On the Threshold of a Dream
On the Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released in April 1969 on the Deram label.
| On the Threshold of a Dream | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 25 April 1969 (UK) 30 May 1969 (US) | |||
| Recorded | 12–31 January 1969 at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, England | |||
| Genre | Progressive rock | |||
| Length | 36:59 | |||
| Label | Deram | |||
| Producer | Tony Clarke | |||
| The Moody Blues chronology | ||||
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| Singles from On the Threshold of a Dream | ||||
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Content
The album begins with a poem accompanied by electronic sounds, and these sounds also appear at the close of the album – Most European vinyl pressings of the album continue the sounds into the album's run-out groove, causing them to play continuously until the record player's tonearm is lifted. Tape and CD versions of the album employ a slow fade.
Release
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [1] |
| Robert Christgau | D–[2] |
On the Threshold of a Dream was released on 25 April 1969 in the UK[3] and 30 May 1969 in the US.[4] On the Threshold of a Dream provided the Moody Blues with their first British number-one album, and also boosted their American fortunes by becoming their first top-20 album there.
The album, along with the subsequent To Our Children's Children's Children, was among the tapes carried by Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden to the moon.[5]
In March 2006 the album was completely remastered into SACD format and repackaged with nine extra tracks. In 2008 a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Lead vocals | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "In the Beginning" | Graeme Edge | Hayward, Pinder, Edge (narration) | 2:08 |
| 2. | "Lovely to See You" | Justin Hayward | Hayward | 2:35 |
| 3. | "Dear Diary" | Ray Thomas | Thomas | 3:56 |
| 4. | "Send Me No Wine" | John Lodge | Hayward, Lodge, Thomas, Pinder | 2:20 |
| 5. | "To Share Our Love" | Lodge | Pinder, Lodge | 2:54 |
| 6. | "So Deep Within You" | Mike Pinder | Pinder | 3:07 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Never Comes the Day" | Hayward | Hayward | 4:43 |
| 2. | "Lazy Day" | Thomas | Thomas, Hayward | 2:43 |
| 3. | "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" | Hayward, Thomas | Hayward | 3:29 |
| 4. | "The Dream" | Edge | Pinder (narration) | 0:57 |
| 5. | "Have You Heard (Part 1)" | Pinder | Pinder | 1:30 |
| 6. | "The Voyage" | Pinder | instrumental | 3:58 |
| 7. | "Have You Heard (Part 2)" | Pinder | Pinder | 2:32 |
Personnel
- Justin Hayward – vocals, guitars, cello, Mellotron (7)[6]
- John Lodge – vocals, bass guitar, cello, double bass
- Ray Thomas – vocals, harmonica, flute, tambourine, oboe, piccolo, EMS VCS 3
- Graeme Edge – drums, percussion, vocals, EMS VCS 3
- Mike Pinder – vocals, Mellotron, Hammond organ, piano, cello
- Additional personnel
- Pete Jackson – triangle
- Phil Travers – cover artwork
Chart positions
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | UK Albums Chart | 1 |
| Billboard 200 | 20 | |
| RPM Canada Album Chart | 26 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | "Never Comes the Day" | Billboard Hot 100 | 91 |
References
- Allmusic review
- Christgau, Robert (18 September 1969). "Consumer Guide (4)". The Village Voice. New York. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
- "Moody Blues | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- "The Moody Blues – Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- "Al Worden's Apollo 15 Flown Music Cassette Tapes".
- "Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues on His Days of Future Passed (and Present) |". Rockcellarmagazine.com. 28 September 2016. Archived from the original on 4 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
