On the Threshold of a Dream

On the Threshold of a Dream
Studio album by The Moody Blues
Released	25 April 1969
Recorded	12 - 31 January 1969 Decca Studios West Hampstead, London
Genre	Progressive rock
Length	36:59
Label	Deram Records
Producer	Tony Clarke
The Moody Blues chronology
In Search of the Lost Chord (1968) On the Threshold of a Dream (1969) To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
Singles from On the Threshold of a Dream
"Never Comes the Day" Released: May 1969

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On the Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released on the Deram label in 1969. It was their last album to be released by the band before they formed their own record label, Threshold, to be distributed by Decca Records.

Like the band's preceding two albums, On the Threshold of a Dream follows a concept. The album explores dreams, especially on the second side, which climaxes with the "Voyage" suite, inspired in part by Strauss's Also sprach Zarathrustra. The piece, by Mike Pinder, features mellotron orchestration and flute. The album begins with a poem accompanied by electronic sounds, and similar sounds finish the album as well; LP editions of the album were pressed to continue these sounds into the album's run-out groove, causing them to play continuously until the record player's tonearm is lifted. (Tape and CD versions of the album end with these sounds slowly faded out.)

On The Threshold of a Dream provided The Moody Blues with their first British #1 album, and also increased their American fortunes by becoming their first Top 20 album there. The album also enjoyed lengthy stays in both album charts. Ironically, its one and only single, "Never Comes the Day", was a commercial flop.

In March 2006 the album was completely remastered into SACD format and repackaged with nine extra tracks.

In 2008 a remaster for standard audio CD was issued with the same bonus tracks

Original Track Listing

Side One

1. "In the Beginning" (Graeme Edge) - 2:22
2. "Lovely to See You" (Justin Hayward) - 2:33
3. "Dear Diary" (Ray Thomas) - 3:55
4. "Send Me No Wine" (John Lodge) - 2:20
5. "To Share Our Love" (Lodge) - 2:54
6. "So Deep Within You" (Mike Pinder) - 3:01

Side Two

1. "Never Comes the Day" (Hayward) - 4:43
2. "Lazy Day" (Thomas) - 2:43
3. "Are You Sitting Comfortably?" (Hayward, Thomas) - 3:29
4. "The Dream" (Edge) - 0:57
5. "Have You Heard (Part 1)" (Pinder) - 1:40
6. "The Voyage" (Pinder) - 3:58
7. "Have You Heard (Part 2)" (Pinder) - 2:32

2006 SACD Expanded Edition Tracks (also 2008 remaster)

Bonus tracks on the SACD version:

14. "In The Beginning (Full Version)" (Edge) - 3:28
15. "So Deep Within You (Extended Version)" (Pinder) - 3:30
16. "Dear Diary (Alternate Vocal Mix)" (Thomas) - 4:05
17. "Have You Heard (Original Take)" (Pinder) - 3:53
18. "The Voyage (Original Take)" (Pinder) - 4:20
19. "Lovely To See You (BBC Top Gear Session 18 February 1969)" (Hayward) - 2:26
20. "Send Me No Wine (BBC Top Gear Session 18 February 1969)" (Lodge) - 2:40
21. "So Deep Within You (BBC Tony Brandon Session 2/4/69)" (Pinder) - 3:08
22. "Are You Sitting Comfortably (BBC Tony Brandon Session 2/4/69)" (Hayward, Thomas) - 3:39

Chart positions

Album

Year	Chart	Position
1969	UK Albums Chart	1
1969	Billboard 200	20

Preceded by The Best of The Seekers by The Seekers

UK Albums Chart number-one album 10 May 1969 – 24 May 1969

Succeeded by Nashville Skyline by Bob Dylan

Singles

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1969	"Never Comes the Day"	Billboard Hot 100	91

Personnel

• Justin Hayward: vocals, guitar
• John Lodge: vocals, bass, cello
• Ray Thomas: vocals, harmonica, flute, tambourine
• Graeme Edge: drums, percussion, vocals
• Mike Pinder: vocals, mellotron, Hammond organ, piano, cello

• Phil Travers: cover art-work