Your favourite Justin Hayward Moody Blues Guitar Moments...

“Story in Your Eyes” probably has his best moments. It’s my favorite anyway.

 

"Higher & Higher"-- no big solo but what killer riffage.

 

and another latter era track from a often derided album 'Sur La Mer' in 1988 that nevertheless has a terrific Hayward guitar on it notably towards the conclusion...

 

Fly Me High.

 

I'll second all the mentions in this thread, but especially You And Me. Great guitar in that song.

You And Me is credited to Edge/Hayward. No doubt Hayward composed the guitar parts, but I'd be curious to know who wrote what in the song otherwise.

 

Edge - lyrics

 

Lead Guitar is Hayward

 

Oh I thought it would be Eric. We live and learn...

 

Some interesting insight into the making of Blue Guitar...

Blue Guitar (Justin Hayward & John Lodge) - Jon Kutner

 

All of 10cc plays/sings on the track, though Eric is on keys (Lol on rhythm guitar). Interestingly John Lodge is absent.

 

Sitting At The Wheel has a great slide solo, which frustratingly fades out early...

 

Slide solo not Justin

 

Blue Guitar. I thought it was interesting how he brought back that "fuzzy" guitar sound from Blue Jays on Lazy Afternoon from his 2013 solo album. I also quite liked his playing on some of the latter day Moodies albums, including Lean on Me (Tonight) and Hope & Pray from Keys, and The Swallow and Nothing Changes from Strange Times.

 

I my favorite is the solo in "The Story in Your Eyes," because it's the most hard rock, but everything he does on guitar is great. That fuzz lead sound was achieved with a Marshall Reverb-Fuzz 2021, plugged directly into the mixing board. For some reason he didn't use it live, that I've ever heard. I wish he would have, because to me that is a huge part of the Moodies sound.

 

Thanks for that interesting factoid. I've always thought that Justin's fuzz sound in those days was lovely and unique, but I never knew how he did it. I never heard of that Marshall fuzz device before, but I found couple of audio demos on the 'net and sure enough, that seems to be The Sound!

 

Loved that solo! Unfortunately the "remastered" cd version buries it.

 

Off topic, but it would’ve been cool if Justin and Eric had done a little more work together, considering how they are good friends.

But you all have mentioned great stuff. First one in my mind is Story, love his playing throughout the song. So cool to hear him playing that aggressive. Then When You’re A Free Man. His subtle touches just adds so much color to that song.

 

Free Man. One of his best solos. Heck, one of rocks best solos

 

Also, in the studio he used a Vox AC30 amp, plugged into the normal channel. I love his early guitar sound so much. First the Fender Telecaster, and then the Gibson. Live, he would use Marshall, and then Hiwatt stacks. I agree, that lead tone he had is an amazing sound. "Land of Make Believe" is some of the most beautiful and majestic guitar sound ever laid down. I would love to find one of those Marshall units, but they are very rare. The next closest thing is the old Marshall Supa-fuzz pedal.

 

That twangy Tele sound on Peak Hour is great also.

 

I just listened to the "Story in Your Eyes" for the millionth time, and it never gets old. I think my favorite single note he ever played on guitar, is in the second solo near the end. The note where he shakes the string with a little vibrato. You know the one I'm talking about. That is one of the most psychedelic fuzz guitar notes ever recorded. Amazing tone and playing.

 

I love all his guitar sounds from the '60s/'70s ...

Having said that, "It's Up To You" stands out a bit to me. Just a wonderful, rich midrange sustain there, that really cuts through on the high-E string pedal motif that links the vocal sections. When he switches to rhythm on the lower strings using the same sound, that works perfectly too. Justin himself has said that track is his favourite of his guitar tones.

I used Vox AC30's for years, one day a friend came over with his new acquisition -- a '63 Gibson ES335. We plugged it into the normal channel of my 30, turned up the wick, and there it was ... "It's Up To You" ...

 

Nice thread idea but I’ll save myself some time and say all of Justin’s guitar work and solos

I really can’t pick just a couple of solos .

 

"It's Up to You" is magic. I've never owned an AC30, but have always wanted one. A friend had one once, an early top boost. My '62 strat sounded very sweet through it.

 

Without Justin Hayward’s songs (and guitar monents), A Question of Balance would be a very weak album...