Artist: THE MOODY BLUES
Album: OCTAVE REMASTERED & EXPANDED (CD)

Release date: 1978/ 2008
EAN/UPS: 0600753127902
Media type: CD

Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1978, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who departed during the album's sessions, and declined an offer to tour with the group. Pinder had just started a new family in California, and found that he was not getting on with his bandmates as he had before. As a result of Pinder's departure, Justin Hayward and John Lodge were forced to play some of the remaining keyboard parts themselves[citation needed], and Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history. Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke, as he left them as he was having problems in his personal life.

Octave was considered a departure from previous Moody Blues albums, mainly because the group's use of lounge-style organs and synthesisers in place of a Mellotron or Chamberlain (Pinder's song "One Step Into the Light" referenced the Mellotron). Real strings were used on three songs: "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man" (both written by Ray Thomas), as well as "Survival" (written by John Lodge).

Released after a considerable break, which saw The Moody Blues returning in an era of punk music and disco, Octave evidenced a reduced commercial impact for the band, but reached #6 in the United Kingdom and went platinum in the United States, where the album reached #13. The album produced the hit single "Steppin' in a Slide Zone," which hit #39 in the US, in addition to "Driftwood".

In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD, with five previously-unreleased, live, bonus tracks.

TRACKLIST:

    "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" (John Lodge) – 5:29 (lead singer: John Lodge)
    "Under Moonshine" (Ray Thomas) – 5:00 (lead singer: Ray Thomas)
    "Had to Fall in Love" (Justin Hayward) – 3:42 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
    "I'll Be Level With You" (Graeme Edge) – 3:48 (lead singers: Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, John Lodge)
    "Driftwood" (Hayward) – 5:03 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)

    "Top Rank Suite" (Hayward) – 3:42 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
    "I'm Your Man" (Thomas) – 4:21 (lead singer: Ray Thomas)
    "Survival" (Lodge) – 4:09 (lead singer: John Lodge)
    "One Step Into the Light" (Mike Pinder) – 4:29 (lead singer: Mike Pinder)
    "The Day We Meet Again" (Hayward) – 6:19 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)

2008 CD Expanded Edition tracks (UK):
    "Steppin' in a Slide Zone (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Lodge) - 4:57
    "I'm Your Man (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Thomas) - 4:51
    "Top Rank Suite (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Hayward) - 4:28
    "Driftwood (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Hayward) - 5:02
    "The Day We Meet Again (Live in Houston 7 December 1978)" (Hayward) - 7:16

LINE-UP:

    Justin Hayward - vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards
    John Lodge - vocals, bass, keyboards
    Ray Thomas - vocals, flute, harmonica, tambourine
    Graeme Edge - drums, percussion, vocals
    Mike Pinder - vocals, organ, synthesizer, Mellotron, piano, keyboards