Search - Moody Blues :: Collected

"Collected Classics!" :)

Kevin Martinell KevyGuy | Dunmore, PA USA | 04/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This "Trilogy" collection is for "Moodies" fans (Or those who want an introduction to The Moody Blues) who want just a little more than the double CD sets, "The Moody Blues Anthology" and "Gold," can offer, but not as much as the "Time Traveller" boxed set, if that makes sense! :)



In a way, "Collected" is an extension of "Anthology" and "Gold." However there are certain tracks replaced with tunes not usually featured on Moody Blues compilations ... Here, we get a pair of Ray Thomas compositions, including the "Days Of Future Passed" CD mix of the cheerful "Another Morning." I enjoy "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume," just as much as "Legend Of A Mind," and on this collection, the former track is crossfaded beautifully with "Voices In The Sky". The lovely "Emily's Song" and "Vintage Wine" also appear, two pleasant and enjoyable tracks. All of the selected Justin Hayward solo efforts and John Lodge's "Carry Me" are all perfect choices to add to the "Moodies Mix." It was also a treat to be served the outstanding "Caught Live +5" tracks, "King And Queen" and "What Am I Doing Here?" Nice to find "A Simple Game" receiving recognition too, even though the mix chosen was the shorter version, from "This Is The Moody Blues," instead of the full version from the "In Search Of The Lost Chord" SACD set. The three tunes from the Denny Laine era, including the hit "Go Now," were nice additions, as well. A gigantic plus to this collection is that "This Is The Moment," from the rare bonus disc in the "Time Traveller" set, returns here! Collectors of "Time Traveller" who missed out on the edition with the bonus disc, can now listen to this beautiful track on "Collected." :)



Most of the other songs on "Collected" feature album tracks taken from "Time Traveller" (Ex: The vinyl version of "Tuesday Afternoon") ... Upon listening closely to the way some of the tracks were crossfaded and edited (Ex. "Never Comes The Day"/"Are You Sitting Comfortably" and the "To Our Children's Children's Children" selections), you can tell the same mixes were used. Also the running order of tracks, by album, sometimes appear out of sequence, making for a refreshing change. Plus, once again, the non-orchestral mix of "Nights In White Satin" makes an appearance. :)



A shame certain essential Moodies tracks like "Steppin' In A Slide Zone," "Sitting At The Wheel," and "Highway" were left out, plus "I Really Haven't Got The Time" and "Leave This Man Alone" (from the early singles) were neglected again. At least "Fly Me High," "Love And Beauty," and the stereo version of "Cities" were showcased again, since "The Singles+." Who knows ... Maybe there will be another 3-disc Moody Blues collection to come, just like "Anthology" followed up with "Gold." :)



To sum up, "Collected" is the one CD set that captures The Moody Blues' music from the "Magnificent Moodies" all the way through to "December" ... I don't believe any Moody Blues compilation accomplished this before, so if you want a collection that features the many styles, stages, and sounds of The Moody Blues, in a nutshell, "Collected" is worth collecting! Thanks for reading! God Bless... :)"

Fantastic! Aweseome! Brilliant!!!!

Michael A. Clark | Londonderry Northern Ireland | 05/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!!!!!"

Should be called "Collected - The Moody Blues Starring Justi

W. Belanger | 08/03/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Now don't get me wrong - I've been an enthusiastic Moody Blues fan since 1970 when I first heard "A Question of Balance". And I love Justin Hayward's compositions, and feel his joining the Moody Blues in 1966 was the key to their transformation from just another British R&B band to a truly unique group that essentially created their own genre. But I think it's a shame that yet another Moody Blues compilation focuses on Hayward's songs to the exclusion of most of the others' - so if you're interested in this best-of, know going in that you're going to mostly hear songs by Hayward, particularly once the collection's chronology moves beyond the "classic 7" period. If you prefer to hear mostly songs by Justin Hayward, this is for you. If, on the other hand, you want a more balanced perspective that showcases others in the band as well, check out "This Is The Moody Blues", the first greatest hits package released when the band was on hiatus between Seventh Sojourn and Octave. Granted, TITMB only features songs from the classic 7 (and a bonus track - "Simple Game"), but each member is well represented. And you get "For My Lady" by Ray Thomas, perhaps his greatest song and one inexplicably absent from "Collected"."