In Search Of The Lost Chord 50th Anniversary

This is easily the BEST presentation and sound that In Search of the Lost Chord has EVER received!Allow me to get this out of the way first: Ignore the nitpicky reviewers who can't see the forest for the trees. Yes, the DVD audio doesn't quite make full use of the rear speakers as so-and-so's (fill-in-the-blank) album does, but it should be understood that that's NOT what the engineers were going for here. In Search of the Lost Chord was never intended to be flashy, but an immersive, panoramic experience, and if you listen to the excellent DTS 5.1 audio on disc four, it's clear they've achieved that goal as it's gorgeous in surround sound, with the rear speakers used discreetly throughout, as well as for certain effects in certain songs. It's perfect for what this album is and what it needs to be. I expect To Our Children's, Children's Children and Every Good Boy Deserves Favor might employ the rear speakers more intensely, but those are different albums with different approaches.With that out of the way, let's explore each disc individually:Disc One: This is the original stereo mix of the album with the 1968 single masters:Everything sounds fantastic here in terms of clarity and dynamic range. Beautiful mix and master, and it's great to have the singles included (in their original mono), as well as the Pinder version of "A Simple Game"! It's wonderful that the original mix is here for fans of the original audio presentation because after this we're into a lot of new and exciting territory!Disc Two: The new, 50th Anniversary mixes:Wow, these are outstanding!! What the producer/engineers have done is utilize some of the alternate mixes from 1968 to give In Search of the Lost Chord some much needed breathing room, as well as some additional texture. So, for example, in the past "The Actor" always began abruptly with a beat and Justin's vocals. Now, there's a proper intro, which matches the song's extro, and creates a better structure. "The Word" has mellotron backdrop now, which gives it a more celestial, cosmic feel that I think works much better than the original unaccompanied one. There are some longer finishes, as well as a few nice surprises within songs that I won't spoil here. Needless to say, I think this is the best mix the album has ever had, and I say that because I find it more closely matches the Moody Blues sound and intent, which the limitations of the time could not achieve. The original, while brilliant, always felt a bit crammed and shortchanged in the production department, which was never as lush as its predecessor or successors. No longer. Now, the ambitious psychedelic exploration accompanied by woodwinds, backwards guitars, tablas, harpsichords, sitars, etc., is matched by a production that supports, rather than hinders it. This is the album as we were meant to hear it!I've no doubt some of you will say "I prefer (fill-in-the-blank song) version over this one." No problem! See Disc One! Oh, and one added bit of joy: Justin Hayward's version of "A Simple Game" is included as the final song! This is an amazing song that belongs on the album, and how cool that they saw fit to include it on this disc. No nitpicking allowed: There are some who might sequence this song into the album, perhaps before "The Word," and some that will say they prefer Pinder's version (which is on Disc One). I understand all that, but re-sequencing was never going to happen, and I think this version of Justin's vocal mix (which was not on the SACD release) is really the superior one. By all means, burn your own version if you want to re-sequence it.Disc Three: The BBC Radio One John Peel "Top Gear" sessions, "Afternoon Pop Show" sessions, alternate album mixes, AND the studio versions of the four songs that went unreleased for years until Caught Live Plus Five:The former are just great to have here. They're part of the band's performances in this era and they're fun to listen to. The alternate album mixes were initially included in the earlier SACD album, but it's good to have them ported over here. You'll get a sense of where the engineers derived the 50th anniversary mix, as well as some interesting extensions and diversions, such as a pretty instrumental version of "Visions of Paradise." I'm really happy to have "King and Queen," "Gimme a Little Somethin'," "What Am I Doing Here?" and Hayward's "A Simple Game," which may be the earlier mix (included on the SACD), and different than the one on Disc Two. These are all GREAT songs that very well could have been included on the album, any one of which I would have used to replace "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume," a cute song by the beloved late Ray Thomas that was tongue-in-cheek and meant to lighten things up, but really better as a B-side, and a bit too silly for my tastes (though some fans seem to like it). I'll have to burn my own mix! ;)Disc Four: DVD audioIf you're not yet convinced of the value of this set, these next two discs will do so. This disc has no less than FOUR different versions of the album on DVD (which presents a gorgeous 96 kHz, which is superior to any CD version). It's got the original mix in stereo for purists. It's got the 50th anniversary mix in stereo, and it's finally got a 24 bit Dolby 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround mix (which includes "A Simple Game")! All of them sound great, but if you're looking for that full, immersive, deep, rich sound that only the Moody Blues can create, go for the DTS 5.1 mix. It's heaven! Songs like "Om," a stunning paean to God in four-part vocal harmony that has to be heard to be believed, the haunting "Visions of Paradise," and "Legend of a Mind" have never sounded this good!The Dolby mix is, in a way, closer to how the original might have sounded had they done a Quad release of it at the time--and is interesting and well done--but the DTS is really, REALLY gorgeous and worth the wait! Getting back for a second to the so-called controversy of them not employing the rear channels like a circus show, as some apparently wanted, more careful listeners can discern that the engineers carefully chose how to use the rear surround speakers. For example, "House of Four Doors," "Legend of a Mind," "The Best Way to Travel," "Visions of Paradise," and "Om" put the surround speakers to great use, as those songs have that cerulean/cosmic essence that lends itself to that. On the other hand "Ride My See-Saw," "Dr. Livingston..." "Voices in the Sky," "The Actor," and "A Simple Game" while still using the rear channels, do so much more discreetly as the song dictates. Think about it: "Voices in the Sky" is a beautiful folk song. Do you really want sound bouncing around the room like a jack-in-the-box during it? Of course not! "The Best Way to Travel" has those elements, and are thus utilized in that way, but not "Dr. Livingstone." And, even in those songs, during the sections that call for it, it's there, particularly in the DTS mix. I'm surprised at some of the reviews on here, and I suspect they only listened to the Dolby mix, which is definitely more lacking in the rear channels, but again, it was going for a different approach, specifically what the quad 4.0 might have sounded like had it existed, and that's cool. Between the four versions on this disc, you have to be a miserable SOB to not be happy.And before you go on the offensive, I know some of you wanted the mono version of the album. I'm not one of them, and I feel your pain, but it's just not something that most are willing to pay extra for (as it would've required an additional disc), though you at least have the four mono songs on disc one, so that's something.Disc Five: Video performances:As an ardent Moody Blues fan for many years, I never thought I'd see these performances! The Paris show alone is worth the price of this set! I kid you not! For one thing, seeing the Hayward/Lodge lineup do "Bye Bye Bird," "I've Got a Dream," from the Go Now! era is amazing! Then there's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" and "Fly Me High," as well as AN UNRELEASED, UNRECORDED song called "Beautiful Dream, written by John Lodge but only ever rehearsed by the band (and played live this one time apparently)! This is incredible to have! Also, the band are ON FIRE! Holy crap, Graeme Edge is beating the hell out of his drums and the whole band are energized by the surrounding crowd, who start off mellow and reticent, but are soon dancing like mad people! It's such a cool show and a treat to see rock music and its audience in the process of developing from the far more sedate early Sixties to the raucous Seventies. This performance is like the perfect encapsulation of that transition and a joy to experience!The BBC show is more of a promo thing and several of the songs had been abruptly cut to fit the time slot of TV show. (The cut scenes were long ago destroyed, as no one then knew there would be a home video market). It's still great to have, even if Justin looks miserable, Graeme is "drum-syncing," and Lodge is cracking up almost the whole time, as I've never seen this complete television show before (though clips of it have surfaced).The final BBC show is even weirder, as it's staged with five models sitting on chairs spaced before the band. Very artsy. At least the guitars are plugged in this time, but it's only two songs so don't get too excited. Still, a GREAT find! Remember, this is 1968 and this material has not been available to the public (even on Youtube).Of course, all of this has got me very excited for my forthcoming favorite albums: To Our Children's Children's Children and Every Good Boy Deserves Favor, as I can't even imagine what footage they'll be able to dig up from those eras, which I think represent the band at the height of their powers.This is a very strong box set! I have the SACD releases, and I love them, but this is better! In part, the SACDs were a bit of a pain in the neck to set up even if you had an SACD player (which I do). Also, there's more material here; organized well, and with some new material that belongs in every Moody Blues' fan's household. There's also a complete and accurate lyric sheet! Finally! Lyrics are important to fans, especially for bands like the Moody Blues who had something to say! I'm puzzled, however, as to why they forgot the lyric for "What Am I Doing Here?" since they included lyrics for all of the other studio songs (and I'm grateful for it), so I'm chalking it up to an oversight.My other nitpicks: I'd have loved for the remaining studio songs ("King and Queen," etc.) to have been included on the 5.1 mix, but I'm hoping that they'll actually release Caught Live + Five in this format, and thus give us a surround mix on those songs along with an extended version of the live show (and maybe even video footage!) Hey, if you can't dream, you can't be a Moody Blues fan!

Looks like The Moody Blues are on a roll with the 50th Anniversary editions of their albums so far, and they and everyone involved in the re-releases are doing a magnificent job! I simply loved the "Days of Future Passed" reissue from last year, including the original mix of the album, which finally made it onto CD, for example. :) Here are my experiences in regard to the 50th Anniversary edition of "In Search of the Lost Chord:"First, to get the negatives out of the way, I had different expectations in regard to the so-called "new stereo mixes" from the second disc to this collection... Most of what is experienced, especially when listening through earphones, is the same as the original stereo version. There are occasions where there are certain "elements" that are "moved" to the center of the stereo field, such as the backing vocal chanting on "Voices In The Sky" … Also, the Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas' vocals are not so "far-left/right" in the stereo picture on the remixed version of "OM." When I think of a new stereo mix, I think of different instruments/vocals being rearranged throughout the stereo field... Take songs by "The Doors" for example; When the reissues of the albums came out in the early 2000's, as well as the single mixes of their greatest hits, there was so much rearranged throughout the stereo picture on each of the tracks... THAT is how a new stereo mix should be presented! Even on the "This Is The Moody Blues" greatest hits compilation, that mix of "Legend of a Mind" featured much that was rearranged when comparing that stereo mix to the mix from "ISOTLC." Heck, the "new stereo mix" of "Legend of a Mind" here sounds EXACTLY like the original! In addition, I'm not sure if this was a mistake in regard to the preparation of Disc 2, but the "mix" of "Visions of Paradise" is actually a mono recording! I won't get carried away and try to ramble on much longer about the remixes, but if you enjoy listening to songs in stereo and are imagining brand new, refreshing stereo remixes like what I had described earlier, you will be very disappointed... That is why I rated this release four stars instead of five. I had also noticed that since the 2006/2007 Moody Blues reissues came out, the quality of the stereo is not as good as the original CD pressings from the 1980's, the Mobile Fidelity gold CDs, and the 1997 remasters... Not sure if it was from wear and tear of the original master tapes or what? "Legend of a Mind," for example has elements throughout the stereo picture that are not as well "separated" as much as on the earlier stereo formats. Not sure if anyone else caught onto that when listening to the remasters from the last decade.Now, to recover from all of my "griping" about stereo mixes... There is some GOOD to the remixes: There will be instruments/vocals here and there throughout the different tracks that are made more/less audible... You may notice each one when you experience it. "Voices in the Sky" is a great example... On the choruses, you can hear a bit of additional chanting backing vocals, which made for a pleasant surprise. Also, the biggest highlight for me on Disc 2 was a brief, extended intro to "The Actor." Makes me wonder if the remaining tracks on the album had some parts that were edited out? The remix of the Justin Hayward sung "A Simple Game" was amazing... Vocals were more up front here and there, and the song did not fade out as quickly as the previous mix by Justin. :) "Gimme a Little Somethin'" also sounded remixed, with a heavy drum beat dead center of the stereo picture, especially on the choruses... It actually sounds pretty amazing, although I prefer the original mix on "Caught Live +5" the best. It was also a treat to be presented with the mono mixes of some of the tracks on the album that were released as singles... Not sure if my ears are playing tricks on me, but it sounded like Justin's vocals were double-tracked in certain places on the mono mix of "Voices in the Sky!" The original Mike Pinder sung version of "A Simple Game" sounds great, and the stereo mix is actually just as good as the one that appeared on the "Prelude" CD compilation by The Moodies in the late 1980's. :) Of course, this release also included all of the bonus/previously unreleased material from the 2006 reissue, so that makes me very happy indeed! :)Before finishing up, I must mention that the booklet included within the package to this release was just above and beyond with all kinds of photos of The Moody Blues at the time of this album, as well as some photos that looked like they came from the "On the Threshold of a Dream" period, and some from the early days, before Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder, and Ray Thomas had facial hair! Also a treat to be presented with photographs of the different single sleeves and labels, plus lyrics to each of the songs (Although the lyrics to "What Am I Doing Here" were not included... Maybe forgotten to be included?); Something that I believe wasn't presented until "Threshold of a Dream" and afterward! This seems like the kind of booklet you'd receive from a huge boxset of highlights of a band's discography, so to have a booklet like this for a single album release alone is most impressive and everyone involved in the research/photographs/packaging went above and beyond and produced a spectacular product!The way things are going with these reissues, I am really looking forward to what the 50th anniversary editions of "On The Threshold of a Dream" and "To Our Children's Children's Children" will include, as both albums will have reached the 50th anniversary in the new year, and I'm sure that they will be next in line. I just hope that, if the upcoming releases will receive "new stereo mixes," they will actually follow the formula of how the stereo was remixed for each of the songs from the catalog of "The Doors." On the whole, this 50th anniversary set is beyond a gem and is worth the investment for a true and devoted Moody Blues fan. "Enter in all ye who seek to find within!" ;) Thanks for taking the time to read and God Bless! ~Best wishes from "KevyGuy" :)

Taking a album like,"In Search Of The Lost Chord" and expanding it is a true treasure,with four CD's as well as the original,that includes songs that didn't make it on ISOTLC but you get an idea where the Moodies were going with their musical direction as well as alternate takes, a performances on the John Peel show for the BBC. If one loves ISOTLC this addition is a must to one's collection and one can only hope that the following albums of the Moody Blues will also get their own respected 50th anniversary collections. Listen and Enjoy!!

First, I love this recording. The Moody Blues albums from "Days of Future Past" through "Long Distance Voyager" are amazing. (yes, I know Mike Pinder is not on "Long Distance Voyager"). Being a person who loves the Steve Wilson remixes for all the classic albums he remixed, I consider his "process" to be the pinnacle of what should be done with all of these recordings from the 60's and 70's and yes 80's as far as 5.1 mixing goes. Jacko simply does not get how to use what is offered in the studio to "update" or "re-create" this music. (See how poorly ELP Trilogy turned out as a basis for this opinion.) Now that I got that out of my system, anyone who loves the Moody Blues should buy this edition. It has some of their greatest moments on it, and all my bitching and moaning about the 5.1 mix should not deter you from the purchase. Since its release, it has not left being within arms reach of my turntable and or CD player. (Yeah, I am old) It's brilliant and deserves to be owned by anyone who can appreciate just how great these recordings are. Buy It Now!!

On the assumption that only hardcore fans are likely to go for this and already have the 2006 Deluxe edition and Timeless Flight box set - the main question is are the 'new' bits worth it ? I can't comment on the 5.1 surround mix unfortunately. The new stereo mix is crisp and clear and at its best on 'House Of Four Doors' (instrumental passages), 'Voices In The Sky' (backing harmonies) and 'The Actor' (a surprise extended intro). Much however - such as 'Legend Of A Mind' - is little changed from the original. Oddly it is the remixed Hayward vocal version of 'A Simple Game' that really impresses showing considerable power and passion so that it could become THE version from now on ! The 'Ce Soir On Danse' set has been on YouTube for ages so it's great to get a 'proper' release - Graeme and John are really enjoying themselves on what is a very energised set which I'm guessing was recorded in the Feb - May '68 period, despite the July broadcast, judging by the setlist which only includes a truncated 'Legend Of A Mind' from '... Lost Chord' as nothing else was in the can at the time. The two songs from 'Carte D'or' I hadn't seen before and are both excellent, strongly played versions with Ray 'fronting' the band for a change (rather odd set up with the young bored looking ladies sat around them though !). There is a nice booklet but does anyone at Universal ever proof read them ? We've got 'A Beautiful Dream' credited to Justin instead of John, reproduced lyrics but not for 'What Am I Doing Here ?', the new album mix with incorrect timings. It's not the first reissue where a lot of presentation work has gone in only for attention to detail to be lacking. Overall though there is much more here than I would have expected (the mono single masters with 'Ride My See-Saw' really rocking another example) so 'yes' I would say go for it even if you have the previous releases mentioned. This is after all the Moodies at their most adventurous time.

In search of the lost chord has always been great music, ever since it was released 50 years ago and ever since I first heard it 45 years ago. And now this box set makes it even better. A prime example of what an anniversary box set should be. Buy it for the music, with its many extra's in live performances, different mixes etc. and buy it for the great book, the way the way the box set is together, all the enjoyment you get out of it. Truly 5 stars worth.

A welcome CD box, with great music from the mid-1960's. The booklet which has many pictures is wonderful.

The Moody Blues breakthrough album excellently presented by this 5 star box set.

Great quality, and a lot of info, that I've not seen before. Well worth having.