The Present is the eleventh album by the Moody Blues, released in 1983. This was the group's last original studio album to be released on their custom label, Threshold Records.
The Present | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 2 September 1983 | |||
Recorded | 8 March – 10 December 1982 | |||
Studio | Strawberry Studios South, Dorking, Surrey | |||
Genre | Art rock, synthpop, new wave | |||
Length | 41:47 | |||
Label | Threshold | |||
Producer | Pip Williams | |||
The Moody Blues chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Present | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Rolling Stone | [2] |
Overview
editThe album is the second of the Patrick Moraz era. It provided three minor hit singles in the U.S. with "Blue World" (#62), "Sitting at the Wheel" (#27) and "Running Water".
The album has a track sequence designed to capitalise on the legacy of the more successful Long Distance Voyager, with Justin Hayward's songs at the beginning and Ray Thomas's at the end. In November 2008 the album was remastered and released on CD with two extra tracks.
The cover is a pastiche of Maxfield Parrish's painting Daybreak.
Original track listing
editSide One
edit- "Blue World" (Justin Hayward) – 5:20 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
- "Meet Me Halfway" (Hayward, John Lodge) – 4:08 (lead singers: Justin Hayward, John Lodge)
- "Sitting at the Wheel" (Lodge) – 5:40 (lead singer: John Lodge)
- "Going Nowhere" (Graeme Edge) – 5:33 (lead singer: Ray Thomas)
Side Two
edit- "Hole in the World" (Lodge) – 1:54 (instrumental)
- "Under My Feet" (Lodge) – 4:51 (lead singer: John Lodge)
- "It's Cold Outside of Your Heart" (Hayward) – 4:27 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
- "Running Water" (Hayward) – 3:23 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
- "I Am" (Ray Thomas) – 1:40 (lead singer: Ray Thomas)
- "Sorry" (Thomas) – 5:02 (lead singer: Ray Thomas)
2008 remastered CD expanded edition
editThe 2008 release contains two extra tracks:
- "Blue World" (Single Edit)" – 3:38
- "Sitting at the Wheel (Steve Greenberg Remix)" – 7:32
Personnel
editSources: [3]
The Moody Blues
edit- Justin Hayward – vocals, guitar
- John Lodge – vocals, bass guitar
- Ray Thomas – vocals, harmonica, flute
- Graeme Edge – drums
- Patrick Moraz – keyboards
Additional personnel
edit- Pip Williams – producer
- Greg Jackman – engineer
Charts
editChart (1983) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[4] | 11 |
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[5] | 26 |
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[6] | 33 |
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[7] | 26 |
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[8] | 14 |
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[9] | 35 |
UK Albums (OCC)[10] | 15 |
US Billboard 200[11] | 26 |
Certifications
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada)[12] | Gold | 50,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ Connolly, Dave. The Present at AllMusic
- ^ Somay, Errol (27 October 1983). "The Moody Blues: The Present : Music Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 6 June 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ The Present. Albumlinernotes. Accessed February 14, 2024. http://albumlinernotes.com/The_Present.html.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 4335a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Moody Blues – The Present" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Moody Blues – The Present" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Moody Blues – The Present". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Moody Blues – The Present". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Moody Blues – The Present". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Moody Blues Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
- ^ "Canadian album certifications – Moody Blues – The Present". Music Canada.