Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues (the eighth by this particular line-up), released in 1978, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who left during the album's sessions and declined an offer to tour with the group. He had just started a new family in California, and found that he was not getting along with his bandmates as he previously had. Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1978-1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history. Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke.
The album's title is a musical pun: it references both the notion of an octave; and as a word derived from the Latin octavus it refers to this being the eighth album by this line-up of the Moody Blues (following on from the previous album title Seventh Sojourn). The cover art was designed by artist John Kosh, famous for his work with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, among others.
Octave was considered a departure from previous Moody Blues albums, mainly because of the group's use of lounge-style organs and synthesizers in place of a Mellotron or Chamberlin (Pinder's song "One Step Into the Light" references the Mellotron). Real strings were used on three songs: "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man" (both written by Ray Thomas), as well as "Survival" (written by John Lodge).
Released after a considerable break, which saw The Moody Blues returning in an era of punk music and disco, Octave produced a reduced commercial outcome for the band, but reached No. 6 in the United Kingdom and went platinum in the United States, where the album reached No. 13. The album produced the hit single "Steppin' in a Slide Zone", which hit No. 39 in the US, in addition to "Driftwood".
In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD, with five previously unreleased, live, bonus tracks.
Original track listing
Side One
"Steppin' in a Slide Zone" (John Lodge) – 5:29 (lead singer: John Lodge) "Under Moonshine" (Ray Thomas) – 5:00 (lead singer: Ray Thomas) "Had to Fall in Love" (Justin Hayward) – 3:42 (lead singer: Justin Hayward) "I'll Be Level with You" (Graeme Edge) – 3:48 (lead singers: Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, John Lodge) "Driftwood" (Hayward) – 5:03 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
Side Two
"Top Rank Suite" (Hayward) – 3:42 (lead singer: Justin Hayward) "I'm Your Man" (Thomas) – 4:21 (lead singer: Ray Thomas) "Survival" (Lodge) – 4:09 (lead singer: John Lodge) "One Step into the Light" (Mike Pinder) – 4:29 (lead singer: Mike Pinder) "The Day We Meet Again" (Hayward) – 6:19 (lead singer: Justin Hayward)
The 8-track tape version of this album has the distinction of being one of the few 8-tracks that is arranged exactly like the album, with no song breaks. The original album was released on clear blue vinyl.
2008 CD Expanded Edition tracks (UK) <LI>"Steppin' in a Slide Zone (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Lodge) - 4:57 <LI>"I'm Your Man (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Thomas) - 4:51 <LI>"Top Rank Suite (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Hayward) - 4:28 <LI>"Driftwood (Live in Seattle 25 May 1979)" (Hayward) - 5:02 <LI>"The Day We Meet Again (Live in Houston 7 December 1978)" (Hayward) - 7:16
Personnel
Justin Hayward – vocals, guitars, keyboards
John Lodge – vocals, bass, keyboards
Mike Pinder – vocals, organ, synthesizer, Mellotron, piano, electric piano, acoustic guitar Ray Thomas – vocals, flute, harmonica, tambourine Graeme Edge – vocals, drums, percussion Ted Jensen – mastering
Additional personnel
R. A. Martin - horns, saxophones
Patrick Moraz - keyboards on live bonus tracks
Charts
Certifications
References
The Moody Blues albums
1978 albums
Decca Records albums
Albums produced by Tony Clarke (record producer)