On the Threshold of a Dream
On the Threshold of a Dream | ||||
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Studio album by The Moody Blues | ||||
Released | 25 April 1969 | |||
Recorded | 12–31 January 1969 at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, England | |||
Genre | Progressive rock | |||
Length | 36:59 | |||
Label | Deram | |||
Producer | Tony Clarke | |||
The Moody Blues chronology | ||||
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Singles from On the Threshold of a Dream | ||||
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On the Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released in April 1969 on the Deram label.
Content
Like the band's preceding two albums, On the Threshold of a Dream follows a concept. It explores dreams, especially on the second side, which climaxes with the "Voyage" suite, inspired in part by Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathrustra. The piece, by Mike Pinder, features mellotron orchestration and flute.
The album begins with a poem accompanied by electronic sounds, and these sounds also appear at the close of the album – vinyl pressings of the album continue the sounds into the album's run-out groove, causing them to play continuously until the record player's tonearm is lifted. Tape and CD album versions employ a slow fade.
Mix
The album was mixed and released in both stereo and quadraphonic. (The quadraphonic mix includes some variations from the stereo version, including an extended ending of "To Share Our Love" and a reprise of the electronic sounds from the beginning of the album after "So Deep Within You.")
Release
Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Robert Christgau | D–[2] |
On the Threshold of a Dream was released on 25 April 1969 in the UK[3] and 30 May 1969 in the US.[4] On the Threshold of a Dream provided The Moody Blues with their first British number 1 album, and also boosted their American fortunes by becoming their first Top 20 album there. The album also enjoyed lengthy stays in both album charts. By contrast, its one and only single, "Never Comes the Day", was a commercial flop.
In March 2006 the album was completely remastered into SACD format and repackaged with nine extra tracks. In 2008 a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks.
Track listing
Side A | ||||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
1. | "In the Beginning" | Graeme Edge | narration: Hayward, Pinder, Edge | 2:08 |
2. | "Lovely to See You" | Justin Hayward | Hayward | 2:35 |
3. | "Dear Diary" | Ray Thomas | Thomas | 3:56 |
4. | "Send Me No Wine" | John Lodge | Hayward, Lodge, Thomas, Pinder | 2:20 |
5. | "To Share Our Love" | Lodge | Pinder | 2:54 |
6. | "So Deep Within You" | Mike Pinder | Pinder | 3:07 |
Side B | ||||
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No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |
1. | "Never Comes the Day" | Hayward | Hayward | 4:43 |
2. | "Lazy Day" | Thomas | Thomas | 2:43 |
3. | "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" | Hayward, Thomas | Hayward | 3:29 |
4. | "The Dream" | Edge | Pinder (narration) | 0:57 |
5. | "Have You Heard (Part 1)" | Pinder | Pinder | 1:40 |
6. | "The Voyage" | Pinder | 3:58 | |
7. | "Have You Heard (Part 2)" | Pinder | Pinder | 2:32 |
Personnel
- Justin Hayward – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, twelve-string acoustic guitar, cello, mellotron on "Never Comes the Day",[5]
- John Lodge – vocals, bass, cello, double bass
- Ray Thomas – vocals, harmonica, flute, tambourine, oboe, piccolo
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion, vocals, EMS VCS 3
- Mike Pinder – vocals, mellotron, Hammond organ, piano, cello
- Additional personnel
- Phil Travers – cover artwork
Chart positions
Album
Year | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|
1969 | UK Albums Chart | 1 |
Billboard 200 | 20 | |
RPM Canada Album Chart | 26 |
Singles
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1969 | "Never Comes the Day" | Billboard Hot 100 | 91 |
References
- ↑ Allmusic review
- ↑ Christgau, Robert (18 September 1969). "Consumer Guide (4)". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
- ↑ "Moody Blues | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ↑ "The Moody Blues – Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
- ↑ "Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues on His Days of Future Passed (and Present) |". Rockcellarmagazine.com. 2016-09-28. Retrieved 2016-10-02.
External links
- On the Threshold of a Dream at Discogs (list of releases)
Preceded by The Best of The Seekers by The Seekers |
UK Albums Chart number-one album 10 May 1969 – 24 May 1969 |
Succeeded by Nashville Skyline by Bob Dylan |