The aptly named Seventh Sojourn hit the streets in 1972. While it is without doubt one of The Moody Blues best albums, it was created during a period of turmoil within the group itself. Five years of basically living together had made relationships a little strained. Sure, they had achieved their goal os success, in fact for one tour they even had their own plane, with the bands name emblazoned on the side.

John Lodge had the following to say:

On our 1973 tour we had our own Boeing 707 aircraft that was decked out with a sitting room and a fireplace. There were two bedrooms, some 20 individual TV’s, sound systems everywhere and we had our own butler……. I had a very empty feeling knowing that things had got this excessive

Seventh Sojourn also marked the retirement of the cranky Mellotron in favor of the American made Chamberlain, a synth device that offered a greater range of musical abilities.

While clearly a studio album, most of the songs were relatively straightforward and reproducible on stage. From a commercial standpoint this album was a huge hit, they finally cracked that coveted #1 spot on the US Billboard charts, and sat in the premier spot for five weeks. In their homeland of the UK it peaked at the #5 spot.

This is probably the most ‘Rock n Roll’ album produced by The Moody Blues, I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band) pretty much sums up the style. I am sure I was with many fans who wondered where the Prog Rock had gone. For me this album lacked the power of some of their earlier works, while it is technically excellent it just didn’t hit the spot for me.

Seventh Sojourn also marked a period of sojourn for The Moody Blues, another record would not be forthcoming for another 6 years. As I recall the band did not even play together between 1974 and 1978.

You can pick up your copy of Seventh Sojourn in better record stores, or online from Amazon.

Simon Barrett

http://zzsimonb.blogspot.com