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Classic Blue

Justin Hayward - Classic Blue Audio CD

A fair review of the Justin Hayward "Classic Blue" 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.

Band: Justin Hayward
Title: Classic Blue
Rating:

Release Date: 2002-08-12
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Tracks of My Tears 2: MacArthur Park 3: Blackbird 4: Vincent 5: God Only Knows 6: Bright Eyes 7: A Whiter Shade of Pale 8: Scarborough Fair 9: Railway Hotel 10: Man of the World 11: Forever Autumn 12: As Long as the Moon Can Shine 13: Stairway to Heaven

... strummin' my pain with his words...
Justin Hayward is, indeed, one of the most gifted songwriters of the rock era, but that fact often obscures the fact that his voice is superb. This album is a special favorite of mine.

Justin is one of those rare vocalists whose profound love of music itself glows through in the beauty of each perfectly formed syllable. Whether he wrote the words he sings or not, he gives full respect to the author's intent in each word. He also layers in his own unique viewpoint, and the effect is one of his reaching out to the listener, gathering the listener in, sharing something wonderful that he sees and truly treasures. Soon, I close my eyes, and I, too, can see what he's trying so beautifully to show me. When I hear Justin singing, I feel his respect for each listener, and that respect makes me, as a listener, feel special.

This album is simply dazzling. It is simple in places, complex in others, and never, ever dull. "Bright Eyes" expresses something for me about my recent widowhood that I didn't understand clearly until I heard Justin singing it for me. I think that Justin has a glimmer of what it must feel like to be "musically mute", as I am, and yet to need, down to your very deepest depths, to sing out the pain or die. I sing with him, in private, in the dark, and when he speaks in song for me, I am mute no longer, and my tears are free to fall, and free to cleanse.

Every song on the album helps me find my own voice, each in its own way. Justin uses each note to paint those pictures in my mind that he needs to show me, and I need to see.

I am very blessed to have been sent this music when I needed it so very much. Perhaps, if you find yourself lying in bed some night, writing letters in your mind to those whose eyes shine only in your memory, maybe a man who wrote letters he couldn't send can help you find a way to live with that, as he himself has had to. I know he's helping me.

Gentle sounds to caress the soul
Devoid of a rhythm section, Justin's voice and the orchestra have plenty of space to express themselves in the 13 songs featured on this album. Open your mind (and ears) to the beauty of the 80-piece London Philharmonic Orchestra and The Moody Blues' guitarist/singer/songwriter Justin Hayward interpreting classic rock and pop songs, and you get "Classic Blue".

Justin's voice is in good form, and the variety of songs gives him the opportunity to show off his versatility as a vocalist. Listening to the album one almost gets the impression Justin not only had a genuine feel for these compositions, he was pleasantly diverted from his projects as a solo artist or Moody Blue.

I was particularly moved by his interpretations of "MacArthur Park", "God Only Knows", "A Whiter Shade Of Pale", "Forever Autumn", Scarborough Fair" and "Stairway to Heaven". No less stirring are Peter Green's "Man of the World", Lennon & McCartney's "Black Bird", Don McLean's "Vincent", "Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a Clown" and three songs by "Classic Blue" collaborator/composer Mike Batt, the most memorable being "Bright Eyes", sung originally by Art Garfunkel.

Many may not be aware of it, but "Classic Blue" is a hard-to-find collectible. I had wanted it largely for this reason, but was surprised to learn it had a decent collection of well performed songs. I would advise anyone who has had similar reservations to reconsider and add "Classic Blue" to their music library.

Justin Hayward and Mike Batt, together with the London Philharmonic Orchestra have put together a 'classic' that's certainly worth owning. Give it a listen on a quiet night with the lights dimmed, and preferably shared with a loved one close by your side. It's gentle sounds will surely caress the soul.

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I never seem to get tired of it.
I had a friend tell me about this album that I didn't know existed. I live in the US. It's not usually found in most stores here. I don't know why. Finally I was able to locate it online and purchased it through CD Now.

I got it over a month ago, and have had it in my truck's CD player ever since. My favorite song has become "Bright Eyes". . . . with "Railway Hotel" a near second.

If you like the Moody Blues, this is the same lead singer but other than his voice, the musical accompaniment is more along the lines of Night's in White Satin and Tuesday Aftenoon, since the music is a large orchestra rather than that provided by Graeme Edge, Ray Thomas, and John Lodge.

I highly recommend this if you like Justin's voice, and the early Moody Blues. It's also a great new twist on some old classics when a full orchestra gets to playing Stairway to Heaven or MacArthur's Park.

A Showcase Of Talent!
This unusual collaboration between the Moody Blues arguably best singer and pop composer Mike Batt is extraordinary. Justin Hayward has never seemed able to stop recording - he loves music that much. Taking some of the best big hits of the sixties and seventies, this duo have recrafted some well-loved (and well-covered) standards.

Who would have dared to take Led Zeppelin's huge hit, "Stairway To Heaven" and turn it into "classical" mode? It's an astounding success. "MacArthur Park" seems to fit the format more likely, but even this version seems to rival the original Richard Harris masterpiece! "Vincent" is sung with an entirely new feeling that surpasses Don McLean's version and "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" stoutly stands out - Procol Harem should be proud.

This album is meticuosly produced and the arrangements are just a bit more than great. Haywards vocals are more distinct and pronounced than on many Moody Blues albums and it is a thrill to finally hear the lyrics clearly, instead of guessing all these years. This is a rare and classic album indeed.

Marcie - Fan from Texas
Classic Blue has some of my favorite songs on it, and Justin performed them perfectly especially "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Although I love all of Justin's songs and music, I was curious about Classic Blue, so I purchased it, listened to it, then decided that I prefer Justin's own music and words written by the "king" himself.
Although not on this albun but on many others is one of my favorite JH songs, "Driftwood". This song reflects a lot of JH talent with one of his several guitars. I like to listen to Justin's music via the headset, close my eyes and become one with the words and music.
Justin's songs are so soothing to the soul, they mellow out my moods. I let his music take me to another level. I can see the places he describes in his songs. As a Naturalist I have become one with nature and Justin has written many songs with words of nature in them. I can relate to this.
Justin once said he preferred his early music to the modern, I can see why with songs such as "Forever Autumn" and "The Voice", and so many more, totally AWESOME!
I had the pleasure of meeting Justin the spring of 2002 in Tahoe and look forward to the day of visiting with him again.

A Fan Forever. . . . Marcie Wilcox.

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.