made all the more poignant in its subtlety. Also, it's not just any satellite, but a "Voyager" that was launched in the 70s and is currently speeding out of our solar system. Indeed, a "Long Distance Voyager." It's a nice reminder of the Moodies cosmic roots and harkens back to "To Our Children's Children's Children."

The Moody Blues' second, and to date last, US chart topper is still excellent 25 years on.......2007-03-18

The Moody Blues' tenth studio album entitled Long Distance Voyager was released in May of 1981.
The Moody Blues, by 1981, had not put out any studio work since 1978's Platinum selling Octave (which was the last album with founding keyboard player Mike Pinder). Then in the spring of 1981 saw the return of The Moody Blues, which now consisted of guitarist/singer/songwriter Justin Hayward, bass player/singer/songwriter John Lodge (bass, vocals), flute player/singer/songwriter Ray Thomas, drummer Graeme Edge and one time Yes keyboard player Patrick Moraz (whom Yes fans remember for his stellar work on their 1974 album Relayer). Many people were disappointed with Octave and called it disjointed but Long Distance Voyager saw The Moody Blues return in a MAJOR WAY!
First, the band jettisoned producer Tony Clarke and replaced him with Pip Williams. Then the band recorded in England for the first time since 1972's Seventh Sojourn at Threshold Studios in Northamptonshire, England in late 1980/early 1981. Finally, the mellotrons were gone and synthesizers were now here in its place.
The album opend with the Top 20 hit "The Voice" which its synthesizer intro showcaed Moraz' synthesizer work. The track, penned by Hayward, is a great song and worthy of hit status. Next is "Talking Out of Turn", a ballad penned and sung by Lodge. A great song. Next was the album's other big hit, the Top 20 charting "Gemini Dream", which was penned and sung by by Lodge and Hayward and proclaiming they were back, and they were. In My World is next and was the last song on the first side. The Hayward penned number is almost country-ish in sound but a beautiful track and featured excellent steel guitar work by B.J. Cole.
"Meanwhile" starts the second half of the album and was penned and sung by Hayward and is a fantastic number about love slipping through the character's fingers. Next is the Graeme Edge penned number "22,000 Days" which is about life and making the most of it and a stellar track. we follow with another Lodge penned number called "Nervous" and is another classic number. The album's last 3 tracks is a mini-suite penned and sung by Ray Thomas. The three tracks in question are "Painted Smile", "Reflective Smile" and "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" compares the music and entertainment world to the circus. This mini-suite of three songs is a great way to close a classic album.
Long Distance Voyager upon its release became The Moody Blues' second, and to date, last US chart-topper hitting #1 in July of 1981 and staying there for three weeks and was the second Moody Blues album to hit the Platinum mark in the US (meaning it sold a million or more in copies) and rightfully so because the album is flawless and saw The Moody Blues come back from a clunker to bring one of the best albums of their career.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Welcome Back, Moody Blues.......2006-11-16

Forget the plodding, Octave. THIS is the Mooody Blues comeback album.

Most of the songs here are fantastic. The band is re-energized by the arrival of Patrick Moraz. "Talking Out Of Turn." is the best John Lodge solo vocal on any Moody Blues album from any era. "In My World" is a worthy addition to the Justin Hayward ballad catalogue. The only criticism is the Ray Thomas songs are not on par with his classic work, and, consequently, are the weakest songs on the album.

The Moody Blues' best album of the 80's.......2006-11-10

THE BAND: Justin Hayward (guitars, vocals), John Lodge (bass, vocals), Patrick Moraz (keyboards), Ray Thomas (flute, harmonica, vocals), Graeme Edge (drums & percussion).

THE DISC: (1981) 10 tracks clocking in approximately 47 minutes. Included with the disc is a 14-page booklet containing song titles/time/credits, song lyrics, and misc info. Recorded at Threshold Studios in Northamptonshire, England. A hard-to-find gold/remastered edition released in 1997. Label - Decca Records / Threshold.

COMMENTS: I was too young to be 'into' the Moody Blues when they were big for the 1st time (late 1960's into the early 70's). "Long Distance Voyager" (LDV) was my first album of theirs... it hooked me in and eventually made me go backwards to buy much of their earlier material. Where it's debatable what album might be the best of the 60's and again in the 70's, I feel "LDV" is clearly their best album of the 80's. The thrust of their musical direction had changed since their first 7-8 albums. Leaning now toward main stream rock/pop, with less orchestration and space rock feel. "LDV" became the band's 2nd #1 album on the Billboard chart (with 2 huge hits - #15 "The Voice" and #12 "Gemini Dream"). This album also saw the departure of long time keyboardist Mike Pinder, and the entrance of ex-Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz. "The Voice" is a great song and worthy of hit status. I was never a huge fan of the very pop-oriented "Gemini Dream"... to me, outside of the vocals, it really doesn't even sound like the band. The gems on the album though are the non-hits. "Meanwhile" is a great melody about love slipping through the character's fingers; "22,000 Days" (my all-time favorite Graeme Edge song) is a great song about life and making the most of it; and the last 3 tracks pertaining to the entertainers of the world... "Painted Smile" through "Veteran Cosmic Rocker". The album really closes with a bang. If you want to own any of the Moody Blues' many studio albums, "Long Distance Voyager" should be one of them (5 stars).

Average customer rating:

My intro to the Magical Moodies
Cover art trivia
The Moody Blues' second, and to date last, US chart topper is still excellent 25 years on
Welcome Back, Moody Blues
The Moody Blues' best album of the 80's

Long Distance Voyager
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000000IVX
Release Date: 1997-06-17