The View from the Hill - Justin Hayward

Listener Comments

Thu, 26 Jun 1997 Gayle Shull wrote to us :

Well, I am a Justin Hayward 'Junky'. I have been in love with Justin Hayward music since I was 13 years old. He has touched every emotion I have ever had at one time or another, and that is a fix that I don't want to give up, ever. My two daughters (now 20 and 23 years old) grew up listening to Justin songs and have been to see the Moodies at least 10 times with me. It has been my dream for 30 years to meet this man that has captured so much of my life, and on July 13th, 1997 the three of us will FINALLY have that pleasure... as we will attend Justin's solo concert in Alexandria, VA. We can hardly wait!!!

When I purchased the CD, View From The Hill, I took it home and sat down to read the lyric sheet, like I always do first. I read things that just did not sound like typical "Justin Hayward" lyrics, and I immediately felt some disappointment. Fortunately, I did not let that deter my listening to the CD, and put it in the machine. Was I ever SURPRISED! By the second song, I was in tears.... listening to "Broken Dream". It was so personal and beautiful. As the rest of the songs played I ran through emotion after emotion. There is so much JOY in this album. No situation has to be hopless! And of course, the talent of this special man just grows and grows with time. Justin, I hope you never stop making music. My life would definately not be the same.

Gayle Shull Email ID: tdc012@techcom.net
I'm 45 years old, and a Documentation Specialist for Information Technologies Solutions in Petersburg, Virginia. I love listening to the Moody Blues, Justin Hayward, and James Taylor.

April 5, 1997 : Justin's BEST work since the early Moodies. Broken Dreams especially captivates me, sending me back in time. It is one of those songs I can repeat over and over and over.........and still feel like the first listen. The whole album is fantastic. From Stephen, a happily married, productive, 46 year old lifetime Moodies fan.

On January 27, 1997 John C. Kotwicki wrote to us and said "Justin's music is so fulfilling. I just received TVFTH for Christmas,and am listening to it for the, um, tenth time! If I had to play one album for a friend to demonstrate to them why I love the music this man creates it would be this one. His voice, his words. An earlier listener likened this album to traces of Brian Wilson. I too agree. FYI, in Brian's 1988 solo album he gives thanks to both Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Incidentally, I was a 10 year old who "happened" to hear my older brother playing "Seventh Sojourn" in 1978. I've been hooked ever since. I will anxiously await his next creation."

12/31/96 George Saar commented : "I enjoyed Mr. Haywards' current album. Having listened to it at least 30 times, and enjoying it more each time, I agree with your review that it is a fine "easy to listen to" album. It is his best solo effort to date. Liked all of the songs.

"I've been a fan of the Moodies and particularly Justin hayward's for around 26 years now. I enjoyed "War of the Worlds" where his "Forever Autumn" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad.

"Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to Annie Haslam's solo album where "When Angels Cry" is a track. It's pure Justin in its simple melody and sincerity."

George Saar is a Married man, with 2 teenagers, 2 step-teenagers, 2 cats, 1 iguana, and lives on Long Island, in N.Y.

Karl Gleason wrote the following :

11/7/96

Brief autobiography: I'm a long-time Moody Blues fan from the sixties onward, was around the counter-cultural scene in the sixties and currently like a lot of different kinds of music, including the Who, Smithereens, Sting, Julianna Hatfield, Richie Havens, many other artists. As an occupation, I'm a civil engineer, and for hobbies I like to write poetry and draw, and ride my bicycle by myself through the country, or around town with my kids. I'm married with three rapidly growing kids, one who just started college. I grew up in Cambridge Massachusetts, and have lived out west since the mid-seventies.

Well, for my comments on Justin Hayward's latest, I do like it very much. Having grown up on 50's and 60's top-40 radio, and during the sixties on groups like the Moody Blues, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Doors, Love, etc., the song "The Way of the World" is my favorite on the album, as it has that "feel-good" early Moodies sound, full of energy and joy (and commercial potential). Apparantly Justin likes the Smithereens as much as I do, judging from their influence in that particular track. The energy level reminds me of "Its up to you" on the Question album. Other faves of mine are "I Heard It" and "Troubadour." Troubadour is somewhat country, similar to the sound in "Its Cold Outside of Your Heart" on "The Present" LP. I absolutely love the electric guitar chord at the intro to "I Heard It." I guess I lean toward liking the upbeat, more commercial-sounding tracks, which I consider these three to be. "The Way of the World" is particularly eligible for singles release and success, in my opinion.

Justin's voice is better than on efforts in the 1980's. His voice seemed to had gotten somewhat thinner by the late 70's, but seems now to be regaining some of the richness it had in the early Moody Blues albums.

All in all, Justin's approach on this CD reflects a maturing, both musically and personnaly, that many people seem to go through in their forties. I'm 47, and during the last few years have experienced much the same of what I sense Justin has brought to this album. The ballads on the CD highlight that side of Justin. They do strike a chord in me, and I end up liking those tunes almost as much as the more upbeat ones on the CD.

So, I'm glad I bought the CD, and will listen to it 'til the grooves wear out (although on a CD that will be hard to do.)

And then a few days later he wrote...

I sent you some comments on Justins new CD the other day, and after repeated listenings (very enjoyable ones), I have some more thoughts I'd like to send.

At first I liked the more uptempo songs the best (Way of the World, Troubadour, I Heard It). But as I listen I really like the remining songs as well.

"Billy" is excellently produced, arranged, and vocalized, and these qualities convey the classic "Justin Hayward" sound that is so smooth, graceful and original. The feeling is tender, light, loose and flowing, with an underlying energy.

"Its Not too Late" is also a groove. Justin really does have a feel for a good beat. On stage I saw him last in late 1992, and he dances and moves really well, and so does his music.

"Children of Paradise" is very much in the long folk tradition of early acoustic Dylan and Arlo Guthrie, a genre which I've always been fond of.

I have three of Justin's other solo albums (Bluejays, Songwriter and Moving Mountains), and this new one is every bit as good as the others (or better), and represents some very new territory and growth. All in all, the philosophy on it, for me, is to keep the spirit of the 60's alive: the spirit of moving forward to a new land. Not necessarily a new geopgraphic land, but a land of the heart, and living that dream in a collective way with our friends and family, and not just trying to go it alone.

"The View From the Hill is a brilliant and shining effort from Justin. It is one of those rare CDs that is purely golden from start to finish. It reminds me of Justin's sensational "Songwriter" album which stands as the benchmark of greatness for everything else he's done since.

"(Think about it: almost every album has a couple of weak, lack-luster tracks. Very few albums are captivating all the way through. Great ones that come to mind from other artists are "Bookends" by Simon & Garfunkel and "Netherlands" by Dan Fogelberg)

"My choice for song of the year is "Broken Dream". This is probably Justin's most hauntingly beautiful composition since, dare I say, "Nights". It is delicate and powerful at the same time. From the gorgeous vocals to the touching lyrics to the angelic synth and classical guitar, this is a song that reaches deep within you. Anyone who has ever loved and lost cannot help but be swept away. Another masterpiece to cherish from Justin!

"Each time I hear the refrain "Somewhere there's children playing...running with open arms"....whoa...chills...I am gone...

"With "Broken Dream", it seems that Justin has come full circle on the running theme that began with "Your Wildest Dreams" and continued with "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" and "Hope and Pray". Perhaps this is the closure that Justin was searching for and needed to express.

"Listening to "Broken Dream", I can easily visualize Justin standing on the porch of his seaside home, with a glass of wine, watching the sunset reflecting on the waves, deep in his memories and emotions.

"There are so many other shining moments on TVFtH. "I Heard It" is a trademark Hayward track with his unmistakable guitar riffs, irresistible melody, and soul-searching lyrics. "Troubador" is a toe-tapping, finger- snapping delight with superb lead and rhythym guitar work, a great bass-line, and catchy hooks. The bridge harmonies on "hold my hand, let me take you there" remind me of 70's tunes from "America" (Gerry Beckley/Dewey Bunnell). "The Way of the World" has hit potential all over it: a great mix of acoustic and electric guitar rock. "Billy" is a touching song marked by its sincerity and simplicity. There's also an eerie overtone to it. The backing vocals are reminiscent of a Beach Boys/Brian Wilson style. Last but not least, "Children of Paradise" presents Justin at his unplugged best with a lovely song of hope and optimism. A great ending to a wonderful journey.

"The View From the Hill delivers on all levels. It was worth the wait! For Justin Hayward fans, this is a gift and a wish fulfilled. For music lovers everywhere, this is a treat not to be missed."

Allan Waring, Piscataway, N.J. is a 37 years old and who has been a big Moodies fan for over 20 years. He works as a programmer/analyst in the telecommunications industry. In his spare time, he plays acoustic guitar (a "Taylor" 6-string Model 410) and tries to write songs half as good as JH. His other favorite artists of include Dan Fogelberg, Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman, Billy Joel, and Marshall Crenshaw.

"I do like the Moody blues.... On Justin Haywards new album, my favorite song is The Promised Land. I don't know exactly why I like it, but it reminds me of what I'm studying in History."

Erin Nomiyama is 13 and in 8th grade.

"I haven't been this moved by an album since I first heard Days of Future Passed 25 years ago! The melodies are levely and infectious, while the lyrics are dead on. I have had some experience with most of the situations described on the album, even "Billy". I've known 6 people who have committed suicide, and it's not easy on those left behind.

"I certainly hope that this album has an effect on the next Moodies album."

Russ Hicks makes his living at a printing company, but finds fulfillment as a lay minister conducting Sunday morning services at a local nursing home for the past 9 years. Besides the Moodies, he also likes Alan Parsons, Gordon Lightfoot, some Jimmy Buffett, some Pink Floyd, and some james Taylor.

"I knew from the first time that I heard the album that it was great. It took the next listen to make it part of my soul. Everything about the album is perfect. Justin couldn't have put anymore soul into the album than he did. His voice has only gotten better. Being fifty years old hasn't hurt his voice and the arrangments are wonderful. It is right up there with everything else that he has done in the past. A true musician that has taken the knowlegde that he has of writing, arranging and guitar expertice to the highest level. The life-like songs evoked emotions that I didn't even know I had. I liked the album. It was worth the wait."

Kristen Wagner, 22 yr old college student majoring in Physical Therapy, A lover of all music and the Moody Blues!

"Now I'm no music critic, but I know what I like and after 2 complete listens through I absolutely LOVE this album. This is without a doubt the best album Justin has ever put out and as far as I concerned, ranks up there with some of his best with the Moodies. I'm struck by 2 things, first the differing types of music, and secondly the arrangements. There is classic Moody style to dare I say it, "country"!! Living only 50 miles from Nashville I think I can safely say that "Troubadour" has that "sound". As I said previously, the arrangements are outstanding, lots of acoustic guitar and keyboards. Come the 15th, run don't walk to the record store to get this album."

Doug Hodges - a very happily married 41 year old with a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University who operates supersonic wind tunnels.

"Quite simply this is a wonderful, wonderful album. I'm not sure it's as good overall as I thought MOVING MOUNTAINS was, but it's right up there. However, "Broken Dream" is easily Justin's best solo track ever. It is positively haunting. I can't get that song out of my mind. And I don't want to either."

Mike Stafford is a 36 year old security investigator in Atlanta. He is a big fan of Alan Parsons, Midge Ure/Ultravox, & Peter Gabriel's GENESIS. His favourite album of all-time is AVALON by Roxy Music.

Copyrights held by their respective authors. Original text/graphics copyright 1996,1997 Forosisky/Rucker

Last modified on Sunday, September 14, 1997.