Seventh Sojourn - THE MOODY BLUES*****

Lost In A Lost World/New Horizons/For My Lady/Isn't Life Strange/You & Me/The Land Of Make Believe/When You're A Free Man/I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock & Roll Band)

Seventh Sojourn was the last of the seven classic albums from The Moody Blues. There would be a gap of six years before the next studio album was released, and their sound would then change to mainstream progressive with less of the mystical elements. (US:1 UK:5)

“Seventh Sojourn, the appropriately titled final instalment of the classic seven Moody Blues albums, is the most atmospheric, most cohesive and best produced of the band’s early records. Recommended to any fan of symphonic rock, or of thoughtful 70s rock in general.”

“The album starts really well with the one two punch of Mike Pinder's excellent socially aware Lost In A Lost World and Hayward's gorgeous, heartfelt welcome to his new child on the beautiful New Horizons. Whilst the sound is typical Moody Blues, these tracks seem to usher in a new outlook, less precious or pretentious, and minus the acid tinged spiritual baloney that permeates the majority of their work.”

“The original Moodies' swansong and masterpiece. Seven richly perfected, poignant soft-rock songs, with Isn't Life Strange being the highlight, and the closer, I'm Just a Singer, which really rocks, yet at one and the same time is a showcase of majestic melody.”

“Seventh Sojourn maintains the standard set by earlier albums, but is a collection of individual songs rather than a concept album. There is less prog-rock here too, and it has a more pop sound. The unmistakable Moody Blues sound remains though, the flowing melodies, rich harmonies and somewhat grandiose soundscape. Clearly the creative energies of the group had not yet run their course, and in Seven Sojourn they took their leave with a collection of high quality tracks.”

“Seventh Sojourn is one of those albums that never grows old. The arrangements are lush and evocative; the music itself is poignant, melodic and memorable; the lyrics danced across the turntable.”

“The biggest change in sound is that Mike Pinder abandoned the Mellotron to play a Chamberlain (an updated Mellotron which works on the same principle, made by the same company and, yes, sounds the same).”