The Moody Blues were considered progressive rock. I’m not sure where that designation came from but perhaps in 1964ish when they first tip toed into the public ear they were futuristic? Its hard to imagine in 2010.
“Knights in White Satin”, has that sultry sounding almost muffled sound that I find most comforting. I never really listened to the lyrics never really felt the need to. I love violins and they swell in this song so beautifully that whatevers being said is secondary. The feeling the Moodys put forth is what is most powerful. This song was released in 1967, but today still has the power of something new. Perhaps that’s what progressive means. Timeless?
And there are those who call this band a bunch of self serving low talents, but when it comes to music it comes to feeling. This band moves me.
In many ways.
“The Day Begins” is a lesser known Moody song that starts slowly and grows in intensity. These are the drug years without a doubt and this particular cut can be considered almost cinematic. Which I believe may have been the point. The record company advanced some hearty cash to the band but with contracts up for expiry they had to pay back by promoting the DSS or Deramic Stereo Sound, thus making a ‘rock and roll’ version of Antonín Dvořák’s New World Symphony. This stuff makes me want to ice skate. Or lie in the grass cloud watching. See its really always visual with me. But here in “Day Begins” is the dude that sounds like the Grinch narrator. shh not making fun of it.. really…and its a nearly 6 minute song. Try that now in the microwave world.
The song “Departure” from 1968 is pretty funny some find it self gratifying but to me it sounds dated but cool, plus a nice British accent is always sexy anyway
I guess they got a bit head trippy with the spoken word preludes (or post scripts) but they’re story tellers and perhaps doing so was a way to take you to the finish line when the bong ran out. These are the Tony Clarke years. when working with Decca records the honed in their signature style. Same goes for “In The Beginning”. There were alot of shrooms around, that’s for sure.
But also in 1968 the very best song of all came out ‘The Best Way to Travel’ is a go go boot psychedelic dance that I, yes me, would dance around with a tiny week old non sleeping Magpie. I would put this song on and in a dark nursery would hum out the tune and whisper its lyrics while it played softly in the corner willing my tiny one to sleep. So hippy for such a hipster. But again……it zips me right back to that time. The trippy sounds rise and fade and always made those sleepless nights surreal
“Emilys Song” was another big spin in my house. The lyrics are calming in a smooth leisure suit sort of way. 1969s release “Our Children’s Children” has to be my most favorite. After 1970 I pretty much have no interest in the band at all aside from a handful of songs. The best purchase has to be Live at the BBC 1967-1970. Here is your essential Moodys, you can do without the rest. But if you want a real example of who they were this is it. Clarity and depth layers and layers of sound and strong vocals. “Tuesday Afternoon” is the stellar stand out on this release. God its freakin beautiful
There has been so many ‘Greatest’ ‘Best of’s” for this band that its hard to weed out whats an actual release. But its worth weeding through. So many of the Moody Blues songs are so classic and still stop me in my tracks.
“I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band’ should be on ANY rock lovers ipod.. cuz seriously if that’s not a fun song to sing then you don’t know what fun is. I can attest to many spontaneous dance breaks singing into a clenched fist for this one. “Ride My See Saw” wasn’t R rated, was it? NO. It was literal.
But nothing
nothing ever
can replace The Story in Your Eyes. Aside from the pronunciation of ‘fortune’ this is one of the top 5 songs of my entire life. Lyrically, musically and the message that it sends will be in the soundtrack of my life. Here in 3 short minutes Justin Hayward pretty much states my entire outlook on life. Pretty cool, to me anyway. But really that’s all that matters right?