Lodge

Lodge

ASIN: B000027ZWU

Track Listings

1. Static

2. Tarmac

3. Repossessed

4. Interstate

5. I Reckon

Lodge,Beaver,Man's Ruin Records,Alternative Metal,Pop,Post-Grunge,Rock

Major Lodge Victory
Average customer rating:

Another Victory for the Gin Blossoms!!

Great Comeback

Almost as good as their first

Great album- great band

VICTORY!

Major Lodge Victory
Gin Blossoms
Manufacturer: Hybrid Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Highway Companion

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Another Fine Day

ASIN: B000G2YD14
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Learning The Hard Way
Come On Hard
Someday Soon
Heart Shaped Locket
The End Of The World
Long Time Gone
Super Girl
Let's Play Two
Curious Thing
Jet Black Sunrise
Fool For The Taking
California Sun

Amazon.com

After a string of hits across the first half of the nineties, the Gin Blossoms disbanded by the decade's end. With the appearance of a greatest hits collection continuing to keep their songs alive, the band did a reunion show that led to a full fledged tour in 2002. Returning to the studio with a dozen new songs, Major Lodge Victory is their first new album in ten years. It's full of guitar hooks wedded to emotionally evocative lyrics ("I promise I won't hurt you anymore" "Mama said your life wouldn't be too easy, that's about the only thing she said at all"), most songs being by band founder Jesse Valenzuela. Robin Wilson's lightly vibratoed vocals have an evocative presence that call to mind Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield anyone?). The band manages to be at once crisp and powerful, occasionally finding grooves to settle into, but never straying far from the dramatic needs of each song. --David Greenberger

Customer Reviews:

Another Victory for the Gin Blossoms!!.......2007-06-21

After ten years of hiatus, the Gin Blossoms return with a new album and the guys do not skip a beat. The Gins have returned and stayed true to their form. The new album picks up right where Congratualtions left off and is simply a home run. The new cd presents many ctachy pwer po tracks such as Long Time Gone, Come On Hard, Super Girl, Learning the Hard Way, and The End of the World. Williams and Vennezula have really produced a nice album and its great to see the guyz back together. Hopefully there is still more albums to come from the Gins in the near future!

Great Comeback.......2007-06-20

Welcome back the Blossoms! This is a reunion album, but the band really doesn't explore any new territory here. It's basically the next Gin Blossoms album, albeit after many (too many) years and a few other musical experiments (Gas Giants to name one.)

Recommended for power pop fans and anyone who remembers the Gin Blossoms heyday.

Almost as good as their first.......2007-05-13

This is a great band and they still rock. This cd is great.

Great album- great band.......2007-04-19

Definately give this album a try- especially with summer approaching. This is pure roll-down-your-windows and crank out feel-good music while driving down the interstate. Although it not- surpringly lacks hits, you won't be disappointed.

Chad Koenig

VICTORY!.......2007-04-15

a victorious return.... as a fan from the ep "up and crumbling" a "few" years? back it is awesome to hear the "gbs" rock again. great melodies and lyrics, as from the start of their career. also their sound remains intact, a tribute to their lost band member indeed! every tune begs for another listen... so after a break it's all good! would love to see a tour!

Average customer rating:

Magical Beauty in Pure Moodies Fashion
mellow, melodious, lush and lyrical treasure of sound
Blue Jays
Where's the SACD ?
The Mood of the Forbidden Album

Blue Jays
Justin Hayward , and John Lodge
Manufacturer: Polydor / Umgd
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The View from the Hill
The Present
Seventh Sojourn
December
Songwriter

ASIN: B000001F6P
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

This Morning
Remember Me (My Friend)
My Brother
You
Nights Winters Years
Saved By The Music
I Dreamed Last Night
Who Are You Now
Maybe
When You Wake Up
Blue Guitar

Customer Reviews:

Magical Beauty in Pure Moodies Fashion.......2007-07-01

This CD is an incredible masterpiece. There is not one track that I don't like - - and most of them I LOVE. Seriously. Justin's and John's vocals are strong, soulful and thought provoking.

I've only had this CD for a few weeks. I now listen to it every single morning before going into work. It's inspirational to me and helps me start my day on a thoughtful note.

As I said previously, I really love each and every track. My personal favorites are Remember Me (My Friend), You, Nights Winters Years, I Dreamed Last Night, Maybe. Those are the songs that stand out for me....PLUS a special note about Saved by the Music:

This song is beautiful and more upbeat. I fell in love with it - but wasn't sure about the chorus. Simple and to the point. I want you to know, after hearing it 3 or 4 times, I started going to work humming this song to myself. Couldn't get it out of my mind. This song has a different twist and I, too, LOVE this track.

Justin and John, in a way, are made for each other. If you believe in destiny, this is it, folks.

mellow, melodious, lush and lyrical treasure of sound.......2007-05-13

Fabulous. I've had it for weeks now and am still playing it on repeat and liking it more and more. I like the Moody Blues a lot across all the decades, but somehow never heard of this one until Amazon targeted it to me. This is a mellow, melodious, lush and lyrical treasure of sound. No bad songs on it.

Blue Jays.......2007-03-17

Like the Moody Blues? This is an album I owned and considered their best. Was a spin off group from several of their most talented members. Excellent quality

Where's the SACD ?.......2007-02-16

I agree wholeheartedly with the other reviewers-this is the best of the solo Moodies ventures of the '70's...And here's the kicker-It was briefly available as a Quadraphonic 4 channel reel-to-reel tape, just as all the Moody Blues albums through "Seventh Sojourn" except "Magnificent Moodies" (1st LP) and "In Search of the Lost Chord" (3rd LP) were. Well, ALL the Moody multi-channels have been re-issued as SACDs, so where's the re-issue in 5.1 of "Blue Jays" ? We need to make some noise, fellow fans, because THIS ALBUM WAS THE BEST MULTI-CHANNEL RELEASE by ANY artist I'VE EVER HEARD ! No, I'm not imagining it was, you see, I still own my 4-channel tape deck and all my 4-channel tapes ! I can assure you that you haven't really heard this awe-inspiring masterpiece in the way it was really intended until you've heard it in discrete surround sound. It is the sonic jewel of my entire audio collection ! Indeed, it is my favorite Moody Blues release-including all Moody Blues albums-that is the power it has in multi-channel ! Polygram, LET'S SEE THIS RE-ISSUED ON 5.1 SACD or 5.1 DVD-audio, please !

The Mood of the Forbidden Album.......2007-02-04

This is the Mood without the rest of the Blues.

I purchased this album on cassette tape when I was in Norway on an LDS mission. To a Mormon missionary, rock and roll music was verbotten! It didn't matter if it was the most gorgeous and beautiful Rock ever performed, it was Forbidden Fruit! Yet the allowed music.. The Carpenters, Bread and Mormon 'Tablenapkin' Chior music never fit me! Come to think of it, that Mission never fit me!

Back then, I was engrossed and enthralled by the Blue Jay's style of serious MOOD rock! I still am!

If you like The Moody Blues, you will LOVE to add this one to your collection!

Average customer rating:

Dynamic Duo is Heavenly!
Where's the SACD ?
Two of the Moody Blues
Blue Jay Way
Can't believe no-one has reviewed this album before!

Blue Jays
Justin Hayward & John Lodge
Manufacturer: Umvd Import
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Moody Blues: Classic Artists

ASIN: B00013YQ7Y
Release Date: 2004-05-17

Tracks:

This Morning
Remember Me (My Friend)
My Brother
You
Nights Winters Years
Saved By The Music
I Dreamed Last Night
Who Are You Now
Maybe
When You Wake Up
Blue Guitar (Bonus Track)

Album Details

Digitally Remastered Edition of the 1975 Extra Curricular Duo Album from the Two Leading Lights of the Moody Blues. Includes the Single "Blue Guitar" as a Bonus Track.

Customer Reviews:

Dynamic Duo is Heavenly!.......2007-06-07

Okay folks, I'm not going to even bother with trying to wax all eloquent on this review. Considering the subject matter- the great Blue Jays- I wouldn't know how to anyway. If you don't like gushy, mushy females then I urge you to stop reading this RIGHT NOW. I'm just gonna spell this out real plain and simple like: For a gal like me who is absolutely and totally smitten with both Justin Hayward and John Lodge(espec. JL) this album is just pure, unadulterated, sheer HEAVEN!!!!

Let's face it: these two supremely talented men were fated to sing, write and play their great music together, whether as part of the Moody Blues or as a duo. I really appreciate how Hayward and Lodge (even their names sound good together!) both complement and contrast one another on so many different levels. One man is all light and innocence, almost too pretty. The other one dark and mysterious, dangerously sexy. The rocker and the balladeer. The soaring guitar and the funky bass. When J & J join their so different voices in harmony there is nothing else quite like it. I love how their vocals weave and blend together so seamlessly, almost effortlessly. No one else sounds like them and let's be totally honest here: Hayward and Lodge, for the most part, are the phenomenal sound of the Moody Blues.

I really have tried my best to listen to this record with a critical spirit, wanting to find some flaw but I simply haven't found one yet. I have analyzed the songs, picked them to death, and still they remain perfect. There simply just isn't a bad track to be had, not even one.
I am hard pressed to name my favorite song as they are all so very great. If I could only pick two(impossible to pick just one) to take with me on a deserted island, then it would have to be 'Blue Guitar' and 'Remember Me, my Friend'. But I also love the hauntingly beautiful 'Maybe', the type of song that John's ethereal-sounding voice is just custom-made for. For me to comment on each song would be, quite frankly, fruitless and a tad boring, as I would only be repeating myself ad nauseum. To sum them up in a nutshell: all 11 songs on this CD were beautifully written/sung by Hayward and Lodge, aka Blue Jays.

If you are a fan of The Moody Blues you will appreciate the Blue Jays. If you are a Justin Hayward lover, then you will treasure this album. If you are an admirer of John Lodge, then this will give you one more reason to do so.

Where's the SACD ?.......2007-02-16

Two of the Moody Blues.......2005-10-30

Let's start with the basics. This album was released while the Moody Blues were on hiatus, trying to decide whether they had things to contribute musically individually versus as a group. This album was recorded in the mid-70s, and it sounds like mid-70s soft rock. The music sounds very much like the Moody Blues, though not quite, since the talents of Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge are missing. So while there is no mistaking that this album is by members of the Moodies, it is still not quite the same.

What characterizes the songs on this CD the most are the harmonies. Justin Hayward and John Lodge have always harmonized well, and those harmonies are exploited for full effect on this album. Listen to "You," "My Brother," "I Dreamed Last Night" and "Who Are You Now" and you will see what I mean. These two are masters of mellow rock.

In fact, if you are looking for a romantic evening in front of the fire place with your favorite guy or girl, and a bottle of wine, and are looking for listening music, not talking music, pop this in, turn out the lights, and listen. This music will make you so mellow and feel so good that you'll not want to move, except for cuddling, of course!

This album was recorded with the fully matured voices of Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Their voices alone could have carried any of these songs. The songs are well performed, giving musical credence even to the weakest of lyrics on this album. Conversely, when the lyrics match well with the music and either or both of their voices, the songs are unstoppable. It's almost a good thing that this pair didn't record more albums separate from the Moody Blues because I'm not sure the world was ready for that many blues songs with so much feeling.

Bonus! This album includes Justin Hayward's solo song "Blue Guitar." The tone of this song fits well with the rest of the album, and helps to extend the length of the album to better make use of the time available on a CD, recalling that "Blue Jays" was originally recorded on vinyl. Furthermore, having "Blue Guitar" at the end makes you wish the album wouldn't end, so you have to go back and play it over again. Or pop in a Moody Blues album.

Do you like the Moody Blues, particular from the classic years? Do you like the songs John Lodge and Justin Hayward (who has one of the most unique voices in rock/pop music, ever)? Do you like mellow or romantic rock music? Why are you still reading this review? This album is excellent.

This album is one of at least two versions available. Since the prices and features vary between albums, you may wish to determine what is available before buying.

Blue Jay Way.......2005-03-29

I was so glad to see this in CD form -- my record LP of "Blue Jays" was long lost in the '70's. Unlike so much, this was as I remembered it, romantic and lush. Nobody does nostalgic longing better than Justin Hayward. "Nights Winters Years" seems a little over the top to some, to me, its just original 7 producer Tony Clarke giving the song a deserved cosmic treatment. "This Morning", "Saved By the Music" and the haunting "Blue Guitar" are among the standout tracks, but every song on this CD is memorable and well produced.

This CD is in my all time top 10.

Can't believe no-one has reviewed this album before!.......2005-03-26

Possibly a biased view from an old and long-time fan both of these guys as a group and individually:

A beautiful contribution by Justin and John to the MB's collection of music. A little sad, but they ARE the BLUE Jays! Like most of their music it may take a little listening to get used to, but take the time. "I dreamed last night" and "Who are you now" are my special favourites - just listen to those strings!

I have heard comments that the orchestration is overblown and the songs sometimes pretentious - everyone is entitled to their opinion. The Moody Blues make life just that much more worthwhile.

Average customer rating:

Blitzkrieg Metal Masterpiece!
This is pure metal!!!
Great Metal.
Found this band by accident.
PREPAIR FOR WAR!!!

Primo Victoria
Sabaton
Manufacturer: Black Lodge Sweden
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00077CYIW
Release Date: 2006-11-27

Tracks:

Drimo Victoria
Reign of Terror
Danzer Battalion
Wolfpack
Counterstrike
Stalingrad
Into the Fire
Purple Heart
Metal Machine

Album Description

Up and Coming Classic Metal stars Sabaton Deliver their second album of world class melodic power. Black Lodge. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Blitzkrieg Metal Masterpiece!.......2006-12-04

I also am a long time metal and industrial music fan and this blows most bands away! I found this band by accident and I am amazed that no commercial radio station has ever played this stuff- why? It is as good if not better than most Metallica or Iron Maiden or Judas Priest and on par with them.

This is pure metal!!!.......2006-06-21

An absolutely fabulous album by Swedish band Sabaton. This album does not really have any weak points as the guitars are brilliant, the drumming extremely heavy and tight, and the vocals sound excellent. If you should compare Primo Victoria to anything I would say maybe a little like Jag Panzer at their best with a little Manowar (Kings of Metal era) thrown in. A must buy for all metal fans.

Great Metal........2005-08-12

This C.D. is simply BRILLIANT.Don't take my word for it,just look at the other rave reviews!I can't wait for their next one.I discovered them in the music section of www.download.com.You can sample/download mp3 a few tracks there.

Found this band by accident........2005-06-12

Recently, I found this free mp3 site (which shall remain nameless) that seems to cater to up-and-coming bands or solo musicians, or old bands that may have drifted off into oblivion in all genres. Anyway, I ran across a listing for Sabaton in their Heavy Metal section. They had four songs for download. Two of which are from this album: Primo Victoria and Panzer Battalion. The other two supposedly from their first album that has apparently never been released.

So I downloaded all of them and played "Primo Victoria" first. WOW! What a catchy tune. First as a previous reviewer said, the chorus is very moving and gets you going for the rest of the song..."Through the Gates of Hell/As We Make Our Way to Heaven/Through the Nazi Lines/Primo Victoria!"

One thing that I feel is important on whether or not I like a band is the quality of their vocalist. If the band doesn't have a good vocalist, then no matter how the instrumentals are, the vocalist can kill a band. Sabaton has a great singer. He has a gravely voice, yet it's clean. Not quite death metal growlings, but close.

One thing I find interesting about this band is from what another reviewer said that the ages of the members are in their early 20s. On that mp3 site, they have a pic of the band and they look much older than that. I'm 31 and these guys appear to be at least in their late 20s. But anyway, that's neither here nor there.

So, if you live good heavy metal, and don't mind or even prefer what's known as Scandinavian metal, then you might want to pick up this album from Sabaton.

PREPAIR FOR WAR!!!.......2005-04-23

REVIEW #1: SABATON - Primo Victoria

01. Primo Victoria
02. Reign of Terror
03. Panzer Battalion
04. Wolfpack
05. Counterstrike
06. Stalingrad
07. Into the Fire
08. Purple Heart
09. Metal Machine

Time 41:10

All you fans of bands such as Grave Digger, UDO, Running Wild, Manowar and the like should immediately grab your war helmuts and report for duty. Your new heavy metal idols have arrived!!!

Primo Victoria is apparently Sabaton's second release but the first real serious effort enlisting a big time production. This release is a concept album about world war 2. Thankfully a great backdrop for this type of music. What we have here is very polished on the one hand with humungous and extremely great sounding chorus lines but with a lead singer that is coming from the Grave Digger, UDO harsh vocal mold but not quite into the death metal realm. This is honest heavy metal played in your face and with all the freshness you do not get from the typical hords of Hammerfall/Helloween clones.

The album start off with a the stunning title track and rarely misses a beat the whole way through. Panzer Batallion, Wolfpack, Into The Fire, Metal Machine. They all smoke in a huge, heavy metal way. The album playing time is a bit short at only 40 minutes but there is no interludes or wasted space and the production is jam packed and well done.

If I have to be honest, this is an album that simply put cannot me missed by any true metal fan. Anyone claiming to be a fan of Classic Heavy Metal, True Metal or Power Metal that does not own a copy of this release, simply put, is a looser. It may not be the best album in your collection but it is one you will wield with a tremendous sense of pride.

9 of 10 Skulls
Buy Or Die!

Average customer rating:

Head Banger Heaven
Power metal...with a different voice

Attero Dominatus
Sabaton
Manufacturer: Black Lodge Sweden
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FVR5PW
Release Date: 2006-08-09

Tracks:

Attero Dominatus
Nuclear Attack
Rise Of Evil
In The Name Of God
We Burn
Angels Calling
Back In Control
Light In The Black
Metal Crue

Customer Reviews:

Head Banger Heaven.......2007-04-17

This is their second album along the same lines as their first Primo Victoria which I think is better.There is a sense of deja vu about this one:some of the tunes are remarkably similar to those on Primo.That said this still is a very enjoyable listen.The lead vocalist has that gravelly voice usually associated with Louis Armstrong[remember him?].A unique voice in metal I think.I like the sound which suits the type of "military metal" that these guys seem to specialise in.The drums are real heavy and you feel the need to keep turning up the volume so that by the end of it you find yourself prematurely deaf and your house has slipped a bit off it's foundations.Great stuff though.Keep em coming guys.It would be interesting to know what a non military album would sound like.I can't imagine it somehow.I'm suprised that this band seems to be so little known.These guys converted an old guy like me to metal in the first place.Theirs was the first metal album I ever bought in my life and now I can't stop buying the stuff.That's a recommendation!

Power metal...with a different voice.......2007-03-16

Basically there is nothing to special about Sabaton. But it is nice to hear a power metal band not have high vocals for a change, not that I mind either way. His voice takes some getting used to, but once you hear their chorus' you'll forget about it. THAT is why I like this band, they have Ultra-catchy epic chorus'. And the songs are all about WW1-WW2, all modern war, and warfare. Its pretty cool stuff. So in conclusion, the music is typical, but It is worth checking out for subject material and the refrains.

Average customer rating:

John Lodge is a 'Natural'
simply awful
a sad affair--what's with John's AWFUL vocals on here?
Moodies Fan from the Beginning
A masterpiece

Natural Avenue
John Lodge
Manufacturer: Msi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000006ZU4
Release Date: 2000-05-30

Tracks:

Intro to Children of Rock & Roll
Natural Avenue
Summer Breeze
Carry Me
Who Could Change
Broken Dreams, Hard Road
Piece of My Heart
Rainbow
Say You Love Me
Children of Rock & Roll
Street Cafe

Customer Reviews:

John Lodge is a 'Natural'.......2007-06-26

Writing this review of 'Natural Avenue' is both easy and difficult for me. It's easy because I love John Lodge's music and want others to know what a great talent this man is. At the same time, it's also difficult because I want to be as objective as possible. That can be almost impossible to achieve when you're a die-hard John Lodge fan, like I am. I will try to side-step my bias and give as honest an assessment as I possibly can.

I recently obtained this CD and I must say John's only (sadly so) solo effort is a terrific piece of work that deserves- and needs- to be heard by a wider audience. While all the songs on Natural Avenue are very good, I will freely admit that there were a couple that didn't really "touch me" as well as the others did. The main reason being that there are two outstanding songs on this CD that are so vastly superior, the other perfectly good songs get lost in their giant shadow. But there were honestly no songs that I like to call "skipper-overs", either. Contrary to what some other reviewers have said, John's light, airy, almost ethereal voice is in fine form and didn't sound like he'd "blown it out" at all- quite the opposite, in fact. I can't see how these nice folks listened to the same album as I did and drew that conclusion. Apparently they totally skipped over selections 9 and 12- the CD's two supreme stand-outs. On several of the songs, John's voice is very strong, clear, and spot-on perfect. John also shows some great vocal range, in utilizing a lower register that I had never heard from him before. I'll admit that on a couple of tunes, John didn't get into nearly enough "falsetto mode" for my taste, as I so love to hear him sing that way. But I can't always expect him to go all Barry Gibb on me, after all. The few seconds John did use it left me desperately wanting to hear more.

'Natural Avenue' is one of the two or three songs that didn't resonate with me that deeply. However, I don't FF thru it on my CD player either, as it's still a good song and worth listening to. The music, tempo, melody and lyrics are all fine and good, the hard-drivng boom chick a boom sounding very Cash-like. But there is a little something about the song that was lacking for me. At the very end, during the last two chorus parts, John did use his falsetto- albeit very briefly, but it was so faint due to the fade-out that I could barely hear it. Perhaps this is why I responded this way about this tune- my ears feel rather cheated.

'Summer Breeze' is a pretty, airy tune that invokes the spirit and feeling of it's title very well. This is the kind of song that one listens to while lying in a hammock and sipping one of those "little umbrella" drinks on a lazy, warm Summer day. The music is just lovely and John's soft vocals match it perfectly.

'Carry Me' was written for John's son Kristian. It is a beautiful song- without being too syrupy-sweet or overly sentimental. John manages to convey his feelings to his son in such a way that is timeless and ageless and speaks to that relationship at any stage in their lives. This is a song that a man can truly apppreciate, without any of the "chick song" factor.

'Who Could Change' is a well-done love song conjuring up images of a man on his knees, trying so hard to convey the deepest parts of his heart to the woman he loves. John's soft voice and poignant words sound pleading and urgent without being desperate or over-dramatic. Again at the end, Lodgey teases/tortures me with a tiny bit of that fab falsetto.

'Broken Dreams, Hard Road' is another one that "lacked a little something" for me, but again, it's not one to turn off either. The song sounded off-balance somehow with the dramatic tempo change- that's the best way I can describe it. The orchestral arrangement and lyrics are fantastic, and John sounds great vocally. Perhaps a different melody change-up would have made all the difference.

'Piece of my Heart' will not rank very high on the rather large list of my favorite songs of John Lodge. It is my least favorite on the CD but it's not so bad that I can't listen to it. I am a bit confused about the nature of the breakup/relationship in the song and it threw the whole thing off-kilter for me. The music and John's vocals sound fine but the lyrics left me puzzling over the possible existence of a love child.

In 'Rainbow' John sometimes walks a very fine line between being lovingly sentimental or downright mushy, something his Moody mate Justin Hayward has been often accused of as well. John manages to pull it off on the side of good taste with lyrics like these: "Make my life the morning, A promise for today. Break my heart or let me in, But do it, right away."
A really good song.

'Children of Rock 'n' Roll' is flavored heavily with the influences of some of John's childhood rock heroes. I wouldn't have been surprised at all to hear Buddy Holly's voice coming from my speakers. I have to confess that this song let me down- but only just a wee, tiny bit. I was so hoping John would rock me hard on this number. He almost gives me all I want- but not quite. I suppose I am just too spoiled by his earlier, classic rockers "See- Saw" and "Singer". Still I thoroughly enjoy this one.

John redeems himself oh so well with "Street Cafe", a rockingly fun and catchy tune. I love the hard-driving tempo of the great sounding music and the almost playful, coy way John sings it. This one frankly just makes me feel good, and Johnny Rocker gave it to me really good this go-round.

'Threw it all Away' is the last song on the CD but is being reviewed out of order on purpose. This beauty would be my absolute, hands-down favorite song from this album if not for the presence of the very last song in my review. It would also be my new favorite ballad of Lodge's as well, outranking 'Lean on Me' quite easily. Darn it, that's a shame because this song is truly a stunner. When I first heard John's low, almost growling voice, I was quite taken aback, but in a good way. I had no idea the man's vocal cords could produce sounds like this. WOW! is all I could say at the songs opening. (Why John doesn't sing like this more often is a huge puzzle to me- his lower vocal range sounds sooo very good!) The lyrics, musicianship and melody are truly stellar as well. The backing singers are also fantastic. Note to Moodies: find these talented women STAT and hire them ASAP for your tours. And John, add this one to the set list- please! 'TIAA' is John Lodge in a way I have never heard him before and he is just amazing.

I am being very literal here when I say that I had to save the best for last. "Say you Love Me" is the CROWN JEWEL of this CD, and quite possibly his best ballad. This gem blew me away upon the first hearing and I love it more with each new listen. I can listen to it repeatedly and never tire of it. This is possibly the best thing John has penned or sung in the last 30 years. My gosh, what an incredible piece of work this song is and it alone is well worth the price of the whole CD. If I let it, 'SYLM' is well on it's way to becoming my all-time John Lodge composition- and that's saying a whole heck of a lot! This song is quite simply extraordinary on all levels. The lyrics, melody and music are all superb. The heavy orcehestration mates so well with John's vocal performance without being overwhelming at all. John's poignantly beautiful words and the incredible way he sings them touch me like no song has in a very, very long time. No, John didn't use falsetto- nor did he need to; the song is just perfect without it. His voice is at times so achingly raw and bare, and the beautiful music makes you feel this song deeply, to the bone. John REALLY needs to sing this one in concert. I could go on and on ad infinitum about this gorgeous song. Way to go John- tres magnifique!

I am so very glad I bought 'Natural Avenue' and didn't listen to all the negative reviews. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a beautiful piece of artwork from John Lodge, and that would be a huge loss to my spirit and soul. I sincerely hope this review will prompt someone to get 'Natural Avenue' and discover this often over-looked(and under-appreciated) member of The Moody Blues. John Charles Lodge is such a multi-talented singer, songwriter, and musician; he's not "just a bass player". Let your lives be enriched by his beautiful words and music. It would be a shame if you didn't.

simply awful.......2007-02-16

I bought this album when it first came out on vinyl. it was awful then and is awful now. the lyrics are trite and shallow, the melodies are lackluster, the orchestration syrupy and John's vocals are atrocious. John is a fine writer of rock, a commendable bassist and a solid member of the MBs but as a solo act, especially trying to write ballads or love songs, a complete wash. SAVE YOUR MONEY. he and Justin should do another Blue Jays album. Its songs have worn quite well over the years.

a sad affair--what's with John's AWFUL vocals on here?.......2005-06-16

During the Moody Blues' break in the `70s, Ray Thomas released 2 solo albums, and as for Justin Hayward, John Lodge, and Mike Pinder, they each released one solo album apiece. Justin Hayward & John Lodge also released the "Blue Jays" album as a duo, & Graeme Edge worked with the Graeme Edge Band. Lodge's lone solo album to date is 1977's "Natural Avenue", and it's shockingly weak. It really does sound like Lodge was just making an album for lack of anything better to do, especially since Lodge's vocals are consistently AWFUL throughout the album--just check out his appalling double-tracked vocals on the waltzing "Piece Of My Heart". Frequently, Lodge's vocals are PAINFULLY off-key, not to mention lacking in genuine conviction. You also get TERRIBLE harmony vocals on the title track and "Summer Breeze". Neither before nor after this album did Lodge's vocals ever sounded nearly this bad with the Moody Blues--it's as if he'd blown his voice out and was still in the process of recovering when he recorded his vocals for this album. I mean, seriously folks--he sounds really bad, and only the most blind-sighted, starry-eyed apologist fan would claim otherwise. Like Ray Thomas' 1975 album "From Mighty Oaks", many of the songs on "Natural Avenue" are painfully over-orchestrated. Other woes include the corny woodwinds that get plastered onto the uptempo, bluesy-versed title track, and the amateurish, out-of-place guitar wailing on the fade of "Say You Love Me". The songwriting isn't exactly top-notch either, but again, a large chunk of the blame goes to the ungodly flood of orchestration--"Summer Breeze" and "Carry Me" are sickly-sweet; "Who Could Change" and the incredibly sappy "Say You Love Me" both have bombastic fades. The orchestrated 'rocker' "Children Of Rock 'N' Roll" is incredibly poorly executed and has a line about singing out of tune which is eyeroll-inducingly ironic since John seems to spend more time on this album singing out of tune than in tune. With this album being so appallingly slipshod, it isn't even respectable. This CD version of the album adds 2 additional tracks not on the original vinyl release--"Street Cafe", presumably a non-LP b-side, is yet another weak track; the disc closer "Threw It All Away" sounds like it was recorded much later than the other tracks, and it's a decent tune, though it's slight. It's really a shame that Lodge's lone solo album is such an embarassment--this is exclusively for Moody Blues' completists.

Moodies Fan from the Beginning.......2003-05-23

Although the CD may have been issued in 1997 I have the original Lp issued in 1977. The cover art is by none other than Roger Dean. I think your run of the mill Moody Blues fan would not care for this but a true Moodies fan would. I like a couple of the cuts but the rest are ok. I'm not a song writer nor a professional musician so I believe anyone who can write and make a record happen, hey, hats off!! I believe that the Moodies as a team have the magic that has given them the staying power after all these years. I think this album was an expression of Mr. Lodge going into the studio and laying down some tunes he wanted to do. His best efforts are clearly with his companions that make up the Moody Blues. I wish I had friends like that.........

A masterpiece.......2002-12-07

John Lodge's "Natural Avenue" is really a masterpiece adn filled with emotional, poetic words and terrific harmonies. It's orchestrated in a beautiful way and contains some of the Moodies absolute best songs ever. To me it's among the Moodie's 2-3 best album and John is truly underestimated as a composer and as a singer. I rate this album as no more than a masterpiece. "Carry me" and "Rainbow" is two of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. I truly recommend this CD.

Tracks:

Lonney Toons
Mighty Mouse
Flintstones
Tiny Tots Contest Song: 'Indian People Watch Little Girls Dance!'
Ask Your Mom For Fifty Cents
Intertribal Song
Mickey Mouse
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Bunny Hop
Kuna Matata
Eight Ball Song: Dedicated To Nathan Jim
Monster Mash
Here's Kenny!

Product Description

1. Looney Tunes 2. Mighty Mouse 3. Flintstones 4. Tiny Tots Contest Song- “Indian People, Watch the Little Girls Dance!” 5. Ask Your Mom For Fifty Cents 6. Intertribal Song 7. Mickey Mouse 8. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 9. Bunny Hop 10. Kuna Mutata 11. Eight Ball Song- Dedicated to Nathan Jim 12. Monster Mash 13. Here s Kenny

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto too!.......2004-01-27

Although my daughter is only a year old, she loves bouncing to this music and if she's crying in the car, she calms down immediately. I enjoy the funny lyrics to these songs and am thankful that this isn't the average New Agey, saccharine children't music that fills the shelves. We've purchased this CD for my daughter's non-Indian friends and they love it too.

Mighty Mouse RULES at Acoustic Paradise Independant Radio !.......2003-11-12

I first heard "Mighty Mouse" on " paltalk.com "...My child said "are you gonna put that on your radio station mommy ?" I said "you bet-cha !" I'm so impressed with this arrangement
that I plan to feature it on my online station which will begin
airing on New Years day 2004.
It will be the first song to ever be played on my station -and will be played regularly ! Tune in to(http://www.live365.com/stations/306392?play) to hear this- and other great amazon.com artists! "Kids Pow Wow Songs" is a MUST HAVE in your CD collection ! Three Thumbs Up !!!
Jada Greenway -radio promoter/DJ

GREAT CD.......2003-07-05

I am native american and listening to these songs makes me think of the pow-wows my family and I go to, my niece and little cousins enjoy this cd so much. Thanks black lodge for making something for the whole family.

Your child deserves this CD!.......2002-12-01

I am not a tribal member, but I love this CD. The members of Black Lodge really understand that play is a child's work. By letting them "practice" being adults with fun lyrics, they are developing an interest that may change a child's and a community's future. My first experience with the CD was in a tribal school, but now I'm buying it for my nieces and nephews. I want them to see how culture is just a different way to express lots of things that we all feel and enjoy. And I want them to remember the friends they met while I worked there. Thank you, Black Lodge! And thank you, Amazon, for making it so easy to find.

Pow wow music breaks the stereo-types.......2002-10-28

This is such a wonderful CD! For kids who are native and think pow wow music is for the old folks, think again. For old folks who think pow wow music has to be somber and serious, think again! We love this at our house, and sing the songs often. Anytime someone mentions 'fifty-cents' we can't help breaking into song. Thank goodness for a native CD that's FUN! My favorite is when they sing, "Oh my gosh, it's Mighty Mouse!"

Tracks:

It All Comes Back to Me
Would You Believe?
Recollection
Two Steps Back
Help Me Find Myself
Nobody's Listening
Willow Tree
Forest
I See a Man
Lady's Changing Home
Madeline
Kew Gardens

Album Description

Limited digipak edition of the 1971 album features the original tracks in a special die-cut fold out CD card wallet (which contains no plastic) plus and inserted fold-out poster. Repertoire. 2005.

Album Details

Special Edition Replicating the Original Vinyl Artwork Comes in a Die-cut Sleeve and Includes a Replica of the Original Poster that Came with the Vinyl.

Average customer rating:

Agony Gift of Life
Insania
Manufacturer: Black Lodge
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000PMFUYY
Release Date: 2007-06-11

Average customer rating:

Telephone Love, I finally found you

Tropic of Love
J.C. Lodge
Manufacturer: Tommy Boy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dance Hall | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music

Special Request
Someone Loves You Honey
Love for All Seasons
RAS Portraits
Selfish Lover

ASIN: B000000HHX
Release Date: 1992-01-21

Tracks:

Home Is Where The Hurt Is
Why
Telephone Love
The Prey
Come Again
I Want To Share My Life
Pillow Talk
We've Got To Have Love
Chain Of Love
Higher (Imago Theme)
Love Me Baby
Cult 4 2

Customer Reviews:

Telephone Love, I finally found you.......2003-08-21

I purchased this album exclusively for the song, Telephone Love. I heard it a while back and loved it, but could not find anyone that could tell me the name of the singer. Shabba Ranks made a remake, but it's nowhere near as good as this version. JC Lodge, you rock!

Album Review:

Album Review

Album Review