Led by the Christmas-adjacent close-to-title track single, five-track EP Love Conquers All from 81-year-old Moody Blues bassist/singer John Lodge is a relaxing analogue act of limbering up as he recovers from a stroke and prepares for his onstage return.
With guests including Yes singer Jon Davison (Lodge’s son-in-law), Geoff Downes and guitarist Dave Colquhoun, it’s not trying to do anything remotely modern, but is comfortable in its mastery of a classic style of light, ultimately hopeful, melancholy.
The gentle instrumental Sunset Over Cocohatchee Bay invites the listener in before the shuffling, soft- touch reggae of Love Will Conquer All celebrates Lodge’s recuperation.
- “Has his voice withstood the test of time? The answer is an emphatic yes”: Jon Anderson effortlessly recreates the best of Yes on new album Live – Perpetual Change
- “We weren’t ready to go into the studio… we got the feeling the label didn’t care about us any more”: Despite an uneasy line-up change, a lawsuit and no idea about singles, the Moody Blues returned to superstardom with Long Distance Voyager
The Sun Will Shine, a tranquil ballad, again praises the power of positive thinking; and phrases like ‘lost in your own illusion’ will pleasantly trigger Moodies fans.
In These Crazy Times – seemingly written during Covid – urges combatting isolation, and the closing Whispering Angels builds from a stately pace to a killer bend-those-strings guitar solo blowout.
Lodge is in good voice throughout, and while this isn’t going to conquer any new worlds, its innate mellow glow warms the cockles.
Love Conquers All is on sale now via Keeping The Faith.
