On the Threshold of a Dream

On the Threshold of a Dream
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
In Search of the Lost Chord
(1968)
On the Threshold of a Dream
(1969)
To Our Children's Children's Children
(1969)
Singles from On the Threshold of a Dream
  1. "Never Comes the Day"
    Released: 2 April 1969

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
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauD–[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
No.TitleWriter(s)Lead vocalsLength
1."In the Beginning"  Graeme Edgenarration: Hayward, Pinder, Edge2:08
2."Lovely to See You"  Justin HaywardHayward2:35
3."Dear Diary"  Ray ThomasThomas3:56
4."Send Me No Wine"  John LodgeHayward, Lodge, Thomas, Pinder2:20
5."To Share Our Love"  LodgePinder2:54
6."So Deep Within You"  Mike PinderPinder3:07
Side B
No.TitleWriter(s) Length
1."Never Comes the Day"  HaywardHayward4:43
2."Lazy Day"  ThomasThomas2:43
3."Are You Sitting Comfortably?"  Hayward, ThomasHayward3:29
4."The Dream"  EdgePinder (narration)0:57
5."Have You Heard (Part 1)"  PinderPinder1:40
6."The Voyage"  Pinder 3:58
7."Have You Heard (Part 2)"  PinderPinder2:32

Personnel

Additional personnel

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

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
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