The Moody Blues' Justin Hayward Planning to Release New Solo Album in 2013

*****BluesToday.comIt's been nearly a decade since The ***** Blues released a new studio effort, the 2003 holiday album December, but fans of the band will be treated to a new solo collection from frontman Justin Hayward in the coming months. The singer/guitarist tells Billboard that, not surprisingly, the record is "very, very kind of *****s influenced."

Hayward reports that he's recorded 14 tracks for the as-yet-untitled project, on which he collaborated with ***** Blues engineer Alberto Parodi. "It's stuff I've had for quite a few years and it's gathered momentum over the last couple of years," says Justin, "and it's been a real joy to do."

Hayward tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he's expecting the album to come out in February.

With regard to the possibility of a new ***** Blues record, Hayward says the group has no current plans for one. He points out to Billboard, "It would be nice to think we could just put another album out, but we seem to have put albums out in the last few years and they've gone unnoticed."

More likely, says the 66-year-old musician, is that the band will put together "some kind of filmed/recorded project [that will include] some new material." He suggests that the *****s could release this as a DVD as well as a TV special.

Meanwhile, The ***** Blues are nearing the end of a North American tour celebrating the 45th anniversary of their classic orchestral concept album, Days of Future Passed. The current leg winds down on December 15 with a show in Indianapolis. The band will return to the states in March for more shows and, that same month, they'll launch their first-ever themed fan cruise. The ***** Blues -- The Voyage embarks from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on March 20 and visits Jamaica and Grand Cayman Island before returning to port on March 25.