Justin Hayward - Spirits Of The Western Sky
Artist: Justin Hayward
Album: Spirits Of The Western Sky
Label: Eagle Records
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Rating: 3/5
It was back in 1996 that Justin Hayward last released a solo album, The View From The Hill, and now he is back with his new record Spirits Of The Western Sky.
Hayward already has a great reputation as a singer/songwriter from his time in The Moody Blues but this record sees him infuses country and bluegrass influences into his music.
In Your Blue Eyes kicks off the record and he mixes elements of pop/rock with country resulting in an upbeat opening track.
Hayward’s guitar features predominately on the track but it is also supported by some beautiful strings that give the backing music just that bit of extra depth.
He changes the pace with One Day, Someday as he slows things down to sing about the pain of lost love.
This is one of the tracks that features orchestrations from Academy Award winning composer Anne Dudley. This is one the best tracks on the record as Hayward rich vocals really do go so beautifully with the delicate orchestration that has been written by Dudley.
Dudley’s work just adds that little bit of extra something to Hayward’s trademark guitar work - which is ever present.
The middle of the album sees Hayward introduce more of a country and bluegrass sound to his music and it is great to see his music go in a slightly different direction.
It would have been so easy for Hayward to continue writing and recording the type of music that everyone expects from him but he is still keen to experiment and mix up his sound.
It’s Cold Outside Of Your Heart is the first of these tracks and it is a song that sees the violin take more centre stage - which is what gives it this bluegrass feeling.
The production on this track really is stripped back and this is song that is all about Hayward’s vocal, song writing ability and instrumentation.
What You Resists Persists and Broken Dreams carries on this country/bluegrass feel and they are two more terrific tracks that really do show off a very different side to Hayward’s vocals.
It is great to see Hayward back making music and Spirits of the Western Sky is a collection of tracks that should thrill his longstanding fans.
Justin Hayward - Spirits Of The Western Sky is out now