On the Threshold of a Dream

On the Threshold of a Dream
Studio album by The Moody Blues
Released	25 April 1969
Recorded	12–31 January 1969 at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	36:59
Label	Deram Records
Producer	Tony Clarke
The Moody Blues chronology
In Search of the Lost Chord (1968) On the Threshold of a Dream (1969) To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
Singles from On the Threshold of a Dream
"Never Comes the Day" Released: 2 April 1969

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	D–[2]

On the Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1969 through Deram Records.

Like the band's preceding two albums, On the Threshold of a Dream follows a concept. It explores dreams, especially on the second side, which climaxes with the "Voyage" suite, inspired in part by Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathrustra. The piece, by Mike Pinder, features mellotron orchestration and flute.

The album begins with a poem accompanied by electronic sounds, and these sounds also appear at the close of the album – vinyl pressings of the album continue the sounds into the album's run-out groove, causing them to play continuously until the record player's tonearm is lifted. Tape and CD album versions employ a slow fade.

On The Threshold of a Dream provided The Moody Blues with their first British #1 album, and also increased their American fortunes by becoming their first Top 20 album there. The album also enjoyed lengthy stays in both album charts. By contrast, its one and only single, "Never Comes the Day", was a commercial flop.

The album was mixed and released in both stereo and quadraphonic. In March 2006 the album was completely remastered into SACD format and repackaged with nine extra tracks. In 2008 a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks.

Original Track Listing

Side One

1. "In the Beginning" (Graeme Edge) – 2:08
2. "Lovely to See You" (Justin Hayward) – 2:35
3. "Dear Diary" (Ray Thomas) – 3:56
4. "Send Me No Wine" (John Lodge) – 2:20
5. "To Share Our Love" (Lodge) – 2:54
6. "So Deep Within You" (Mike Pinder) – 3:07

Side Two

1. "Never Comes the Day" (Hayward) – 4:43
2. "Lazy Day" (Thomas) – 2:43
3. "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" (Hayward, Thomas) – 3:29
4. "The Dream" (Edge) – 0:57
5. "Have You Heard (Part 1)" (Pinder) – 1:40
6. "The Voyage" (Pinder) – 3:58
7. "Have You Heard (Part 2)" (Pinder) – 2:32

2006 SACD Expanded Edition tracks (also 2008 remaster)

Bonus tracks on the SACD version:

14. "In The Beginning (Full version)" (Edge) – 3:28
15. "So Deep Within You (Extended version)" (Pinder) – 3:30
16. "Dear Diary (Alternate vocal mix)" (Thomas) – 4:05
17. "Have You Heard (Original take)" (Pinder) – 3:53
18. "The Voyage (Original take)" (Pinder) – 4:20
19. "Lovely To See You (BBC Top Gear Session 18 February 1969)" (Hayward) – 2:26
20. "Send Me No Wine (BBC Top Gear Session 18 February 1969)" (Lodge) – 2:40
21. "So Deep Within You (BBC Top Gear Session 18 February 1969)" (Pinder) 3:08
22. "Are You Sitting Comfortably? (BBC Live In Concert 17 December 1969)" (Hayward, Thomas) – 3:00

Personnel

• Justin Hayward - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, twelve-string acoustic guitar, cello,
• John Lodge - vocals, bass, cello, double bass
• Ray Thomas - vocals, harmonica, flute, tambourine, oboe, piccolo
• Graeme Edge - drums, percussion, vocals, EMS VCS 3
• Mike Pinder - vocals, mellotron, Hammond organ, piano, cello

Additional personnel

• Phil Travers - cover artwork

Chart positions

Album

Singles

References