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Spirits of the Western Sky

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Spirits of the Western Sky
Studio album by
Justin Hayward
Released26 February 2013
Recorded2012
Genoa, Italy
Nashville, USA
LabelEagle Records
ProducerJustin Hayward
Albert Parodi
Justin Hayward chronology
Live in San Juan Capistrano
(1998) 		Spirits of the Western Sky
(2013) 		Spirits... Live
(2014)

Spirits of the Western Sky is a solo album by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues. It was Hayward's first solo album since his 1996 album The View from the Hill.[1]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Classic Rock RevisitedB[3]
Express4/5[4]
Record Collector[5]
Sea of Tranquility[6]

Background

[edit]

The album was recorded in Genoa in Italy and in Nashville. On it, Hayward explores new areas – country and bluegrass on tracks like "What You Resist Persists", "Broken Dream" from The View from the Hill and "It’s Cold Outside of Your Heart" from The Moody Blues' 1983 album The Present.

Orchestration on the album is by Anne Dudley, an English composer and pop musician who has worked in both classical and pop genres. She is particularly known as a core member of the synthpop band Art of Noise, and as a film composer.

Hayward co-wrote the song "On the Road to Love" with Kenny Loggins. The two artists were both on the road at that time and they were staying at the same hotel. Loggins also plays and sings on the track. [7]

The bluegrass cover track of "It's Cold Outside of Your Heart" was originally recorded for and released on the 2011 bluegrass tribute album Moody Bluegrass TWO...Much Love.[8][9]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Justin Hayward unless otherwise noted.

  1. "In Your Blue Eyes" - 4:09
  2. "One Day, Someday" - 4:24
  3. "The Western Sky" - 6:54
  4. "The Eastern Sun" - 4:13
  5. "On The Road to Love" (Hayward, Kenny Loggins) - 3:35
  6. "Lazy Afternoon" - 3:55
  7. "In the Beginning" - 3:38
  8. "It’s Cold Outside of Your Heart" - 4:01
  9. "What You Resist Persists" - 4:32
  10. "Broken Dream" - 5:55
  11. "Captivated By You" - 3:51
  12. "One Day, Someday" (Alternative Extended Version) - 6:15
  13. "Rising" - 0:22
  14. "Out There Somewhere" - 2:47
  15. "Out There Somewhere" (Raul Rincon Remix) - 8:06

Personnel

[edit]
  • Justin Hayward - guitar, keyboards, vocals
  • Frederic Arturi - keyboards
  • Lele Melotti - drums
  • Alberto Parodi - programming
  • Tracey Ackerman - background vocals
  • Kenny Loggins - guitar, vocals on "On The Road To Love"

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2013) Peak
position
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[10] 95
UK Albums (OCC)[11] 81
US Billboard 200[12] 142
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[13] 25
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[14] 36

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Justin Hayward's - News". Eagle Rock. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  2. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Spirits of the Western Sky". Allmusic. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  3. ^ Wright, Jeb. "CRR Review - Justin Hayward - Spirits of the Western Sky". Classic Rock Revisited. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  4. ^ Townsend, Martin (24 February 2013). "CD Review: Justin Hayward-Spirits of the Western Sky". Express. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  5. ^ Rathbone, Oregano. "Justin Hayward-Spirits of the Western Sky". Record Collector. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  6. ^ Riley, Colin. "Hayward, Justin: Spirits of the Western Sky". Sea of Tranquility. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
  7. ^ Fanelli, Damian (22 January 2013). "Moody Blues Guitarist Justin Hayward to Release New Album, 'Spirits of the Western Sky'". guitarworld.com. Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  8. ^ About Moody Bluegrass, Moody Bluegrass website. Accessed 4 September 2015.
  9. ^ Mueller, Matt A conversation with Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues, justinhayward.com via onmilwaukee.com, 10 November 2014. Accessed 4 September 2015.
  10. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Justin Hayward – Spirits of the Western Sky" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Justin Hayward | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  12. ^ "Justin Hayward Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  13. ^ "Justin Hayward Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Justin Hayward Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
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