Valentines Day release for Moody Blues man John Lodge.

CHALLENGING AND MOVING

Love Conquers All is an incredible collection of deeply moving songs. Perhaps not such a surprising statement to herald the release of a set from The Moody Blues lynchpin John Lodge. A set that marks a difficult and challenging period of his life yet still espousing a positive reflection on the world.

That challenge came in the form a what he calls “a Christmas present I didn’t want.” His recovery from the stroke he suffered saw him collaborate with different musicians, and even some family members, on each song that fall under the umbrella that gives the EP its title. Notable contributors include Geoff Downes of YES, Tim Maple, Dave Colquhoun, Ray Nesbit, and Lodge’s 10,000 Light Years Band, as well as his wife Kirsten and son Kristian.

Those personal health struggles, perhaps aided by the sense of perspective that such events can trigger, feed into this collection. We can’t even escape thoughts of the pandemic and lockdowns. In These Crazy Times and The Sun Will Shine, leftovers from that era, are given a new mix. Same picture in a new frame. In both, you can detect the basic arrangement that John must have toyed with at the time. Picture the lockdown scenario. Musicians tinkering away and awaiting the muse to visit. A strident slide guitar adds depth to The Sun Will Shine and there’s a strong Beatle-y melody (and possibly Lennon styled “we can’t do it by ourselves” commentary) to In These Crazy Times.

WISTFUL

The wistful, mournful even, tinges of bottleneck on Sunset Over Cocohatchee Bay offers a genteel overture to proceedings. However, that sense of hope and positivity (and thoughts of Christmas – always a winner) kick in with the title track. One that would be right at home in the McCartney canon, as is Whispering Angels. Building into a wash and rush of strings, all very Moody-esque, it could even head into the anthemic bracket. The latter also features special guest appearances by Yes keyboard man Geoff Downes, guitarist Dave Colquhoun and Ray Nesbit and was co-written with Lodge’s son-in-law, Yes singer Jon Davison. His distinctive higher register features across all tracks.

The EP represents what Lodge calls “a personal journey for me, and very much a healing one.” The healing power of music at work.

Here’s Whispering Angels:

TOUR NEWS

In other news, John is bringing a Moodies classic album to the stage once more – THE MOODY BLUES’ JOHN LODGE – PERFORMS DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED – BRINGING IT HOME:

Sun 6 April    Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham
Tues 8 April    Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester
Wed 9 April    Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow
Fri 11 April    Union Chapel, London
Mon 14 April    St George’s, Bristol
Tues 15 April    G Live, Guildford

John Lodge online: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube / X-Twitter

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