All The Way

Hopefully, this is not the start of a trend! There's an MP3 version of this that is much more like what I would have been happy with on CD. As a lifetime retrospective on CD this skimpy 15-song collection snubs several of Hayward's best songs in favor of including more songs from his latest CD (as of this writing). If a fan has followed an artist's career for many years, he or she will have picked up the most recent releases -- why take up a quarter of a brief anthology with recent material, when there's a wealth of older work that is more coveted, and indeed, as with the case of the long-out-print MOVING MOUNTAINS, unavailable? I hope MOVING MOUNTAINS is eventually released, but for now, one song would have had to do if I hadn't later read the review by Mr. T. Herrmann, who understandably griped about the differences between the CD being offered and the available MP3 downloads. Because of this unknown alternative, I bought the CD for the one song from MOVING MOUNTAINS. So instead of paying for the MP3 alone, which I would have done if I'd checked it, I bought both the CD and downloaded the additional material I didn't already have on CD -- for more money (thankfully, the CD, in this case, is cheaper -- it was more money for me because I selected the MP3 tracks a la carte, already owning most of the additional material).Readers heed my advice and just download the MP3. The CD has very little information in the notes, just a brief essay about Hayward, and not especially good photography or graphic design. The song listing has dates but no identification of the source (album, single, live performance). There are a handful of tracks I've never heard and which are not on any CD I own a copy of, so that is this collection's one saving grace. Before I go further, I want to comment: this kind of trickery not only forces collectors to spend more money, it seems to be another effort by the industry to force us all into streaming music. CDs are likely on their way out. As an avid music collector who wants not just the music, but information and a physical object, plus artwork as a bonus, I'm very disturbed by the current trends. When the larger system breaks down, there will be nothing to show -- it's all in the ether now, and we will be throwing our hard-earned bucks at something that could vanish at any moment. Is our culture and history now as disposable as plastic utensils? I know that nothing is forever, but do we have to RUSH toward oblivion?But back to the subject for review, the CD is a short but fair collection, and this is the only reason I gave it just three stars, because I count myself as a big fan of Hayward's. If I were reviewing the MP3 release, it would be at least four stars. The MP3 is much longer and way better. It's not ideal, but that's a personal assessment. Much of Justin's most important solo material is on the MP3 download version; I might have still taken out a couple of songs from SPIRITS OF THE WESTERN SKY and replaced them with more tracks from MOVING MOUNTAINS (there are a couple more on the MP3 download) -- I was gratified to see "Nostradamus," "I Dreamed Last Night" (w/ John Lodge in what I think may be an alternate mix from the original Blue Jays version), and the charming and unusual "Stage Door," about a young woman's debut on a stage and her parents bursting with pride and anticipation, the chorus making it universal -- "every night is a first night for someone..." The backing vocals, by a young-sounding choir, give the song an unexpected atmosphere that takes the song out of its clichéd theme into a real life experience that every performer knows. I've always loved this track, and it is not on the ALL THE WAY CD.I hope marketing personnel are taking notes: stop with the sales tricks -- be upfront about it and give us a warning! I shelled out the money, but only because I'm a rabid Justin Hayward/Michael Pinder/Moody Blues fan, looking for a complete collection of these musicians' work. Those on tighter budgets BEWARE...

This is probably the most difficult review I've ever written for Amazon. I say difficult, because the music on the CD is excellent (which is the reason for the 5-star rating), but difficult because I might have used other songs to put together Justin's 'best of' CD. Some of these songs I've never heard Justin sing before (Vincent)and there are also very interesting rare tracks, the live "Nights in White Satin" and the full-orchestra version of 'Story in your Eyes'. He does seem to rely on his 2 recent releases..."View from the Hill" and "Spirits of the Western Sky", to fill out this CD. It's also interesting that NOTHING on this CD is from "Night Flight". While NF may not be one of Justin's greatest albums, the songs that HE wrote for the album are great. At least one track from the excellent "Moving Mountains" album is included here..."The Best is yet to come". I guess we should be greatful for that. I'll say what so many people have said before me....Moving Mountains NEEDS to be re-released. It's such an excellent album, and the cost of getting the CD....when you can find it, even on Amazon, is ridiculous.As far as "All the way" goes, it's now difficult to find the 30 track download now that everyone has been talking about (which probably would have been the best format to buy this CD). I'll end my review on a positive note and say, it's good to hear these songs, even from the terrific "Songwriter' album, all from one source.

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS COMPILATION If you have ever heard of "Nights In White Satin", then you know the distinctive voice of Justin Hayward. He has been called many things over the years, but "Troubadour" wraps around this man like the finest vintage wine on earth, and you will feel yourself transported through this man's solo work that he has chosen to represent the course his life has taken from Swindon, UK, to your eyes and ears. Each and every song presented here is representative of the fifty years and more that he has given to his art.Each track can stand on its own as a classic, and I can honestly say there is not one sound of dubbing, electronica and canned "music" that fills the airways today. These songs reflect deep emotional honesty and clarity, and the maturity of a life spent playing huge arenas and stadiums, to smaller and more intimate settings where his timeless voice can take flight as he shares the stage with guitar genius Mike K. Dawes and keyboardist and brilliant artist in her own right, Julie Ragins. You will want to play this CD over and over again, and add it to your list of favorites for years to come. Whatever you do today, buy this amazing CD and relax, open your mind and drift. "The Wind of Heaven" wraps things up in a lovely bow; the theme for an independent movie by David Minasian and follows the story of a war veteran in search of the life he lost. Brilliant.

Some musicians like Bob Dylan and Justin Hayward just get better and better as time goes on. Sure there is sublimating the angst that young people have, like Eminem channeling his hard upbringing into rap, but then there is also accumulating experience and skill more and more the more we go through. Justin Hayward was along with John Lodge the main songwriters for the Moody Blues, and there is something to be said about knowing more than we did when we were young, along with being more capable of writing, playing, and producing good music.

This collection shows the range of Justin Haywards solo work over many decades. Most of the old favorites are here, along with deeper cuts from several solo albums and a fresh look at sone tracks, like Story in your eyes with string quartet. Even if you already own the solo albums, there is something new here. Highly recommended.

The new track "The Wind Of Heaven" is 7 1/2 minutes long allowing it to build and explore Justin Hayward's range. The variation of "Blue Guitar" from that previously issued (thus the 2016 registration) is not large but adds interest to the collection. With several other tracks exceeding five or six minutes one gets good measure. The running order is not chronological but balanced to give a pleasant programme from end to end without the need for adjustments. The selection is well spread over his solo career showing his consistency throughout.

Really pleased with this CD. Good range of solo composition & Moody Blues. Shame that the Moodys don't get as much recognition as they should do...although now being inducted into R&R Hall of Fame perhaps they will be credited with far more in the music world.This is perfect introduction to Justin Hayward. Added bonus that the insert was signed by the man himself. Bargain price for a superb CD.

Very good, what can I say after all these years, only advice that there is a version of 2 CD with 30 songs, some of them different versions, is a limited edition, available in concerts, itunes and justin web, that's why I can't give five stars.

Moody Blues and Justin can't do anything wrong, in my opinion, Moodies been my Favourite band since the 60's.

Can only say excellent CD from Justin Hayward with great selection of tracks with superb guitar and band backing his version of Vincent is nice, only slight thing is the small text on sleeve notes but that is problem with many CD's.