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Justin Hayward - Songwriter Audio CD

A fair review of the Justin Hayward "Songwriter" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Justin Hayward reviews here, or go back to the Justin Hayward tabs.

Justin Hayward Band: Justin Hayward
Title: Songwriter
Rating:
Release Date: 1996-09-27
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Tightrope 2: Songwriter, Pt. 1 3: Songwriter, Pt. 2 4: Country Girl 5: One Lonely Room 6: Lay It One Me 7: Stage Door 8: Raised on Love 9: Doin' Time 10: Nostradamus 11: Maire 12: Learning the Game

A rough diamond
This is an enjoyable though somewhat flawed album that neither enhances nor tarnishes this artist's legacy. As an unabashed Justin Hayward fan, I freely admit that I am somewhat biased towards anything that he has released. Songwriter has several glimspes of brilliance. Doin' Time features some of Hayward's finest guitar work ever. One Lonely Room would shine on any Moddy Blues album, and Lay It On Me is a straightforward rocker that is one of Hayward's best. Learning The Game, with its stark simplicity and gorgeous vocals was a well-conceived addition to the album.

Yet, there are flaws. Both Songwriter tracks are merely adequate.
Raised on Love is a beautiful song, but the backing vocals and poor production hinder this tune. (He does get it right on the Live from San Juan Capistrano CD, but his voice is not as strong)
Tightrope, Country Girl, and Stage Door all sound extremely dated. Furthermore, the lyrics of these songs rank among the worst ever penned by Hayward. Nostradamus, while not unpleasant, delves into the New Age themes better explored by his bandmate Mike Pinder.

All and all, Songwriter is a mediocre album on the whole. However, Hayward is able to entrance the listener with the brilliance of his voice and talent on the stronger tracks and keep them there despite some lackluster material.


An Overlooked Gem
I purchased it on its original release and came here looking for a CD version, but I guess I'll just have to burn my own from the album. Songwriter quietly came out in 1977 and is a truly excellent album. In any event, this is well worth having. Hayward is at his melodic best here, his voice is outstanding. My only complaint, albeit a relatively minor one, is that the lyrics are spotty at times. "Raised on Love" is my favorite, though the title song (Parts 1 & 2) is top notch, as is "Country Girl," "One Lonely Room," and "Lay it on Me. " "Nostradamus" is good, though a bit disappointing when compared to Al Stewart's song of the same name. I still give Songwriter a "5. " If you see it buy it.


Good guitar work, melodic tracks
During the mid-70s, the Moody Blues took a break and during that time all of them released at least one solo album. "Songwriter" marked Justin Hayward's first solo album. While "Songwriter" isn't as good as the Justin Hayward/John Lodge collaboration "Blue Jays" (but then, only a handful of albums by any group or individual would be), this collection does contain some excellent work by the lead guitarist & vocalist of the Moodies.
The CD opens with "Tightrope" -- a song about a travelling circus performer who gives it up for a more sane life; easily interpretable as Hayward looking back on the late 60s/early 70s when the Moodies hit it big. Then into the title track, which is split into two parts (though placed back-to-back), a good though not remarkable song (1st part is decent melodic rock, the second part forgettable). The following two songs, "Country Girl" and "One Lonely Room," are a couple of gems, showing Hayward's ability to create well-structured, well-paced melodies. "Country Girl" is a bit of an uptempo tune, while "One Lonely Room" is a more plaintive, slower song of regret with a great instrumental break in the middle, some good guitar work. The other gems on the CD include "Raised on Love" -- a simple tribute, with a percussive acoustic guitar strumming, to Justin's parents and his appreciation for the love they gave him -- and "Doin' Time," a rocker which features some of the better good lead guitar work on the album. The other songs on the CD written by Justin are decent but not outstanding. There is one song on the CD that is not a Hayward creation -- "Learning the Game" by Buddy Holly (both it and the Hayward-penned ballad "Marie" were songs not on the original album release from the 70s), which Justin added as a tribute to a perfomer he considers one of his idols. A decent song, pretty well arranged and played.
Bottom line on this CD -- on this album the arrangements and material show a departure from a lot of what he'd done with the Moodies to that point, but are still definitely Hayward material. Moodies and Hayward fans should get this one.


I love this stuff
I loved it, I love One lonely room, and want to cry everytime I hear it. I first heard this LP (back then that is what it was) about 12 yrs ago. Songwriter is a great tune also. I feel that the break from the Band did all members good and they produced some really tasty stuff.


Justin's First Truly Solo Foray Is Respectable
Some of the tracks show signs of that stretch. Justin, doing all the writing, stretched himself on this one. "Tightrope" and "Songwriter" are wonderful, but others ("Raised On Love", "One Lonely Room") are too predictable. Some great thematic material with "Stage Door" and "Nostradmus". Nice treatment and homage paid to the Buddy Holly standard, "Learning the Game". One to have for your Moodies collection.


You can see a complete list of all Justin Hayward discography, or go back to the Justin Hayward tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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