From Mighty Oaks

Assuming you have an ample collection of Moody Blues material, this collection has just about everything else you need to hear from Ray Thomas. He created material many years ago that has been fleshed out here to a retrospective 4 CD set. My copy is autographed which is a really nice touch (if it is genuine). Thomas has produced solo music in this set that is just as good as his songs with the Moody Blues: BUT NO BETTER. If the original Moodies could have held together for an Eighth Sojourn, there is enough good material on the 1974-1976 solo LPs to have created one more phenomenal and possibly double concept album that would be a classic today. Of the original Moody solo LPs, I would rank them:1. Blue Jays2. Songwriter3. The Promise4. From Mighty Oaks5. Kick Off Your Muddy Boots6. Natural Avenue (a distant last-and with Octave, certainly the weakest MBs release to date) John Lodge's new release is much stronger. Glad he came back after 40 years and didn't leave it with Natural Avenue. Perhaps a "best of the MBs solo releases" would make a fine CD of interest to the Moodies fans.I think The Moody Blues still have one more great concept album left in them, especially if they get help from some of their new young talented touring members and a great producer and promotion. Why not a "Glass Hammer" style Moody Blues??

Being a long time Moody Blues fan and being old enough to have all their vinyl recordings, it was a thrill to see them put out individual solo efforts. Ray Thomas especially. "From Mighty Oaks" is a day in the English countryside with a man who is very,very English. All of the songs in some way have you looking up! Co-written with either Nicky James or Terry James ( I'm not sure which one. Terry is the orchestral arranger ), the songs are rays (get it?) of sunshine coming from the light that shined on us all back in the 1970s'. I tend to fall back on music,especially these days, that is like a postcard from a time and place that was full of "Hopes,Wishes and Dreams", and this is no exception! The Moodies introduced a generation of rock fans to classical influences and "From Mighty Oaks", especially the title song, is a beautifully arranged piece that,as I said, makes you look up! From "Hey Mama...Life!" to "Adam and I"...."I Wish We Could Fly", all of the songs will lift you up and give you that sense of spirituality we get from nature and our most endearing quality, love. To listen to this recording now is to realize what an integral part of the Moody Blues Ray Thomas was..and is! Even though he is not touring anymore, I can only imagine he is home in his garden,(like me!) listening to what the the sun and the birds and the trees are saying to us. If you listen real close too, you will hear how these songs came about and understand completely where love comes from. I am so glad it is available on CD. Don't pass it up! Ray, we miss your flute and your stature that filled the left side of the stage! Ray Thomas will always be the one and only "Veteran Cosmic Rocker!"

Mighty Oaks stands like any great oak tree....solid as can be. Literate, uplifting, sophisticated and so very English, this Ray Thomas set is very cohesive and holds up uncommonly well more than 40 years later. Like the Moody Blues, it has that, big sweeping epic audio experience. There is great interplay between Thomas' strong baritone and the background singers. Highly recommended!

Ray Thomas of the Moody Blues, gives a little different flavor to his music away from the Moody Blues. This album was made when the Moody Blues separated for a while before regrouping and making more albums beginning with Octave.During this time, Justin Hayward and John Lodge recorded the album BLUE JAYS (well worth getting). Graeme Edge recorded albums KICK OFF YOUR MUDDY BOOTS, and PARADISE BALLROOM and Mike Pinder recorded THE PROMISE before the group got back together, minus Mike Pinder hwo stayed on his own.

A wonderful album by Ray Thomas ! R.I.P. Your music will live on . A must for any Moody Blues collection .

Mr. Thomas maintains his Moody Blues Roots in From Mighty Oaks. He had (what I believe) a very fun time making this Album. Having enjoyed his Vocals and Flutes since the age 12, I never get tired of his Music.

Always enjoyed the music of Ray Thomas with the Moodies..I had forgotten this album which I always liked. So,upon his passing, bought the CD..RIP Sir...

Great sounds for you if you enjoy the Moody's.

Ray Thomas was always a brilliant song writer who never forgot to portray real emotion in his work. His contributions to the works of The Moody Blues is quite simply legendary and this album goes further in showing his skill and concern in promoting real quality in his work. This is a real credit to a wonderful and highly skilled writer/performer who will never be forgotten.

Having deeply appreciated Ray's melodic and poignant songs such as 'For My Lady' whilst with the Moodies this CD was an obvious purchase once it became available.Perhaps there is no absolute stand out track here ( although 'Adam and I' is a fine tribute to his young son ) & to start with an 'overture' is a bit over the top, but this reviewer is left with a warm feeling having played it.In view of Ray's recently disclosed health issues, all the more reason to buy and enjoy.

I bought this with Hopes and Dreams when I saw that they had been re-released. I had had the vinyl versions since they were first released, way back, but I damaged them. This was Ray's first solo album and was very much Moody Blues inspired, with a dramatic instrumental overture at the beginning. I still like it but Hopes and Fears was a better album, in my opinion.

Bought to replace a dead cassette tape. Good to have it back.

Good album but not as good as i expected to be, comming from a brillant band like the moodies i think i expected more to be honest but no regrets about buying it , im sure it will grow on me the more i listen to it