Long Distance Voyager

Long Distance Voyager was released in 1981, and was the first Moody Blues album with keyboardist Patrick Moraz in place of original keyboardist Mike Pinder.

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After the completion of the 1978 album Octave, Pinder decided against touring with the Moody Blues to promote the album, so the group replaced him with former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz. The band then waited three years before releasing a new album, the longest gap between Moody Blues albums since the group went on hiatus after the release of Seventh Sojourn in 1972.

Related Topics:
Octave - Yes - Seventh Sojourn

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Long Distance Voyager is only partially a concept album, as only half of the songs relate to a "travelling" referred to in the album's title. The final three tracks comprise a mini-suite that combines themes of carnival jesters and the chaos experienced backstage at a rock show.

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Upon release in 1981, Long Distance Voyager became the Moody Blues' second U.S. number one album, and was also the source of the top-40 singles "The Voice" (#15) and "Gemini Dream" (#12).

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