THE MOODY BLUES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST
(FAQ)----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to the Moody Blues Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) List. This FAQ is put out by the members of the Lost Chords mailing list. Additional information and changes made as needed. Version 3.1, revised August 21, 2001
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents of this file:
1. About this file
==================1.1 Acknowledgments
1.2 Summary of changes made since last revision
2. Internet-related information
===============================2.1 The Lost Chords Mailing List
2.2 Hints on joining Lost Chords
2.3 The New Horizons Mailing List
2.4 The "That Sound" Mailing List
2.5 The Moody Blues on Usenet
2.6 The Moody Blues on the Web
2.7 Album Listening Parties and Chat Sites
2.8 Where to get the most recent version of this FAQ?
2.9 Commonly Used Acronyms
3. General information about The Moody Blues
============================================3.1 A brief history of The Moody Blues
3.2 Albums released by The Moody Blues
3.3 Families of The Moody Blues
3.4 The Official Moody Blues Fan Club
3.5 One Step Records
3.6 Magazines/Newsletters about The Moody Blues
3.7 How to contact "Higher & Higher" via e-mail
3.8 Threshold Records
3.9 Where can I find Moody Blues merchandise and hard-to-find albums?
4. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Albums
======================================================4.1 Are Ultradiscs really better than normal CDs?
4.2 Who are the guys in the photos in "Sur La Mer"?
4.3 What are the symbols by the songs on "Keys of the Kingdom"?
4.4 Where does the term "Lost Chord" come from?
4.5 How was the title to the "Sur La Mer" album chosen?
4.6 What's the story behind the alteration of covers for "A Question of Balance"?
4.7 Differences between cassette, CD and LP versions of albums
4.8 Why does the cover art on "The Present" look familiar?
4.9 What albums have been released in dts 5.1?
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Songs
=====================================================5.1 When is the lead singer NOT the author of the song?
5.2 What is the meaning behind the song, "House of Four Doors?"
5.3 Is that a guitar string breaking in "For My Lady?"
5.4 Is that a recording flaw at the end of "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" on the "Long Distance Voyager" album?
5.5 Who is speaking the "spoken words" on the songs?
5.6 What is a Catherine Wheel?
5.7 What is the remix of "Sitting At The Wheel?"
5.8 What is the story behind the song "Breaking Point?"
5.9 What is the story about the cat in "Nights in White Satin?"
5.10 What are the meanings behind some of the references in "Top Rank Suite?"
5.11 Common or funny mistakes in commercially- or fan-published lyrics
5.12 In what other media (movies, TV shows, audio books, or commercials) do Moody songs appear?
5.13 Is that Morse Code at the beginning and end of "Nothing Changes?"
5.14 Have the Moodies ever said their songs were written for their children/grandchildren?
5.15 What is a helter-skelter?
5.16 What songs have had different working titles or nicknames?
5.17 What Moody and solo songs were made into music videos and where can I find them?
5.18 What is the origin of the poem at the beginning of "Celtic Sonnant"?
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Instruments and Production
==============================================================6.1 What is the Mellotron?
6.2 What is double-tracking?
6.3 What is the producer's function?
6.4 Who were Redwave/Knight?
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Concerts
========================================================7.1 When did the band start using backup singers?
7.2 What differences are there between songs sung live and on albums?
7.3 What is the dinosaur shuffle?
7.4 Where can concert information be found?
7.5 When did the Moodies play songs live before they were released on an
album?
7.6 How do the Moody Blues feel about concert photography?
7.7 How do you get a backstage pass?
7.8 When did the Moodies first play casinos?
8. Other Frequently Asked Questions
===================================8.1 What is BlossomFest?
8.2 What commercials did the Moodies do?
8.3 Copyright concerns
8.4 How did the band come up with its name?
8.5 Who is the guy carrying balloons in John Lodge's "Street Cafe" video?
8.6 What is the significance of the ring that Justin wears?
8.7 What guest appearances have the band members made on albums, television, concerts, music videos or print media?
8.8 What promotional or other appearances have the Moodies made recently?
8.9 What appearances has Mike Pinder made recently?
8.10 What commercially produced videotapes, laserdiscs and DVDs were made featuring the Moody Blues?
8.11 Who are the faces in the clouds and ocean on the "Strange Times" lithograph?============================================================
1. About this file
==================1.1 Acknowledgments
-------------------The Moody Blues Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) derives entirely from other sources (radio and print interviews, Higher & Higher magazine, the Official Moody Blues Fan Club newsletter, tour programs, the expertise and sometimes opinions of the members of the Lost Chords Internet mailing list., etc.)
The following people have made the FAQ possible: Ken Barnhart, Stefan Bartelski, Paula Beard, Rich Carreiro, Ria Heeringa, Nancy Lookabaugh, and Mark Murley and Randy Salas of "Higher & Higher" -- The Moody Blues Magazine(tm), Neil Ottenstein, Thomas Ruddick, Robert Snyder, Shawn Skinner, Ivy Stewart from the Official Moody Blues Fan Club, and the members of the Lost Chords Internet mailing list. The FAQ is currently maintained by Linda Bangert (e-mail address: LSBangert@aol.com). A very special word of thanks goes to Carol Ashman, who maintained this file through May 21, 1995 (and continues to help now), and whose hard work and long hours are to be credited for the entire format of the file; to Jill Spaulding, who co-maintained this file from 1995 - 1997, and to Christi R. Huett who co-maintained this file from 1997-2000.
1.2 Summary of changes made since last revision
-----------------------------------------------Last revision was Version 3.0.1, revised January 28, 2000. This Version 3.1 makes changes to the following sections:
1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 4.4, 4.7, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.11, 5.12, 5.13, 6.4, 7.4, 7.5, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 8.10, 8.11, and adds sections 4.9, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 7.8
2. Internet-related information
===============================2.1 The Lost Chords Mailing List
--------------------------------Lost Chords is a majordomo mailing list run through North Shore Access.
To subscribe to the real-time version of the list via e-mail, send the command subscribe [your e-mail address] to: lost-chords-request@shore.net or the command subscribe lost-chords [your e-mail address] to: majordomo@shore.net
The command "subscribe" or "subscribe lost-chords" should be in the body of your e-mail message itself and not in the "subject" field. Do not include the brackets around your e-mail address. Including your e-mail address after the subscribe command is optional but it is highly recommended (for example, if you wish to receive Lost Chords at an address which is different from the machine from which you are making the request). It is always a good idea to type the word "end" (without the quotation marks) at the end of any e-mail message you send to majordomo. You will receive a confirmation message from majordomo, to which you should reply exactly as instructed in that message.
To unsubscribe via e-mail, send the command
unsubscribe [your e-mail address] to: lost-chords-request@shore.net or the command unsubscribe lost-chords [your e-mail address] to: majordomo@shore.net
The same comments listed above for subscribing apply here as well. To subscribe to the digest version (see below for an explanation of the digest version), send e-mail as follows: subscribe [your e-mail address] to: lost-chords-digest-request@shore.net or the command subscribe lost-chords-digest [your e-mail address] to: majordomo@shore.net
To unsubscribe from the digest version, send e-mail as follows: unsubscribe [your e-mail address] to: lost-chords-digest-request@shore.net or the command unsubscribe lost-chords-digest [your e-mail address] to: majordomo@shore.net
To subscribe to Lost Chords via the World Wide Web, point your browser to: http://www.shore.net/cgi-bin/lwgate/LOST-CHORDS and follow the on-screen directions.
For the digest version:
http://www.shore.net/cgi-bin/lwgate/LOST-CHORDS-DIGEST
To post a message to Lost Chords, send your message via e-mail to: lost-chords@shore.net
DO NOT send subscribe or unsubscribe messages to this address. They will not be effective in subscribing or unsubscribing you from the list (instead, your message will be routed to every member on the list and this can be embarrassing).
For further assistance with majordomo commands, send e-mail to: majordomo@shore.net and put the word "help" (without the quotation marks) in the body of your message. You will receive a list of all the majordomo commands by return e-mail within a couple of minutes.
Lost Chords began in October 1992. The list is maintained by Rich Carreiro, who can be contacted at: owner-lost-chords@shore.net (if you would like a personal response to a question, for example). Rich personally approves all subscription requests to Lost Chords but it's still necessary to subscribe by using the majordomo command "subscribe" sent to lost-chords-request@shore.net, to majordomo@shore.net or via the WWW method described above, and not to Rich personally. Once you have sent in your subscribe request, you will be sent directions by the Shore Net majordomo on how to complete the process.
There is no charge for subscribing to Lost Chords but, like shareware or public television, small donations to help defray the $120+ annual costs are very appreciated and welcomed. For more information, contact Rich Carreiro at: owner-lost-chords@shore.net
When you subscribe to Lost Chords, your e-mail address gets added to the "list" of subscribers. When a subscriber sends a message to Lost Chords, the majordomo software at North Shore Access automatically re-sends it to everyone on the list. So, even if you are the one who sent the original posting, the computer will send it back to you, as well as to everyone else on the list.
Only subscribers can post to the list. Majordomo uses the "from" line of your e-mail to determine if you are a member of the list and, therefore, if your post will be allowed or not. Remember to post from the same address/screen-name/alias that you subscribed.
There is also an option of receiving Lost Chords in digest form rather than receiving mail one message at a time. As each post is sent to Lost Chords, it is immediately re-sent to all those receiving the list in "real time."
It is also spooled into a special directory, bundled and sent out periodically to those subscribing to the "digest version." The digest is *not* a condensed version of the Lost Chords posts -- it includes every message that has been posted to Lost Chords since the prior day's digest, in the same order in which they were initially received.
The digest option is highly recommended for anyone who can use it, as it *greatly* reduces the load this list puts on the mail servers. Lost Chords has members from several countries, with ages from 16 to 50+. Currently, there are over 750+ addressees subscribed to the Lost Chords Mailing List.
Every post to Lost Chords that is sent out to real time subscribers must be rebroadcast separately to all real time subscribers. In the digest format, the posts are bundled and all of them sent out to each digest subscriber just once. This drastically reduces the load on the server, without reducing the opportunity of every digest subscriber to view each and every post to Lost Chords. Note that those receiving Lost Chords in the digest version can still post messages to the list.
The archives of Lost Chords from October 1992 to October 1995 (before Lost Chords moved from MIT to Shore Net) can be obtained by pointing your browser to:
ftp://www.frisk.org/pub/lost-chords-archives
If you don't have web access, then ftp directly to: www.frisk.org and go to the following directory:
/pub/lost-chords/archives
The archives of Lost Chords digests that have been released since the change to Shore Net can be obtained by sending e-mail to:
and in the body of the message, put: index lost-chords-digest
You will receive a list of available digests. To order a particular one, send another e-mail message to the same address, and in the body, put: get lost-chords-digest filename
where "filename" is the name of the digest as returned by the index command. The filename format will consist of the volume number, followed by the digest number (ex: v01.n001). You can put multiple "get" commands (one per line) in a single e-mail message.
Lost Chords used to run through a server at MIT. If, at any time, you are surfing the Net and you see Lost Chords described as being located at MIT, rather than at North Shore Access (shore.net), it would be appreciated if you would either alert those responsible for the site you are viewing of the change, or alert Rich Carreiro via e-mail (owner-lost-chords@shore.net) of the error so that the correct information can be given to the site in question. Thanks!
2.2 Hints on joining Lost Chords
--------------------------------Once again, send all messages to the Lost Chords list itself to: lost-chords@shore.net
Do NOT, however, send subscribe or unsubscribe messages to lost-chords@shore.net. This address is ONLY for posting to the newsgroup and
NOT for requesting to be added or deleted from the list. Subscribing or un-subscribing commands need to be sent via e-mail to: lost-chords-request@shore.net, majorodomo@shore.net or by following the instructions given on the home page at:
http://www.shore.net/cgi-bin/lwgate/LOST-CHORDS (or /LOST-CHORDS-DIGEST)
(see Section 2.1).
Though the list is un-moderated, there are currently three rules that can result in deletion from the list if violated (though at least one warning will be given):
(1) Posting private e-mail to the list without permission of the sender;
(2) Posting binaries (encoded or not) to the list;
(3) Posting negative material about identifiable people/groups, organizations based on unnamed sources. For example, it would be a violation to say: "a friend told me that John Doe is ripping people off." It would not be a violation to say: "Jane Roe, whom you can contact at XXX, told me that John Doe is ripping people off." And it DEFINITELY is NOT a violation to say something like "I/a friend/my dog/etc. think that (album name) sucks."
The basic idea is that if you are going to accuse someone of doing something wrong, it had better be a first-hand experience or the source of the information should be named and identified so that someone could verify your claim if they so desire.
Further,
(1) Ads are not allowed, with two small exceptions, and then no more often than once a month:
(a) You can make one post saying that you have stuff for sale (with a *brief* description - like "I've got some solo albums" or "I've got some old concert programs" - no listings of what's on the block) and asking interested parties to contact you. Make clear that replies should NOT go to the list;
(b) If people have gone "bin-diving," they can list the stuff if it's short (say 5 items), else they should follow (a).
(2) Sending chain mail to the list, no matter how good a cause you think it is, is strictly prohibited. This includes warnings about computer viruses.
Before you pass on a virus warning, check
http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html to see if the virus is real or a hoax;
(3) ASCII art, except as part of a small signature (i.e. less than 10 lines and preferably less than 5) is strictly prohibited;
(4) Politically oriented messages are strongly discouraged.
Other suggestions are:
- Never post anything that you wouldn't want repeated;
- Never post anything that you wouldn't want anyone to see, including friends, coworkers, bosses, potential bosses (!), significant others (SOs), potential SOs, parents, etc.; and
- Always assume that others are going to misinterpret your words, so explain yourself clearly the first time out.
If you're new to the Net, we recommend that you read the articles on Netiquette. It's mentioned that such things as messages sent in all capital letters are considered "shouting" on the Net. These are located on Usenet in:
news.announce.newusers
They're also available by FTP from:
ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.announce.newusers/
We suggest that you follow the discussion for a while before posting a message. Before posting your first message, please post a brief introductory message to the list so we know who you are. If your e-mail address is a nickname or "handle," please sign your name to your posts, at first, until the group has had a chance to know you by both your real name and nickname.
Also, please try to stay focused on the Moody Blues as much as possible. Even though it is a private list, everything posted to Lost Chords is archived and eventually made public. People should use the same precautions they would when broadcasting anything to the world. For example, you should not include your home address or phone number in your post to the list (including in your signature file). If you need to relay this information to someone, it should be done by private e-mail.
When you are replying to a message that you have received from the Lost Chords mailing list, it is very important that you double-check what your e-mail program has selected to put in the "To:" field before sending your reply out.
If you subscribe to the real time version of Lost Chords, then the majordomo program has been configured so that your "Reply-To:" field will have the e-mail address of the original sender, and not the Lost Chords list itself. Therefore, if you wish to send your reply to the entire group and not just the original sender, you will need to manually change the "Reply-To:" field to: lost-chords@shore.net or add this address as a "cc:" in your message field (if you wish your reply to go to the original sender and the entire group).
If you subscribe to the digest version of Lost Chords, then majordomo has been configured to set the "Reply-To:" field to lost-chords@shore.net.
Although internet mail standards provide that mailers are supposed to obey the "Reply-To:" line if it is different from the "From:" line, many e-mail programs appear to not be following this protocol. Since the "From:" line will say: "lost-chords-owner," many e-mail programs have been putting this in the "Reply-To:" field, and if this is not manually changed by you, then messages intended to be posted to the group won't get there. Therefore, please double-check to make sure your reply message is being sent to "To: lost-chords@shore.net" before sending it.
Also, when posting to Lost Chords, it is suggested that you turn off your "return receipt requested" function of your mailer program, if you have one. Otherwise, your mailbox will be filled with literally hundreds of receipts each time you post. Similarly, out of courtesy to those posting to Lost Chords, it would be appreciated if you would turn off any function of your mail program that automatically sends out receipts when you read your e-mail.
Please help us keep the traffic down by cutting quoted messages so that only the relevant and necessary parts are re-sent to the list. Some mail programs automatically include the whole text of the message you're replying to at the bottom of your message -- if yours does this, please manually delete all but the relevant portions of the message you are replying to and do not re-send the entire message. Also, please be careful when you are quoting someone else's message that you attribute the quote to the correct person.
Also, where possible, please try to combine your comments regarding several different posts from different people into one "anthology" message. In other words, if there are five different posts to which you wish to make brief comments about, it would be preferable if you could combine them into one post, indicating the relevant comment of the posts to which you are responding, followed by your own comments to each. Rather than having five separate messages, which must be sent to all real time subscribers, there will only be one message, containing all of your comments to the respective posts.
Please use personal e-mail if you're replying to one person or want to say something more private, instead of broadcasting it to the rest of the group. If you're having trouble contacting someone by private e-mail (and you've tried more than once), you might post a note to Lost Chords just asking that person to contact you (no need to include details of your private conversation). Otherwise, you might embarrass someone with private e-mail showing up on the list.
When sending messages to the list, you may get "bounced messages" at times. These are messages that get sent to you, often with the heading "Returned Mail." Don't worry about these; it usually means that some poor soul is having network problems.
Sometimes you may receive double copies of messages. That will happen when someone sends a direct copy to you, in addition to posting it on Lost Chords. Please post using plain, old boring ASCII. Keep in mind that everyone has different e-mail programs and service providers, so only simple text gets through to everyone. Underlines, highlights, colors or other special characters, including html, come across as garbage to some people and sometimes obscure what you're trying to say. Some of the newer word-processing programs have "smart quotes" and other special characters set as defaults. If you use your word processor to compose messages, please turn off any "auto correct" and "auto format" features or your post may come across as unreadable. Also, turn off any "send-styled text" or html options, "virtual business cards" and "quoted printables" in your e-mail program.
An excellent website which gives instructions for turning off html options in almost any e-mail program imaginable can be found at http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/1236/nomime.html
The membership of Lost Chords is comprised of a wide range of ages, experiences and musical tastes, with the Moody Blues being the common glue. While differing viewpoints and healthy discussions are encouraged, respect and responsibility should also be a part of the posting process. Often a message can be perceived in more than one way, so try to say it in the nicest way possible (Say It With Love). If you feel someone's posting is inflammatory, stupid or cruel, and you truly must reply to it, please do so privately (don't post it to everyone in Lost Chords). And if you are in the wrong, please admit it. Thanks.
2.3 The New Horizons Mailing List
-----------------------------------------------------------New Horizons is another online forum for fans of the Moody Blues. Maintained by Julie Belvin Miley (jemswan@yahoo.com), New Horizons is also a majordomo mailing list and is run through North Shore Access, like Lost Chords. New Horizons is dedicated to exploring the emotional, soul-enriching aspects of Moody Blues' music, where members talk openly of the spirituality in Moody Blues lyrics, and in their lives. New Horizons is the place where more philosophical matters can be discussed, without fear of being "flamed" or unjustly criticized. There is no "competition" whatsoever between New Horizons and Lost Chords, or any other online Moodies groups.
To subscribe to the real-time list via e-mail, send the command:
subscribe [your e-mail address]
to: new-horizons-request@shore.netThe command "subscribe" should be in the body of your e-mail message itself and not in the "subject" field. Do not include the brackets around your e-mail address.
To subscribe to the digest via e-mail, send the command:
subscribe [your e-mail address] (without the brackets around your address)
to: new-horizons-digest-request@shore.netYou can also subscribe to either version of the New Horizons list on the Web by pointing your browser to:
http://julieb1000.tripod.com/NewHorizons/index.html
and by following the on-screen instructions.
2.4 The "That Sound" Mailing List
---------------------------------"That Sound" is a mailing list established as a forum, that not only allows fans to buy/sell/trade/auction Moody Blues memorabilia, and to ask questions and pass along information about the Moody Blues and collecting. Subscribing to the list is a good way to learn about the vast catalog of Moody Blues items.
Valerie Weston is the list owner. For questions or for more information, contact Valerie: valweston@that-sound.com
The list comes out in real-time or digest form. To subscribe to the real-time list, send any message to:
That-Sound-on@mail-list.comTo subscribe to the digest, send any message to:
That-Sound-d-on@mail-list.comTo unsubscribe from either list, send any message to:
That-Sound-off@mail-list.comOnce you are subscribed (to either list), send messages to the list to:
That-Sound@mail-list.comThe list also maintains a web page: http:// www.that-sound.com/
2.5 The Moody Blues on Usenet
-----------------------------Michael Holl started the newsgroup in early 1994, in order to provide a forum for discussion of the Moody Blues for those who can't handle the traffic of a mailing list. Please note that it was not meant to be a replacement for the Lost Chords mailing list.
Using alt.music.moody-blues has a few differences from a mailing list. One is that the posts aren't sent to your mailbox, which may interrupt you at work or school. Instead, they're posted on a "bulletin board" which you can log on to whenever you wish and read only the posts that interest you.
Although there is somewhat less traffic on the bulletin board, much of what appears on Usenet eventually shows up on the mailing list and vice versa.
2.6 The Moody Blues on the Web
------------------------------Bob Snyder created an Index to everything on the Internet that is Moodies-related. If you want to search for Moody Blues on the Internet, bookmark the Index, because it is the best starting point. Since Bob can no longer devote the time necessary to maintaining the index, a more automated system has been put in place with Donna Forosisky as the maintainer. All of the references in the Index are hyper-linked, so that clicking on them will immediately take you on to the referenced site.
The URL for the hyper-linked index is: http://www.frisk.org/mbindex/pages/
The Index contains links to: home pages produced by fans of the Moody Blues; sites for the band's lyrics and guitar chord tablatures; chat sites; commercial sites of Moody Blues memorabilia and collectibles; sites containing interviews and reviews; and sites containing photographs and sound clips, among other things.
2000 saw the launch of www.johnlodge.com, www.justinhayward.com, and www.gordymarshall.com, and Paul Bliss' website at http://geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/2799
2.7 Album Listening Parties and Chat Sites
------------------------------------------There is a registered DalNet IRC channel for fans, who wish to chat together about the Moody Blues, hosted by members of the Lost Chords list. The channel name #moodyblues (The # mustbe used) can be reached from any DalNet server. More information can be found at:
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/dalnetmoodyblues/
Paul Falce (nickname "Sachem") and Carol Rowe (nickname "Mscarol") can usually be found there after 8 p.m. EST (5 p.m. Pacific), along with a growing number of other Moodies fans at odd hours daily. The channel is registered, which means it's controlled by registered channel operators, who can assist in keeping the conversations clean and distraction-free. IRC requires a chat program to use, one of which is called mIRC. mIRC can be downloaded from:
DalNet is one of several IRC services, with many interconnected server sites that can be accessed from all over the world. In general, you must be connected to the Internet gateway of your Service before you run any IRC program. Other IRC programs are available for the Mac and non-DOS/Windows computers, so check the above URL for links to download those programs.
Information and assistance on how to connect to any IRC server is available from Carol Rowe (mscarol123@qwest.net) and Paul Falce (PNFJR@mediaone.net).
The Moody Blues Internet Listening Parties take place on Friday evenings/ Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons at the following times:
Friday:
USA: 11 PM ET - 10 PM CT - 9 PM MT - 8 PM PT
Europe:Winter: 4 AM GMT Saturday (04:00 UTC)
Summer: 3 AM GMT Saturday (03:00 UTC)The schedule for the Friday listening party is at the web site:
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/dalnetmoodyblues/
Sunday:
USA: 3 PM ET - 2 PM CT - 1 PM MT - 12 PM PT
Europe:Winter: 8:00 PM GMT (20:00 UTC)
Summer: 7:00 PM GMT (19:00 UTC)The tentative schedule of Sunday listening parties with the DalNet server currently in use is available at the web site:
http://www.toad.net/~otten/mblp.htm
In a Listening Party, the participants first connect to the site. It is generally a good idea to try to connect at least 5 minutes prior to starting time. When it is time to begin, the moderator gives everyone a signal and the party-goers start their CD/tape/record players at this signal. They then listen to, discuss and enjoy the music, and have a lot of fun! The parties last about 15 or 20 minutes longer than the album, usually lasting no longer than 1.5 hours.
---------------
As chat software has become more available, chat sites come and go with some frequency. For the best listing of currently available chat sites, check the Moody Blues Index - Bulletin Boards and Chat Rooms at http://www.frisk.org/mbindex/pages/Bulletin"Boards"and"Chat"Rooms/
2.8 Where to get the most recent version of this FAQ?
-----------------------------------------------------The Moody Blues Index offers links to text and html versions of the FAQ at http://www.frisk.org/mbindex/pages/Absolutely"Essential"Reading/ or you can send e-mail to one of the people who maintain this file (see Section 1.1).
2.9 Commonly Used Acronyms
--------------------------Acronyms are used throughout the Internet and Lost Chords is no exception. They are easier to type for some, particularly in place of some of the longer songs and, most especially, at the listening parties. However, they are also harder to read at times and some people have difficulty with them.
It has been suggested that when posting to Lost Chords that you spell the name out the first time and maybe put the acronym in parentheses, then use the acronym after that (e.g. as Ray sings in "Another Morning" (AM). Also, in AM... .).
Acronyms are frequently used to refer to albums and sometimes songs. For example, "OTTOAD" for "On The Threshold of a Dream". Other times, just a key word or two, such as "Nights" for "Nights in White Satin" will suffice.
Single words aren't usually abbreviated as acronyms. The following are some of the more common acronyms used:
Common Moody Blues Acronyms:8ve Octave
ATIRIY All That Is Real Is You
AM Another Morning
AQOB A Question of Balance
ATTRI And The Tide Rushes In
AYC After You Came
AYSC Are You Sitting Comfortably?
BD Broken Dream
BG Blue Guitar
BP Breaking Point
BTWTBYB Bless The Wings (That Bring You Back)
COL Candle of Life
COP Children of Paradise
CS Celtic Sonant
DD Dear Diary
DIAF Dawn Is A Feeling
DITD Dawning Is The Day
DLIP Dr. Livingston, I Presume
DOFP Days of Future Passed
DYFS Don't You Feel Small
EGBDF Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
EOAC Eyes Of A Child
ER Eternity Road
ES Emily's Song or English Sunset
FML For My Lady
FoMP Friends of Michael Pinder
FRO Frankfurt Rock Orchestra Classic Moody Blues Hits Featuring Justin Hayward and Friends (released under many titles, see Section 3.2.)
GD Gemini Dream
GE Graeme Edge
GN Going Nowhere
GWV Good Work Ventures (see Section 3.9)
H&H Higher and Higher; both the song & the MB newsletter
HAP Hope And Pray
HCTW Here Comes The Weekend
HII(WAH) How Is It (We Are Here)
HITW Hole In The World
HOFD House of Four Doors
HTFIL Had To Fall In Love
HYH Have You Heard
IA I Am
IBLWY I'll Be Level With You
ICOOYH It's Cold Outside Of Your Heart
IJASIARARB I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band)
IJDC I Just Don't Care
IKYOTS I Know You're Out There Somewhere
ILS Isn't Life Strange
IMBAF It May Be A Fire
IMW In My World
ISOTLC In Search of the Lost Chord
ITB In The Beginning
ITH Is This Heaven?
IUTY It's Up To You
IYM I'm Your Man
JH Justin Hayward
JL John Lodge
KOTK Keys of the Kingdom
LD Lazy Day
LDV Long Distance Voyager
LIALW Lost In A Lost World
LIOTR Love Is On The Run
LOAB Legend of a Band
LOAM Legend of a Mind
LOM(T)/LOMT Lean On Me (Tonight)
LTSY Lovely To See You
MB Moody Blues (what else?)
MM Melancholy Man/Moving Mountains
MMH Meet Me Halfway
Moodies The Moody Blues or their fans
MP Mike Pinder
MS Minstrel's Song; My Song
NBTRFTR Never Blame The Rainbows For The Rain
NC Nothing Changes
NCTD Never Comes The Day
NH New Horizons
NIWS Nights in White Satin
NML No More Lies
NTBH Nice To Be Here
NTILTBAH Never Thought I'd Live To Be A Hundred
NTILTBAM Never Thought I'd Live To Be A Million
OAI Out And In
OFC Official Fan club; also referred to as TMBOFC
OGG Our Guessing Game
OIE Once Is Enough
OMTTL One More Time To Live
OSITL One Step Into The Light
OTTOAD On the Threshold of a Dream
PH Peak Hour
PS Painted Smile
RAH Royal Albert Hall or the video or CD " The Moody Blues Hall of Fame: Live from Royal Albert Hall"
RMSS Ride My See Saw
RNROY Rock 'N Roll Over You
ROEL River Of Endless Love
ROOL Running Out Of Love
RR A Night at Red Rocks
RS Reflective Smile
RT Ray Thomas
RW Running Water
SAA Slings And Arrows
SATW Sitting At The Wheel
SDWY So Deep Within You
SIASZ Steppin' In A Slide Zone
SISS Sun Is Still Shining
SIWL Say It With Love
SLM Sur La Mer
SMNW Send Me No Wine
SOL Sooner Or Later
SOTW Shadows On The Wall
SS Seventh Sojourn
ST Strange Times (the album and song)
SWYM Say What You Mean
TA Tuesday Afternoon; The Actor (less common)
TATH Tortoise And The Hare
TB The Balance
TBWTT The Best Way To Travel
TD The Dream; 22,000 Days
TDWMA The Day We Meet Again
TITM This Is The Moment
TLOMB The Land of Make Believe
TOCCC To Our Children's Children's Children
TOOT Talking Out Of Turn
TOSOL The Other Side of Life
TP The Present (this acronym is seldom used)
TRS Top Rank Suite
TS The Spirit
TSIYE The Story In Your Eyes
TSOL To Share Our Love
TT Time Traveller; Twilight Time; Talkin' Talkin'
TV The Voice; The Voyage (less common)
TVFTH The View from the Hill
TW The Word
TWotW The Way of the World
UM Under Moonshine
UMF Under My Feet
VCR Veteran Cosmic Rocker
VITS Voices In The Sky
VOP Visions Of Paradise
VW Vintage Wine
WAW Watching And Waiting
WTBWY Want To Be With You
WYAFM When You're A Free Man
WYS Words You Say
YAM You And Me
YCNGH You Can Never Go Home
YWD Your Wildest Dreams
Other Common Abbreviations/Expressions:BRB Be Right Back
BTW By The Way
FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
FTP File Transfer Protocol
GMT Greenwich Mean Time - refers to Greenwich, England (along the Prime Meridian); the basis of standard time
IM(H)O/IMHO In My (Humble) Opinion
LOL Laughing Out Loud
LP Long-Play (vinyl albums); also Listening Party
Net Refers to Internet; usually written as The Net
Netiquette Internet Etiquette
Newbie Newcomer, often someone new to Internet
ROTFL Rolling On the Floor Laughing
URL Universal Resource Locator (used for addresses on WWW)
WWW World Wide Web (The Web; see section 2.6)
Some smilie examples (tilt your head to the left and look at them): Some of these were taken from "The Unofficial Smilie Dictionary":
:-) The basic smilie. This smilie is used to inflect a sarcastic or joking statement since we can't hear voice inflection;
;-) Winky smilie. User just made a flirtatious and/or sarcastic remark. More of a "don't hit me for what I just said" smilie;
:-( Frowning smilie. User did not like that last statement or is upset or depressed about something;
<G> grin. Yet another way of smiling;
=) Still yet another way of smiling.
3. General information about The Moody Blues
============================================3.1 A brief history of The Moody Blues
--------------------------------------The Moody Blues was formed in May 1964. Its members were: Denny Laine, Clint Warwick, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge. During the years 1965 - 1967, they focused primarily on R & B, their most famous single being "Go Now" which reached # 1 on the charts in both the U.S. and Great Britain. During this time, they made several television appearances and opened for the Beatles on that band's last UK tour in 1965.
In 1966, Denny Laine and Clint Warwick left the group and were replaced by Justin Hayward and John Lodge. They abandoned the old R & B and, in 1967, recorded music from a stage show they had been performing, which became their most famous album, "Days of Future Passed". Their record company, Decca, asked for a record to demonstrate its version of stereo, which had previously been reserved for symphonic recordings. Decca wanted the Moodies to record a rock version of Dvorak's symphony, "From the New World," to demonstrate that stereo could improve the sound of rock music as it had done for symphonic music. The band conspired with Peter Knight, the orchestra leader, to record their stage show and he composed music to fit around it. The band's recordings were put on tape with spaces for the orchestra's music, so the band never actually played with an orchestra.
Apparently, Decca didn't like "Days of Future Passed" but they released it anyway, since they'd already spent the money. Luckily they *did*, since the album contained "Nights In White Satin," which later became the Moodies' most famous song; and "Tuesday Afternoon," which became their first big hit in the U.S. The album remained on Billboard charts a full two years after its release.
During the years 1967 - 1972, they recorded seven very successful albums, all of which went gold and/or platinum. In 1972, "Days of Future Passed" was re-released and, incredibly, went gold again, a full five years after the original release of the album!
Amidst their skyrocketing popularity, the Moody Blues broke up in February 1974. However, individual members continued recording solo albums, many of which did extremely well on the pop charts. In 1978, the band reunited and recorded "Octave", its eighth album with Justin Hayward and John Lodge.
This was the last album with Mike Pinder, who declined to go on any more tours, and producer Tony Clarke. Patrick Moraz replaced Mike on the keyboards for the "Octave" tour and was on every album from "Long Distance Voyager" to "Sur La Mer". Moraz also provided some keyboard work on "Keys of the Kingdom", as well.
With the release of "Long Distance Voyager" in 1981, the band's comeback could not be ignored. The single "The Voice" did very well and the band went back on tour. Next to be released was "The Present", which enjoyed a brief stay in the top 40. Both albums were produced by Pip Williams. Thereafter, the band and Williams parted ways. Justin Hayward says Williams was dismissed, citing "working too long on too many things that were never heard." Williams says he declined to produce a third album due to emotional exhaustion after recording "The Present".
The Moodies continued recording and touring, and had a number of hit singles in the 1980s, including "Your Wildest Dreams," the video of which was named "Video of the Year" by Billboard magazine. On September 9, 1992, the band commemorated the 25th anniversary of the release of "Days of Future Passed" with a concert featuring a full symphony orchestra at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. This concert was released in 1993 as the live album and video "A Night At Red Rocks". Larry Baird, the conductor, had to create all the arrangements from listening to previous recordings, as the original music from "Days of Future Passed" could not be found. The video of this concert aired on PBS stations throughout the United States.
From 1993 - 2000, the band made various tours of the United States and UK, playing with local symphonies in each city. The band released their box set, "Time Traveller", on September 27, 1994. That same Tuesday afternoon, they held an Internet Chat session and were welcomed into Hollywood's Rock Walk (they placed their handprints and signatures in cement outside the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard). For pictures of this event on the web, go to:
http://www.rockwalk.com/cgi-bin/rockwalk.cgi/MOODYBLUES/
In 1999, the song "Nights in White Satin" was inducted into the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science (NARAS, the Academy which awards the "Grammys") "Hall of Fame." This honor is reserved for recordings that are at least 25 years old and of lasting historical significance, and Justin Hayward received the ASCAP "Golden Note" lifetime achievement award for songwriters in October, 2000.
On August 17, 1999, the Moody Blues released "Strange Times", their first album of new material in 8 years and their first ever self-produced album. The band celebrated the release by kicking off a world tour in Tallahassee, Florida on August 13, 1999. A second live concert video with symphony was made in London at the Royal Albert Hall on May 1, 2000 and widely shown on PBS stations throughout the USA.
3.2 Albums released by The Moody Blues
-------------------------------------The following are the albums released by the band as a whole. This is not meant to be a complete discography. For the most complete discography, consult back issues of Higher and Higher magazine (see Section 3.6). The following Moody Blues albums were never released as LPs: "Legend Of A Band", and all releases starting with "A Night At Red Rocks With the Colorado Symphony Orchestra".
1966 - The Magnificent Moodies (UK)
This release contained 12 tracks. Later released in 1988 with 25 tracks (see below).
1966 - Go Now (USA)
The "stereo" version of this album isn't! This is not the same as the British LP, although they have some tracks in common. The liner notes by Donovan were taken from the British LP.
1967 - Days of Future Passed
The first album with Justin Hayward and John Lodge.
1968 - In Search of the Lost Chord
First album with all instruments (30) played by Moodies.
1969 - On the Threshold of a Dream
First album with lyrics included (these were in a booklet).
1969 - To Our Children's Children's Children
First album on Threshold records, the band's own record company.
1970 - A Question of Balance
An effort to return to music that could be reproduced on stage without any additional instrumentation.
1971 - Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
EGBDF, of course, are the letter names of the lines on a staff of music with a G-clef. E-G-B-D-F are also the first notes heard in "Procession."
1972 - Seventh Sojourn
Last album before they took a break for several years.
1974 - This Is The Moody Blues
Two-album compilation featuring songs from "Core 7" albums ("Days of Future Passed" through "Seventh Sojourn").
1977 - Caught Live +5
Live concert at Royal Albert Hall, London on December 12, 1969, plus previously un-released studio cuts (which were later included on the "Prelude" CD, released in 1987). "Caught Live + 5" was first released as a double album and re-released on October 22, 1996 as a single CD.
1978 - Octave
Last album with Mike Pinder. Last album produced by Tony Clarke.
1981 - Long Distance Voyager
The band's biggest international success. The first album with Patrick Moraz on keyboards and the first to be produced by Pip Williams.
1983 - The Present
Last Moodies album to be produced by Pip Williams.
1984 - Voices in the Sky
Compilation of previously released songs. The CDs (U.S. release has the "boy-on-grass" cover, U.K. release has solid light blue cover) and U.K. LP (solid light blue cover) have the same track listing, which include "After You Came," "Never Comes the Day" and "Talking Out Of Turn." It also lists "Driftwood" as "Driftwodod". The U.S. LP ("boy-on-grass" cover) and Argentina LP ("Moodies-in-leather" cover) have the tracks rearranged and do not have these three songs but do have "Sitting at the Wheel." To further confuse things, the Canadian LP substitutes "Sitting at the Wheel" for "Talking Out of Turn;" otherwise, the song lineup is the same as the UK version.
1986 - The Other Side of Life
This album signaled a dominance in the studio by Justin Hayward and John Lodge that has continued through "Strange Times". First album produced by Tony Visconti.
1987 - Prelude
This CD includes all of the non-album recordings made by the band (the configuration that included Justin and John), including both sides of their first two singles, plus "Cities" (the flip-side of the "Nights in White Satin" single) and "A Simple Game" (the European flip-side of the "Ride My See Saw" single).
1988 - The Magnificent Moodies (USA)
The CD version of this album has 25 tracks, including the entire original British LP released in 1967 (see above) and the remainder of the Laine-era band's non-album recordings, some of which were on the American LP.
1988 - Sur La Mer
Although listed as a band member on the liner notes, Ray Thomas did not participate on this album.
1989 - The Moody Blues Greatest Hits
A compilation with "stained glass" cover art released on both LP and CD that was re-released in 1990 as....
1990 - Legend of a Band
Intended as a companion to the video of the same name. The video (see Section 8.10) includes interviews with the Moody Blues. The CD also includes versions of "Question" and "Isn't Life Strange," which were re-recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra. First album to release in the US exclusively as a CD (not as an LP).
1991 - Keys of the Kingdom
Eleven tracks with three different producers and three different keyboardists. It was the last album with Patrick Moraz, and the first (and only) studio album with Bias Boshell and Paul Bliss. "Highway" was produced by Tony Visconti during the recording sessions but not included in the album's release (see "Time Traveller" below). Released as an LP only in Canada.
1993 - A Night At Red Rocks With the Colorado Symphony Orchestra
A live concert performed at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado on September 9, 1992. Also available as a video (see Section 8.10), with 3 songs not heard on the album. The fifth bonus disk of the "Time Traveller" box set (see below) contains the remaining eight songs performed at the concert and not included on the Red Rocks album.
1994 - Time Traveller
4 CD box set covering Moody Blues music from 1966 to 1994, plus "Forever Autumn" and six tracks from "Blue Jays". Also includes "Highway," which was recorded during the sessions for "Keys of the Kingdom" but was omitted from the album. Initial copies of the box set included a fifth bonus CD, which wasn't included in later releases. The bonus CD included the eight live tracks from the Red Rocks concert that were not included on "A Night at Red Rocks" plus "This Is the Moment," which was previously only available on "Soccer Rocks the Globe" (see Section 8.7).
1997 - The Very Best of the Moody Blues
This 17-track compilation CD was originally released in the UK with the "dove over a star field" cover. It was the first compilation to include "Go Now" with the band's later recordings. It was later released as....
1997 - The Best of the Moody Blues
An "international" release with the album title written in a spiral, duplicating the track listing of the UK version ("The Very Best of the Moody Blues") described above.
1998 - Master Series
Released by PolyGram and made available only in Europe (available through Threshold Records, see Section 3.8) this 17-track CD includes the usual hits, but also includes some rarities. Included are: the 7:31 minute remix of "Sitting at the Wheel" (previously only a 12-inch single in Germany); radio edits of "No More Lies" and "Nights in White Satin;" the Anne Dudley orchestral version of "Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)" (previously only on CD single); "Highway" (previously released only as a single in Europe or on the "Time Traveller" box set); "I Dreamed Last Night" from "Blue Jays"; "Gimme A Little Something" from "Caught Live + 5" and "Prelude"; "A Simple Game" from "Prelude"; and the orchestral version of "Question" re-recorded for "Legend of a Band". Liner notes are by John Tracy.
1998 - The Moody Blues Anthology
This 2 CD, 33-track set covers the Moody Blues hits chronologically, plus songs from "Blue Jays" and Justin Hayward's solo ventures. The CD set was released with the "dove over a star field" cover art that was also used on the 1997 "The Very Best of the Moody Blues".
1999 - Strange Times
Fourteen tracks, with all four Moodies having song-writing credits and their first studio album since "Keys of the Kingdom" in 1991. The first self-produced Moodies album and the first studio album in which Graeme speaks his own poetry since "In Search of the Lost Chord" in 1968. Band members have mentioned in interviews that 18 or 19 tracks were recorded, but the remaining tracks are, as yet, unreleased. The first single released was "English Sunset." Some early cassette versions were released with some song title errors on the cassette, although the correct titles are listed in the liner notes. "Wherever You Are" is listed as "These Times" and "Forever Now" is listed as "Live Forever." These cassettes also flattened the bottom of the nautilus shell on the cover art. The Japanese release in 2000 included bonus tracks "Highway" and "This is the Moment".
2000 - 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection
"Moodies in Leather" cover art but with Moraz cropped out. Includes 11 tracks of the greatest hits and also "Blue World", perhaps the only song from "The Present" to be included on a "greatest hits" package.
2000 - Hits and Strange Times
This pairing of a "The Very Best of" (see above) with the new album sold well, and at the time of the filming of the concert at the Royal Albert Hall on May 1, 2000, it had reached number 9 in the UK charts.
2000 - Classic Moody Blues or Universal Masters Collection
A renaming of 1998's Master Series (see above).
2000 - The Moody Blues Hall of Fame: Live from Royal Albert Hall
A live concert performed May 1, 2000 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It is also available as a video and DVD (see Section 8.10). The 14 songs on the CD are the same as those performed on the video and DVD.
2000 - "The Moody Blues - Singles and More"
A release from Holland, 43 tracks spanning "Go Now" to "Sur La Mer", including all 21 of the Billboard chart hits plus some Justin Hayward solo and Blue Jays tunes.
2001 - "Journey Into Amazing Caves"
Soundtrack CD accompanying IMAX movie of the same name (See Section 8.10 for information on VHS and DVD releases.) - The Moody Blues provide the new songs "We Can Fly" and "Water" (instrumental), and re-worked versions of "Nights in White Satin", "Question", "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", "Your Wildest Dreams", and a live concert version of "Ride My See Saw" (not included in the soundtrack CD) for the soundtrack of this film. Justin Hayward also provided incidental guitar work. The soundtrack CD was released April 24, 2001.
In addition, members of the band have released the following solo albums:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Justin Hayward and John Lodge:
1975 - Blue Jays
Justin Hayward:
1977 - Songwriter
1980 - Night Flight
1985 - Moving Mountains (Originally released on LP and cassette on the Towerbell label with triangular "mountains" on the cover. A short time later, it was released on the Anchor label as CD and cassette with a cover photo of Justin, apparently taken during the "Silverbird" video shoot, and with "The Lights Are Low" as a bonus track. The Anchor version was also released on LP in Canada (on the Attic label, under license from Anchor) and re-released on CD in 1996. See Section 4.7 for musical differences in these releases.)
1989 - Classic Blue
1994 - Frankfurt Rock Orchestra (FRO) Classic Moody Blues Hits featuring Justin Hayward & Friends (Germany). (Also released in Canada as "Moody Blues - Classic Hits Unplugged" *and* "Justin Hayward and Friends Sing the Moody Blues Classic Hits"; and the U.S. "Classic Moody Blues Hits performed by the Classical Rock Orchestra featuring Justin Hayward & Friends" (this version contains only 10 songs, compared to 14 tracks for the other FRO releases); and in the UK as "Under the Moon of Love" with a 2000-ish vintage photo of Justin, although the CD itself has the usual title.)
1996 - The View From The Hill
1999 - Justin Hayward Live at San Juan Capistrano (Recorded April 1998, at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. It's also available as a video (see Section 8.10), which includes 4 songs and between song banter not heard on the CD.)
John Lodge:
1977 - Natural Avenue (Re-released on CD in 1987 with the original album artwork and the bonus track "Street Café". Re-released in 1996 with a second bonus track, "Threw It All Away" and a (then) current photo of Lodge on the cover. Re-released again as a limited-edition LP in 2000 with the same cover art and track listing as the 1996 CD.)
Ray Thomas:
1975 - From Mighty Oaks
1976 - Hopes, Wishes and Dreams
Graeme Edge (The Graeme Edge Band):
1975 - Kick Off Your Muddy Boots
1977 - Paradise Ballroom
Mike Pinder:
1976 - The Promise (Re-released in 1996 with two bonus tracks and available commercially or through One Step Records, see Section 3.5.)
1993 - Off the Shelf (a 5-song CD)
1994 - Among the Stars (available through One Step Records, see Section 3.5)
1995 - A Planet with One Mind (This album was a finalist for the Publishers Marketing Association's prestigious "Benjamin Franklin Award" for children's audio, a finalist for the National Association of Independent Record Distributors and Manufacturer's Award for Children's Storytelling and was awarded the Parents Choice Approval.)
1996 - A People with One Heart (Pinder's second children's album, which was also a finalist for the Publishers Marketing Association's "Benjamin Franklin Award" for children's audio.)
1996 - "Shining Lights" CD single (This was originally available to members of the Friends of Mike Pinder (FOMP) fan club. Now available through One Step Records, see Section 3.5).
3.3 Families of the Moody Blues
-------------------------------MOODIES FAMILIES
Originally compiled by Thomas E. "TR" RuddickThe Moody Blues, as a band, are less reclusive in the 1990s and beyond than they were in the 1970s--but they're still extremely private sorts of fellows. As a Moodies fan, I've an average (I think...) amount of curiosity about their backgrounds. Since there's no authorized biography, except for a few unreliable entries in Rock Encyclopedias, I started to assemble this genealogy. I've meant to include all who have appeared on stage with the Moodies (except, of course, those union musicians who comprised the various "festival" orchestras). I admit that this approach leaves out some important people and adds some obscure ones (Dougie Lock, Rod Clark) but at least it's precise. I have recently added some of the producers and symphonic arrangers to fill some of the gaps.
The information is not always reliable. Any questionable information here is marked (?). Birth years for these men are particularly frustrating to verify. When I'm not certain, I've listed the most credible date first, followed by others in [brackets]. I've placed stars *** before the names of those with songwriting credits.
If you think you can improve the information, please contact me at "ruddick@edison.cc.oh.us." Please "cc:" the maintainer of the FAQ with the same information: Linda B. (LSBangert@aol.com). My thanks to the countless Moodies fans who've shared information with me so far, especially the keepers of this FAQ, for their indispensable input and editing.
SOME GENERAL TIDBITS:
The four current Moodies are all naturally athletic. In the early days, the band and its buddies would regularly beat the regular Cobham team in football [soccer for the US audience]; Justin Hayward set a sprinting record in his school days; and Graeme and John are competitive golfers. The four long-standing members of the band are also dog lovers. They are essentially self-taught as musicians, none claiming any special training beyond piano lessons or school band activities in childhood.
+++ FOUNDING MEMBERS +++
The 5 original Moody Blues, 1964-1966: the period of rhythm & blues, novelty tunes and "Go Now."
***CLINT WARWICK, bass, voice
b. Albert Eccles, June 25, 1940, in Birmingham
Formerly with local Birmingham band "The Rainbow." Helped to create the Moodies in 1964 but quit the band in spring 1966, became a carpenter and lives near Birmingham. Eccles met with fans and attended the May 1, 2000 concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
First wife: Christine (married mid-60s, divorced 1967)
Second wife: ? (divorced)
Son: Lee (b. before 1966) managing editor of a graphic design company
Son: Paul (b. before 1966 d. 1996) owner/operator of a meat company
***MICHAEL PINDER, piano, mellotron, guitar, synthesizer, cello, voice
b. Dec. 27, 1941, in Birmingham.
parents: Bert and Gladys Pinder
brother: Reg
sisters: Maisie, Monica
first wife: Donna (married around 1970; divorced sometime after '72)
son: Daniel (b. Nov. 23, 1971. Electric bassist)
second wife: Taralee (married early 1980s)
son: Michael Lee (b. early 1979)
son: Matthew (b. early 1981)Pinder played in El Riot and the Rebels with Ray Thomas and John Lodge in the early 1960s, and worked in a mellotron factory. Later he and Thomas played in a group called the Krew Cats (or Crew Cats), working in many of the German pubs where the Beatles started out. Unfortunately, the Krew Cats went broke and Pinder and Thomas wound up walking back to England. It was third time lucky for Pinder after he co-founded the Moody Blues. He relocated to California around 1974, and quit the Moodies in 1978 after recording "Octave". He worked as a consultant for Atari computers through the 1980s and finally returned to the recording studio to produce new solo albums and two award-winning spoken word albums of children's stories.
He admires the work of Joseph Campbell (mythology professor who was featured on a series of PBS television shows and who consulted on scripts for the second and third "Star Wars" movies). He recommends that we all read "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins.
***GRAEME EDGE, percussion, electronics and spoken word
b. 4:00 am Mar. 30, 1941, in Rochester, Staffordshire
father: (d. November or December 1999 former music hall singer)
mother: (pianist for silent movies)
first wife: Carol (former model) (m. Jan. 1, 1969; divorced mid-1970)
daughter: Samantha Zara (b. mid-1969; m. July 20, 1996 resides in Hong
Kong)
granddaughter: "Tiger" Olivia (b. Nov. 29, 1997)
granddaughter: Jade (b. May 27, 2000)
second wife: Sue (former typist) (m. mid 1970s; divorced mid-1980s)
son: Matthew (b. around 1976 works in banking in London)
third wife: "Commander" Amanda (m. Aug. 13, 1998, after being engaged since around 1991)Edge started out in Birmingham as a "manager" for other bands ("manager" meant that the band could practice in your home). He filled in when a drummer in one of his bands quit suddenly. Prior to the Moodies, he played in Gerry Levene and the Avengers in Birmingham (along with Roy Wood, later of Electric Light Orchestra). He was also employed as a draughtsman and a pioneer in the use of electronic drums. Graeme is one of the two founding members still active in the Moodies (Ray is the other).
Still active in the Moodies, his many hobbies include sailing (especially deep-water craft), golf, war films, aquariums, ultra-light aircraft, sci-fi and he's a confirmed "Trekkie."
***RAY THOMAS, flute, harmonica, sax, oboe, tambourine, voice
b. 5:30 am Dec. 29, 1941, in Stourport-on-Severn
youngest of 4 (?) siblings
wife Gillian (m. 1969; divorced around 1981)
son: Adam (b. around 1972)
daughter: Anna (nicknamed Nancy?) (b.?)
daughter: Zoe (b.?)
grandson: Robert Nathan (b. 2:51 am, Jan. 17, 1997, California, USA)
grandson: Marcus Dylan (b. May 28, 2000)Thomas played in El Riot and the Rebels and the Krew Cats before forming the Moodies. He also worked as a toolmaker. Ray is one of the two founding members still active in the Moodies (Graeme is the other). Hobbies include fishing (fresh and saltwater), gardening and cooking (all cuisines).
***DENNY LAINE, lead guitar, harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, lead voice
b. Brian Hines, Oct. 29, 1944, in a boat off the Jersey coast
first wife: Joanne "JoJo" Alice Patrie (married Nov. 5, 1978)
daughter: Heidi Jo Hines (d.o.b. ?)
--reports having a total of 5 children with 4 different women--
most recent Significant Other: Helen Grant (b. 1964; lived with Denny 1987-96
daughter: Lucienne (b. 1987)He fronted Denny Laine and the Diplomats in Birmingham (one bandmate was Bev Bevan, later of Electric Light Orchestra). Co-founded the Moodies, then in 1966 he departed for a series of moderately successful musical ventures (Balls, Ginger Baker's Air Force, some solo albums) and a sojourn in Spain where he was influenced by flamenco. His greatest post-Moodies success came in Paul McCartney's "Wings," during their glory years from the mid-70s to 1980. Since Wings broke up following McCartney's arrest for marijuana in Japan, Denny has worked as a solo artist.
+++ MOODIES, MARK II +++
1966-78, after the departure of Laine & Warwick: The Flower Power years.
ROD CLARKE, bass
Announced as bass player who would replace Clint Warwick. There have been some unverified reports of TV clips with Clarke performing in the band but, in any case, he was quickly replaced with John Lodge.
***JOHN CHARLES LODGE, bass, acoustic guitar, cello, voice
b. morning of July 20, 1945, in Birmingham
father: Charles Lodge (d. 1992?)
wife: Kirsten (b. Denmark; m. July 31, 1968)
daughter: Emily (b. May 18, 1970; has been employed by the Monty Python company)
son: Kristian (b. mid-June 1972; marketing professional; formerly worked for Threshold records; reputedly a fine soccer player; and had a leading role in the 1999 critically lauded play "Four Dogs and a Bone". Produced the "Access All Areas" video for the Moodies. See Section 8.10.)Lodge, when he was "just a young lad," formed El Riot and the Rebels with Thomas and Pinder. He probably would have been the original bass player in the Moodies but, instead, devoted 1962(?)-66 to studying metallurgy at Birmingham Tech. He played briefly with other bands after commencement (Carpetbaggers, The Falcons, and the John Bull Band [John Bull Breed?]). As the bassist that Pinder & Thomas would have wanted in the first place, John was almost automatic as Clint Warwick's replacement.
Lodge enjoys travel (especially in the American west), wine, tennis and, especially, golf; he's played in several pro-am tournaments and has produced a cassette describing how musical rhythms can help the golfer's swing. John also launched his own website in 2000 at http://www.johnlodge.com.
***DAVID JUSTIN HAYWARD, lead guitar, sitar, voice
b. 8:00 am Oct. 14, 1946, in Swindon
father: Fredrick Hayward (b. 1910; d. 1969)
mother: Gwendolyn (Binks) Hayward (b. 1918; d. Jan 1, 2000)
brother: Richard (b. March 1945; d. 1986 at age 41)
nephew: Galen
m. Rosa, 1996
sister: Teresa (b. 1955?)
wife: Ann Marie Guirron (b. Jan. 2, 1944; m. Dec. 19, 1970; respected amateur
golfer)
daughter: "Doremi" (christened Marianne, b. Dec. 3, 1972; American
Studies degree from Birmingham, former VH-1 intern)
Hayward was earning his keep as a musician while still in secondary school, attaining some regional recognition in the trio All Things Bright. His parents (teachers, both of them!) discouraged him from dropping out of high school at 15. So he completed his "O" levels at 16 and immediately joined pop veteran Marty Wilde and his wife Joyce (parents of vocalist Kim Wilde) in the Wilde Three. Around this time, he reportedly did a short stint as a sales representative for a building supplies firm. A brief solo career in 1966 ended after he responded to an anonymous ad in Melody Maker for a guitarist. The advertiser turned out to be Eric Burdon, who was re-forming the Animals. Burdon didn't audition Hayward but passed his extra resumes along to the Moodies when he learned they needed a new guitarist/vocalist.
Justin's was the first and only resume that Thomas/Pinder/Edge examined. He joined in September 1966, and the rest of the band (and their fans) have been thanking fortune ever since.
Justin's hobbies include regular exercise, cooking, watching football (soccer to Americans) and riding (though he does less since he divested himself of a thoroughbred farm sometime between 1977 and 1987). Justin also launched his own website in 2000 at http://www.justinhayward.com.
***PETER KNIGHT, conductor, composer, arranger
b. June 23, 1917, in Exmouth, Devon; d. August 1985
wife: PatIn 1967, Knight was asked to arrange, in a rock format, Dvorak's "A New World Symphony" featuring the Moodies. Instead, he wrote, arranged and conducted the London Festival Orchestra's contributions to the Moodies "Days Of Future Passed". Knight also contributed orchestrations for John Lodge and Justin Hayward's album "Blue Jays" ("Nights Winters Years," "I Dreamed Last Night" and "Maybe"); and Justin Hayward's solo albums "Songwriter" ("One Lonely Room" and "Stage Door") and "Moving Mountains" ("The Best Is Yet To Come").
In 1974, Knight directed a second "London Festival Orchestra," which was again just a group of union musicians, to record the symphonic album "The Greatest Moods of the Moody Blues".
Knight also worked with, among others: the Carpenters, including their concert with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra; Barbra Striesand on her "Striesand and Other Musical Instruments"; and Roman Polanski's movie, "Tess".
TONY CLARKE, producer
b. 1941 in Coventry, England
Produced the Moodies from 1966's "Fly Me High" through "Octave" in 1978.The band considered him "the sixth Moody Blue." Clarke also produced many songs on Moody members solo albums, including: "Songwriter" (Justin Hayward); "Blue Jays" (Justin Hayward & John Lodge); "Natural Avenue" (John Lodge); and "Kick Off Your Muddy Boots" (The Graeme Edge Band). After his relationship with the Moodies ended, Clarke recorded special effects for the movie "Supergirl;" produced Clannad's "Legend" album; and worked with Rick Wakeman and Nicky Hopkins, among others.
TIMOTHY LEARY (b. Oct. 22, 1920; d. May 31, 1996)
Sat in on tambourine during some concerts in the late 60s.
+++ MOODIES MARK III +++
1979-present, following departure of Michael Pinder: The "Hired Gun" years.
***PATRICK MORAZ, keyboards
b. June 24, 1944, in Morges, Switzerland
daughter: Raina-Alegra (b. around 1977; mother's first name Liane)
wife: Diane (m. around 1978; separated around 1994)
son: David (b. Nov 24 or 27, 1980)Moraz broke into the rock scene in Yes as the replacement for Rick Wakeman, appearing on only one Yes album, "Relayer". Mike Pinder's departure after the "Octave" recording sessions led to selecting Moraz to play keys on the 1978 tour. Although never legally a member of the band, he remained as chief keyboard player for the Moodies "Keys of the Kingdom" album and left in 1991.
While with the Moodies, he released solo albums and composed film scores for the "psychological thrillers" genre. Since leaving the Moodies, he's continued as a solo artist and also toured with jazz musicians. An "announcement-only" mailing list was created to provide information about Patrick Moraz's music activities to his fans and friends. Messages are sent as news becomes available. Sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MorazNews
PIP WILLIAMS, producer
b. October 7, 1947, in Hillingdon, England
Produced the Moodies "Long Distance Voyager" (their most immediately successful album) and "The Present" albums.Williams has also worked with the likes of Status Quo, Al Green and Kiki Dee.
DOUG LOCK, guitar technician
Toured with the group in the early 80s, his primary job was to keep Justin's EES Gibson and Strat in fine working order. However, the band had him play second guitar parts from offstage in the early 80s, and he contributed bits here and there to "The Present" (see Section 5.5)
WENNDY MACKENZIE, female backing vocalistToured with the band, 1986 - 87.
JANIS LIEBHART, female backing vocalistToured with the band 1986 - 87 and is now singing backup to Michael Bolton.
TONY VISCONTI, producer
b. April 24, 1944, in Brooklyn, NY
first wife: Siegrid; divorced
second wife: Mary Hopkin; divorced
third wife: May Pang, m. 1989 (Justin Hayward was best man at the wedding)Produced the Moodies "The Other Side of Life", "Sur La Mer" and 6 of 12 tracks from the "Keys Of The Kingdom" recording sessions. He also produced "One Again" on Justin Hayward's solo album "Moving Mountains", and worked with Justin on "It Won't Be Easy" and "Outer Space" for the UK television show "Star Cops."
Visconti has also produced, among others, T. Rex, David Bowie, Thin Lizzy, Annie Haslam and, most recently, Alex Forbes and The Seahorses. Tony maintains a web site at: http://www.tonyvisconti.com/
BIAS BOSHELL, keyboards
b. July 20, (?) Tobias (aka Tobey)
Studio musician who has worked with, among others, Barclay James Harvest, Tony Visconti and Kiki Dee (five of her albums; authored several tunes for her including "I Got The Music In Me." (Other Moody links to Kiki Dee on these albums include Pip Williams, Patrick Moraz and "Forever Autumn" authors Paul Vigrass and David Osborne.) Bias recorded as a member of two groups: "Casablanca" (one self-titled album, 1974; Vigrass and Osborne were also members) and "Trees" (two albums: "The Garden of Jane Delawney" and "On The Shore", both in 1970).Hired as second keyboard player for tours in 1986. Rehired in 1990, and assumed first keyboard chair upon departure of Patrick Moraz in 1991. Also played some guitar parts, in addition to keyboards, during the "Red Rocks" tours. He participated in the recording of 1991's "Keys of the Kingdom" and left the Moodies after the April 2001 tour.
GUY ALLISON, keyboardsHired as backup keyboard player for touring 1987 - 89, between Bias' first two tours.
SHAWN MURPHY, female backing vocalistToured with the band, 1988 - 90. She is now the lead vocalist with Little Feat since 1994; has been known to cook up some wonderful Cajun food from time to time.
NAOMI STARR, female backing vocalistToured with the band, 1988 - 90.
PAUL BLISS, keyboards, guitar
b. June 26, 1953
daughter: Amy (b. 1981 or '82)
daughter: Hannah (b. 1984 or '85)Formerly studio musician (heard on the Hollies' 1983 album "What Goes Around"); recorded as a member of "Dog Soldier" (one self-titled album, 1975 -- Paul played bass) and leader of "The Bliss Band" (two albums, "Dinner with Raoul", (1978); "Neon Smiles" (date?)). Wrote songs for Celine Dion and Olivia Newton-John. Released solo album "Edge of Coincidence" in 1997. Hired as second keyboard player in 1991 when Bias moved to first. Participated on the recording of 1991's "Keys of the Kingdom". He was also a major contributor to Justin Hayward's solo album, "The View from the Hill"; and toured with Justin Hayward's solo band promoting that album. Also played some guitar parts, in addition to keyboards, during the "Strange Times" tour.
Still working for the Moodies. Paul also launched his own website in 2000 at http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palladium/2799.
GORDON MARSHALL, drums
b. March 16, 1960
wife: Susan
daughter: Phoebe (b. Sept. 29, 1995)
daughter: Francesca (b. Dec. 1, 1997)Hired as second drummer in 1991 and still working for the Moodies. He also toured with Justin Hayward's solo band which toured to promote "The View From the Hill" in which he played drums and flute. Released solo album "Marshall" in 2000 with support from Bias Boshell and Tracy Graham, and when not touring with the Moodies is the drummer for "TinTin Out" featuring Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice). Gordon also launched his own website in 2000 at http://www.gordymarshall.com.
JUNE BOYCE, female backing vocalist
Toured with the band, 1991 - 93 (winter casino tour) and quit due to parenthood.
SUE SHATTOCK, female backing vocalist
b. April 1, (?)
Toured with the band, 1991 - 2000 (May UK tour), leaving for other recording projects.
LARRY BAIRD, arranger and orchestra conductor for the Red Rocks concert on September 9, 1992, and was the arranger and conductor for all subsequent tours with the symphony.
TRACY GRAHAM, female backing vocalist
b. February 14, (?)
As a child, she acted and sang in West End musicals, and starred in a (UK) TV commercial for the Red-Headed Cindy Doll. She's also worked with Paul Young and ABC, among others.Toured with the band, 1993 (summer tour) - 2001 (April tour) as a backing vocalist (and the only backing vocalist starting with the fall 2000 tour) and released solo albums "Up Front" in 1996 and "Don't Look Down" in 2000.
Tracy also did a solo show with the band from her second album in London in February 2001 in support of both her albums.
DANILO MADONIA, keyboards
Credited with "programming, keyboards, and orchestration" on "Strange Times", and "keyboard and programming" on the tracks "Water" and "We Can Fly" on the "Journey into Amazing Caves" soundtrack. He also performed with the Moodies on "Good Morning America" (August 9, 1999) and "Live with Regis & Kathie Lee" (October 25, 1999), assisted in preparations for the world tour to promote "Strange Times" and assumed soundboard duties on the 2000 tours.
BERNIE (Bernadette) BARLOW, female backing vocalist and "light" keyboards
A Los Angles studio singer, who has reportedly backed Alanis Morissette, Enya and many others. Toured with the band starting with the August 2001 tour.
3.4 The Official Moody Blues Fan Club
-------------------------------------The Official Moody Blues Fan Club
53-55 High Street
Cobham Surrey KT11 3DP ENGLANDPhone: +44 1932 868 337 (011 44 1932 868 337 in the USA)
Fax: +44 1932 868 997 (011 44 1932 868 997 in the USA)E-mail: info@moodyblues.co.uk
Web site: http://www.moodyblues.co.ukThe main objective of the Official Fan Club is to insure that fans are kept up to date with the band's activities. Three newsletters are issued each year and there is a hotline number which members can call for up-to-the-minute information and messages. In addition, the club holds regular charity raffles for concert tickets and backstage passes, as well as Moody Blues memorabilia.
The initial enrollment pack includes the following:
1. A membership card;
2. The current newsletter;
3. A color photograph of the band;
4. A personal information sheet on each band member;
5. A Moody Blues biography;
6. A list of merchandise which is exclusive to Club members;
7. A Moody Blues window sticker.
The membership year runs from January 1st to December 31st with renewals due at the end of each year. The yearly membership is:
UK 12.00 pounds
EUROPE 15.00 pounds
USA & CANADA $30.00
REST OF WORLD 21.00 poundsWith the following one-time enrollment fees:
UK 3.00 pounds
EUROPE 3.00 pounds
USA & CANADA $8.00
REST OF WORLD 5.00 poundsEnrollments made during the year are prorated. Information is available upon request from the Official Moody Blues Fan Club. Payment can be made by check, credit card or money order. An additional 3.00 pounds ($ 5.00) is required if sending checks or money orders in currency other than pounds sterling (this charge is applicable to *each* check or money order).
To enroll, send your name and address, dues and a 9" x 12" self-addressed return envelope.
You can either write to individual band members or write to the fan club secretary, Ivy Stewart, depending on what you want to know or what you're trying to obtain. The band picks up personal letters at varying intervals, although they rarely reply.
The hotline is a service to members of the official Moody Blues Fan Club.
It's an answer phone that contains brief news items about the band, details of special merchandising offers, the latest tour dates, details of other personal appearances by band members, notifies members when the band is interviewed or performing on radio or TV and sometimes has greetings from band members. You will be told the phone number when you join the fan club.
Since information is released by the Official Fan Club only after it's been confirmed by the band and the Threshold office, it is the only accurate source of information available concerning tour dates, album release dates, etc.
3.5 One Step Records
--------------------For up-to-date information about Mike Pinder's projects, appearances and to purchase his solo works, there is a web site for One Step Records located at: http://www.onesteprecords.com
or check Mike's personal site at:
Fans can also call the Higher & Higher web site or hotline (see Section 3.6) for information on appearances.
3.6 Magazines/Newsletters about The Moody Blues
-----------------------------------------------The Official Moody Blues Fan Club produces its own newsletter that comes with its subscription (see Section 3.4). None of the following are officially sanctioned by the Moody Blues.
HIGHER & HIGHER -- The Moody Blues Magazine (tm) is a professionally produced MB fan magazine. The editors are Mark Murley and Randy Salas. H&H publishes 2-3 issues per year. See Section 3.7 for details on how to contact them.
They also offer the Blue Line, a 24-hour automated phone service that offers information about the band, H&H and other fan-related activities. Callers can also leave messages for the H&H staff. The only charge for the service is the toll call that you make to access it. The number is (407) 349-BLUE. Also, a regularly updated version of the Blue Line, including Ticket Swap, is available at the H&H web site:
http://www.moodies-magazine.com/index.html
H&H costs around $12 per issue in the USA (depending on the number of pages in the issue). It can be ordered from:
Higher & Higher
P.O. Box 829
Geneva, FL 32732 USA(407) 349-BLUE [2583] - The Blue Line
Back issues can also be ordered by sending a SASE to the above address, by contacting H&H via e-mail (see Section 3.7) or by visiting their Web site.
---
MOODYMANIA is a nicely photocopied non-official fan newsletter. It's produced at irregular intervals by Char Kemp. She usually averages 2 or 3 issues a year. Char appreciates a SASE if someone is only making an inquiry about MM. Because of the costs involved, she will no longer respond to inquiries without one.
Moodymania is Moody news with the personal touch, for all fans to enjoy. It's designed to be humorous, entertaining and up to date on Moody Blues news. It's non-profit, not a business and only by word of mouth can fans find out about it. Cost is $8.00 and checks accepted if made out to Char Kemp. Each issue contains stories, photos and anything Moody-related. A photo is enclosed with each issue and is the Moodymania trademark.
Moodymania
c/o Char Kemp
5264 NE 3 Terrace
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 USAETERNITY ROAD, which was a new-age-oriented publication, is no longer published.
3.7 How to contact "Higher & Higher" via e-mail
-----------------------------------------------The following information concerning Higher & Higher -- The Moody Blues Magazine (tm) has been submitted by Randy Salas, one of its editors:
Higher & Higher (the independent magazine for fans of the Moody Blues) is reachable via e-mail. The address is HHEmail@aol.com. Here's what you can send to this address:
(1) *Letters to the editor*: Please put LETTER in the subject field. Keep in mind that our normal letters to the editor policy applies. All submissions *must* include your name and address. Anything sent with LETTER in the subject field is fair game for being printed in H&H.
(2) *Back issue/current issue info requests*: Please put ISSUE INFO in the subject field. Send any questions about past or current issues. Want to know the features in H&H #2? How much it costs? Just ask.
(3) *General questions*: Please put QUESTION in the subject field. Here you can ask just about anything H&H-related and get your account questions answered. Want to know if you're paid up for the next issue? Want general info about what H&H is? Just ask.
(4) *General comments*: Please put COMMENT in the subject field. We'd be happy to hear how you think we're doing. Got a gripe or compliment (assuming you don't want it published -- see LETTERS above)? We'd love to hear it.
(5) *Articles*: Please put ARTICLE in the subject field. Only assigned articles should be sent. Unsolicited articles are appreciated but please understand that we receive many submissions and can't publish everything we get. If you have an article idea, you should offer it as a QUESTION ("Can I write an article about Justin's toe nails?") or as a COMMENT ("It sure would be great to see an article about Justin's toe nails").
(6) *Orders*: Please put ORDER in the subject field when sending credit card orders for subscriptions, back issues or other products via e-mail. Be sure to include your name, address, credit card number, type of card, issuing bank and expiration date.
NOTE: Please do NOT send tour information requests to HHEmail@aol.com. The volume of requests would make answering them unfeasible. To get tour information from Higher & Higher, call the H&H Blue Line at (407) 349-BLUE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or visit H&H's Web site for an online-version of the information being provided on the Blue Line (see below).
Higher & Higher now has a presence on the World Wide Web, at: http://www.moodies-magazine.com/index.html
This page is maintained by Judy Rucker. The web site includes a Ticket Swap, which is no longer available on the Blue Line, and a regularly updated online version of the information provided on the Blue Line machine tape.
3.8 Threshold Records
---------------------If you want to order videos, audiocassettes, CDs, etc. you can write to Ivy Stewart or to Phil Pavling, the shop manager at Threshold Records. Their address is:
Threshold Records
53 High Street
Cobham Surrey KT11 3DP
ENGLANDPhone: +44 1932 865678 (from US: 011 44 1932 865678)
E-mail: sales@threshold-cd.co.uk
3.9 Where can I find Moody Blues merchandise and hard-to-find albums? ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Official Merchandise Outlets:
Official Moody Blues merchandise can be obtained from the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4), Good Works Ventures (see below) and the websites of John Lodge (http://www.johnlodge.com) and Justin Hayward (http://www.justinhawyard.com).
GOOD WORK VENTURES offers many Moody-related items, including the 25th Anniversary "A Night At Red Rocks" and the "Strange Times" lithographs, videos, calendars, jewelry, coasters, etc.; the CD version and video of Justin Hayward's "Live at San Juan Capistrano" and his re-released solo album, "Moving Mountains; and John Lodge's re-released solo album, "Natural Avenue". Good Works Ventures offers one of the most complete catalogs of Moody Blues-related merchandise anywhere. GWV can be reached at (800) 56-BLUES. They can also be reached on the World Wide Web at:
http://www.choicemall.com/moodyblues
HIGHER & HIGHER also offers songbooks. Higher & Higher, in fact, is an authorized reseller of Moodies songbooks, with direct connections to all of the publishers. They sell everything that's in print and carry many rare and imported songbooks. Fans can get a list of what they have for sale by sending a SASE or e-mailing them (see Section 3.7). An updated list of their songbooks is on their web site. H&H also offers many Moodies-related items for sale, such as Tracy Graham's "Up Front" CD and Phil Travers' "Children of a New Age" art print (both of which H&H has the exclusive rights to sell).
A tip on searching for some elusive albums: all of the Moodies CDs, up through "Octave" and including most of the solos, have a trademark red and blue stripe on the left-hand corner. You'll only notice this when the CDs are stacked or arranged in the bin with ONLY the artist/title side showing, NOT the front of the CD. "Moving Mountains" *doesn't* have that marking; the edge is medium gray with black freckles.
This is because most of Polygram's CD reissues of Decca/London releases have the blue/red stripes. This isn't just for Moodies albums but for most London (Deram, etc.) releases. Many London classical releases have them, too.
Some other sources that have been mentioned on Lost Chords are:
---------------------------------------------------------ARTIST SHOP: This web site offers a lot of merchandise pertaining to Mike Pinder specifically: http://www.artist-shop.com/onestep
KEN BARNHART
P.O. Box 1414
Stow, OH 44224 USAWeb site: http://ken.banu.com
If you send him a business-sized SASE with "List" in the lower left corner, he'll send you a list of Moodies-related items that he's auctioning. He holds a couple of auctions yearly.
BILL BISCH
33 Old Bullet Hole Road
Mahopac, NY 10541-2536 USAE-mail: wjbisch@aol.com
Web site: http://members.aol.com/wjbischIf you want his complete list of what is available, Bill requests that you send him $3 to cover the postage. His listing of Moody Blues items for sale (which includes such things as records, CDs, memorabilia, magazines and other Moody Blues collectibles) takes up approximately 220 pages.
CD NOW: Bills itself as the Internet Music Store. Offers Cds, cassettes and videos for sale. Access through the web at: http://www.cdnow.com/ Access through Telnet at: cdnow.com
CD ONE STOP
13 Francis J. Clarke Circle
Bethel, CT 06801 USAPhone: (800) 388-8889
Fax: (203) 798-8852COMPACT DISC CONNECTION: Offers current albums for sale. Access through the web at: http://www.cdconnection.com/ or through Telnet at: telnet.cdconnection.com
COMPACT DISC EUROPE: Offers current albums for sale.
CD Europe
P.O.Box 8561
Deerfield Beach, FL 33443 USAOrder number: (302) 481-8984 (9am to 5pm EST)
Access through Telnet at: cdeurope.comEBAY is an on-line AUCTION site only. You can find many hard-to-find Moody items for bid. Be aware that a number of items can be easily located at the Moody Blues Official Fan Club, Good Work Ventures, CD/video stores, used record stores and dealers listed in the FAQ. It is *highly* recommended you search these sources before bidding on an item on eBay. Many items that have been readily available in stores or dealers have gone for exorbitant prices because the bidders didn't search thoroughly.
After you've made your search and you still can't find the item you're looking for, then eBay would be a good place to look. You never know what you'll find or at what price. Just make sure you know what you're bidding on and how much you want to spend. You can find the site at:
Once on the main page, click "Search" on the site toolbar, type in Moody Blues, click on "search titles and descriptions" and click on the "search" button. Be sure to follow eBay's instructions to become a registered user.
GLOBAL ELECTRONIC MUSIC MARKETPLACE: Offers CDs and LPs, both new and used, for sale. Access through the WWW at: www.gemm.com or on Telnet at: GEMM.COM
KEVIN BYER CANADIAN FRIENDS OF MINE (CFOM)
8645 24th Avenue S. W.
Jenison, MI 49428 USAPhone: 616-667-1662
Fax: 616-667-1647
MUSIC MACHINE
11459 Cronhill Drive, Suite O
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 USAPhone: (410) 356-4567
Fax: (410) 356-4693E-mail: musicmac@aol.com or moodys@musicmachine.com
Web site: http://www.musicmachine.com/
OFFICIAL FAN CLUB NEWSLETTER: Members of the Official Fan Club can advertise in the newsletter free of charge, and so this is another good source for locating hard-to-find albums. For more information, see Section 3.4.
RECORD-RAMA SOUND ARCHIVES
P.O. Box 15395
4981 McKnight Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237-0595 USA(412) 367-7330 Open: Tues-Sat 10am-6pm EST
TED
Lost Chords Records
489 Central Avenue
Dover, NH 03820 USA(603) 749-3859
THAT SOUND is a mailing list established as a forum for fans to buy/sell/trade/auction Moody Blues memorabilia. See Section 2.4.
THRESHOLD RECORDS in England also has some albums not easily found in the USA. See their address in Section 3.8.
4. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Albums
======================================================4.1 Are Ultradiscs really better than normal CD's?
--------------------------------------------------Yes, they are better. Are they worth the cost? Well, that's up to you. Before closing operations in November 1999, Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab released eight of the Moodies' albums in their "Ultradisc"/"Ultradisc II" lines: "Days of Future Passed", "In Search of the Lost Chord", "On the Threshold of a Dream", "To Our Children's Children's Children", "A Question of Balance", "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour", "Seventh Sojourn" and "Long Distance Voyager". Ultradiscs were 24K gold-plated CDs (to prevent corrosion) made from the original master tapes. They included all of the original artwork and photography, and were included in a special case, which ensures the CD won't come loose. When in print, list price was about $30.
What MFSL did was remaster the tape supplied to them by the record company. Their high quality analog and analog-to-digital conversion equipment is what you're able to hear that makes the album sound "better" or "worse." The higher price also paid for MFSL's license to use the master tape, which also limited the number of CDs they were allowed to make, and, hence, raised the price per CD. The fact that they used a gold substrate is dubious, as bits really don't care if they're stored on aluminum or any other metal. By MFSL's own admission, the gold disc was more of a "consumer appeal" point.
However, be aware that some older CD players (mid-1980s vintage) might not be able to play gold CDs as the reflectivity is lower than silver CDs and the laser pickup may not respond to the reflection of the laser off the gold surface.
Most people who have purchased these CD's are very pleased with them. In an unscientific, side-by-side comparison between an Ultradisc and a normal CD several members of LC noted that the sound quality is noticeably better on the MFSL CD. If you're a serious collector, these are highly recommended.
4.2 Who are the boys in the photos in "Sur La Mer"?
---------------------------------------------------On the LP, cassette and some versions of the CD, there are six close-up photos of the band members when they were children. Bob Hardy has identified the pictures as:
Justin is, of course, the blond boy with the familiar smile lines and a darkish turtleneck sweater, against an outdoor background;
John is the boy with the toothy grin wearing a jacket with wide lapels, white shirt and a tie, against a white background;
Graeme is the boy with one of his lapels inside his darkish sweater, and one outside, against a white background. It's a little easier to see if you draw a mustache on him! Notice the shape of his chin;
Patrick is the dark-haired boy with big white lapels, no tie and a sort of scarf tied around his head, against an outdoor background;
Ray is the light-haired boy in a white shirt with button-down collar, tie and sweater-vest, (sleeveless pullover for the British among us) against a darkish leafy background;
Tony Visconti is the boy with shining hair, wearing a cap and a light sweater, against a brick wall. He is the producer of the album.
4.3 What are the symbols by the songs on "Keys of the Kingdom"?
---------------------------------------------------------------These all represent keys of one sort or another. For example, the one by "Lean on Me" is a key from an old upright (manual) typewriter. The one by "Say What You Mean (part 1)" is from an old computer punch card (Hollerith card).
4.4 Where does the term "Lost Chord" come from?
-----------------------------------------------Jimmy Durante recorded a song called "The Guy Who Found the Lost Chord," which recounts an old English legend about, in the words of Mike Pinder, "an organist who, while practicing one day, hit a particular chord which elevated his consciousness and he experienced what might be called nirvana or a glimpse of heaven -- perhaps a trance of sorts. However, as with all forms of stimulants, it was short lived and he moved one hand and could not find that special chord again. He spent the rest of his life searching for it."
Mr. Pinder credits this legend and the Jimmy Durante song as having had a major influence on him during his early years growing up in England during the final years of WWII. The legend is also related in a poem, "A Lost Chord" by Adelaide Anne Procter (1825-1864) which can be found in the poetry anthology "A Treasury of the Familiar", and the song "The Lost Chord" was recorded by Reinald Werrenrath prior to Jimmy Durante's version. An mp3 of the pre-1926 Werrenrath version of the song can be found at http://www.billjerome.com/moodyblues/lostchord.mp3.
4.5 How was the title to the "Sur La Mer" album chosen?
-------------------------------------------------------In an interview with "Higher & Higher," Justin Hayward stated the following factors led to the choice of the album's name:
1) The album is filled with references to water and ocean;
2) Someone once asked them where their band was from, England or America, and they decided that an appropriate answer would be somewhere in between (on the sea, or "sur la mer");3) The name was cinched when they viewed the 1955 painting "Le Fort D'Antibes" by Nicolas De Stael and they decided to use that painting for the album's cover.
Justin has also related the following story in several interviews as to how the album title was selected: When the band got together to make the album, someone asked: "Where shall we begin?" Someone replied, "How about 'on the C'?" (referring to the note middle C on the piano).
4.6 What's the story behind the alteration of covers for "A Question of Balance"?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------Cover artist Phil Travers originally included a small painting of a man named Blashford Snell within the collage of "A Question of Balance". Snell was a well-known British explorer and children's advocate, and the painting on AQoB was inspired by a photograph, which appeared in "National Geographic". The original album image was of Snell wearing a pith helmet, holding a pistol and pointing it at an elephant. After the album was released, Snell sued Decca Records and the Moodies over the image, which he said was "a source of constant embarrassment over being on the cover." Travers, with the direction of Decca, changed the image of Snell to that of a man without a pith helmet holding the pistol (although some altered versions have a black box over the eyes). Unfortunately, Decca only printed up new covers within England and not abroad. So Snell filed suit again against Decca and the Moodies. All future copies of "A Question of Balance" (vinyl, cassette and CD) are supposed to be printed with the altered version. Though, when Mobile Fidelity released their version of AQoB, it had the original version of the cover.
When asked about it, they said since the Threshold CD remastered version had the original cover, they [Mobile Fidelity] felt it was OK to do the same.
4.7 Differences between cassette, CD and LP versions of albums
--------------------------------------------------------------Although many of the differences listed herein might seem to be the musings of people with too much spare time, the differences can be very noticable during listening parties (see Section 2.7) when seemingly small differences in song length can throw off the timing of the party.
Bonus tracks on the CD not found on the original LP or cassette:
-------------------------------------------------------
- "Keys of the Kingdom" - "Once Is Enough"
- "Kick Off Your Muddy Boots" - "We Like To Do It"
- "Blue Jays" - "Blue Guitar"
- "Songwriter" - "Marie" and "Learning the Game"
- "Natural Avenue" (original CD release) - "Street Cafe"
- "Natural Avenue" (1996 CD re-release and 2000 LP re-release) - "Street Cafe" and "Threw It All Away"
- "The Promise" (1996 re-release) - "One Step Into the Light" (a different version than on "Octave") and "Island to Island"
- "Paradise Ballroom" - "Be My Eyes"
- "Moving Mountains" (both original and 1996 releases)- "The Lights Are Low" (was included on the original cassette)
Differences in the versions of the songs on different media:
------------------------------------------------------------(OoTW refers to the K-Tel compilation, "Out of This World") For the compilation "This is the Moody Blues" (TitMB), some songs were remixed to give the fans something fresh (see "Tuesday Afternoon" and "The Word" below).
"Days Of Future Passed" was remixed in October 1978, due to deterioration of the original master tapes. All albums released after that date (which includes the quad version and all CDs, including Mobile Fidelity's) have the remixed version. The most noticeable differences are the lack of backing vocals on "Time to Get Away;" both the abruptness of the beginning of "Dawn is a Feeling" and the amount of reverb used on bridge ("Do you understand, that all over this land..."); and "Peak Hour" is about 20 seconds longer.
Previously edited material was deliberately restored.
"Tuesday Afternoon" - Versions on "Days Of Future Passed" have the bridge ("I'm looking at myself...") with Justin's voice switching to one side of the stereo field, while the version on TitMB it switches to the other side.
"Nights in White Satin" - There are three mixes - the original mono mix done for the 7" single, a stereo mix without orchestra for the single (also found on OoTW) and the version on "Days Of Future Passed", which is just the stereo mix with orchestra added. Single versions exist at 3:06, 4:20 and 4:26 lengths but are all the same mix. The Moodies also recorded a Spanish-language version, called "Noches de Blanco" (aka "Noches de Seda").
"Ride My See Saw" - On "In Search Of the Lost Chord", this song is cross-faded from "Departure." On the single, TitMB and OoTW, the opening drum solo and count-in (the way they perform it live) are audible.
"The Word" - The version on "In Search of the Lost Chord" is recited over faint mellotron chords, while on TitMB it is recited over the instrumental "Beyond" from "To Our Children's Children's Children".
"Out and In" - The version on the CD "Blue" on the Pickwick label has a clear intro without the fadeout from "Beyond".
"Lovely to See You" - The version on "On the Threshold of a Dream" is cross-faded from "In the Beginning" but on OoTW it appears without the cross-fade. This song was never released as a single, so the origin of this version on OoTW is a bit of a mystery. Perhaps, like "Floating" (see below), they used the quad tapes and isolated the tracks at the beginning of the song that did not have "In the Beginning" cross-faded over them.
"Floating" - The version on OoTW has the humming more to the front of the mix than on "To Our Children's Children's Children". This song was never released as a single, so the origin of this version on OoTW is a bit of a mystery. Since the humming is also prominent on the quad mix of the song, perhaps K-Tel used the quad mix and mixed it down to stereo.
"Question" - The version on "A Question of Balance" has the (Mellotron) orchestra and choir at the beginning. The single version, which also appears on TitMB and OoTW, has only guitar. The single version also has Justin's vocals double-tracked and fades out sooner at the end. For "The Moody Blues Greatest Hits"/"Legend of A Band", "Question" was re-recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra.
"Isn't Life Strange" ("Seventh Sojourn") - Was re-recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra for "The Moody Blues Greatest Hits"/"Legend of a Band".On the LP, as well as the CD version of "Caught Live +5", there's a lot of material that wasn't included on some of the cassette versions of the album.
On "Peak Hour," the cassette edited out Justin's blistering guitar solo and Mike's organ solo in the middle of the song; the disc puts them back in. The cassette version of "Tuesday Afternoon" edits out nearly the entire second half of the song, including the second verse and Ray's flute solo. The LP and CD put them back in.
For "Are You Sitting Comfortably?," the LP and CD include a speech by Mike, which introduces the song, and an extra flute solo, neither of which are on cassette. On the LP and CD, "The Voyage" have four extra measures towards the end, which are not on the cassette version.
Lastly, the LP and CD versions of "Ride My See Saw" have the guitar a bit louder and clearer, especially during the solo.
"Remember Me, My Friend" ("Blue Jays")- The cassette and reel-to-reel tape versions have an extended jam about a minute long at the end.
"Forever Autumn" ("War of the Worlds") - There are several versions of this song with Justin Hayward on vocals in addition to the original version by the authors, Paul Vigrass and Gary Osborne on their 1972 album "Queues", which is now out of print. However, an mp3 of their original version can be found at http://www.sightnsound.org (click on "music" then "Moody Blues Sounds"). The single version featuring Justin Hayward, which was included on the "Time Traveller" box set and varies in length depending on the media (7" single, 12" single, etc.), didn't have Richard Burton's narration over the song as it was on "War of the Worlds". In 1995, "War of the Worlds" was re-released with two bonus mixes of "Forever Autumn" called "Remix '95" and "Dark Autumn Dub." Other versions of "Forever Autumn" were recorded for "Classic Blue" and "FRO" (see below).
"Eve of the War" ("War of the Worlds") - There are several versions of this song, as well. In 1978, a single version was released in Europe with lead vocals by Chris Thompson (who sings "Thunderchild" on "War of the Worlds") and Justin Hayward on backing harmonies. All other versions, including those on the album, have Justin on lead vocals. Both single versions, backed with
"The Red Weed", and the first "War of the Worlds" CD (all released in 1989) have the bass mixed further back than on the LP. As mentioned with "Forever Autumn," a new mix of this song called "Pir2h mix" appeared along with the original version on the 1995 CD release of "War of the Worlds". The name of the remix represents the formula for the volume of a cylinder, which was the shape of the martian ships (the Greek letter Pi times the radius, r, squared; times the height, h).
"Survival" ("Octave") - There is an extra 1:15 of music at the end of the New York-manufactured CD (which all new copies are) that was not on the US LP or the original CD release manufactured in Hanover, West Germany. It has great group vocals and killer guitar from Justin to the fadeout.
"Veteran Cosmic Rocker" ("Long Distance Voyager") - The CD, cassette and American-pressed version of the LP have "backward talking" at the end of the song (See Section 5.4), while the Japanese-pressed LP does not. On the LPs, the sitar fades out at the end but, on the CD, the sitar is double-tracked with a reversed sitar.
"Moving Mountains" was released on the Towerbell and Anchor labels in various forms (see Section 3.2) with totally different running orders. The versions of "Is It Just a Game?" and "Silverbird" are also different. The Anchor version of "Is It Just a Game?" adds two lines to the end of each of the first two verses ("Does it all come down to what we've done before?/Is it truth and love that we're searching for?" and "Does it all come down to what we've done before?/Is it peace and love that we're searching for?," respectively). "Silverbird" is about 1:47 longer on the Anchor version with extended instrumentals for the intro and in the break before, "When I close my eyes, I see you there;" an extra chorus ("So fly, my silverbird...") before the guitar solo; and a longer outro (10 repetitions of "Oh, oh, oh my silverbird, come on home to stay," instead of 7 on the Towerbell versions.)
"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" ("Sur La Mer") - The Moodies also recorded a Spanish-language version, called "Al Fin Voy A EnContrarte " in 1988.
"Bless the Wings (That Bring You Back)" ("Keys of the Kingdom") - There are three versions of this song. The CD single had orchestration by Anne Dudley (who went on to win an Academy Award in 1998 for her work on the movie, "The Full Monty"), which is different from the Red Rocks orchestration done by Larry Baird. The version on "Keys of the Kingdom" has no orchestration.
On "Frankfurt Rock Orchestra (FRO) - Classic Moody Blues Hits Featuring Justin Hayward and Friends" (released under many titles, see Section 3.2), Justin does different versions of "Forever Autumn," "Running Water," "Blue World," "Blue Guitar," "Voices in the Sky" and "In My World."
Miscellaneous:
--------------When the CDs first came out, all of them except OTTOAD had all the lyrics and pictures that were on the LPs. Later issues had the lyrics removed. The Mobile Fidelity (gold) CDs have all the lyrics that were originally issued with the LPs. The reel-to-reel tapes never came with lyric sheets. Some of the cassette versions of the albums swapped the A- and B-sides. These were the ones that were reissued during the early '80s. On these versions, you'll find, for instance, that "Departure" is the first song on the B side of ISOTLC, rather than the first song you hear on the A side of the tape or on CD.
On the cassette version of "Hopes Wishes and Dreams", "Didn't I" and "Friends" are switched from their positions on the CD and LP (probably to make the sides a little more even time-wise). That is, on CD and LP "Friends" is the second song on side one but on the cassette, "Didn't I" takes that position.
When "Keys of the Kingdom" was released in 1991, the liner notes showed 11 tracks, even though the CD played 12. "Say What You Mean" (Parts 1 & 2) was counted as separate tracks. Later pressings of KotK have the liner notes and CD showing 11 tracks each, with SWYM (Parts 1 & 2) being counted as one.
4.8 Why does the cover art on "The Present" look familiar?
-----------------------------------------------------------The front cover is an adaptation of Maxfield Parrish's 1922 work "Daybreak," which also incorporates some elements of Parrish's "The Garden of Allah." The differences are that in the Moody version, the standing figure is wearing clothing and is giving a "present" of an "X" (since it's the Moodies' 10th studio album) to the reclining figure. The urns and some background differences are adapted from "The Garden of Allah." Also, in Parrish's art nouveau version, there was no spaceship just around the corner as there is on the back cover of "The Present".
4.9 What albums have been released in dts 5.1?
-------------------------------------------------------
- Days of Future Passed
- Seventh Sojourn
- The Moody Blues Hall of Fame: Live from Royal Albert Hall (on the DVD version)
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Songs
=====================================================5.1 When is the lead singer NOT the author of the song?
-------------------------------------------------------Note that prior to "Strange Times" (where Graeme spoke his own poetry on "Nothing Changes") one of the few times you really hear his voice is in "Departure" (where he laughs hysterically at the end), just before "Ride My Seesaw."
"Dawn is a Feeling" - Mike wrote, Justin lead on verses, Mike lead on bridge. "Om" - Mike wrote, all sing chorus, Mike and Ray alternate lines on verses: The rain is on the roof, - Mike; Hurry high, a butterfly. - Ray; As clouds roll past my head, - Mike; I know why the skies all cry, - Ray
"Gimme a Little Somethin' "- John wrote, Justin lead on verses, John lead on chorus.
"To Share Our Love" - John wrote, Mike lead.
"Candle of Life" - John wrote, Justin lead on verses, John lead on chorus.
"Isn't Life Strange?" - John wrote, John lead for first part of each verse, Justin lead on last part of each verse:
Isn't life strange - John
A turn of the page
Can read like before
Can we ask for more?Each day passes by - Justin
How hard will man try?
The sea will not wait
"Don't You Feel Small" - Graeme wrote; Mike, Ray, Justin and John sing, Graeme whispers.
"After You Came" - Graeme wrote; Mike, Ray, Justin and John sing chorus: "I've been doing my best" - Ray; "What else can I do?" - Mike; "Is there something I've missed" - Justin; "That will help me through" - John
"22,000 Days" - Graeme wrote; Justin, Ray and John sing all verses and chorus in unison. John is mixed toward the front on the verses, Ray on the chorus -- but they're all singing.
"Going Nowhere" - Graeme wrote, Ray sings lead, with Justin and John coming to the forefront in the chorus.
"The Spirit" - Graeme and Patrick co-wrote; John, Justin and Ray sing. "Sooner or Later" - Justin and John wrote. John, Ray, and Justin each sing a line of the verses and all sing choruses. For instance:
- "Walk on the water" - John
- "Swim with the life tide" - Ray
- "Clear away the storm clouds" - Justin
5.2 What is the meaning behind the song, "House of Four Doors?"
---------------------------------------------------------------The four doors are supposed to conceal four different musical ages:
- door 1: medieval (folk/flute)
- door 2: baroque/classical (harpsichord)
- door 3: romantic (variation of Tchaikovsky's piano concerto no. 1 `a la "House of Four Doors")
- door 4: modern era (a rock band playing "Legend of a Mind")
5.3 Is that a guitar string breaking in "For My Lady?"
------------------------------------------------------No. Justin Hayward claimed that under no circumstances is that a breaking guitar string; the session would have stopped immediately if one had broken.
He said it was merely an emphasized pluck on the guitar strings to go with the lyrics "and slowly bow her head."
5.4 Is that a recording flaw at the end of "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" on the "Long Distance Voyager" album?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------In "Higher & Higher," Issue #31, Pip Williams (producer for "Long Distance Voyager") said (reprinted with permission):
"The main body of the song suggested the mystical 'hippy' approach, deliberately alluding to the '60s influences, and the use of a backward sitar drone seemed appropriate to me. [...] I said to Jus, "I have no idea what the headphone balance will be like...try this!" He replied, "Never mind, just roll the tape and we'll see what happens anyway." The machine went into record on the last part of his sentence, and his voice was recorded onto the sitar track. When played backward (in fact, the correct way now), "Y'know, it doesn't add up" is what it sounds like. We thought that this was rather neat and likely to cause just the kind of debate it has, so it stayed. It is no deeper than that!"
The bit at the very beginning of "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" is apparently Ray saying "Another Scotch and Coke please, Mother" ("Mother" being the name of his roadie).
5.5 Who is speaking the "spoken words" on the songs?
----------------------------------------------------Spoken parts in songs on the albums (note that Graeme usually recites his own poetry in concerts, although Mike recites "The Dream" on "Caught Live +5"): Mike:
- "The Day Begins"
- "Late Lament" ("Days of Future Passed" and "Prelude" versions)
- "The Word"
- "In the Beginning" ("Inner Man")
- "The Dream"
- "Higher & Higher" (with a box over his head, to get that "inside the helmet" sound, as reported in "Higher and Higher")
- "The Balance"
- Graeme:
- "Late Lament" ("A Night at Red Rocks")
- "Departure" (love that maniacal laugh)
- "In the Beginning" (the voice of the computer)
- "Don't You Feel Small" (whispering)
- "22,000 Days" (says "And get it right!")
- "Nothing Changes"
Justin:
- "In the Beginning" ("First Man")
- "Deep"
- "Say What You Mean"
Ray:
- "Dear Diary"
- "I Am"
- "Reflective Smile" - although Dave Symonds (see below) spoke this poem on
- "Long Distance Voyager", Ray recited it in concert.
- the bit just before "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" (see section 5.4)
- "Yeah" after the tap dance in "Is This Heaven" - also the whistling
- "Celtic Sonant" (the spoken part at the beginning)
- "English Sunset" ("More tea, Vicar")
John:
- "English Sunset" (shouts "England!")
- Dave Symonds (a noted British DJ and friend of the Moodies):
- "Reflective Smile" on "Long Distance Voyager"
Doug Lock (guitar technician):
- "Under My Feet - (says "Quite so fast" and "On your feet no more" in what Producer Pip Williams called a "little yellow submarine" voice)
Tony Visconti (producer):
- "Is This Heaven" (shouts "I love this world")
5.6 What is a Catherine Wheel?
------------------------------In "Eternity Road," Ray sings: "Turning, spinning, catherine wheeling... ." A Catherine Wheel, in the UK, is a firework, named after the spiked wheel on which St. Catherine was tortured and martyred. It's made up of a long tube of chemical grunge that is sewn into a spiral. You nail it to a support, light the blue touch paper and retire (leave) ... fast. As the firework burns, it spins rapidly about its axis, sending out a rotating stream of colored sparks... Unless you didn't nail it on firmly enough, in which case it shoots off in some random direction and you have to duck/move pretty fast to avoid it. There was some talk of banning them a while back but we can't say for sure if you can still get them.
5.7 What is the remix of "Sitting at the Wheel?"
------------------------------------------------PolyGram's office in Germany took it upon itself to hire a remix engineer, redo the song and release it as a 12-inch single when "The Present" came out.
The remixed "Sitting at the Wheel" was released only as a 12-inch single in 1983 and, then, only in Germany. It's now available in Europe on "The Moody Blues Master Series", which was released in 1998.
The 7-minute remix is nifty because it uses all the original tracks (and only the originals) from the song. The remix engineer just broke down the song into its discrete parts and rebuilt it, by isolating them and combining them in different ways. Some of the revelations include an excellent acoustic guitar part (strumming), that's virtually inaudible on the album mix, and the entire ripping slide-guitar solo. The only real liberty the engineer took was adding some echo to John vocals. It's really a top-notch effort.
5.8 What is the story behind the song "Breaking Point?"
-------------------------------------------------------Apparently the song was written for the movie "Breaking Point" (a thriller which stars among others Corbin Bernsen (LA Law) and Joanna Pacula (Gorky Park)). The movie is about a high-ranking American Intelligence officer in WWII. He has detailed information about the landing in Normandy and is caught by the Germans. When he doesn't break under torture, they decide to trick him into thinking that he's being treated in a mental hospital and that the war has been over for two years. They tell him he cannot face reality because of his experience with the German Gestapo and the news of his wife's death in a bombing raid during the end of the war. The nurse who is taking care of him is supposedly a survivor of the Auschwitz death camp and is the spitting image of his, supposedly, deceased wife. From there, the story curls within itself with flashbacks, memories and deja vus. Supposedly Justin Hayward and John Lodge didn't like the movie and, therefore, pulled their song from it. Others who have seen the movie believe the Moodies' song would have fit perfectly, as it reflects the confusion and mental agony of the main character of the movie so well.
5.9 What is the story about the cat in "Nights in White Satin?"
---------------------------------------------------------------At the end of "Days of Future Passed", just before the big crescendo after "Late Lament" that ends in the gong, there is a sound somewhat like glasses breaking, although it is not as loud and is much more musical. There are two versions the band tells about this sound. One is the studio cat knocked over a treebell and, the other is, the percussionist knocked it over. In either case, since it was near the end of the song, the band decided to leave it in.
5.10 What are the meanings of some of the references in "Top Rank Suite?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The Top Rank Organization, which owned a chain of dance and music halls in England, also owned the copyrights to all of Justin's output from about 1966-1974. "Top Rank Suite" seems to be written to celebrate the expiration of that contract.
"Ave Tombola" and "Social" may refer to certain kinds of gigs where musicians were expected to "pay their dues" on their way to becoming professionals, since a "tombola" is actually a form of raffle held at church and other social gatherings. Also, "Tombola" happens to be the supper club from which the Moodies (Mike Pinder, actually) purchased their first Mellotron.
"They played a good game of football in Mucron" might refer to the time when the Moodies were absolutely broke but had made their decision to write and play their own music, going to Belgium in order to get gigs that paid decently. Mucron, also spelled "Mouscron," is located in northwestern Belgium on the French border, fairly close to Lille, France. As noted in Section 3.3, all the Moodies were football (soccer) players, so perhaps a game with the locals was good cheap entertainment.
5.11 Common or funny mistakes in commercially- or fan-published lyrics
----------------------------------------------------------------------Lyric sheets were never included with any release of "Prelude", "Days of Future Passed" or "In Search of a Lost Chord". Later, "budget" CD releases of albums didn't always include the full liner notes with lyric sheets either.
This makes deciphering lyrics to these songs a challenge. Commercially published songbooks for these albums also have some glaring, and sometimes hilarious, errors. (Perhaps the single work with the most extensive errors is a Japanese single of "Question" which included an English lyric sheet with no fewer than 15 errors! See "Higher and Higher" Issue #33.) The members of Lost Chords have collectively come up with the following corrections to common or published mistakes.
"Another Morning" ("Days of Future Passed")
"Uncle Bill, he gets a thrill
Sitting watching Bobby quill"should be:
"Angler Bill, he gets a thrill
Sitting, watching bobbing quill."(Note: a quill is a float for a fishing line)
"Twilight Time" ("Days of Future Passed")
"Match-sticks do ring like puppets on string"
should be:
"Bats take to wing like puppets on string"
"Cities" ("Prelude" and the B-side of the "Nights in White Satin" single)
"Taxis like poodles run"
should be:
"Taxis like beetles run"
"Ride My See-Saw" ("In Search of the Lost Chord")
"Run, run like a fire,
But don't you run in, the lace of our time"
should be:
"Run, run like a fire,
But don't you run in, in the lanes, run for time"
"Question" ("A Question of Balance")
"Because the truth is hard to swallow
That's what the wall of blood is for"
should be:
"Because the truth is hard to swallow
That's what the war of love is for"
"Fly Me High" ("Prelude")
"I leave you behind on the streets in the gloom
I'm up here alone on this brand new broom."
Should be:
"I leave you behind on the streets in the gloom
I'm up here alone an' there's plenty of room"
"I Am" ("The Present") The whispered part at the beginning of "I Am" has been much debated and many people have spent time with headphones and signal processors on this quest. The best fan interpretation, as reported in "Higher and Higher" Issue # 24, was:
"Built in the image of the Father
From the outside, looking in
But inside is a different place
Beautify Earth - and scream
I am!"
"Higher & Higher" Issue #39/40 included contributions from Pip Williams (producer for "The Present"), who checked with Ray Thomas on these lyrics. Pip says the whispered words are:
"Built in the image of the Father
From the outside, looking in
But inside is a different place
Due to my earthbound skin
I am!"
5.12 In what other media (movies, TV shows, audio books, or commercials) do Moody songs appear?
------------------------------------------------------Movies:
-------"Tonight, Let's Make Love In London" aka "Tonight, Let's All Make Love in London" aka "The London Scene" - (1967) Michael Caine, Julie Christie, Lee Marvin - "Stop." Also includes Fleetwood Mac's "Man of the World," which Justin covered on "Classic Blue". Soundtrack also released as "Pink Floyd & Friends".
"The Astrologer" - (1975) "Tuesday Afternoon."
"The Ascent of Man" - (1973) A documentary on Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics, uses "The Voyage" as background music.
"She" - (1985) Sandahl Bergman, David Gross, Quin Kessler - "Eternal Woman" was written especially by Justin Hayward (solo) for this movie. This is the sixth in a string of movies with the same name but there should be little chance of confusion with the ones released in 1908, 1917, 1925, 1935, 1965, particularly since the first three were silent!
"The Karate Kid - Part II" - (1986) Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita - "Rock 'n' Roll Over You."
"Nights in White Satin" - (1987) Kenneth Gilman, Priscilla Harris - "Nights in White Satin" (what else!).
"Robocop" (1987) Peter Weller, Nancy Allen - although the soundtrack does not contain any Moody music, several copies of "The Other Side of Life" album cover can be seen displayed in a music store window during a riot scene (near the 1hour, 24 minute mark for DVD watchers).
"1969" - (1988) Keifer Sutherland, Winona Ryder - "Tuesday Afternoon."
"The Howling IV - The Original Nightmare" - (1988) Romy Windsor, Michael Weiss - "Something Evil, Something Dangerous" was written especially for this movie by Justin Hayward (solo - vocals & lyrics) and Barrie Guard (music).
"A Summer Story" - (1988) Sophie Ward, Susannah York, James Wilby - "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," and the Moodies were even credited in the movie promotions.
"An American Summer" - (1990) Brian Austin Greene, Michael Landes, Joanna Kearns - "Ride My See-Saw."
"Shattered" - (1991) Tom Berenger, Greta Scacchi, Bob Hoskins - "Nights in White Satin."
"Split Second" - (1992) Rutger Hauer, Kim Cattrell - "Nights in White Satin."
"A Bronx Tale" - (1993) Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci - "Nights in White Satin."
"Household Saints" - (1993) Tracey Ullman, Lily Taylor - "Question."
"Casino" - (1995) Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci - "Nights in White Satin."
"Mindbender" - (1995) Terence Stamp (who, according to Graeme, ran off with his first wife, Carol), Uri Geller - "Nights in White Satin."
"Deep Impact" - (1998) Robert Duval, Tea Leoni - "The Voyage."
"The 60s" - (NBC (US) television mini-series / Feb. 1999) Jerry O'Connell - "Tuesday Afternoon" (in a draft-induction scene).
"Pirates of Silicon Valley" - (TNT (US) television movie / June 1999) Noah Wylie, Anthony Michael Hall - "Question," "Isn't Life Strange" and "Gemini Dream." The movie was later nominated for a 1999 Emmy Award.
"The 70s" - (NBC (US) television mini-series / April & May 2000) Brad Rowe, Amy Smart - "Nights in White Satin" (behind footage of the fall of Saigon in 1975, around the 2 hour and 30 minute mark).
"A Tale of Two Bunnies" - (US TV movie / March 2000) - "Go Now" (with a female vocalist, possibly the original version by Bessie Banks) plays as one of the women is fired from her job as a Playboy bunny.
"Almost Famous" - (2000) - Although the movie doesn't include it, the screenplay describes one of the opening scenes as "shot moves in on the kid as we hear the opening strains of the Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin"."
"The Dish" - (2000) Sam Neill - "Fly Me High"
Patrick Moraz (solo) has written instrumental themes for many movies, including the following:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------"The Invitation" (1976 Cannes Film Festival award winner)
"The Stepfather" (1987) (horror/psychological thriller) Also included a song or two from "Timecode," the pop album recorded around the same time, as source music in the film.
Justin Hayward (solo) wrote the following songs for television:
---------------------------------------------------------------"Star Cops" series - made in 1986, first aired 1987 - "Outer Space" and "It Won't Be Easy." Tony Visconti also collaborated with Justin on these songs. Justin cleverly used snatches of his own songs in the incidental music. "One Lonely Room" and "Moving Mountains" are used to great effect in scenes that depict just what the songs say.
"Shoe People" (children's show series) - first aired 1988 - "Shoe People" theme song and incidental music.
TV Show Individual Episodes (documentaries are not included):
-------------------------------------------------------------"Baywatch" ("Eclipse") - "Breaking Point."
"Wiseguy" ("No One Gets Out of Here Alive" in the Sonny Steelgrave arc) -"Nights in White Satin."
"Heartbeat" (UK series set in the 1960's - "Bitter Harvest") - "Nights in White Satin."
"Miami Vice" (episode title unknown) - "Nights in White Satin."
(Title unknown) British TV serial for kids circa 1969 featured "Dr. Livingstone, I Presume."
(Title unknown) British TV serial (or single TV movie), from the late sixties or early seventies - "Another Morning" (originally titled "In a Child's World") playing at the beginning and end.
"Roseanne" (episode 2.14 "One For the Road") - "Nights in White Satin": Becky and a friend get drunk at the Connor's home. Becky puts on an album explaining that this was what her parents listened to "before music was invented." After a few seconds of listening to "Nights," the very inebriated friend says, "That music's scaring me!"
"The Wonder Years" ("Movin' On") - "Tuesday Afternoon."
"Lovejoy" (British TV serial previously shown in the USA on the "Arts and Entertainment" cable channel - episode title unknown) - "Nights In White Satin" (Musak-style instrumental on car radio).
"Unfinished Business" (British TV) - "Go Now" alternates with other songs over the closing credits.
"Investigative Reports" (USA "Arts & Entertainment" cable channel - episode title unknown) - The murder of a young woman on a Tuesday afternoon prompts her husband to use "Tuesday Afternoon", one of her favorite songs, at the memorial service. The Moody Blues are mentioned in the show several times and the song plays during different scenes of the segment.
"Freeks and Geeks" (episode title unknown) - "Nights in White Satin" Lindsay goes to her boyfriend, Nick's house and supposedly for the "big night". He met her at the door with "Nights" playing. He says, "I hope you like the Moody Blues." Lindsay replies, "Oh, yeah, they're great." Nick then says, "I guess they're kinda wimpy, but I think this song's pretty good."
"King of the Hill" (episode title unknown) - a snippet of "Nights in White Satin" plays just after Dale rushes to Bill's house and shuts the drapes.
"You Are Not Alone" (Staten Island Cable UFO show) - "Ride My See Saw" is the show's theme song, and also "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" is used.
"The Late Show" (date unknown) - "Nights in White Satin" Craig Kilborn says, "Craig sucks in his cheeks and tries to look more British while listening to "Nights in White Satin" by the Moody Blues" with a 10-second clip of the song.
"The Today Show" (May 8, 2001) - "Nights in White Satin" from orchestral overture. As part of "Where In The World Is Matt Lauer", Matt was talking about a natural gas platform while the music plays.
Audio book in which Moody Blues songs are used as incidental music
-------------------------------------------------------------"The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" (audio book dramatization with music - 1998) - During the story "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," on two occasions the orchestral flourish leading into "Late Lament" is used. Then, in the story "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot," four bars from the intro of "Time To Get Away" are looped and played over and over behind an important piece of exposition.
TV Commercials in which Moody Blues songs are used as incidental music
-------------------------------------------------------------(For commercials the Moodies did, see Section 8.2. This listing does not include advertisements for Moody Blues projects, e.g. CDs, videos, compilation CDs with Moody songs, etc.)
"Dawning is the Day" was used (without permission) in an Air Force recruiting spot shortly after the release of "Seventh Sojourn" until the Moodies put a stop to it.
In the 1980s, "Gemini Dream" was used for the advertisement of the Isuzu Gemini on Japanese TV.
"Nights in White Satin" was used on Spanish TV as part of a commercial for the 1989 Ford Orion, and in a 1987 UK TV ad for a Yardley perfume called "Nights in White Satin". The perfume ad (5 Mb .mpg file) can be found at http://www.tonybrown.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/niwsad.mpg
"Go Now" was used around 2000 on UK TV to promote a holiday company called "Going Places".
"Ride My See-Saw" was heard as background music in an advert for a Volkswagon camper van on the BBC in the UK in early 2000.
"Your Wildest Dreams" was used in a commercial for Meramac Caverns in Missouri shown on TNT cable channel in the summer of 2000.
5.13 Is that Morse code at the beginning and end of "Nothing Changes?"
----------------------------------------------------------------------Yes. The "dah-dit-dah-dit (space) dah-dah-dit-dah" heard at the beginning with a violin and at the end with a single piano key is "CQ" which is the international code to establish contact with another radio operator. In effect, "Is there anyone out there? Please reply." Graeme Edge reported in Higher and Higher magazine that operators use the mnemonic "seek you" to remember the code, and at the end of "Nothing Changes" the code CQDX (where DX sounds like dah-dit-dit (space) dah-dit-dit-dah) for "seek you long distance" was used.
5.14 Have the Moodies ever said that their songs were written for their children/grandchildren?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------John - "Emily's Song" (for his daughter), "Carry Me" (for his son);
Graeme - "Don't You Feel Small" (for his daughter), "I'll Be Level With You" (for his son);
Justin - "New Horizons;"
Ray - "Adam and I" (for his son), "My Little Lovely" (for his grandson);
Mike - "When You're Sleeping" (for his sons).
5.15 What is a Helter Skelter?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------In "The One" the lyric, "Sliding down on a helter skelter ride into yesterday" refers to an amusement ride. It is described as a big, twisty slide-type thingie, which, before the era of lunch-losing, upside-down-looping, state-of-the-art rides that we now take for granted, was the scariest thing at the fun-fair. It was so much bigger, scarier and friction-producing than an ordinary slide that the potential victim...er...customer was given a little mat to sit on as he hurtled to his doom at an extraordinary speed. Hence also the expression to go at or do something "..helter-skelter", ie, fast, out of control. There is a photo of one from the Beatles "Free as a Bird" video at http://phaseshift.com/beatles/faab/index.html about halfway down the page.
5.16 What songs have had different working titles or nicknames?
-----------------------------------------------------------"Another Morning" - "In a Child's World" - On a TV show prior to the release of "Days of Future Past", the band introduces the song with this alternate title.
"Tuesday Afternoon" - "Forever Afternoon" - an alternate title on the copyright - "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" - alternate title appears on the album "Days of Future Passed". In interviews Justin says the alternates were the record company's doing and that the song has always been titled "Tuesday Afternoon")
"Nights in White Satin" - "Knights I Have Sat In" -a band nickname
"The Actor" - "The Tractor" - a band nickname Graeme mentioned in an interview
"The Best Way to Travel" - "Thinking is the Best Way to Travel" - an alternate title on the copyright.
"The Voyage" - "On the Threshold of a Dream" - an alternate title on the copyright.
"To Our Children's Children's Children" - "Legacy" - a working title recalled by Mike in an interview with "Higher and Higher" magazine- "For Our Children's Children's Children" - notation on original master tape label as reported in "Higher and Higher" magazine- "Dedicated to Our Children's Children's Children" - on an ad prior to the album release as shown in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"Gypsy" - "Gypsy Comet" - from notes on the original master tape label as shown in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"Sun Is Still Shining" - "Universe" - from notes on the original master tape label as shown in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"And the Tide Rushes In" - "This Side" - a working title listed on recording cue sheets and early track listings for "A Question of Balance", as reported in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"Minstrel's Song" - "Listen to Man" - a working title listed on the master tapes as reported in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"Isn't Life Strange?" - "Is Your Wife Strange?" - a band nickname
"Noches de Blanco" - "Noches de Seda" - alternate titles on the copyright for the Spanish version of "Nights in White Satin"
"Forever Autumn" - "Forever Awful" - a band nickname Justin mentioned in an interview.
"Blue Guitar" - "You Are" According to an article in "Higher and Higher" the song title and lyrics were originally "You Are" and were later adjusted to be "Blue Guitar".
"Gemini Dream" - "Touring the USA" was John's working title, and- "Backstage Pass" was Justin's working title for this joint composition, according to an article in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"The Voice" - "Fat Arthur" or "I'll Think of That After" - Producer Pip Williams tells the story in an article for "Higher and Higher" magazine that when asked for a song title during recording, Justin said, "I'll think of that after" which, along with the nickname "Fat Arthur" became the working title of the song until it was time to print the album covers.
"Hole in the World" and "Under My Feet" - "Hole in My Feet" - a band nickname reported by Pip Williams in "Higher and Higher" magazine
"I Am" - "Short Walter Never Grew Roses" or "Short Walter" - a band nickname reported by Pip Williams in "Higher and Higher" magazine, a play on the song's first line.
"I Know You're Out There Somewhere" - "I Know You're Out There, So What?" - a band nickname Justin mentioned in an interview.
"The Other Side of Life" - "TOSOL" (pronounced "tossel") - a band nickname, and perfectly recognizable to the acronym-prone online community.
"No More Lies" - "No, More Lies" - a band nickname Justin mentioned in an interview
"Want to Be with You" - "Want to Be with Hugh" - a band nickname Justin and John mentioned in an interview
"Hope and Pray" - "Hope You Pray" - an alternate title on the copyright.
"Never Blame the Rainbows for the Rain" - "Never Blame the Rainbow on the Rain" - an alternate title on the copyright.
"Broken Dream" - "Helpless" - an alternate title on the copyright.
"Wherever You Are" - "These Times" - listed on a Universal promo flyer prior to the release of "Strange Times".
"Forever Now" - "Live Forever" - listed on a Universal promo flyer prior to the release of "Strange Times" and on early cassette releases of "Strange Times".
"The One" - "The One Again" - listed on a Universal promo flyer prior to the release of "Strange Times" and on early cassette releases of "Strange Times".
"Sooner or Later (Walking on Air)" - "Walkin' on Air" - an alternate title on the copyright.
5.17 What Moody and solo songs were made into music videos and where can I find them?
---------------------------------------------Many discussions rage as to what is a "proper" video. Although "videos" with a storyline were brought about with the advent of MTV, earlier music shows also shot some interesting "performance videos" and even the record companies shot "performance videos" such as "Running Out of Love". For a complete listing of Moodies on TV/tape, consult the "Higher and Higher" magazine's videography. Below is a listing of some of the more oft-seen videos. Most of these videos are on either the "Legend of a Band" video, denoted by the abbreviation (LOAB), or the Official Fan Club Video denoted by the abbreviation (OFC). (See Section 8.10 for where to find these videos.) The few which aren't available in either of these videos are only available from fans who taped them off VH1 or other shows when they were briefly aired.
Moody Blues
------------
- Go Now - performance from a TV show (LOAB)
- Nights in White Satin
- - Performance from the "Beat Club" TV show (LOAB)
- - Performance in front of a castle or manor-house, reportedly shot in
- Belgium in 1967, with Graeme and his drums in the moat
- - Performance featuring French location shots such as the Arc d'Triomphe
- Tuesday Afternoon - studio-shot performance video for UK TV, photographs from which are on the back cover of the "In Search of the Lost Chord" LP
- A Question of Balance (LOAB)
- Steppin' in a Slide Zone - performance from a TV show (LOAB)
- Sitting at the Wheel
- Blue World
- Your Wildest Dreams (LOAB - edited version, OFC - full version)
- The Other Side of Life (LOAB - edited version, OFC - full version)
- Running Out of Love (OFC)
- I Know You're Out There Somewhere (LOAB)
- No More Lies (LOAB)
- Say It With Love (on the Canadian release of LOAB only)
Justin Hayward solos
-------------
- Night Flight (OFC)
- Silverbird (OFC)
John Lodge solos
-------------
- Street Cafe (OFC)
5.18 What is the origin of the poem at the beginning of "Celtic Sonnant"?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------The first three lines:
"Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you"are from a translation (copyright 1994) by Caitlin Matthews of a traditional
Gaelic prayer. This prayer was also used as the basis of a song called "Deep
Peace" on Donovan's CD, "Sutras".
6. Frequently Asked Questions About Instruments and Production
===============================================================6.1 What is the Mellotron?
--------------------------The Moodies were a very big user of the mellotron and it was an intrinsic part of their unique sound back in the late 60's. It's a keyboard instrument designed to imitate sounds that you couldn't get from a keyboard in those days; strings, choirs, flutes and so forth.
It works with tape technology; under each key there's a tape head, a strip of prerecorded magnetic tape and a lot of gears and pulleys. When you press a key, the mechanism runs the tape by the tape head and plays a "sample" of an orchestra playing, say, an E-flat. When you release the key, the tape rewinds. Mechanically it's absolutely dreadful but it sounds beautiful.
For all practical purposes the Mellotron is a sampler; it plays back recorded sounds but it cannot record. The interesting limit is that you can only hold a note for as long as the piece of tape will let you. This maxed out at about 8 seconds, after that it just stopped playing. Mike Pinder's style of keyboard playing, as lush as it comes across, is actually made up of many shifting notes. Thus, he could never hit a chord and hold it for 16 bars in a slow tempo. Without a doubt, he is one of the few who really mastered this kind of technique.
Also note the keys of the Mellotron are *individually* pressure sensitive, so you can control the way individual notes fade in and out. How hard you press a key affects the pitch of the note. It's possible to play two notes of a chord "in tune," and a third note "out of tune." An expert player has to have a very sensitive playing style, and take great care to keep the pitch on an even keel.
"Legend of a Mind" is a very fitting example of the other "feature." There is a knob that changes the pitch of *every* key and in "Legend of a Mind," Mike Pinder uses it extensively:
"...no, no no no, he's outside (BEND!), looking in (BEND!) (BEND!)"and just before the last verse, there is more bending. In each of these, a note or chord is struck and then the pitch is "bent" by turning this knob.
This is '60s technology and involves actually changing the speed of the motor that drives the tape mechanism and is imprecise. It has to be played by ear, rather like a slide-whistle. And there's the problem. The knob has a marked "scale" that indicates when the pitch has been returned to "neutral" or "normal" but it too is not very accurate. So the player has to determine by ear how much "bending" is enough and how much "bending" back to "normal" pitch is enough. This is very demanding of the player, who has to constantly listen to stay "in tune."
Mellotron is still being used but synthesizers have mostly replaced them. They went out of production years ago; the technology was a lot less reliable than electronic signal generation, as with modern synthesizers. Mellotrons have a lengthy warm-up period, during which they exhibit pitch shifts. After 30 minutes or so of warming up, they stabilize somewhat but are still, well, "moody." And so, with their bulkiness, delicacy, scarcity and quirks, they're almost extinct. However, the Mellotron sounds have been sampled and are currently being produced by synthesizers.
For more information on the mellotron, in general, go to: www.mellotron.com; and for Mike Pinder's use of it, in specific, check out:
www.onestep.com or www.mikepinder.com
6.2 What is double-tracking?
----------------------------It means what it says: the vocal part was "double-tracked," i.e., recorded twice. Two separate passes were recorded and both vocals saved on the master tape. They were mixed split in this case, which made the effect a little easier to spot. Sometimes it isn't clear whether there are actually two different vocal performances, or just one, with a little delay or echo added to "fatten up the vocal."
On "Never Comes the Day" (especially during "if only you knew what's inside of me now...."), you can hear Justin's voice separately in the left and right ears. The melody was sung separately for each side. There are very slight differences, such as accenting a given word a little more on one side or holding a note slightly longer on one side over the other. Tony Clarke, producer of the first eight albums with Justin Hayward and John Lodge, often used this effect.
Using headphones/headsets makes this easier to hear. Some songs that are recommended to listening with headphones (for this and other effects) are:
"Legend of a Mind," "Never Comes the Day," "The Best Way to Travel," "The Story in Your Eyes," "Floating" and, one of the best examples of all, "Nights Winters Years" from the "Blue Jays" album.
6.3 What is the producer's function?
------------------------------------In interviews promoting "Strange Times", the band's first self-produced album, bandmembers have characterized the producer's function as "taking it (the recording) home at night and worrying about it." The producer is the person responsible for creating an overall sound or "feel" to a recording. In most cases, the producer acts as the focal point for an artist and judges whether or not something "works." And in some cases, as with Alan Tarney on "Keys of the Kingdom", he waits until the artists have left the studio and records his own vocals for the background. Yes, producers have been known to make changes without the consent of the artist. Since they're usually under contract to the record company and it's the record company who ultimately decides if a product is to be released, it's not unusual for changes to be made long after the artist's work is done, especially if it's a higher-profile band on a major label. Graeme Edge summed up this state of affairs in an interview with the "Dallas Morning News" on October 15, 1999, "Today, producers want to show up with their keyboards, bang them out and turn you into the Spice Boys."
6.4 Who were Redwave/Knight?
----------------------------On the original LP release of "Days of Future Passed" the credits list "All music composed: Redwave/Knight", and on the CD releases Redwave/Knight are listed as authors of "The Day Begins". As noted in Sections 3.1 and 3.3, Peter Knight was the conductor who wrote and arranged the orchestral passages between the Moodies' songs. "Redwave" is a fictional name, on which Justin Hayward has commented: "it was just us guys, really."
7. Frequently Asked Questions About Moody Blues Concerts
=========================================================7.1 When did the band start using backup singers?
-------------------------------------------------In 1986, the Moody Blues recruited the first back-up pair, Wenndy MacKenzie and Janis Liebhart. They remained for the 1986-1987 tours but there have been a few others since then (see Section 3.3). They were thought to add the high notes that the guys were having trouble reaching these days. The official explanation for why they were added, according to the then-tour manager Joe Crowley, was to "make the band's concert sound a little more fuller, richer."
7.2 What differences are there between songs sung live and on albums?
---------------------------------------------------------------------Besides the obvious differences between live performances and studio recordings, there is a difference in "I Know You're Out There Somewhere." The first couple of years the Moodies performed this song in concert, they did the entire song. However, for the last few years, they've done the shortened single version, which leaves out the verse beginning, "The words that I remember... ."
When Justin Hayward started touring to support "The View From The Hill", he included "The Land Of Make Believe" as part of his set list. Justin usually joked with the audience about not remembering all the lyrics so he was cutting the song short by the last three verses, even though they're a repeat of those sung earlier in the song.
The live version of "Strange Times," which was played in concert for two years before the album was released, has "doots" (as in "doot-do-do-doot do-do-doot strange times, strange times") but the album version does not.
Some live versions of "The Voice" delete the last two verses: "And how many words have I got to say...." and the repeat of "Each and every heart it seems.... ." The Moodies go from the verse "Make a promise take a vow....," to a guitar solo and wrapping up with the chorus "Oh, won't you tell me again....."
7.3 What is the dinosaur shuffle?
---------------------------------During a concert, several of the guys go over to Ray's side of the stage and "shuffle" together. This is usually during "The Story in Your Eyes." It started several years ago with Patrick (playing a keyboard slung on a strap), Ray, Justin and John, but now it is just Ray, Justin, and John. This is currently known as the dinosaur shuffle, or just "dino" shuffle.
One thought as to the origin of this term comes from the fact that this sort of "dancing" used to be commonplace among rock and roll acts in the sixties.
"Dinosaurs" are commonly known amongst themselves as old musicians, often associated with "dated" material, especially the '60s and early '70s.
Another thought is that this began when there was an article written a few years back about the band, which called them rock dinosaurs. It naturally translated over to the shuffle, which rapidly became known as the Dinosaur stroll, strut and shuffle.
7.4 Where can concert information be found?
--------------------------------------------The information can be obtained from:
Official Fan Club:
Write (enclose a self-addressed, stamped return envelope) or fax them (see Section 3.4) for up-to-date and accurate tour information, which is released only when specific tour dates have been confirmed, or visit their website at: http://www.moodyblues.co.uk/
John Lodge's and Justin Hayward's websites:
http://www.johnlodge.com and http://www.justinhayward.com
Higher & Higher:
Web Site: http://www.moodies-magazine.com/index.html
Information can also be found at these commercial sites:
Pollstar: http://www.pollstar.com
Ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com
Tickets.com: http://www.tickets.com
7.5 When did the Moodies play songs live before they were released on an album?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------All of "Days of Future Passed" (along with "Legend of a Mind," "Ride My See Saw," "The Dream" and "Have You Heard") began as the Moody Blues' stage show, which described a day in the life of "Moody Blue", an "everyman." The band also did a BBC performance in which they announce the song they're about to do as "In a Child's World" (later incarnated as "Another Morning" on "Days of Future Passed").
"Question" - At a concert at the Fillmore East on June 23, 1970, Mike announces, "We'd like to carry on with a new song of Justin's. We finished recording it just before we left England, near <unintelligible bit> and we've been trying to work it on the stage. It's going to be a single and it's going to be released in about two weeks' time. It's about 5 minutes long so you'll only hear it on FM. <cheers from the audience> Maybe they'll send us some FM tapes over to England 'cuz that's the only way that they're going to hear it there as well. It's a song called "Question." The album "A Question of Balance" was released in August of 1970.
"Isn't Life Strange" was released as a single and was in the American top 30 five months before the November 1972 release of "Seventh Sojourn". Although not played in concert until the "Blue Jays" tour, "Isnt' Life Strange" may have been performed live on some TV shows before the release of "Seventh Sojourn".
"New Horizons" was played on October 25, 1972, at The Boston (MA) Garden. "Seventh Sojourn" was released a few weeks later.
"Strange Times" was first played during the 1997 US summer tour and was described as being from an album in work.
"English Sunset," "Haunted," "Words You Say" and "Nothing Changes" preceded the release of "Strange Times" by three dates on the 1999 summer tour. The tour started on August 13, 1999 and the album was released on August 17, 1999.
7.6 How do the Moody Blues feel about concert photography?
-----------------------------------------------------------The band does not mind concert photography, but they ask that flash photography and zoom lenses of any kind NOT be used. This request comes from the band via the Official Moody Blues Fan Club.
Of course, venues have their own policy on fan photography, some venues more strict than others. It's best to call the venue in advance to find out what the policy is for the Moody Blues show, though the policy is subject to change after the concert starts. So, please abide by the security personnel. If the venue says "no photography" when you call, then let the photographer beware in "smuggling" a camera into the venue. Venues have been known to confiscate cameras for the duration of the concert and/or confiscate film.
7.7 How do you get a backstage pass?
-------------------------------------Backstage passes (BSP) exist for two reasons: security and crowd control. BSPs are usually available for family and friends of the band, band management, venue/tour personnel, journalists and radio station personnel and contest winners. The types of passes available also vary based on where people are allowed to go, from a one-time meet & greet with the band, on up to "all access."
There are a couple of ways a fan can receive a backstage pass. One way is to win a radio station contest OR by winning a raffle through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4). In the past, the OFC has offered to *members only* a chance to win backstage passes to one of several specially selected venues on a tour. The number of backstage pass winners per venue varies from tour to tour, and the sale of raffle tickets benefits Leukemia research.
7.8 When did the Moodies first play casinos?
-------------------------------------------------------The Moodies first played Caesar's World, Las Vegas on June 2, 1984, the Circus Maximus at Caesar's Lake Tahoe on July 18, 1989, and had their Atlantic City premiere at Trop World on July 29, 1989. Since then, they have expanded, along with casinos, to other parts of the country.
8. Other Miscellaneous Frequently Asked Questions
==================================================8.1 What is BlossomFest?
------------------------BLOSSOMFEST is Moody fans convening for the concert at the Blossom Music center in Akron, OH for food, special displays and frolic. It's sponsored by Ken Barnhart.
For a BlossomFest flyer, send Ken a SASE (self-addressed, business-size stamped envelope) with two $0.33 stamps and write "FEST" in the lower left corner of the envelope.
Ken Barnhart
P.O. Box 1414
Stow, OH 44224 USA
8.2 What commercials did the Moodies do?
-----------------------------------------(This section does not include any print ads featuring any of the band members)
In 1965 or 1966, Denny Laine sang the lead on a radio commercial for Coca-Cola. In 1967, Justin Hayward sang the lead on another Coca-Cola radio commercial that featured the Mellotron. Later, Justin Hayward and John Lodge recorded a third Coke commercial. Until recently, none of these commercials were available, except as copies that fans taped off the air. A collection of Coca-Cola commercials is now available on CD. Lyrics for the three commercials have been interpreted by members of Lost Chords as follows:
Moodies 1st Coke Commercial (lead vocals by Denny Laine)
--------------------------------------------------------Announcer (with gusto): "The Moody Blues want to *work* it out!"
It's a better world now
I've got a girl I can be sure of
Makes me want to do all the things I do
Right for my new loveIf I think about how to work it out
I'm on the right track
So I think that I'll just sit here awhile
Drinking some Coke to relaxThings go better with Coca-Cola
Things go better with Coke(Spoken by Laine:) "You never get tired of the taste!"
It's working out fine--woe-oo-oh
Coke after Coke after Coke
Things go better with Coca-Cola
Coke after Coke after CokeCopyright 1967, The Coca-Cola Company
Moodies 2nd Coke commercial lyrics (lead vocals by Justin Hayward)
------------------------------------------------------------------[Mellotron and bass introduction, in a blues 4/4 mode]
Chasing the sun
A few weeks of fun
Away from the maddening crowd
We're so glad, too tired to poutPeaceful and cool, sipping Coke by the pool
Use your imagination
Holiday time [trademark background vocals--"Aaah, aaah, aaah"]
Everything's fine ["Aaah, aaah, aaah"][Flute break--short]
Free as a bird
Traffic's unheard
Racing through white crystal sand
Or watching a butterfly landSipping on Coke while we tan on the floats
Use your imagination
(Holiday time)
Things go better with Coca-Cola
Things go better with Coke
(Holiday time)
Things go better with Coca-Cola
Things go better with Coke
(Holiday time)[Announcer: "The Moody Blues--having a holiday, with Coke!"]
Copyright 1969, the Coca-Cola Company
Moodies 3rd Coke commercial lyrics (lead vocals by Justin Hayward and John Lodge)
-----------------------------------------------------------------I'll take you for a ride in my pleasure machine
Into my world of summer green
Lift you up to heights you've never seen
While enjoying a Coke or twoAh, and I'll say sweet things to you
We'll go to where the music stops your mind
We'll dance together in our world, too
And while enjoying Coke I'll waste no timeDarling, I'll say sweet things to you
A sweet song goes better, oh, with Coca-Cola
Things go better with Coke
(Over the last two lines, the announcer says: "The Moody Blues -- saying sweet things over Coke!")Copyright 1969, The Coca-Cola Company
*************************************
In 1993, the band participated in an "infomercial" for High Definition Audio (HDA) sound processor for the home or car. The 30-minute program included testimonials from the band and 1991(?) concert footage. Songs performed in the "infomercial" were: "I Know You're Out There Somewhere," "Lean On Me (Tonight)," "Say It With Love" (which Justin introduced as a new song) and a portion of "Question." A toll free number was also given for ordering and information. All the members provided testimonials for the product:
Justin: "HDA gives you live presence and vitality to music, and the feel you're in the room with the instruments...something that stereo and quad never gave you," and "that breakthroughs like this are usually only available in the studio because of cost but it's now available in the home;"
John: "I couldn't believe the difference in sound...the sound wrapped around me;"
Ray: "It takes you there, more live, especially with orchestral sounds; like being part of the orchestra." It also must have been easy for him to use because Ray said: "one in, one out and there you go...one light to tell you it's on, one knob to turn on and one fader;"
Graeme: it gives "a quadraphonic feel to the music but it stays within your peripheral vision." He goes on to say that "we never really endorsed anything before and (we) were a bit nervous about getting involved," "that advertising is B.S.," but "this actually works."
8.3 Copyright Concerns
-----------------------There are some legal issues regarding copyright laws and there is some gray area where the laws are not clear-cut. The following is only an *opinion* and is not intended to supersede qualified legal expertise.
Unless a copyright has expired and the work has been released to the public domain, it remains the property of the copyright holder. This includes out-of-print works. Over-the-air broadcasts remain the property of the broadcaster and/or production company and they reserve the rights to the re-running or re-distribution of the work.
"Legend of a Band" and "Red Rocks" are still in print and should be available in most places that carry music videos. Anyone making copies of these videos is clearly breaking the law. And charging for one's time to make the copies is also illegal, as that person is making a profit from selling someone else's property.
The gray area involves hard-to-find, out-of-print or not commercially available videos and albums that are solely for the enjoyment of fellow fans of the band. The general rule of exchanging tapes (over The Net, anyway) is summed up by the rule, "I will provide {x} tape in trade or for reimbursement of the cost of the media and postage." When you say the words above, you are agreeing to send a tape -- just a tape -- to the recipient. You are not collecting anything for the material on the tape or for your time in copying the material, since that would be a violation of copyright.
Is it illegal to trade tapes like this? Some in the music industry would say "absolutely;" others would say "maybe not." Keep in mind that if illegal copies began to be traded on a public forum (such as Usenet or Lost Chords), the forum could get shut down and the administrator would be held responsible.
Also, please don't post ClariNet articles to Lost Chords.
(1) The poster is violating his/his institution's license with ClariNet;
(2) The poster is breaking copyright law;
(3) Both (1) and (2) are bad.
And this goes for typing in entire articles from your local newspapers and so forth.
The Moody Blues have also made their feelings clear. In the Autumn/Winter 1997 issue of the Official Moody Blues Fan Club Newsletter, it's stated (with permission):
"Over the years the Moodies have frequently had their concerts bootlegged and the band remain firmly opposed to the making and distribution of bootleg recordings on both moral and legal grounds. The band take great pride in their recorded output and do not want their music to be reproduced in this way within recordings of very poor quality.
No permission has been granted by the members of the band (or their publishers or their record company) for such recordings and we would ask you to respect their wishes by not dealing with such products."
8.4 How did the band come up with its name?
-------------------------------------------At the time the band formed in its initial incarnation (Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder, Graeme Edge, Denny Laine and Clint Warwick), there was a large brewery in Birmingham called "Mitchell's and Butler's" and they had the letters "M" and "B" illuminated in large letters at the brewery. The brewery contained a large assembly room where dances were held and the band, hoping to be invited to play there frequently, chose the name "M and B 5" in the hopes of tying their name in with the brewery. When that didn't pan out, they decided to choose words to go with the letters, which they had already been known by. Since they were playing rhythm and blues at the time, the word "blues" was chosen for the letter "B."
According to Mike Pinder, the word "Moody" came from one of his favorite songs at the time, "Mood Indigo." According to Justin Hayward, the word came from an expression commonly used at the time to describe a "cool" sort of person ("he's a 'moody' kind of guy"). Initially, they went by the name "Moody Blues 5," but that was very short-lived and the "5" was dropped almost immediately.
8.5 Who is the guy with the balloons in John Lodge's "Street Cafe" video?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The guy whistling with the balloons is Kenny Jones, the former drummer for Small Faces (and Keith Moon's replacement in the Who). He was the drummer on John's solo album, "Natural Avenue". He was the Who's drummer until the 1983 "It's Hard" tour. You can see him on the video "Who Rocks America 1982."
8.6 What is the significance of the ring that Justin wears?
-----------------------------------------------------------This information has been taken from "Higher & Higher" back issues and is reprinted here with permission. Justin has told fans, who have asked, that the ring was given to him at an early age and has no real financial value.
He wears it for sentimental reasons. It is the signet ring of an old French family, according to some reports. The ring is oval and made of silver. Photos and depictions of the ring appear in "Higher & Higher" issue #4
Spring/Summer 1987, p.19; and at: http://members.aol.com/robfedstl/the-ring.html
8.7 What guest appearances have the band members made on albums, television, concerts, music videos or print media?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------First, some notes about what they have NOT done:
A different John Lodge played bass on David Bowie's "Space Oddity" and worked with Andrew Tosh on "Original Man".
The Ray Thomas that did several Cajun/Zydeco albums and worked with Sleepy John Estes on "Complete Works, Vols. 1 & 2" is not a Moody Blue.
The Blue Jays that recorded the album "Nascense" were not John Lodge and Justin Hayward.
Note: this section doesn't include the works of Moody members in other bands, nor is this section meant to be a "complete" videography or discography. For an excellent videography and discography, please consult back issues of "Higher & Higher."
Commercial recordings:
----------------------"I Can Remember" (single - 1969) / Billie Davis - Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder sing backing vocals.
"Send Me No More Letters"/"Another Day" (single - 1969) / Trapeze - John Lodge produced.
"And Now She Says She's Young" (single - 1970) / Timon - Justin Hayward produced, plays guitar and, reportedly, sings backup.
"A Simple Game" and "So Deep Within You" (singles - 1970) / The Four Tops - Accounts differ on who participated, but agree that some members of the Moody Blues sing backup and play instruments on these Pinder-penned songs. Some sources credit "the singing Moodies" (Mike Pinder, John Lodge, Justin Hayward and Ray Thomas) while other versions have Mike Pinder, John Lodge and Graeme Edge participating. Tony Clarke produced.
"Trapeze" (album - 1970) / Trapeze - John Lodge produced.
"Medusa" (album - 1970) / Trapeze - John Lodge produced.
"Imagine" (album - 1971) / John Lennon - Michael Pinder had been asked to play mellotron but when the recording session took place the 'tron wouldn't work. So Mike picked up a tambourine instead and played on "I Don't Want to be a Soldier Momma," the last track on the album. Mike is also pictured on the original album insert sheet.
"Your Love's Alright" (single, B-side to "Coast to Coast" - 1971) / Trapeze - John Lodge produced.
"Black Cloud"/"Your Love's Alright" (single - 1971) / Trapeze - John Lodge produced.
"In the Realm of Asgard" (album - 1972) / Asgard - Mike Pinder engineered the track "Children of a Newborn Age," which was also released as a single.
"Wave of Great Change" (album - 197?) / Stephen Freelight - Mike Pinder produced and provided keyboards and sitar.
"Flash Fearless vs. The Zorg Women, Parts 5 & 6" (album - 1975) / various artists including Alice Cooper, John Entwistle and Keith Moon - In this spoof of old radio-serials, Justin Hayward plays guitar on "Country Cooking" (sung by Jim Dandy) and plays acoustic guitar on the "Space Pirates" (sung by Alice Cooper).
"Thunderthroat" (album - 1976) / Nicky James - Ray Thomas plays bass flute on "Maggie" and flutes on "Troubador." Justin Hayward plays guitars on "Bottle Of Cheap Red Wine."
"War Of The Worlds" (album - 1978) /Jeff Wayne, producer, and various artists, including Richard Burton doing the narration - Justin Hayward sings lead vocals on "The Eve of the War" and "Forever Autumn." On November 25, 1978 the Dutch Ministry of Affairs boradcast a Dutch-language version from Amsterdam featuring Jan van Veen, Patricia Paay, Peter Koelwijn and William "Big Mouth" Duin. Two re-releases were done in 1981, one with Anthony Quinn doing the narration in Spanish, and one with Kurt Jurgens doing the narration in German. In all cases only the narration was different. (That is, the original English song lyrics and music were used.) The English version was re-released in 1995 with some re-mixed tracks (see Section 4.7).
"The Eye of Wendor" (album - 1978) / Mandalaband - Justin Hayward sings lead and backing vocals on "Dawn of a New Day."
"Unexpected Song" (single - 1981) / Justin Hayward and Marti Webb sing a duet of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/D. Black song. The B-side, "Angry and Sore" is Marti solo.
"Eyes of a Woman" (album - 1985) / Agnetha Faltskog - Justin Hayward authored
"The Angels Cry" and provides all guitar work. Justin heard from friend Eric Stewart (formerly of 10cc), who was producing a solo album for ABBA member Agnetha and that she wanted to do a song by "the guy who wrote 'Nights in White Satin.'" Since a deal to provide an up-tempo song for Tracey Ulmann had just fallen through, Hayward halved the song's tempo and offered up "The Angels Cry."
"Somewhere In England" (album - 198?) / The Moody Blues and Denny Laine appear on this George Harrison album, originally released in 1981. The deluxe release features a 1986 appearance by the Moodies.
"Crack the Whip" (album - 1987) / Andy Mackay and Phil Manzanera - Justin Hayward sings backup on "Falling for Nightlife."
"Nana" (album - 1988) / Nana Mouskouri - Justin Hayward performs lead guitar and backing vocals on "Nights In White Satin" and backing vocals on "Morning Angel."
"Annie Haslam" (album - 1989) / Annie Haslam - Justin Hayward wrote "The Angels Cry" and also plays lead guitar and sings backing vocals.
"Instincts" (album - 1989) / Sally Oldfield - Justin Hayward and Sally sing a duet on "Let It Begin," which was also released as a single in Germany.
"Rock Art Video Series" (1989) Two "fractal art" videos were produced with Moody music as background, but are now out of print.
"Poetry In Motion" (album - 1990) / various artists - Justin Hayward sings lead vocals on "Tregardock" on this tribute to British poet Sir John Betjeman. Betjeman's poetry was set to music written by Mike Read, who was a DJ on BBC Radio One. The CD has been re-released in Europe.
"Frankfurt Rock Orchestra: Classic Moody Blues Hits" (album - 1994) / Justin Hayward and friends (released under many titles, see Section 3.2). Justin sings different (from the original) versions of "Forever Autumn," "Running Water," "Blue World," "Blue Guitar," "Voices in the Sky" and "In My World."
"Soccer Rocks the Globe" (album - 1994) / various artists - The Moody Blues perform "This Is the Moment," which was written for the Broadway production of "Jeckyll & Hyde." The Moodies did not play any instruments in their cover version; they only supplied the vocals. The song also appears (sans Moodies) on the Broadway soundtrack and Highlights CD.
"The Doomsday Clock" (album - 1997) / various artists - Graeme Edge participates on percussion on this CD which tells the story about Einstein, his theories and work. In the long run, he created the possibility for the world to destroy itself (Einstein "says" often "If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker"). Other guest appearances include Clive Bunker and Mick Abrahams (both of Jethro Tull), Rod Argent (Zombies, Argent) and Moodies backing vocalist Tracy Graham.
"Tre Uomini E Una Gamba" ["Three Men and a Leg"](movie soundtrack - 1997) / various artists - Justin Hayward sings "Skimming Stones" on the Italian soundtrack produced by Phil Palmer, who also produced Hayward's 1996 solo release "The View From The Hill". Marco Forni and Phil Palmer co-wrote the song (Skimming Stones)"with Justin in mind." It's available through the Official Fan Club (see Section 3.4).
"Beyond Life with Timothy Leary" (album - 1998) / Timothy Leary and various artists - The Moodies do a re-recorded version of "Legend of a Mind" substituting "Timothy Leary lives" for "Timothy Leary's dead." The CD is available through the Official Fan Club (see Section 3.4). There is also a companion video of the same title (see Section 8.10)
"Return to the Centre of the Earth" (album - 1999) / Rick Wakeman and various artists - Justin Hayward sings "Still Waters Run Deep" on this sequel album to "Journey to the Centre of the Earth". Other guest appearances include Patrick Stewart (narrator), Ozzy Osbourne, Trevor Rabin and Bonnie Tyler. This album is available commercially and through the Official Fan Club (see Section 3.4)
"Philharmania" (album - 1999) / various artists with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Justin Hayward re-records "Nights In White Satin" with a "Spanish feel" for this album produced and arranged by Mike Batt, who also produced and did the orchestral arrangements for Justin Hayward's solo album, "Classic Blue". According to Batt, Justin suggested that Batt treat the arrangement as a big Spanish "Don Quixote" style film score. Other artists include Kim Wilde, Status Quo, Midge Ure and Roger Daltry. The CD is currently only available in Europe.
"All You Need Is Covers - The Songs of The Beatles" (album - 1999) / various artists cover Beatles songs. Justin Hayward sings "Blackbird," which originally appeared on his album, "Classic Blue". Other artists include Todd Rundgren and Petula Clark.
"The Fairfield Parlour Years" (album - 2000) / Kaleidescope/Fairfield Parlour
- Digitally remastered 2 CD compilation with the '70 album 'From Home To Home', recorded by Kaleidescope's later incarnation Farfield Parlour plus the concept album 'White Faced Lady'. Features Elton John, Graham Edge and some tracks previously unreleased on CD. Bonus tracks include "Just Another Day" with Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge and Elton John.
Visual appearances:
-------------------Beach Boys (concert taped for Showtime - July 4, 1984 in Washington, DC) / Justin Hayward and John Lodge sang with the Beach Boys on "Good Vibrations" and "Help Me, Rhonda." Also participating in the concert were Ringo Starr, Julio Iglesias, LaToya Jackson, America, Three Dog Night and the O'Jays.
"30th Anniversary of Rock n' Roll - All-Star Jam" (concert - 1985) - A celebrity concert featuring Bo Diddly and John Lodge. It was released commercially on videotape and laserdisc (see Section 8.9).
"Rage to Love" (music video - 1985) - Justin Hayward has a non-singing cameo appearance in this video by Kim Wilde, daughter of Marty Wilde. Marty Wilde, his wife and Justin formed "The Wilde Three" before Justin joined the Moodies.
"The Hunting of the Snark" (televised live performance - 1987) / Mike Batt conducts a musical version of the Lewis Carroll short story/poem (a full text of the poem can be found by searching the title or author at the Project Gutenberg web site, www.gutenberg.net). Justin Hayward plays The Butcher, and sings lead on "As Long As the Moon Can Shine."
"The Killer" (concert and video - 1989) - Jerry Lee Lewis at London's Hammersmith Odeon with celebrity band, including John Lodge.
Opening Ceremony of the Goodwill Games in Seattle (televised - July 21, 1990) - The Moody Blues were among several artists to honor the athletes.
"World Bowl" World League of American Football (Wembley Stadium, London - June 1991). The Moody Blues sang the National Anthem.
"Court TV" (US television - January 1993) - A dispute between keyboardist Patrick Moraz and the Moody Blues was televised, in which all the bandmembers, (then) band manager Tom Huellet and Patrick Moraz gave testimony. Although the finding was in Moraz's favor, he was awarded only a small fraction of what he had sued for, and afterward no longer worked for the Moodies.
"Music City Tonight" (The Nashville Network - April 19, 1995) - Justin Hayward appeared on this country-music talk show hosted by Charlie Chase. Justin was in Nashville, Tennessee as part of the "Tin Pan South" songwriters concert held at the Grand Ole Opry on April 17, where he performed "Tuesday Afternoon," "Your Wildest Dreams," "Question" and "Nights in White Satin." Chase interviewed Justin about songwriting, where Justin lived, the band's 5-year hiatus and "Nights in White Satin." Justin also performed a medley on the show, which consisted of "Voices in the Sky" and "Tuesday Afternoon."
"This Is Your Life" (UK television - March 10, 1997) - Justin was surprised by his wife, Marie, and the host of the show during the UK acoustic tour for "The View From the Hill". The 30-minute segment included stories from bandmates John Lodge and Graeme Edge; daughter Doremi; family members and numerous music colleagues.
"Nancy" (comic strip - May 3, 1998) - artist Guy Gilchrist's characters Nancy and Aunt Fritzi attend a Moody Blues concert. The Moodies are pictured in the final frame of the strip.
VH-1's "Hard Rock Live" (US television - July 1998) / A 30-minute segment was devoted to the band's performance in front of a live, studio audience. Songs televised: "I'm Just A Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)," "Nights in White Satin," "Question" and "Ride My See-Saw." "Legend of a Mind" and "I Know You're Out There Somewhere" were also recorded live but not aired as part of the show. "The Moodies' backing band at that time was also part of the taping.
"The Simpsons" (television ["Viva Ned Flanders"] - Jan. 10, 1999) / The band makes a cartoon appearance as themselves. They provided their voices for the episode where Homer helps his straight-arrow neighbor Ned Flanders loosen up with a trip to Las Vegas. The episode was later nominated for a 1999 Emmy but lost to another Fox animated series, "King of the Hill."
Charity Recordings:
-------------------"Doctor in Distress" (single - 1985) / Who Cares (another name for "various artists") - Justin Hayward and John Lodge participated in this charity single for Cancer Relief which also was part of the effort to stave off cancellation of the TV show "Dr. Who."
"I Am Your Child" (single - 1986) / various artists - Justin Hayward provided lead and back-up vocals in this Canadian production to benefit Variety Clubs International.
"Sailing" (single and music video - 1990) / Rock Against Repatriation (another name for "various artists") - Justin Hayward participated in this project to protest the repatriation of Vietnamese Refugees.
"Everybody's Got a Crisis in Their Life" (single - 1990) / various artists - Justin Hayward participated in this project to benefit Leukemia Research.
"What Child Is This?" (1992) / - The Moody Blues perform this song which appears on numerous holiday collections. The first CD released was "A Gift of Life, Vol. 4". The song also appears on: "A Rock 'N' Roll Christmas", "Holiday Collection, Vol. II", "Christmas Classics", "Celebrate the Season", "A Miracle Holiday For Kids" and "A Christmas Miracle". The CDs all come with different artwork and a number of them benefit children's health charities.
"Acoustic Aid" (album of live concert in 1993 at Sticky Fingers, London) / various artists - Justin Hayward contributed an acoustic version of "Tuesday Afternoon" to this CD on behalf of the San Francisco Aids Foundation and dedicated to Freddie Mercury.
"Time Slipping By" (album - 1994) / Mark Williamson - Justin Hayward and various artists participated as part of the London Choir on the single "Prayer for the Children" for CHILDHELP USA and its world affiliates.
Charity Appearances:
--------------------"Live Aid" (concert - July 13, 1985 at Wembley Stadium, London) / various artists - Justin Hayward and John Lodge perform during the finale.
World Wildlife fund-raising concert (Oct. 13, 1988) / Justin Hayward performed.
"John Lennon Tribute" (televised concert - May 5, 1990 in Liverpool, England) / Justin Hayward and John Lodge performed their favorite John Lennon song, "Across the Universe," in a tribute concert along with various artists.
"Prince's Trust Rock Gala" (concert - July 18, 1990 at Wembley Arena, London) / Justin Hayward and John Lodge performed.
"The Red Balloon Ball" (concert - Dec. 6, 1990 at Alexander Palace, London) / John Lodge and Justin Hayward performed at this benefit for the British Lung Foundation.
"Save The Children" (concert - June 4, 1991 at The Barbican Centre in London) / various artists - Justin Hayward and Mike Batt performed "Starry, Starry Night."
"The Moody Blue Bop" (concert - October 12, 1991; Swindon, England) / Justin Hayward, accompanied by Paul Bliss and Mandrake performed a charity concert to benefit the Gerry Drewett Fund for Leukemia, which in turn set up a room for leukemia patients at Swindon's Princess Margaret Hospital. Lesley Drewett, Gerry's wife, had been at school with Justin when they were young. The concert was videotaped and copies were briefly available from the Official Fan Club.
Music for "UNICEF" (concert - July 14, 1996 at the Big Top, at Kings Dock - Liverpool, England) - Justin Hayward performed "Question," "Raised on Love" and "Nights in White Satin." A 300-member children's choir and the Mersey Police Band accompanied him on each song. Hayward also joined in vocally on "All You Need Is Love."
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) (ball/concert - Oct. 2, 1998 in Swindon) - Justin Hayward, accompanied by Paul Bliss, performed "Your Wildest Dreams," "Blue Guitar," "Forever Autumn," "Broken Dreams," "Something to Believe In," "Tuesday Afternoon," "Nights in White Satin" and "Question."
8.8 What promotional or other appearances have the Moodies made recently?
------------------------------------------------------------------"Entertainment Tonight" Online (cyberspace - Aug. 3, 1999) / Justin Hayward and John Lodge answered 20 questions out of almost 1,000 submitted by fans. Four interview audio clips can also be heard as part of the "Strange Times" promotion from Entertainment Tonight. Read and hear the interview at:
http://www.etonline.com/html/Music/2382.html
AOL Live/Studio-i (cyberspace - Aug. 3, 1999) / John Lodge and Justin Hayward discuss the band's new studio album "Strange Times" and answer questions from a "cyber" audience. To see/hear the entire 25 minute interview, click on "On Demand" at: http://dynamic.asylum.com/studio-i/index.html and search "Moody Blues."
Rockline (syndicated US radio program - Aug. 4, 1999) / John Lodge and Justin Hayward discuss the band's new studio album and answer fan questions during the live, 90-minute satellite broadcast. A number of the band's songs were played, including the new single, "English Sunset."
"Good Morning, America" (US (ABC) television - Aug. 9, 1999) / The band makes a live appearance during the ABC morning show. The appearance was in conjunction with the release of their new studio album, "Strange Times, and the first leg of their US tour, which started later that week. Danilo Madonia played keyboards during this broadcast.
"The View" (US (ABC) television - Sept. 23, 1999) / The band makes an appearance during the daytime ABC show hosted by Barbara Walters. Co-host Meredith Viera talked with all 4 members about the recording of "Strange Times". Songs performed were "Tuesday Afternoon" and "English Sunset." Keyboardist Paul Bliss' disembodied arms were also seen playing keyboards.
"Women2Women" (Los Angeles, CA television - Oct. 14, 1999) / Justin Hayward and John Lodge appear on this locally produced show. They don't perform but talk about the new CD, "Strange Times", recording in Italy and touring. At the end of the segment, Justin was presented with a birthday cake. He turned 53 that day.
WherehouseMusic.Com (cyberspace - Oct. 14, 1999) / The band answered questions from a cyber audience during the one hour Internet broadcast. A number of songs were played from the CD "Strange Times". The transcript and audio/video of the interview are archived at:
http://www.wherehousemusic.com/whm/lounge/archive/1,3163,,00.html?x=TheMoodyBlues101499
"A&E's Top 10:" Dream Jobs (Arts & Entertainment Channel - Oct. 17, 1999) / The band represents the "rock star" category at #6 for the Top 10 Dream Jobs on this new series from A&E. All the band members are interviewed and concert footage is shown.
KSAN-FM Internet Chat - San Francisco, CA (cyberspace - Oct. 23, 1999) / John Lodge participated in an on-line chat with the radio station, answering questions from fans before the San Jose, CA concert. A log of the chat can be found at www.KSAN.com, in the "Community & Chat" link.
"Live with Regis & Kathie Lee (US television - Oct. 25, 1999) / The Moodies were the "house" band on this daytime television show, performing clips of their songs surrounding commercial breaks. "Strange Times" keyboardist, Danilo Madonia, accompanied the band.
Miscellaneous Interviews (radio - Summer/Fall 1999) / The band did a number of radio interviews to promote their latest album, "Strange Times". The interviews were heard in St. Louis, MO; Chicago, IL; Raleigh, NC; Indianapolis, IN
Sunday Express (UK newspaper - April 16, 2000) / Graeme edge was interviewed for the weekly "Question of Money" column, speaking freely on money matters.
October, 2000 - Justin Hayward received the ASCAP "Golden Note" lifetime achievement award. Read about it at http://www.ascap.com/playback/2001/february/hd-prs.html
Rockline (syndicated US radio program - April. 4, 2001) / Graeme Edge, John Lodge and Justin Hayward (who were in Las Vegas for a tour) discuss the "Journey into Amazing Caves" IMAX movie, the "Hall of Fame" video and answer fan questions during the live, 90-minute satellite broadcast. A number of the band's songs were played, but none from "Amazing Caves"
Capitol Gold (UK radio show from London- May 24, 2001) / Justin Hayward was interviewed and performed acoustic versions of "Nights in White Satin" and "Forever Autumn".
June 29, 2001 - John Lodge appeared in a tribute to songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller at London's Hammersmith Apollo along with Elton John, Elvis Costello, Tom Jones and many others.
8.9 What appearances has Mike Pinder made recently?
-----------------------------------------------------LIFT Foundation Benefit (Auburn, CA - Oct. 16, 1999) - Mike told children's stories at a photo exhibition of Richard Miller's Eastern Europe to benefit the LIFT foundation, which provides funding for a number of private Romanian children's projects.
Hard Rock Cafe (Sacramento, CA - Nov. 18, 1999) - Mike appeared in celebration of the book "Echoes of the Sixties" by Marti Smiley Childs and Jeff March. The book features "then and now" profiles of music celebrities, who came to prominence in the 1960s. Mike is featured in his own chapter. Others featured in the book are Peter & Gordon, Beau Brummels and Gary Puckett & the Union Gap.
Border's Books & Music (Davis, CA - Jan. 8, 2000) - Mike appeared to read "John Jeremy Colton," "The Gifts of Wali Dad," "Old Turtle" and "A Spark in the Dark." He then signed his musical works for fans & their children.
8.10 What commercially produced videotapes, laserdiscs and DVDs were made featuring the Moody Blues?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------Videotapes:
-----------"Legend of a Band:" 25-Year History of the Moody Blues, which includes interview segments and clips of performances. This videotape can sometimes be found in video stores.
Official Moody Blues Fan Club video, which includes performance clips and videos (see Section 5.17.) It also contains interviews with band members.
This video is available only through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4).
"A Night at Red Rocks," which is the Moody Blues live performance with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra recorded on September 9, 1992. The video includes 4 songs not found on the CD of the same name ("New Horizons", "Gemini Dream", "Say it With Love", and "The Story in Your Eyes". See Section 3.2).
This tape used to be offered for sale by public television stations in their pledge drives and now is sometimes found in video stores. It is available through Official Moody Blues Fan Club (UK PAL version only, see Section 3.4) and Good Work Ventures (see Section 3.9).
"The Other Side of Red Rocks," is a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Rocks performance from September 1992 and includes 4 songs not seen on the "A Night at Red Rocks" video ("Legend of a Mind", "Emily's Song", "Voices in the Sky" and an acoustic performance of "Driftwood", which was not part of the concert.) It is available through Good Work Ventures (see Section 3.9) and as DVD in the UK (note that this is encoded as region "ALL" but in PAL format, so check your decoder to see if your player can play this format).
"The Moody Blues in South Africa" is a behind-the-scenes look at the Moodies tour of that country in 1995. It also includes footage of the band performing live in front of an audience. The videotape is available only through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4).
"Justin Hayward Live in San Juan Capistrano" was recorded at the Coach House over two nights in April 1998, and includes many solo songs, as well as Moody Blues favorites. It includes 4 songs and between-songs banter not found on the CD of the same name. It is available through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4) or Good Work Ventures (see Section 3.9).
"The Moody Blues Hall of Fame: Live from Royal Albert Hall" records a concert performed May 1, 2000 at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The video was shown widely on USA public television stations. Two versions of the show were made available to PBS stations, in 60-minute (with no breaks) and 80-minute (plus breaks, which includes "Your Wildest Dreams", "Isn't Life Strange" and "I'm Just a Singer") format. The long version is available commercially as VHS and DVD with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. The 14 songs performed are the same as on the companion CD of the same name (see Section 3.2).
"Access All Areas" was produced by Kristian Lodge, son of John Lodge. It is a "behind the scenes" look at the fan's and band's preparation for the show recorded at the Royal Albert Hall (see above). Included are interviews with the band members, Ivy Stewart of the Fan Club, and band manager, Mike Keyes and fans. The video is available in NTSC and PAL formats from the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (See section 3.4) and John Lodge's web site (www.johnlodge.com).
"Journey Into Amazing Caves" The Moody Blues are featured on the soundtrack for this IMAX movie which premiered March 10, 2001. A VHS version was released in June, 2001, and a DVD version is scheduled to be released soon thereafter. The Moody Blues provide new songs "We Can Fly" and "Water" (instrumental), and re-worked versions of "Nights in White Satin", "Question", "I Know You're Out There Somewhere", "Your Wildest Dreams", and a live concert version of "Ride My See Saw" (not included in the soundtrack CD) for the soundtrack of this film. Justin Hayward also provided incidental guitar work. "Amazing Caves" was produced by MacGillivary-Freeman, who also produced the critically acclaimed IMAX movies "Everest" and "Dolphins", and narrated by Liam Neeson. For information on the soundtrack CD see Section 3.2.
Laserdiscs:
-----------The band appears on several different discs, but before you run out and buy a laserdisc player, be aware they may be discontinued soon in favor of DVDs. In addition to the usual 12" laserdisc there are also CD-Videos, which are CD sized but contain up to 20 minutes of CD-compatible sound in addition to 5 or so minutes of video. This means that you can put these into a CD player and hear the music but the player (even on a computer) will ignore the last track, which is the video.
Here are the laserdiscs that have been released:
- Legend of a Band (12")
- A Night at Red Rocks (12")
- Your Wildest Dreams (CD-Video):
1. Your Wildest Dreams 4:51 (Audio)
2. Talkin' Talkin' 3:54 (Audio)
3. It May Be A Fire 4:54 (Audio)
4. Rock 'n' Roll Over You 4:49 (Audio)
Producer: Tony Visconti (Roar Enterprises Ltd.)5. Your Wildest Dreams 5:00 (Video)
Director: Brian GrantProducer: Frank Hilton for MGMM
Copyright 1986 Polygram Records
- I Know You're Out There Somewhere (CD-Video)**:
1. Miracle 4:56 (Audio)
2. Vintage Wine 3:38 (Audio)
3. Deep 6:50 (Audio)
4. I Know You're Out There Somewhere 4:15 (Audio)
Produced by: Tony Visconti5. I Know You're Out There Somewhere 4:18 (Video)
Director: Brian GrantProducer: Kate Thorne for MGMM
Copyright 1988 Polygram Records**The packaging for this CD-V has an incorrect track listing.
- No More Lies (CD-Video):
1. Here Comes the Weekend 4:13 (Audio)
2. Want To Be With You 4:48 (Audio)
3. Vintage Wine 3:38 (Audio)
4. No More Lies 5:13 (Audio)
Produced by Tony Visconti5. No More Lies 4:40 (Video)
Director: Danny Kleinman
Producer: Jane Reardon for Limelight
Published 1988 Polygram Records, Inc.
Other videotapes, laserdiscs & DVDs which include the Moodies:
--------------------------------------------------------------"MTV Closet Classics" (videotape & 12" laserdisc) - Contains a black and white version of "Nights in White Satin" believed to be from German TV.
"My Generation - Psychedelic High" (videotape, 12" laserdisc and CD-ROM) - A VH-1 compilation by Rhino Home Video/Records, which also features Byrds and Small Faces. The collection is hosted by Peter Noone.
"Rock Encyclopedia 1973" (videotape) - Clips and documentary footage of the year in rock, 1973, by Music Video Distributors. Also featured: Carpenters, Stevie Wonder, Status Quo, Elton John and Rolling Stones.
"Message To Love: Isle of Wight Festival" (videotape & DVD) - Includes the Moodies performance of "Nights in White Satin" at the 1969 festival, earning them the first encore of their career. The video also includes vintage performances from The Who, Jethro Tull and Joni Mitchell. It's available commercially or through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (UK PAL version only; see Section 3.4). A companion CD is also available commercially or through the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4).
"30th Anniversary of Rock n' Roll - All-Star Jam" (videotape & 12" laserdisc) - A 1985 celebrity concert at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheater. The band included John Lodge, Bo Diddley, Ron Wood, Kenny Jones, Mick Fleetwood and Carl Wilson.
"An Audience with Jimmy Tarbuck" (videotape) - Features guest appearances by Justin Hayward and John Lodge. This video is available only in UK PAL format via the Official Moody Blues Fan Club (see Section 3.4).
"Ready, Steady, Go!" Vol. 3 (videotape) - Features Mark I Moodies performing "Lose Your Money" on the show of the same name in the early 1960s. The compilation video was released in 1984 and also features The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Jerry Lee Lewis.
"Golden Age of Rock And Roll (5 disc DVD set) - 130 unedited songs in vintage rock 'n' roll clips from the '50s, '60s and '70s from a variety of sources including Detroit's own Swingin' Time, Beat Club, and Musik Laden. Features the Moodies in the 'British Invasion' category.
"Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends" aka "The Killer" (VHS and DVD - 1989) - A 61-minute concert at London's Hammersmith Odeon teaming Lewis with John Lodge, Van Morrison, Dave Edmunds, Brian May (Queen), and Dave Davies (Kinks)
"Hullabaloo Volumes 1-4" (DVD) Complete Hullabaloo shows (a TV musical variety show 1965-66) previously available on individual VHS tapes featuring popular rock artists of the era including the Moody Blues.
"Beyond Life with Timothy Leary" (videotape 1997) - The Moody Blues are interviewed in the 79-minute video, and footage of them in the recording studio doing the remake of "Legend of a Mind" is included. There is a companion CD of the same title (see Section 8.7).
"Wired for Sound - A Guitar Odyssey" (VHS and DVD - 2000) - A 90-minute Canadian-produced documentary (originally aired on cable's The Learning Channel) of electric guitars and their players, including Justin Hayward. Also a visit to the Gibson workshop and concert footage of several artists with a clip from Red Rocks of "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock 'n' Roll Band)".
8.11 Who are the faces in the clouds and ocean on the "Strange Times" lithograph?
---------------------------------------------------------------------The boys' faces in the ocean are the same photos of the band members as kids as they appear in the artwork for "Sur La Mer". (See Section 4.2 to decipher who's who.) The figures in the clouds are the band members as they appear on the "Octave" cover but with Mike Pinder faded.
THE END