The Moody Blues: Lovely to See You - Live [Blu-ray] [2005] [US Import]

The set list is extremely well chosen and provides a really successful balance between classic tracks and great songs that have sometimes disappeared from their sets.

Sound and picture quality are both top notch, with the DTS 5.1 surround providing a particularly atmospheric soundscape through a decent home cinema rig.

Watching this DVD I am so glad we've got tickets booked to see them in October - if they are as good as this its going to be a night to remember!


NO...It's Lovely to see YOU!   July 22, 2006
 22 out of 22 found this review helpful

No really, I can't say how great it is seeing this excellent concert (from one of my favorite bands) now, after all these years, with everything in such fine form. I saw them a few times back then (late 70's, early 80's), and this seems at least as good believe it or not. The sound quality is unbelievable and has very good production quality, not hyper or annoying, and shows hands often during guitar leads, etc.

Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder (or Patrick Moraz, another HUGE presence in the Moodies) are not at this one unfortunately, but the musicians filling in do a very fine job, especially Norda Mullen (out front filling some big shoes - excellent flautist/multi-instrumentalist and singer). I guess it takes 2 keyboardists to handle Mike's or Patrick's parts well...and a second drummer (he's been around awhile and really adds to the music) helps out, in a good way, but the overall performance is stunning and the songs are performed beautifully. People must carry on, I'm sure Ray doesn't mind.

This is a class act that functions like a well-oiled machine, lovingly bringing back a hefty chunk of the classics and the nuances within those songs we all enjoy hearing. Nearly all are highlights! Hearing Higher and Higher without moving into Eyes of a Child and the rest of Chidren's Children was painfull though! Same with the other old albums, hearing one or two songs only is tough! They do a great job, better than any other recorded MB's show I've seen, go ahead and compare this to Red Rocks and Montreux (the other ones I have). They are always professional and controlled (goes with the Moody Blues territory - this isn't a jam band like the Grateful Dead, not to say that wouldn't be fun), and here they are showing tons of passion for their great music. Justin's voice is BETTER here than many performances I've heard.

As for the songs - Question kicks ass, I'm Just a Singer rocks the house, Story in Your Eyes, The Actor and The Voice are totally beautiful, Higher & Higher is spot on! Are You Sitting Comfortably? kicks...Newer songs like Forever Autumn, Lean on Me and December Snow are nice additions, melodic, mellow and nicely done. I could go on...!

I don't have any criticisms really (could show the screen visuals more), although I wish it was twice as long so more could have made it in...still, THIS IS A VERY GOOD EVENING OF MOODY MUSIC - YOU WILL BE ON THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM WHEN THE FINAL SONG PLAYS! A fantastic show for Moodies fans, you will watch this one many times! By the way, the interview is an interesting glimpse!

What more could be expected from these guys 40 years later? This band is an excellent, worldwide representation of British ingenuity and spirit...when will the recognition be forthcoming? They should be in the R' n R' Hall of Fame at least. Knighthood doesn't seem too far of a stretch, so many excellent songs, more concerts than most, and a legacy of timeless music. The Moodies deserve respect. Open your ears and TURN IT UP!



moodies just keep getting better   April 25, 2006
 19 out of 19 found this review helpful

Have been going to see the Moodies for more years than I care to remember and watched the lineup change and their hair (and mine) get greyer, but their musicianship and songwriting ability never seems to diminish with the passage of time.

Saw them play virtually this set a couple of years ago, and was so impressed that I thought I'd add this DVD to the collection. I bought it with some trepidation, as none of us are getting any younger, but I can only agree with M Ash in the previous review - the angel-voiced Justin Hayward is on peak form (as are the rest of the band), the sound quality, especially of Justin's famous 335 is brilliant and Norda Mullen's flute playing is nothing less than wonderful.

Roll on the next tour!!!

Well the next tour has indeed rolled on. Saw them at Nottingham a couple of weeks ago and again the quality of the performance was breathtaking - wonderful sound, note and word perfect and Justin Hayward definitely has a picture in the attic!!



The Moody Blues Lovely To See You   May 23, 2006
 16 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is a excellent video of The Moody Blues performing songs from their older albums that they have not sung live for over 30 years. "The Actor","Are you sitting Comfortably" and "Higher and Higher" are some of the many highlights of this concert. The Moody Blues have not lost any of their "electricity" on stage, and the addition of Norda Mullin on flute is great.


A live album that catches the spirit of the Moodies on stage   December 20, 2005
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Not since Caught Live + 5 has there been a Moodies live album without an orchestra. The quality of this recording is phenomenal and so is the playing and singing. It's a real treat for Moodies fans and anyone who appreciates good music. Justin Hayward is in fine vocal form and plays lyrical guitar, while John Lodge's base is rich, deep and melodic. Support flute-player Norda Mullen is a fine replacement for Ray Thomas, who retired due to ill-health, and her energy is obvious on such classics as The Actor and Are You Sitting Comfortably, two tracks from the "Core 7" albums recorded in the 1960s which sound as fresh and lively as if they had been first written and recorded last week. Then there's Graeme Edge's thundering Higher and Higher, a tremendous rip-roarer of a track. After 40-odd years, you'd think a band would be tired and washed-out, but for all their critics, the Moody Blues are one of the best live acts around today. Please let's have a new studio album!