Moody Blues : C/D, S/D

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I'm sort of interested in the Moody Blues, but I'm not sure if they're any good. I've only heard that one song. Suggestions?

― Stave Timons (Rahul Kamath), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 17:25 (10 years ago) Permalink

Ohhh.... DUUUUUD! (And I have/had all of their LPs)

Search "Lovely to See You" for historical reference. Destroy all others.

― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 18:13 (10 years ago) Permalink

Why have you had all their LPs if they're a dud?

― Stave Timons (Rahul Kamath), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 18:54 (10 years ago) Permalink

I bought them when I was 15-17. Can't stand to listen to them now....

― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 19:00 (10 years ago) Permalink

So you liked them.

― Stave Timons (Rahul Kamath), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 19:27 (10 years ago) Permalink

"Question" is good, but I still hate the idea of them.

― robin carmody (robin carmody), Tuesday, 1 October 2002 22:03 (10 years ago) Permalink

Very classic (when they were good, that is, which was several decades ago). Okay, here's a quick overview:

Days of Future Passed: Kind of their breakthrough album with their 'classic' line-up with Justin Hayward and Jon Lodge (before this, they were one of those early 60s British beatrock bands with the ties, though they had a couple of hits with leader Denny Laine), recorded with the "London Festival Orchestra" (entirely made-up; basically, session orchestra musicians). Basically, the orchestra bits and band bits are generally separate, and overlay occasionally. The orchestra bits I find to be a bit filler, but some of the bands' tunes, even apart from the well-recognized "Nights in White Satin" and "Tuesday Afternoon" are great. Personal favorites: "Dawn Is a Feeling", "The Sunset", and the chorus/middle eight to "Time To Get Away".

In Search of the Lost Chord: Their follow-up to DoFP, them trying to prove they could go it alone, without the orchestra. I think this is their first with producer Tony Clarke, who produced all the albums of their classic period. This one is the most firmly steeped in the psychedelic period, but features some great songs, mostly from Hayward and Ray Thomas. The most well-known tracks on the album are "Ride My See-Saw" and "Legend of a Mind" ('Timothy Leary's dead...no, n-n-no, he's outside) Personal favorites: "Voices in the Sky", "Visions of Paradise".

On the Threshold of a Dream: The next couple of album continue the Beatles-emulation begun on Lost Chord, though less overtly psychedelic. Personal favorites: the opening ("In the Beginning") and "Lovely to See You"

To Our Children's Children's Children: All in all, this is my personal favorite album of theirs, just lots of beautiful songs throughout. Also, Hayward (the main hit-writer and most prolific writer, who since has dominated the band) seems to hang uncharacteristically in the background on this one. Jon Lodge's writing and Mike Pinder's mellotron own this baby. Personal faves: "Eyes of a Child 1 & 2", "Out and In", "Sun Is Still Shining", "Candle of Life", "Watching and Waiting"

A Question of Balance: This is their Let It Be (retreat from experimentation, strange content, wacky interludes, etc. From here on, they would become increasingly straightforward, with standard track lengths, more stripped down, etc. The hit on this album was "Question". Personal faves: "And the Tide Rushes In", "Minstrel's Song", "The Balance" (many might find it sappy, but I love it, myself).

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour: Hmm, I think it's the least of their 'classic' albums, but some good stuff. Favorites: "You Can Never Go Home", and my roommate in college and I adore the rather goofy last song, a typically melancholic Mike Pinder track called "My Song" (we used to improvise our own lyrics: "How can I tell you...aliens inside my brain...").

Seventh Sojourn: Apart from TOCCC, this is the next album I still play the most from them. Their last 'classic'-period album, the green leaf surrounded by the desert. Has a lot of despair to it, too (courtesy Mike Pinder), which is always a good thing. :) Favorites: "New Horizons", "You and I", "Land of Make Believe", "When You're a Free Man Again".

Octave: Made after a 5 or 6 year hiatus. The only studio album from them I've never heard (apart from their latest one, which I haven't gotten around to). Drummer Graeme Edge describes this one as "full of pain". Pinder's last album with the band (Edge says he freaked out on religion; Pinder says he just didn't like the album and didn't want to tour it). Also, Hayward had to talk producer Tony Clarke down from a cliff.

Long Distance Voyager: The strongest of their post-Pinder albums, made with Swiss keyboardist Patrick Moraz (formerly of Yes). I personally love it, again, some classic pop tunes mixing with some admittedly cheesy/dated stuff, and Moraz, though showing a fraction of his ability, does some great keyboard arranging. Favorites: "The Voice" (also the biggest hit from the album), "Meanwhile" (the Moodies go country; good electric piano sound from Moraz).

The Present: A bit more generic than LDV, but still generally acceptable. Favorites: Lodge's "Sitting at the Wheel", another country-rock kind of tune, "Meet Me Halfway" and Thomas' final song for a long time, "Sorry" (and preceded by the hilarious 'poem' "I Am").

The Other Side of Life: Features their biggest 'comeback' hit, "Your Wildest Dreams" (personally, I think it's a great pop tune, Hayward's melodies and Thomas' choir back-up...aahhhhHHHH). The rest of the album is awful.

Sur La Mer: Pretty forgettable, sounds very generic. The hit here was "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", which like "Your Wildest Dreams", leans heavily on "The Voice". Moraz obviously underutilized, Thomas and Edge pushed aside.

Keys to the Kingdom: Their worst, in my opinion. Too sugary even for my standards. Moraz was bored with them and ditched before completion, replaced effectively by a sequencer. If you can get past a song title like "I Bless the Wings that Bring You Back", then be my guest.

Strange Times: Their latest album, haven't heard all of it, but what little I've heard sounds a step up from Keys to the Kingdom (admittedly not a hard thing to do).

There ya go. If I could only pick three, it would be (in order): "To Our Children's Children's Children", "Seventh Sojourn" and (for historical reference) "Days of Future Passed".

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 00:04 (10 years ago) Permalink

As I think I said elsewhere, 'Gemini Dream' always reminds me of Empire Strikes back and Lando Calrissian - inexpicably, but there it is. Between that song and 'The Voice' there's a ludicrously strong sense of positive nostagia for me, so I have to say classic. Also, I'm not one of these people who thinks that 'Nights in White Satin' is trash. Ok, maybe it's *slightly* overrated.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 00:15 (10 years ago) Permalink

I was once in a McDonald's and heard a muzak version of "For My Lady" (from Seventh Sojourn). I nearly fell off my seat, I thought I was hallucinating it. They really WILL cover anything!

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 00:26 (10 years ago) Permalink

(And yes it was Muzak, not the Moodies themselves..) :)

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 00:27 (10 years ago) Permalink

It was all downhill after 'Go Now' (which isn't even the best versh of that song...)

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 09:53 (10 years ago) Permalink

I just need to let you know that "Octave" is one of the worst records ever made. It's very cheesy & disco-influenced. (Full of pain, indeed.)

.. You should probably listen to them and make up your own mind... I'd recommend anything from Days of Future Passed through to Seventh Sojourn.... Anything after that, you may as well buy a Foreigner record.

― dave225 (Dave225), Wednesday, 2 October 2002 10:27 (10 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

_Days Of Future Passed_ is a CLASSIC classic. The way he
sings "oh how I love you" in "Nights In White Satin"
sends chills down my spine, every time.

― Squirrel_Police (Squirrel_Police), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 19:38 (9 years ago) Permalink

They're not any good.

― eddie hurt (ddduncan), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 20:12 (9 years ago) Permalink

"Your Wildest Dreams" is completely classic synth pop.

― theodore fogelsanger, Thursday, 15 April 2004 06:46 (9 years ago) Permalink

Search: I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band
Destroy: The Moody Blues

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Thursday, 15 April 2004 12:23 (9 years ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

higher and higher roxx:

Blasting, billowing, bursting forth
With the power of ten billion butterfly sneezes,
Man with his flaming pyre
Has conquered the wayward breezes,
Climbing to tranquility far above the cloud,
Conceiving the heaven clear of misty shroud.

Higher and higher,
Now we've learned to play with fire,
We go higher
And higher
And higher.

Vast vision must improve our sight,
And perhaps at last we'll see
An end to our home's endless blight
And the beginning of the free.
Climb to tranquility, finding its real worth,
Conceiving the heavens flourishing on Earth.

Higher and higher,
Now we've learned to play with fire,
We go higher
And higher
And higher.

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:03 (7 years ago) Permalink

moody haterz gotta go!

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:03 (7 years ago) Permalink

where did you think half of that half-assed psychprog obscurity action yoo crave came from, huh?

― scott seward (scott seward), Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:04 (7 years ago) Permalink

"the story in your eyes" is just way, way too good

when the final night is over
and it's certain that the curtain's gonna fall
i can hide inside your sweet, sweet love
forevermore

and then that riff again! and then the piano outro!

― prince rupert, Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:38 (7 years ago) Permalink

Skot OTM!

I've been tempted to revive this thread late at night drunk a bunch of times.. the paucity of responses is depressing. "Legend Of A Mind" rools

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:44 (7 years ago) Permalink

it's my Moody Blues and Donovan vinyl that inspires the most teasing from my husband.

― patita (patita), Thursday, 19 January 2006 17:55 (7 years ago) Permalink

Oh, Nights in White Satin. Swoon. When it gets this good, I can forgive (or embrace?) all the silliness.

― belle.haleine, Thursday, 19 January 2006 18:35 (7 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Listening to Every Good Boy Deserves Favour tonight...it's a lot better than I remember it being, especially the first side. "Emily's Song" is quite beautiful (distinct Byrds/Beatles influence), love the glockenspiely middle. "Our Guessing Game" is neat as well.

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 03:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

i like the chemistry experiment cover of forever autumn

― electric sound of jim (and why not) (electricsound), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 04:07 (7 years ago) Permalink

Anyone ever see the Isle of Wight movie? Moodies' performance >>> Hendrix performance and Who performance

― Tim Ellison (Tim Ellison), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 04:26 (7 years ago) Permalink

SO dud. Not even good for ironic lolz. I guess they're good because they bring joy to the parents of myself, my wife, and all of our friends, as far as I know. People have bad taste when they get old! my mom used to rock Stevie Wonder, George Benson etc. and now it's all Moody Blues and the Bee Gees. It's free concerts on PBS that does it, seriously!

― Dan I. (Dan I.), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 04:32 (7 years ago) Permalink

When I got my first cd player I bought 4 albums that I already owned on vinyl: Threshold, Children's Children's Children, Question Of Balance and EGBDF. I guess this is the place to let this little secret slip.

― jim wentworth (wench), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 04:48 (7 years ago) Permalink

I find that difficult to believe, even as someone who "likes" them. I mean, the idea of them being amazing I can grasp, but the reality... I guess I'll have to look for the movie.

S: "Cities" (B-side of "NiWS"), In Search of the Lost Chord, A Question of Balance, and Hayward's upbeat singles "Ride My See-Saw," "Lovely to See You," "Gypsy," "The Story in Your Eyes".

D: Days of Future Passed (ironically a Classic, but you've heard it enough already, no need to own it) also "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)," one of the hits from Seventh Sojourn.

I actually quite like Long Distance Voyager (a UK #1 album, if I recall correctly) and The Present. They're both slick, but totally tuneful and have aged much better than a lot of other 20-year-old albums. I like On the Threshold of a Dream but it's neither as weird as Lost Chord or as powerul as Question. (Listening to it now: evocative of aspects of Swinging London, imaginary transition scenes left on the cutting room from from Blow-Up.)

― Mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 04:49 (7 years ago) Permalink

Days Of Future Passed is just gorgeous, and i've loved it from my first hearing 20+ years ago - in fact, it's one of my Top 50 of all time, cringeworthy spoken-word parts notwithstanding. A totally unique LP, it's what I *wish* (ILM fave) Talk Talk sounded like. "The smell of grass just makes you pass into a dream." So it's too bad that none of the other 3-4 Moodys I've heard even come close, really. But their fast ones can be pretty exhilarating, "Question" in particular.

Can't stand "Go Now" or (predictably) the '80s stuff.

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 11:27 (7 years ago) Permalink

I love "When You're A Free Man" off of Seventh Sojourn. It fills me with melancholy.

― dog latin (dog latin), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 11:43 (7 years ago) Permalink

"Question" just popped into my head the other day, while I was shaving, I think.

― Rockist_Scientist (RSLaRue), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 13:21 (7 years ago) Permalink

Yeah, "When You're a Free Man". Love the sadness of the opening line: "Time quickly passes by...If only we could meet again..."

Hayward's upbeat singles "Ride My See-Saw"

I think Jon Lodge wrote that one, actually.

"I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)"

Agree with you here. I've always found that one more than a little overrated (one of the weakest songs, actually, on Seventh Sojourn).

― Joe (Joe), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 13:25 (7 years ago) Permalink

Oops, I stand corrected. It is in fact Lodge.

― Mitya (mitya), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 16:30 (7 years ago) Permalink

I heart the guitar solo in "Peak Hour" so much. So wonderfully non-surf surf rock.

― The Equator Lounge (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 18:18 (7 years ago) Permalink

"the story in your eyes" is just way, way too good

OTM

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 1 March 2006 18:21 (7 years ago) Permalink

3 months pass...

One of the greatest bands of all time in my opinion. Many of their songs are far better than "Nights in White Satin" and it really annoys me when even die-hard fans rave about this particular song.

The only albums by them that I don't like much are "Keys to the Kingdom" (2 good songs) and "December" (2 good songs).

― Phoebe Sabbatini (Feebee), Saturday, 17 June 2006 08:54 (6 years ago) Permalink

I just listened to "Days of Future Passed" tonight. "Peak Hour" rocks.

― Marmot 4-Tay (marmotwolof), Saturday, 17 June 2006 08:58 (6 years ago) Permalink

Great band even though everything they did before "Days Of Future Passed" is heavily dud and completely unlistenable.

As for the material they made after Mike Pinder left, it was OK for a few years but the quality has been decreasing. Meaning their key material consists of the seven excellent albums they released from 1967 to 1972.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Saturday, 17 June 2006 22:20 (6 years ago) Permalink

10 months pass...

I really like "Go Now" which I guess is a different lineup of the Blues w/Denny Laine as the singer...

I don't really care for anything I've heard of the more gloppy orch-pop stuff...is the early stuff cool? Cuz man...Go Now is such a pretty, sad little song...beautiful!

― M@tt He1ges0n, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:09 (6 years ago) Permalink

Well just up there Geir says the early stuff is "heavily dud" so I assume it's brilliant.

― Noodle Vague, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:11 (6 years ago) Permalink

I stole the two-disc Moody Blues Anthology from a box someone left outside my local library. I figured I would get better use out of it than the library would. Also, you know, free CD! Anyway, I really love most of the first disc, cheesy or not, but the second disc is completely unlistenable. Classic, though.

― Jeff Treppel, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:15 (6 years ago) Permalink

days of future passed gets my vote too!! heavily dud should not be an expression.

― Surmounter, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:28 (6 years ago) Permalink

"Heavily dud" is still a perfect description of the lame R&B they did before "Days Of Future Passed".

"Days Of Future Passed" is a great album, although I rank the next four ahead of it, and possibly "The Seventh Sojourn" ahead of it too.

― Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:44 (6 years ago) Permalink

"Watching and Waiting" what a fantastic, haunting song; so eerie and beautiful with that mellotron.

I've always thought the lyrics were from the standpoint of an omnipotent but lonesome being (I picture God in the Garden of Eden, pre-Adam and Eve).

― Joe, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 00:59 (6 years ago) Permalink

I've always thought the lyrics were from the standpoint of an omnipotent but lonesome being

Okay now I get why Geir likes it

― Noodle Vague, Wednesday, 18 April 2007 01:01 (6 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

Revive!

For some reason, I remember buying a greatest hits collection on tape in the late 80s of these guys, listening to it non-stop for two weeks, and...returning it to the store for some reason.

Regardless, this band puts the whole "tunesmith==quality" formulation to the test. It seems like it's all guilty pleasures.

Classic: "Story In Your Eyes," "Legend of a Mind" (though it's undeniably dumb), and above all, "Question," particularly the mawkish "I'm looking for/Someone to change my life" section -- there's something about the "And if you could see/What it's done to me-eee" line that gets me every time.

"The Voice" is catchy, for sure...

I believe Hayward/Lodge's (great) "Blue Guitar" is produced by 10cc!

I remember enjoying much of In Search of the Lost Chord but finding much of it painfully dumb, a la "The Best Way To Travel" ("THINKING is the best way to travel!!")...

But "Sitting At the Wheel" == MONSTER dud.

― Naive Teen Idol, Friday, 18 May 2007 04:17 (6 years ago) Permalink

I believe Hayward/Lodge's (great) "Blue Guitar" is produced by 10cc!

It is.

Then, there is no way I'd ever possibly rank Moody Blues' AOR output from the mid 70s onwards as better than those wonderful symphonic psych concept albums they released between 1967 and 1972.

― Geir Hongro, Friday, 18 May 2007 10:25 (6 years ago) Permalink

I realize I also have a real soft spot for "Driftwood"...

― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 19 May 2007 03:45 (6 years ago) Permalink

I normally wouldn't write about this but they were dope when they had Denny Laine. Get yourself a copy of the 1965 NME Awards and tell me who was the best band on.

The rest of that shit I wouldn't wipe my ass with (except it IS soft!).

― Saxby D. Elder, Saturday, 19 May 2007 05:21 (6 years ago) Permalink

Last few days, I've been going nuts over "Blue Guitar" -- for all the Moody's faults--not least of which is a tendency to mistake grandiosity for meaning--Hayward's voice is never one of them. Really, a wonderful, wonderful singer...

― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 20 May 2007 04:18 (6 years ago) Permalink

i have never heard this song before - it's pretty good! i can hear the 10cc influence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny5Jr6Zz8_4

― gershy, Sunday, 20 May 2007 04:39 (6 years ago) Permalink

Sorry - ech! Although the opening is a nice reminder that Justin could play some tasty lyrical guitar when he wanted to.

― mitya, Sunday, 20 May 2007 05:06 (6 years ago) Permalink

i'm surprised Geir doesn't at least like "go now" which is easily one of the best british invasion hits ever. pity denny laine never matched it in wings.

also, almost all moody blues albums = crap. and I like lots of bad music

― akm, Sunday, 20 May 2007 05:15 (6 years ago) Permalink

i'm surprised Geir doesn't at least like "go now" which is easily one of the best british invasion hits ever.

It isn't. Terrible production, and not much of a melody either.

For the best "British Invasion" hits ever, look for (other than The Beatles), Hollies, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas and similar stuff.

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 20 May 2007 12:16 (6 years ago) Permalink

So, is the consensus that Children's Children and Seventh Sojourn are their two best? Aside from ...Lost Chord, which I had when I was 16 y/o, I've never really listened to them beyond hits and various singles...

"Beyond," btw, is totally Froese'd out...

― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 20 May 2007 18:19 (6 years ago) Permalink

I would say "On The Threshold Of a Dream" and "A Question Of Balance" are at least equally as good as the ones you mention. I actually consider the former their best album ever.

― Geir Hongro, Sunday, 20 May 2007 20:52 (6 years ago) Permalink

Clearly, John Mendelsohn disagrees, courtesy of his RS review in 1970:

Recently something of unexaggerable beauty came into my life, something that was to enthrall me musically and elevate me spiritually, to pour oil on the turgid waters of my soul, to diminish my worldly riches by four-odd dollars while increasing my hopes of attaining far greater riches in another world.

That unexaggerably beautiful something was a record album; not just any ordinary record album, mind you, but one offering to my weary ears an abundance of spiritual and other insights and poetry that recalled the best ofâyes, I dare say itâGibran, colossal Straussian orchestrations simulated by a mellotron and heavenly choirs comprising seemingly thousands of over-dubbed falsetto voices.

That unexaggerably beautiful record album was the Moody Blues' very newest testament, A Question of Balance.

Everything about this remarkable artistic achievement, up to and including its very marvelous cover (which was done in gouache, compellingly depicting the confusion that is currently rampant in this topsyturvy world of ours, and rumored to be scheduled for reproduction on Threshold's forthcoming official lunch-boxes), borders on the divine.

Don't think for a wink that the Moodies compose anything other than very groovy music, music that might at first seem capable of standing on its own despite its melodic and harmonic puerility. That the Moodies never hesitate to add the aforementioned mellotron orchestrations and gigantic multi-voice choruses is simply a testament to their really caring about giving their all.

And their heady, thoughtful, eminently poetic lyrics just cannot be topped when it comes to important stuff like the universe and man's plight and soon. They're always real sticklers about giving us all those rhymes (mind/find, free/me, man/understand) that we're fondest of, and, unlike so many of their contemporaries, have the balls to pose the "thousand million questions about hate and death and war" that all of us want answers to.

Me, I can meditate pleasurably for hours on such verses as: "Blackbird sitting in a tree observing what's below/Acorns falling to the ground/He'll stay and watch them grow," at the end emerging from my meditation a more enlightened, happier human being, one better equipped to confront an often confusing universe.

I am confident that if you give it a chance you, as I, will not in your record cabinet, but be moved to store this album rather within the cardboard shrine that houses your Nam myoho renge kyo scroll.

[Rcally, friends, doncha think is sad that this groupâwho, were they to quit regarding themselves as seers, hock their mellotrons, and let Justin Hayward do all the writing and singing, might make some damn fine straightforward rock and rollâthink themselves above making fine straightforward rock and roll?] (RS 70)

JOHN MENDELSOHN

(Posted: Nov 12, 1970)

― Naive Teen Idol, Sunday, 20 May 2007 22:02 (6 years ago) Permalink

So, after a few days of listening to ...Children's Children, Seventh Sojourn and various other songs--"Driftwood," "Question," and "Blue Guitars," let it be said that I believe the Moodies are--despite my own belief up to only a few days ago--hideously underrated as songwriters, performers and arrangers.

Yes, some of the material is dated. Yes, some of the lyrics are trite. And yes, some of their material is kind of ridiculous.

But if nothing else, these guys were MASTER craftsmen. Hayward wrote some truly brilliant pop songs, while Pinder had some weird genius for orchestral texture. As noted, "Question" is a classic--and ought to be an undisputed one--while "Beyond" is some crazy Tangerine Dream/Ash Ra Tempel amalgam. If the significance of their lyrics was exaggerated at the time, their sense of post-Beatles melody is underrated today.

Something else, for sure...

― Naive Teen Idol, Thursday, 24 May 2007 01:12 (6 years ago) Permalink

John Mendelsohn is the worst rock critic I've ever read ever.

― Mr. Snrub, Thursday, 24 May 2007 01:22 (6 years ago) Permalink

More like among the best. Pre-punk rock critics would never react negatively towards musical ambition and musical skills. And that was a good thing.

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 24 May 2007 08:24 (6 years ago) Permalink

Danny Laine would go on to be involved with some good albums in the 70s. But that was because of working with the greatest songwriter ever. Moody Blues had to get rid of him to get good.

― Geir Hongro, Thursday, 24 May 2007 10:44 (6 years ago) Permalink

As my goal is now to keep this thread alive come hell or high water, I should add that Blue Jays' "Remember Me (My Friend)" is outstanding post-Beatles orchestral pop. Great, great chorus...

― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 26 May 2007 04:43 (5 years ago) Permalink

yeah actually some of these records are better than I remember them being. certainly most of the early 70's ones are better than "days of future passed". I don't know that any of them are better than the bee gees albums of the same time period and they kind of tread the same waters.

― akm, Saturday, 26 May 2007 04:54 (5 years ago) Permalink

i'm curious about the live at the bbc comp.

also, I now remember that I had a tape of "long distance voyager" when I was young and I loved that album. but it doesn't wear well. I also had "the other side of life" but even at that young age I knew better than to think it was any good

― akm, Saturday, 26 May 2007 05:09 (5 years ago) Permalink

<i>"Beyond" is some crazy Tangerine Dream/Ash Ra Tempel amalgam.</i>

OTM. Shit is deep.

― inhibitionist, Saturday, 26 May 2007 05:40 (5 years ago) Permalink

This thread forced me to dig out that first run of albums and they are all pretty worthwhile. Lyrically questionable I suppose, but so is Zeppelin, Rush, Yes, and almost everyone else namechecked on this thread so far.

This thread also needs some YouTube clips:

"Tuesday Afternoon" live sometime in the late 60s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjBvPHqO9KU

Fave part: Pinder running his Mellotron through a Marshall stack!

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 May 2007 05:53 (5 years ago) Permalink

If the Moody Blues were an Elephant Six band in 1998, everyone would be gushing about them.

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 May 2007 05:54 (5 years ago) Permalink

"Watch Out! The waiter is on acid!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_0yM7LSkdE

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 May 2007 06:08 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ride My See Saw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAtFbQHdhOg

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 26 May 2007 06:20 (5 years ago) Permalink

That's funny; I had a notion about the Moodys a year ago, that upon reexamination they might turn up relevant. But as I listened to my old records I realized they were kind of bad. They've got a quality, a sound, but it's kind of juvenile -- sort of like dungeons and dragons and romance novels. That's how they strike me in 2007, anyway.

― Rich Smörgasbord, Saturday, 26 May 2007 12:41 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ok, still digging thru these first 7 records. Shamelessly love the chorus to "The Balance" -- and the poetry in the verses is kind of hilarious ("He saw an orange...he tasted it"). "Emily's Song" from Every Good Boy... is quite nice as well...

― Naive Teen Idol, Saturday, 2 June 2007 01:19 (5 years ago) Permalink

"Emily's Song" is wonderful, like Lennon meets Simon & Garfunkel...the Glockenspiel middle is simple and perfect.

― Joe, Saturday, 2 June 2007 02:26 (5 years ago) Permalink

Ok, now loving me some "Never Comes the Day" -- each of the three sections are aces, 1) the soft acoustic ballad verse, 2) the "If only you knew what's inside of me..." Scott Walker-esque section, and 3) the honking, rousing chorus w/ the harmonica.

Pretty great YouTube of it from 1970 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dzRdyC0abA

― Naive Teen Idol, Monday, 4 June 2007 19:51 (5 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

i'm curious about the live at the bbc comp.

I got around to listening to this and I stand by my comment above. If some band was writing/playing/sounding like this now, they would be total indiepop darlings.

― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 5 July 2007 04:00 (5 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

"Peak Hour" from the BBC comp just showed up on random play and Great Cthulhu it sounds like the Small Faces at 200mph.

― Elvis Telecom, Monday, 13 August 2007 20:45 (5 years ago) Permalink

If some band was writing/playing/sounding like this now, they would be total indiepop darlings.

Maybe, but would they be any good?

― Rich Smörgasbord, Monday, 13 August 2007 23:19 (5 years ago) Permalink

Better than...every other indiepop darling anyway...

― Naive Teen Idol, Tuesday, 14 August 2007 02:41 (5 years ago) Permalink

1 month passes...

After many a moon (or several dozens of, more like) I'm listening to these guys again tonite and - To Our Children's Children's Children,o wot a very fine record indeed. Well, most of it.

Was a time (sometime last century) when a pal of mine used to have a coupla of the early vinyls. Every Good Boy and On The Threshold Of A Dream, iirc. Found them kinda 'mh, nice' back then... Then I had myself the Octave LP when it came out - the openinig track was sorta good, I vaguely recall, but otherwise...

And now I consider getting a few more of those early albums - soonish :)

― t**t, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 18:50 (5 years ago) Permalink

Desola ... tion!

Crea ... tion!

Comunicaaation!

― dad a, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 19:16 (5 years ago) Permalink

Which is to say, classic.

― dad a, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 19:16 (5 years ago) Permalink

Pre-1967: Dud
1967-1972: Classic
1975 onwards: Neither

― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 2 October 2007 21:55 (5 years ago) Permalink

2 months pass...

I heard "Ride My See-Saw" on Youtube and really liked it.

I think they're the classic example of a band that has benefitted from the (deliberate) neglect from subsequent generations.

If you're too young to remember them at the time they sound very fresh in comparison to the over-exposed likes of The Beatles, Small Faces etc.

A tentative classic methinks.

― PhilK, Monday, 31 December 2007 19:37 (5 years ago) Permalink

2 years pass...

One of my daughter's favorite kinds of mac-and-cheese is Shells and White Cheddar. This causes me to hum involuntarily whenever I take it off the shelf.

― Dodo Lurker (Slim and Slam), Wednesday, 6 October 2010 12:16 (2 years ago) Permalink

I read last night that these guys are Urantian. Is that true?

― Mormons come out of the sky and they stand there (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 6 October 2010 14:59 (2 years ago) Permalink

tbh this was on a list that stated Neil Peart's religion is Objectivism.

― Mormons come out of the sky and they stand there (Abbbottt), Wednesday, 6 October 2010 15:00 (2 years ago) Permalink

If some band was writing/playing/sounding like this now, they would be total indiepop darlings.

If they'd cut down on their production budgets/studio time and play/sing a bit out of time/tune on purpose, then maybe.

― Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Wednesday, 6 October 2010 15:16 (2 years ago) Permalink

For reasons I can't quite describe, Thee Oh Sees remind me of the Moody Blue. Like a Moody Blues rock number with the central vocal track eliminated and the remaining sounds run through a tape delay.

― bendy, Wednesday, 6 October 2010 16:39 (2 years ago) Permalink

I read last night that these guys are Urantian. Is that true?

If memory serves, I think Justin Hayward was mixed up in Urantia for some time but I don't know how recent that was. John Lodge has occasionally spoken about being Christian/avoiding drugs/being "born again" but not in any kind of dogmatic fashion IIRC.

― Stockhausen's Helicopter Quartet (Elvis Telecom), Thursday, 7 October 2010 01:44 (2 years ago) Permalink

If some band was writing/playing/sounding like this now, they would be total indiepop darlings.

The vocals sound nothing like indiepop. I would probably enjoy indie more if there was vocalists like The Moody Blues guy or Robert Wyatt. One of the main reasons I really like Red Red Meat and Sin Ropas is because of the great sounding vocals totally unlike other any indie vocalists I know of from the last 15 years. Their vocalists sound more kin to The Moody Blues

When I think about The Moody Blues, "The Actor" always pops in my mind. It has to be my favorite song by them

― popular music is destroying our youth (CaptainLorax), Thursday, 7 October 2010 03:28 (2 years ago) Permalink

10 months pass...

do they really sound that much like far east family band?

― mr peabody (moonship journey to baja), Sunday, 28 August 2011 23:35 (1 year ago) Permalink

1 year passes...

anybody going?

http://www.moodiescruise.com/email/2013/10052012.html

― reggie (qualmsley), Monday, 8 October 2012 21:12 (7 months ago) Permalink

So weird, I just queued up some Moody Blues on Spotify and then I see this. Not interested in the slightest, but I love the coincidence.

― Johnny Fever, Monday, 8 October 2012 21:53 (7 months ago) Permalink

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