Octave (album)
Encyclopedia
Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues
, 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 also found that he was not getting along with his bandmates as he had previously. As a result of Pinder leaving, Hayward and Lodge were forced to play some of the remaining keyboard parts themselves, 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 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 Chamberlin (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 still performed valiantly, reaching #6 in the United Kingdom and going 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
", which was a smaller success.
In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD with five previously unreleased Live Bonus tracks.
The 8-track tape version of this album has the distinction of being one of the few 8-tracks that is arranged exactly like the album, with no song breaks.
Singles - Billboard (North America)
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn
Seventh Sojourn, released in 1972, is the eighth album by The Moody Blues.In Seventh Sojourn, The Moody Blues used, besides the Mellotron, a keyboard called the Chamberlin, a device similar to the Mellotron created by the original inventor of the device, Harry Chamberlin...
in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
, 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 also found that he was not getting along with his bandmates as he had previously. As a result of Pinder leaving, Hayward and Lodge were forced to play some of the remaining keyboard parts themselves, and Pinder would be replaced by former Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
keyboardist Patrick Moraz
Patrick Moraz
Patrick Philippe Moraz is a progressive rock keyboard player. He is best known as the keyboardist for the progressive rock band Yes, from 1974 to 1976, and the Moody Blues from 1978 to 1991...
in time for their 1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history.
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 Chamberlin (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
Disco
Disco is a genre of dance music. Disco acts charted high during the mid-1970s, and the genre's popularity peaked during the late 1970s. It had its roots in clubs that catered to African American, gay, psychedelic, and other communities in New York City and Philadelphia during the late 1960s and...
, Octave evidenced a reduced commercial impact for the band, but still performed valiantly, reaching #6 in the United Kingdom and going platinum in the United States, where the album reached #13. The album produced the hit single "Steppin' in a Slide Zone
Steppin' In a Slide Zone
"Steppin' in a Slide Zone" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the first single The Moody Blues had released in five years, after the band's temporary hiatus...
," which hit #39 in the US, in addition to "Driftwood
Driftwood (The Moody Blues song)
"Driftwood" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the second single released from the album Octave, after "Steppin' in a Slide Zone"...
", which was a smaller success.
In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD with five previously unreleased Live Bonus tracks.
Side One
- "Steppin' in a Slide ZoneSteppin' In a Slide Zone"Steppin' in a Slide Zone" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the first single The Moody Blues had released in five years, after the band's temporary hiatus...
" (John Lodge) – 5:29 - "Under Moonshine" (Ray ThomasRay ThomasRay Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
) – 5:00 - "Had to Fall in Love" (Justin HaywardJustin HaywardJustin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
) – 3:42 - "I'll Be Level With You" (Graeme EdgeGraeme EdgeGraeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
) – 3:48 - "DriftwoodDriftwood (The Moody Blues song)"Driftwood" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the second single released from the album Octave, after "Steppin' in a Slide Zone"...
" (Hayward) – 5:03
Side Two
- "Top Rank Suite" (Hayward) – 3:42
- "I'm Your Man" (Thomas) – 4:21
- "Survival" (Lodge) – 4:09
- "One Step Into the Light" (Mike PinderMike PinderMichael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
) – 4:29 - "The Day We Meet Again" (Hayward) – 6:19
The 8-track tape version of this album has the distinction of being one of the few 8-tracks that is arranged exactly like the album, with no song breaks.
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 12/07/78)" (Hayward) - 7:16
Personnel
- Justin Hayward - vocals, guitar, keyboards
- John Lodge - vocals, bass, keyboards
- Ray Thomas - vocals, flute, harmonica, tambourine
- Graeme Edge - drums, percussion, vocals
- Mike Pinder - vocals, organ, synthesiser
Chart positions
Album-Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | The Billboard 200 | 13 |
| 1978 | UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
6 |
Singles - Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Steppin' In a Slide Zone Steppin' In a Slide Zone "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the first single The Moody Blues had released in five years, after the band's temporary hiatus... " |
Billboard Hot 100 | 39 |
| 1978 | "Driftwood Driftwood (The Moody Blues song) "Driftwood" is a 1978 single by the English progressive rock band The Moody Blues. It was the second single released from the album Octave, after "Steppin' in a Slide Zone"... " |
Billboard Hot 100 | 59 |