Kiera said

Two lovers, swept by passion, declare eternal love as they gaze into each other’s blue eyes, but then he screws up - another woman, demanding job - no matter. She has had enough and he is left drowning in a bottle, frantically scrambling for a way to make things right, one day, someday.... With sweet regret he bids farewell to his Western Sky, the new love that shattered the old. Heart in hand and on bended knee he returns to his Eastern Sun, promising to be the skylark to her stream. She agrees to try again: Earth and Sky (Capricorn and Libra?) always on the road to love. Sadly, Earth is a creature as stubborn as she is sensitive. She cannot let go of her hurt, her resentment, much as she would like to, and tensions rise. Love hits the wall. Desperate to salvage his life, he reminds her of what once was, and assures her he wants her now as he did in the beginning, but she is unable to forgive and he soon discovers that it is very cold outside of her heart. Shellshocked, unwilling to believe that someone will not be waiting for him when he comes home, he buries himself in his work, his music. At least his fans have not deserted him, and he takes comfort from walking into the light - it’s a beautiful sight; he feels the love every night coming through. But what you resist persists. The elephant of a disintigrating marriage is still in the room, and in the end, he is left with only a broken dream. He closes the door on his lost love with one last goodbye, vowing to return no more. Yet, hope is not dead - there is that captivating other on the horizon. It may be sin, but, maybe....?

The plot of a romance novel? A chick flick? No, it is the story of Spirits of the Western Sky, the latest solo album from Justin Hayward.

Just when you think no one is listening....an answer to a prayer.

Years ago I begged for something new. I suggested love songs based on the signs of the Zodiac. Well, Justin, you have not given me astrology, but you have given me stars, and sky, and... love songs. Songs, however, which beg the question: how much of an artist’s reality is reflected in his fictions? Not since Songwriter has your work felt so autobiographical. Disturbingly so.

A song is a story set to music. Spirits of the Western Sky is either a masterful,insightful tale of love gone horribly sideways, or it is a heart-wrenching, raw, confession/apology/catharsis/plea – a cry torn from the soul of a blindsided, bewildered and lonely man. I asked for love songs. I got love songs. I should be more careful what I wish for. The audio equivalent of the daisy-plucking game Loves-Me-Loves-Me-Not, this CD should come with a box of tissues, or at least, a warning: do not listen to this record if you are depressed or having relationship troubles. These songs are tragic! Couched in styles ranging from torch to country; tender, bittersweet, sad, yearning, exultant (who knew a man could experience such complex, conflicting emotions without exploding?), from the “I screwed up” remorse of One Day, Someday to the devastation of Broken Dream borrowed from The View From The Hill, the rapture of new love, forbidden love, lifelong love; the heartache of right woman, wrong place, wrong time; the agony of losing what might have been – should have been; every twist love might take is laid out here in jagged, gaping wounds. If you are exposing your own life in this work, Justin, my heart breaks for you.

That said, this is easily your most delicately crafted, carefully thought out, meticulously executed solo album to date. So painstakingly constructed the intensive labour, the honed expertise behind it appears effortless, the seams, invisible, Spirits of the Western Sky is a must have in any Haywardian's collection. I assume you chose the evocative, intriguing title for its tell-me-more factor, as your metaphoric, open-to-interpretation track The Western Sky is neither the chart topping single of the album, nor, in context, anyway, related to the mystical, philosophical theme its name suggests. I expected songs along the lines of The Voice; Question; The Actor; or perhaps an exploration of Haida Gwaii mythology. I was surprised to find my expectations dashed – but not disappointed.

. One Day, Someday, so confidently THE hit tune it appears twice on the CD, is faintly familiar yet entirely fresh. Reminiscent of Foolish Love and I Know You're Out There Somewhere, which takes a bow as an updated, kicky, techno-pop calling E.T. remix any trendy nightspot D.J. would be proud to play (Way to step outside the box, Justin!) One Day, Someday is the album's show stopper. I find it thrumming through my brain at unexpected (and sometimes inappropriate) moments. I appreciate the nod to your fans in What You Resist Persists, and may I say, too, that “ I'm so glad that I've walked this road with you...into the light, it's a beautiful sight – feel the love every night coming through.”
...Because How You Love Is Who You Are.

Peace out.
Love, Kiera

ps. For those collecting the complete works of the Moody Blues, Ray Thomas has re-released his 1976 solo album Hopes, Wishes and Dreams, which delivers just what it promises. If you missed it the first time around, now is your chance. And Graeme Edge has bound up his own book of dreams in The Written Works of Graeme Edge, authored with drummer Gordon Marshall. Filled with entertaining and informative anecdotes as well as the timeless poetry Moody Blues fans have come to love, this collection is an easy read beside a cosy fire.(Though, next time, Graeme, a spoken word disc included would be a welcome addition to the edition.) I have not found John Lodge's latest efforts yet, but I am still searching. I know it’s out there somewhere....

and (finally)
pps. Under the heading “It May Be Old, But It’s News To Me”:

Where is the last place you would expect to see Justin Hayward singing Nights in White Satin? Cold it be in Rob Zombie’s 2009 remake of Halloween ll?

With the exception of a van crumpling like tissue paper when it hits a cow (c’mon, seriously?) Mr. Zombie’s film is one of the more watchable entries in the horror franchise, featuring ironic juxtapositions of music with action to spin his “love hurts” theme around slasher Michael Myers’ legend. The Moody Blues appear early on in the movie, but watch closely or you may miss the “I love you so I have to kill you” point of their inclusion in the sequence. Enjoy.

Most interestingly vivid individualized perspective--many thanks for sharing it (I jus don't have the time/energy to "write it out and spill it" like that-actually I'm really just too lazy anymore ).
2+12=14

Wonderfully thought out.

I just heard pretty words and music, will go back and relisten with some of these insights, and find out if it means the same to me.

Thank you for sharing.

One should not put up private letters in public places.... they are sure to be read by others. I bet Justin printed it out and tucked it under his pillow.

I have yet to let either head drive me insane. There's always a first time of course. Why, what an impure thought!

2X2X2X11X37 (leslee is welcome to correct me)

Kiera said

I really did not expect anyone to read my letter to Justin. Thanks for responding, and, even though it took little time to compose, you are right - I have WAY too much time on my hands and no life, so I write things like:

God gave men two big heads
to use for ill or gain.
One head is for giving them pleasure,
the other drives women insane.

Lunazure, what IS the prime factorization of 3.256?

wow-google is great! But while I think it can be great I am left with a desolate nagging feeling that it most likely isn't accurate heh heh

http://www.mathwarehouse.com/a.....umber=3256

Kiera-what God gives man and what man THINKS he has been given all too often proves to be two entirely different shades of white

like....was that a letter to Justboy? I thought it was a perspective--sorry for the confusion then....

BSFA you snark, stop that. How did you know I had to google 11X37? Not fair! Yes it IS marvelous, 'cause I pulled the first number totally out of the air. Divide by two I can do, but the last two factors floored me.

So which IS it our beady little eyes are fixated ON with that passionate letter, the big or the little head? BSFA not going to even go there .... a real lady would not mention such disparity if she were truly in love*. Let's not go any further lest we start discussing HOW we know such things!!!

What is there to psychoanalyze? The moon is the feminine, symbol of fertility. The moon is also the imagination, dreams, madness, the darker side of the soul. It is inconsistent and changeable, it is the light in the darkness. It rules the tides of emotion and waters of life. Etc etc............ it is the great mystery.

"Refuge on the hill" an obvious reference to one's ego, feeling of superiority, soaring ecstasy of religious spiritualism. Same as per "stand on the heights" in "Western Skies"

"Fall from the Heavens" might be a Biblical reference in Revelations, don't quote me on that.

The rest of it just sounds like a dude in love.... I sing it a lot too. Not to sound too cavalier, but it's a pretty obvious song IMHO. Perhaps the melody is getting to you. Good luck finding someone to analyze THAT. I don't WANT to analyze it!

One day I want to make a water harp out of bamboo..... [musing tone]

*It's not the size of the prize, it's the angle of the dangle.

Egad.... the sun underneath. Reminds me of one of Freud's patients. I like it. Don't get burned.

Like I say, I don't want to analyze it too much. That spoils it. He's painting with music and words, a lovely picture.

I certainly think love and religion are related, because they both get at the Spiritual, at the Other World that lives behind this one. From a psychiatric point of view, the deeper parts of the brain are being accessed. Love extends into Dreamtime. Either way, both are ecstasies, and both very powerful feelings. Hard to put into words.

I liked your write up, you worked long at it, it was heart felt, and I refuse to analyze it, or the lyrics of the song. I don't think it was psychoanalysis, but it was more a philosophical discussion. Which is fine.

One does not have to live on the Riviera or be a rock star to be flaky in love, that's for sure. Failure in love falls upon the rational and the irrational alike without prejudice.... just an opinion.

yes you did. It's all just poetry. I could recite the words to the song in a room of teens and they'd yawn at me.

But I agree, it's lovely.

Under the cans, "Capturevated by You" is even more most excellent. I enjoyed a constant shiver for the light parts, the the parts where the alligators come into the donjon were artistic nonetheless. The girl's voice is pretty. Justin has a lot of personality in his voice - like he's laughing at a lot of inside jokes or wanting to make us think he is. I know, I should get a hobby, but I'm actually doing somebody's (not mine!) back taxes as I dork around here tonight. The right brain is demanding equal time.

Justin describes his songs as "from the heart". I guess if someone wants to post a letter "from the heart" to the world at large, it's her business.

Justin doesn't always check in here, you know.... as per his own report in various interviews. He has a life.

Ah yes gotta watch that transference, projection... and counter projection...