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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Winter "Bluejays", 2 Nov 2003
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.
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27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Hayward and Lodge hit rock bottom, 14 Jul 2005
For a band that made a string of wonderful, classic albums in the late sixties and early seventies, and some pretty good stuff subsequently, this release shows how far they have lost their way. While the sound quality is sparkling, of the few original songs, only Justin Hayward's December Snow is worthy of inclusion on a Moody Blues album. The other originals are poor outtakes from Strange Times. As for the rest, who needs it? Happy Christmas (War is Over) is a pale imitation of the original and White Christmas is a dire caberet remake of a great song. This album is truly awful - and I have every Moody Blues album and have seen them more than 30 times over four decades. As for Ballads, the compilation December was paired with in the UK - it is another thrown together compilation of the usual few songs found on Moodies best of's, missing out great songs like The Actor, Never Comes The Day etc. in favour of the obvious choices. It is badly mastered and not from recent digital remasters. If you are a true fan of the Moody Blues avoid this at all costs. What a terrible end to the career of what was once such an influential band.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Variety is the mulled wine of life, 14 Nov 2003
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!
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