Album Information:
Album ID: 10182
About The Moody Blues:
The Moody Blues are a British rock band formed in Birmingham in 1964. The band's original members were vocalist and guitarist Denny Laine, keyboardist Mike Pinder, bassist Clint Warwick, drummer Graeme Edge, and vocalist and guitarist Ray Thomas. They were initially a rhythm and blues group but later emerged as one of the pioneers of progressive rock.
The Moody Blues’ music blended classical orchestration with rock, creating a unique sound that set them apart from their contemporaries. Their debut album, “The Magnificent Moodies”, was released in 1965 to critical acclaim, and included hit singles “Go Now” and “From the Bottom of My Heart.” However, Laine left the band after the album's release, and the band struggled to find a new sound and direction.
The band went through a number of lineup changes in the following years, finally settling on the core lineup of Pinder, Thomas, Edge, bassist John Lodge, and guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward. This new lineup released the album “Days of Future Passed” in 1967, which became a classic of the progressive rock genre. The album was notable for the use of an orchestra and a unique song cycle format that blended rock and classical music. It features hit singles like “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights in White Satin”, and became a huge commercial success.
The Moody Blues continued to innovate and push boundaries with their music through the 1970s. Their concept album “In Search of the Lost Chord” (1968) explored the spiritual side of psychedelic rock, while “To Our Children’s Children’s Children” (1969) focused on space travel and the human condition. They evolved to a more synthesizer-based sound in the late 1970s, but continued to produce hits like “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” and “Your Wildest Dreams”.
In 2018, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognizing their lasting impact on rock music. While the Moody Blues have gone through many changes, their music has remained timeless and an inspiration to future generations of musicians.
About the album Days Of Future Passed:
Days of Future Passed is a ground-breaking album by British rock band The Moody Blues, released on November 10, 1967. The album is widely considered to be one of the first rock concept albums, and it marked a significant departure from the band's earlier R&B-influenced sound.
The album is notable for its combination of orchestral and rock instrumentation, and it features the band's signature mellotron sound. The album features a mix of original compositions and adaptations of classical pieces, including works by composers such as Rachmaninoff and Bach.
The album opens with a spoken-word poem that sets the tone for the rest of the album. The spoken word is accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra, which provides a lush, cinematic backdrop for the rest of the album.
The first song on the album, 'Tuesday Afternoon,' is a psychedelic rock song that features a catchy melody and intricate instrumentation. The song is one of the band's most popular songs, and it remains a staple of classic rock radio to this day.
The second half of the album features a suite of songs that tell the story of a day in the life of an ordinary person. The suite includes songs such as 'The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon,' 'Evening: Time to Get Away,' and 'Nights in White Satin.'
The album closes with a reprise of 'The Day Begins,' bringing the album full circle and providing a sense of closure.
Overall, Days of Future Passed is a masterful blend of rock and orchestral music, and it represents a landmark achievement in the history of rock music. The album has influenced countless musicians and continues to be revered by fans and critics alike.
Members:
The Moody Blues are a legendary English rock band that was formed in Birmingham, England in 1964. Below are the key members of the band, along with brief biographies of each member:
1. Ray Thomas - Ray Thomas was born in Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England in 1941. He played the flute, saxophone, and harmonica for The Moody Blues. He was also a songwriter and contributed many popular tracks to the band's repertoire, including 'Legend of a Mind' and 'For My Lady'. Ray Thomas passed away in January 2018.
2. John Lodge - John Lodge was born in Birmingham, England in 1945. He played bass guitar, guitar, and keyboards for The Moody Blues. He was also a songwriter and contributed many hits to the band's catalog, including 'Ride My See-Saw' and 'I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)'. John Lodge continues to perform with The Moody Blues.
3. Justin Hayward - Justin Hayward was born in Swindon, Wiltshire, England in 1946. He played guitar, piano, and sang lead vocals for The Moody Blues. He joined the band in 1966 and was instrumental in shaping the band's sound in the late 60s and early 70s. Justin Hayward is still active as a solo artist and part of The Moody Blues.
4. Graeme Edge - Graeme Edge was born in Rochester, Staffordshire, England in 1941. He played drums and percussion for The Moody Blues and was known for his unique style, incorporating spoken word poetry into many of their hits. Graeme Edge is also a published poet and continues to tour with The Moody Blues.
5. Mike Pinder - Mike Pinder was born in Erdington, Birmingham, England in 1941. He played keyboards for The Moody Blues and was one of the founding members. He was also a prolific songwriter and contributed many classics like 'The Best Way to Travel' and 'Om'. Mike Pinder left the band in 1978 and now leads a quiet life away from the music scene.
Track List for Days Of Future Passed:
1. 'The Day Begins' - 5:50
This track starts with an orchestral introduction that builds up with various musical instruments leading up to the spoken words of the poem by Graeme Edge.
2. 'Dawn Is a Feeling' - 2:52
This track begins with soft and gentle acoustic guitar playing and progresses to include more instruments, including the bass and drums. The vocals and lyrics speak about the experience of the beauty and serenity of the morning.
3. 'Another Morning' - 4:05
This song is a beautiful combination of orchestral arrangements and rock band instrumentation. The vocals are smooth and the lyrics describe moving on after an emotional experience.
4. 'Peak Hour' - 5:28
This track is a grand instrumental piece that builds up with intense drumming and a gradually increasing instrumentation. The focus is primarily on the orchestration, with little to no vocals.
5. 'Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)' - 8:23
The longest track on the album, 'Forever Afternoon' features a mix of instrumental and vocal sections. The beginning instrumental part describes a lazy, peaceful afternoon and builds up to a more intense and chaotic climax. The vocal section discusses the mundane routine of everyday life.
6. 'Time to Get Away' - 3:33
This track begins with lively and uptempo guitars and progresses into a more mellow orchestration with vocal harmonies. The lyrics describe a desire to escape from reality and live a different life.
7. 'The Sun Set' - 3:38
This song presents a beautiful orchestral arrangement with various instrumentations, with a peaceful mood that captures the essence of the setting sun.
8. 'Twilight Time' - 4:22
The lyrics describe the mystical experience of twilight's hour, while the instrumentation features a mix of orchestral and folk elements.
9. 'Nights in White Satin' - 7:27
The most popular track on the album, 'Nights in White Satin' is a symphonic rock masterpiece with iconic guitar and vocal solos, and memorable orchestral arrangements. The lyrics speak of the emotional experience of falling in love and the ups and downs of relationships.
Overall, Days Of Future Passed by The Moody Blues is a remarkable album that fuses the beauty of orchestral arrangements with the guitar-driven sound of rock. It takes the listener on an emotional journey through the course of a day, with each track seamlessly blending into the next.
Discography for The Moody Blues:
Sure, here is the complete discography for the artist The Moody Blues in chronological order:
Studio Albums:
1. The Magnificent Moodies (1965)
2. Days of Future Passed (1967)
3. In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
4. On the Threshold of a Dream (1969)
5. To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
6. A Question of Balance (1970)
7. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)
8. Seventh Sojourn (1972)
9. Octave (1978)
10. Long Distance Voyager (1981)
11. The Present (1983)
12. The Other Side of Life (1986)
13. Sur La Mer (1988)
14. Keys of the Kingdom (1991)
15. Strange Times (1999)
16. December (2003)
Live Albums:
1. Caught Live + 5 (1977)
2. Live at the Royal Albert Hall with the World Festival Orchestra (2000)
3. Lovely to See You: Live (2005)
4. Live at the BBC: 1967-1970 (2007)
5. Live at the Isle of Wight Festival 1970 (2008)
Compilation Albums:
1. This Is The Moody Blues (1974)
2. Anthology (1986)
3. Prelude: The Best of The Moody Blues (1987)
4. Greatest Hits (1990)
5. The Story of The Moody Blues... Legend of a Band (1990)
6. Time Traveller (1996)
7. The Singles+ (1999)
8. Journey Into Amazing Caves (2001)
Singles:
* 'Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)' (1964)
* 'Steal Your Heart Away' (1965)
* 'Go Now' (1965)
* 'From the Bottom of My Heart (I Love You)' (1965)
* 'Everyday' (1965)
* 'Stop! Stop! Stop!' (1966)
* 'Fly Me High' (1967)
* 'Love and Beauty' (1967)
* 'Nights in White Satin' (1967)
* 'Tuesday Afternoon' (1968)
* 'Ride My See-Saw' (1968)
* 'Never Comes the Day' (1969)
* 'Question' (1970)
* 'Melancholy Man' (1970)
* 'The Story in Your Eyes' (1971)
* 'Isn't Life Strange' (1972)
* 'I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)' (1972)
* 'Steppin' in a Slide Zone' (1978)
* 'Driftwood' (1978)
* 'Your Wildest Dreams' (1986)
* 'I Know You're Out There Somewhere' (1988)
I hope this helps!