
Sony - Sony
Jeff Wayne
Release date: 2005-07-05
Audio CD
Album Rock, Disco, Electronic, Original Cast Recordings, Pop, Pop/Rock Music, Prog-Rock/Art Rock, Rock, Rock/Pop Collections, V/a Compilations
1. The Eve of the War
2. Horsell Common and the Heat Ray
3. The Artilleryman and the Fighting Machine
4. Forever Autumn
5. Thunder Child




guys, Im into high end, and this release hits top 10 as far as sound concerned, the material itself I don't need to convince you I reckon if you're here - this is a must to all rock lovers - a stand alone in its realm of musical rock, if you aren't familiar to this piece you'll love it if you like: progressive rock - ELP, jet r, yes, deep purple, - good luck, furthermore the 6 channel option is great too, comparing to many other 6 channel release that really is no worth of getting this cd stands alone in kicking everything 6 channel offers
The main theme is anthem-ic, but isn't that strong. That, and the whistling oscillations are injected willy-nilly and repeated too many times.
The guitar 'riffs' also have no bearing on the story lines. Inserted like many rock recordings, springing up from nowhere trying to show their mastery.
The background effects should have had more metallic.
Justin Hayward's voice is limited in range. If he wrote the lyrics to Forever Autumn then he's lacking in that area too. The images are generic and juvenile. As if copied from the back of a Hallmark Card, or TV commercial.
I guess the lyrics, if are supposed to be the journalist's wife, but could apply to anyone. In the story, the journalist was eager to unite with his wife, but didn't dwell on that level of mush, he was too busy trying to stay alive. He showed as much concern for all of humanity, not just her.
The summer sun is fading as the year grows old
And darker days are drawing near
The winter winds will be much colder
Now you're not here.
I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky
And one by one they disappear
I wish that I was flying with them
Now you're not here.
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
You always loved this time of year
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
Like the sun through the trees you came to love me
Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away
A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes
As if to hide a lonely tear
My lift will be Forever Autumn
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
'cause you're not here
Through autumn's golden gown we used to kick our way
You always loved this time of year
Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now
'cause you're not here.
Reeks of sap that harlequin romance books are printed with.
Thunder child is at least pertinent, but is far too glorious for the doom it is to meet.
The Martians chant, 'Ulla' lacks any alien power to it. In fact, I didn't know what it was until told by a friend.
Ulla . . .? NO-NO-NO. Not sung by some atmospheric choir in a church. If they had to use that word then draw it out, and give it a much deeper and resonating quality. Like:
Uuuuu . . . LLaaaaaaaa. As if coming from inside the tripods, or cylinders.
The musical components are used like tape loops, often blasting out or sneaking in anywhere, along the story. Over and over.
Richard Burton is superb of course. It's hard to top his voice. I was however, surprised to hear him. Wondering throughout, how he liked sharing the stage with the others, or being drown out or interrupted by the mixer on the board. I'd have preferred hearing only him.
Overall, grabs me as pop, not rock. And more disco than both.
This is AIMHO, not meaning to start a riot.
Review-wise, there's nothing I can add to what hasn't already been said. But I have a question. Aside from the fact this has been in production for almost 30 years, this is still a big seller, continues to come out in new versions and presentations, has been performed in public under numerous formats (I actually saw it done in the '80s at Hagar Planetarium in San Francisco) is considered by almost everyone who has heard it as something you Have to have, and recently has been turned into a live stage musical--why isn't this considered an "Amazon Essential Recording"?