NOTE: This is an edited version of my original.

This is a great collection of early MB's live recordings, tracks 1-14 that is. I thought all the live songs were fantastic, especially Lodge's 'Peak Hour' and 'Ride My See Saw'(awesome version!) and Pinder's 'Have You Heard/ The Voyage'. Hayward's "Nights" is a great one too, almost as good as the Isle of Wight performance. The live versions of these four fabulous songs alone are worth the price of the whole CD in my opinion.

On to a few of the 5 studio tracks. J. Lodge's 'Gimme a little somethin', the lead sung by Hayward, is a short but good tune. John's fab falsetto soars on the chorus parts. 'Please think about it' is one of the most "non-melancholy" tunes I've ever heard by Mike Pinder and I really, really liked it! Pinder's voice sounded so very good on this one. "Happier" tunes suit his vocals, I think. No, it's not THAT upbeat of a song, but it IS for a Pinder tune- lol! The harmonies are fantastic as well, reminds me of the 1950's style. Justin's 'Long Summer Days' is mostly sung by him in that somewhat lower register of his that I have always loved. Harmonies are great as well as the pretty melody. Hayward's  'What am I doing here" is a bittersweet poignant tale of lovers, heroes.... and death. Justin and mates' vocals and playing perfectly suited the tone of the song.

I had read a critique somehwere(maybe here?) that this album sounded like a recording of a Moody Blues rehearsal. I beg to differ with that charge most vehemently. If these live tracks of Prelude are  a Moodies rehearsal, then this album REALLY speaks volumes as to just how wonderfully talented these men truly are. I'd love to "catch them live" any day of the week.
NOTE: This is an edited version of my original. This is a great collection of early MB's live recordings, tracks 1-14 that is. I thought all the live songs were fantastic, especially Lodge's 'Peak Hour' and 'Ride My See Saw'(awesome version! ) and Pinder's 'Have You Heard/ The Voyage'. Hayward's "Nights" is a great one too, almost as good as the Isle of Wight performance. The live versions of these four fabulous songs alone are worth the price of the whole CD in my opinion. On to a few of the 5 studio tracks. J. Lodge's 'Gimme a little somethin', the lead sung by Hayward, is a short but good tune. John's fab falsetto soars on the chorus parts. 'Please think about it' is one of the most "non-melancholy" tunes I've ever heard by Mike Pinder and I really, really liked it! Pinder's voice sounded so very good on this one. "Happier" tunes suit his vocals, I think. No, it's not THAT upbeat of a song, but it IS for a Pinder tune- lol! The harmonies are fantastic as well, reminds me of the 1950's style. Justin's 'Long Summer Days' is mostly sung by him in that somewhat lower register of his that I have always loved. Harmonies are great as well as the pretty melody. Hayward's  'What am I doing here" is a bittersweet poignant tale of lovers, heroes.... and death. Justin and mates' vocals and playing perfectly suited the tone of the song. I had read a critique somehwere(maybe here? ) that this album sounded like a recording of a Moody Blues rehearsal. I beg to differ with that charge most vehemently. If these live tracks of Prelude are  a Moodies rehearsal, then this album REALLY speaks volumes as to just how wonderfully talented these men truly are. I'd love to "catch them live" any day of the week.