3/5 Buy the SACD instead
  by Skip Global
Unfortunately, this is a DTS 5.1 CD, not a DVD-Audio as claimed. Having both this version and the SACD multi-channel release, I can tell you that the SACD sounds vastly superior. The high end on the DTS disc is highly exaggerated. If you do not have a 5.1 SACD player, you may want to go ahead and get this DTS version as the music still gets 5 stars. BTW, both the DTS version and the SACD are derived from the original quad masters, so don't expect to hear a center channel. Also, the SACD offers some interesting bonus tracks.

1/5 Moody Blues Seventh Sojourn
  by Postman (Nashville, TN USA)
I bought the disc advertised as DVD-Audio only to find it turned out to be DTS which is not the same thing (though the liner the DVD is held in said "DVD-Audio" with all other references on the DVD being DTS).

I had a recent standard CD of this album for comparison and can say on my Acura EL DVD-Audio car system that the DTS version is either defective or as I suspect DTS is not the same caliber audio as DVD-Audio. One key issue was the lack of a Center speaker channel track (which is essential to DVD-Audio surround).

Overall the audio experience was no better and maybe not as good as the basic CD Stereo version I had and not even remotely in the same league as other true DVD-Audio tracks on the DVD-Audio disc that came with the Acura. Considering the Acura DVD-Audio disk included a Jim Morrison from the early 70's (fantastic sound) I figured that the Moody Blues tracks from the same era would have a similar "updated" DVD-Audio sound quality but not even close. Until I can figure our how to get "true" high quality DVD-Audio based on some consistent quality standard governing use of the term in advertising I do not plan to waste my money on DVD-Audio discs

5/5 DTS Experience
  by P. Andre Gosselin
A superb swan song for the Moody Blues's second incarnation.
I've always had a soft spot for "Seventh Sojourn" wich i think is the most accomplished of the"7" era as far as songwriting and overall production wich does not detract from the qualitie of the previous ones.

The DTS mix is absolutely stunning,making full use of the separation allowed by a new surround mix wich might not appeal to everyone but sure has a dramatic impact on the listener even considering personal preferences as to fine tuning of balance in the mix.

Having heard "Question" on SACD,it seeems they might be able to better the DTS version of "Seventh" wich does lack the dynamic range of the SACD but sure is a great listening experience, as Moody's albums were meant to be.

4/5 The seventh and final album of the Moody Blues' classical period
  by Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota)
"Seventh Sojourn" was the seventh of the classical psychedelic era albums by the Moody Blues, a period which began with the release of "Days of Future Past" when Decca wanted to showcase "Deramic Stereo" and the group showed what could happen when you mixed rock music with classical orchestrations. Being at the vanguard of the progressive rock movement had its problem when you are trying to play with (or pay for) an orchestra, and the solution for the Moody Blues was for Mike Pinder to play a Mellotron, which the Beatles had showcased on songs like "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "I Am the Walrus." In fact, Pinder had worked at the factory and was able to have a device made to his specifications. However, for this album he was using a new instrument, the Chamberlain. Unfortunately, five years of making records and touring had worn the group down and it would be another five years before they cut their next album.

John Lodge had the two singles that charted off of this 1972 album, but they are also the most important ones in terms of understanding what was happening to the band at this point. "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" made it to #12 on the charts, and was Lodge's response to the idea that the Moody Blues were not a group of musicians but musical gurus with songs like "Question" being treated as profoundly philosophical statements. Clearly, Lodge wanted to emphasize that the group was not trying to teach anybody anything. From this perspective "Isn't Life Strange" (#29) can be seen as reflecting a complimentary view. The other stand out tracks on the album are Justin Hayward's hauntingly touching "New Horizons," which offers one of his best vocal performances, and Ray Thomas' sweet and lilting "For My Lady." Listening to this album again I was struck by how these four different songwriters could compliment each other to create the distinctive sound of the group.

"Seventh Sojourn" made it all the way to the top of the Billboard album chart, the only Moody Blues album to do so, although ironically "Days of Future Past" climbed all the way to #3 at the same time. That alone captures the idea that the legacy of the Moody Blues was getting beyond their control at that point. I do not think this is their best album ("Question of Balance" remains my favorite), but even as a second tier Moody Blues album it makes a compelling argument for fans to have all seven of the works from their classic period.

5/5 The Last of the Classic 7
  by Lonnie E. Holder (Columbus, Indiana, United States)
This album was the last of the classic 7 from the Moody Blues from the period from 1967 to 1972. It was also, like the 6 preceding it, different from the others. "Seventh Sojourn" is the most middle-of-the-road rock album of the bunch; very little progressive rock, no real experimentation, just plain solid rock.

The Moody Blues had become better and better at orchestrating their style of music throughout the six classic years period. By the time they reached this album, they were fully mature in a rock style all their own, and yet fitting with the times. Looking back, it is difficult to see how they went from "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" to this album. EGBDF was progressive rock with a fair amount of fantasy and science fiction. Seventh Sojourn is very down to earth, reflecting a more mundane and earthly orientation.

The synthesizer is a fully matured instrument in "Seventh Sojourn." In the Moodies previous albums the mellotron was used for novelty and to enhance the unusual nature of their albums. In "Seventh Sojourn" the Chamberlain replaced the mellotron and became part of the orchestration. The use of the Chamberlain is sometimes so subtle that I find it difficult to know when the Chamberlain is used.

With all these differences, the change to a more earthly orientation, a middle-of-the-road rock sound, and a new instrument, you might worry that the album was so different that it is no longer true to the group. Not correct in this case. When you listen to the classic 7 in order from "Days of Future Passed" to "Seventh Sojourn," there is a feel of evolution, and perhaps, a feel of balance. Sometimes I become sad when I listen to this album because I know the group would never be the same group again. However, as we all know, the group has continued to evolve while trying hard to stay true to their roots. The results continually amaze me.

Of the classic 7, this album is the least cohesive in terms of a common theme, and yet there are themes. As noted earlier, the principal theme is the orientation back in the world as we know it. No dreams, no people from other planets helping us; merely a recognition that this is the place and time in which we live, and darn, while we wish it would be better, it's us that has to make it better, and we can only do so much. What more of a theme do you need?

This album is excellent. The themes are excellent. The Moody Blues came back to earth and said: We aren't magic; we have to focus on the real world; we are just a rock and roll group, we are as lost as you are. These thoughts were sobering for those people that somehow thought the Moodies were gurus for a new world order. They were not and did not want to be. "Seventh Sojourn" is a reality check.

Given all the positive comments about the album, which should be one of the best 100 rock albums of all time (and is not, according to those narrow-minded people at VH1), it does have one flaw: It is too short! There are only 8 wonderful songs; two each from Mike Pinder, Justin Hayward, and John Lodge, one from Ray Thomas ("For My Lady," my favorite Ray Thomas song from any album), and one that was a collaboration between Graeme Edge and Justin Hayward.

"Seventh Sojourn" is the most polished of the classic 7, and would rank as one of the best Moody Blues albums by some people. Of course, other people did not care for the melancholia and mundane topics and got all bummed out and gave it a bad review, which just goes to show, you can't please everyone all the time. I read one reviewer who hated "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and loved "Seventh Sojourn." Another reviewer described EGBDF as being original and true to the group while "Seventh Sojourn" was too much pop and not the Moody Blues' best work. Who do you believe? Listen for yourself. When I'm in the right mood, this album is awesome. Other times I need something uplifting, and I listen to another group completely.

All good groups generate controversy. The Moody Blues are no exception (which by definition should make them a good group). They have always defined their own path in a unique way. "Seventh Sojourn" closed the first chapter in the story of The Moody Blues. Enjoy it for what it was and what it is: a good album by a good group.

One final warning; this version of the album requires a DTS decoder, so it you do not have a DTS decoder you may wish to seek out one of the other versions.