Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

One of the heroes of the original Birmingham music scene, a man to whom was part of the classic line up of one of the Midland’s most progressive voices in the flowering 60s, has been strangely absent from the studio; admittedly Time as is always argued, plays a part in such things, but in honoured circumstances the audience is once more freely given access to one of The Moody Blues most inner thoughts, and it is with special delight that Love Conquers All marks the return of John Lodge to the forefront of the music fan’s mind.

Like Justin Hayward, John Lodge’s time within the astute and harmonious sound of the band was not from the formation, but like Mr. Hayward he can be credited with solidifying the expression and forward-thinking nature of the collective, and as with his contributions to the Progressive ethos of the group, so the sense of ethereal and delicate pledges of fraternity are presented in a way of overture in his long awaited debut E.P., Love Conquers All.

The five strong set, which includes the tracks Subset Over Cocohatchee Bay, Love Will Conquer All, The Sun Will Shine, In These Crazy Times, and Whispering Angels, sees the man make peace with Time’s piercing arrow, and with contributions from Tim Maple, Alan Hewitt, Billy Ashbaugh, John Charboneal, Buffy King, Jon Davison, Kristen Lodge, Kristian Lodge, Ray Nesbit, Dave Colquhoun, and the indomitable Geoff Downes, what transpires is a letter of honesty, a heartfelt admission of the state between the man and his surroundings, and that of the part of history he finds himself walking through as life continues to unfold.

The E.P. is a sweeping gesture of humanity, a set of songs that could have been at the heart of any Moody Blues album, and one to which the substantial light of focus is finely attuned to act of love. Love certainly can overcome any hurdle, love can pierce the hide of the most dangerous foe, but that which it conquers can also relish in the triumph of its victor, and to which John Lodge is the most serene of champions.

Ian D. Hall