Album Information:

About The Moody Blues:

The Moody Blues is an English rock band that was formed in Birmingham, England in 1964. The band originally consisted of keyboardist Mike Pinder, guitarist and vocalist Denny Laine, drummer Graeme Edge, bassist Clint Warwick, and lead vocalist and guitarist Ray Thomas.

The group first started out as a blues band, but they quickly evolved their sound into a blend of rock, pop, and classical music. They became known for their use of orchestration and complex arrangements in their music. This was especially evident in their critically acclaimed concept albums such as 'Days of Future Passed' and 'In Search of The Lost Chord'.

The Moody Blues achieved great success throughout the late 60s and early 70s, releasing a string of hit singles such as 'Nights in White Satin', 'Tuesday Afternoon', and 'Question'. They also continued to release successful albums such as 'To Our Children's Children's Children' and 'A Question of Balance'.

In 1974, after the departure of guitarist and vocalist Justin Hayward joined the band, the Moody Blues continued to release popular albums and continued to tour extensively. They also were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing their place in music history.

Sadly, founding member Ray Thomas passed away in early 2018, but the legacy of the Moody Blues continues through their enduring music and dedicated fan base.

About the album The Present:

The Present is the eleventh studio album by the English rock band The Moody Blues. It was released in 1983 and marked a departure from their usual style of progressive rock towards a more pop-oriented sound. The album was produced by Tony Visconti and featured a mix of new songs and reworked versions of older tracks.

The opening track 'Blue World' sets the tone for the album with its catchy pop melody and upbeat rhythm. It features prominent keyboards and a soaring guitar solo that gives it a slightly progressive edge. 'Meet Me Halfway' is another upbeat track that combines jangly guitars and synths with a sing-along chorus.

One of the standout tracks on the album is 'Sitting at the Wheel,' which was released as a single and became a hit in the UK. It features a driving rhythm section and soaring vocals from frontman Justin Hayward. The song's lyrics touch on themes of personal growth and determination, making it a fan favorite.

Another highlight is 'Going Nowhere,' a haunting ballad that showcases Hayward's emotive vocals. The song builds to a climactic chorus, with the strings and synths adding to the overall sense of drama.

The album's title track, 'The Present,' is a reworked version of a song from the band's 1968 album In Search of the Lost Chord. The new version features updated lyrics and a more polished sound, but still retains the psychedelic influence of the original.

Overall, The Present is a solid effort from The Moody Blues that balances catchy pop hooks with progressive rock flourishes. While it may not be as groundbreaking as some of their earlier albums, it still stands as a testament to the band's enduring musical talent.

Members:

The Moody Blues have had several key members over the years. Here's a look at some of the band's most notable members and their biographies:

1. Justin Hayward (vocals, guitar): Born on October 14, 1946, in Swindon, England, Hayward started his music career in 1965 with the band The Wilde Three. Two years later, he joined The Moody Blues, becoming the lead guitarist and vocalist. He wrote some of the band's biggest hits, including 'Nights in White Satin,' 'Tuesday Afternoon,' and 'Question.' Hayward is still an active member of The Moody Blues.

2. John Lodge (vocals, bass guitar): Born on July 20, 1945, in Birmingham, England, Lodge was a member of several bands before joining The Moody Blues in 1966. He is known for his songwriting skills, having written some of the band's most popular songs, such as 'Ride My See-Saw' and 'I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band).' Lodge is also still an active member of The Moody Blues.

3. Ray Thomas (vocals, flute): Born on December 29, 1941, in Stourport-on-Severn, England, Thomas was a founding member of The Moody Blues. He played the flute and contributed vocals to the band's sound. Thomas wrote several songs in collaboration with Justin Hayward, including 'Legend of a Mind.' Sadly, Thomas passed away in 2018.

4. Mike Pinder (vocals, keyboards): Born on December 27, 1941, in Birmingham, England, Pinder was also a founding member of The Moody Blues. He played the mellotron and contributed vocals to the band's sound. Pinder left the band in 1978 to pursue a solo career.

5. Graeme Edge (drums, percussion): Born on March 30, 1941, in Rochester, England, Edge was another founding member of The Moody Blues. He played the drums and wrote poetry, some of which was featured on the band's early albums. Edge is still an active member of The Moody Blues.

These are some of the most notable members of The Moody Blues, but the band has had several other members throughout their career.

Track List for The Present:

Unfortunately, I am an AI language model and I don't have the capability to play or list the tracks from an album. However, I can provide you with a list of the tracks in The Present album by The Moody Blues along with their respective play times and a brief description about the album:

1. 'Blue World' - 5:16: This track begins with a haunting acoustic guitar and features lush harmonies and beautiful orchestration.
2. 'Sitting at the Wheel' - 5:42: This is an upbeat track with a catchy chorus and driving rhythm.
3. 'Going Nowhere' - 5:36: An ethereal track with soaring vocals and dreamy instrumentals.
4. 'Hole in the World' - 1:57: This is a short instrumental piece featuring gentle acoustic guitar and a small string section.
5. 'Under My Feet' - 4:51: A mid-tempo track with a bluesy vibe and soulful vocals.
6. 'It's Cold Outside of Your Heart' - 4:26: This track is a slow ballad with emotion-filled vocals and a simple, yet elegant piano accompaniment.
7. 'Running Water' - 3:21: This track features hypnotic drums and a pulsating bass, with interjections of haunting synths and guitar parts.
8. 'The Other Side of Life' (single version) - 6:48: This song was a hit single for The Moody Blues and features the band's signature soaring vocals and lush orchestration.
9. 'The Spirit' - 4:20: The final track on the album is a haunting instrumental piece that features a beautiful guitar solo and sweeping orchestration.

Overall, The Present is a solid album that showcases the Moody Blues' unique brand of progressive rock with its lush harmonies, intricate orchestration, and thoughtful lyrics.

Discography for The Moody Blues:

Here is a complete discography for The Moody Blues in chronological order, including all albums, singles and other releases with their respective release dates:

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. Caught Live + 5 (1977)
10. Octave (1978)
11. Long Distance Voyager (1981)
12. The Present (1983)
13. The Other Side of Life (1986)
14. Sur La Mer (1988)
15. Keys of the Kingdom (1991)
16. Strange Times (1999)
17. December (2003)
18. December Again (2003)
19. The Moody Blues: Live at the Royal Albert Hall with The World Festival Orchestra (2000)

Singles:
1. 'Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)' / 'Steal Your Heart Away' (1964)
2. 'Go Now!' / 'It's Easy Child' (1964)
3. 'From the Bottom of My Heart' / 'And My Baby's Gone' (1964)
4. 'I Don't Want To Go On Without You' / 'Time Is On My Side' (1965)
5. 'Everyday' / 'You Don't (All the Time)' (1965)
6. 'Boulevard de la Madeleine' / 'This Is My House (But Nobody Calls)' (1966)
7. 'Fly Me High' / 'Really Haven't Got the Time' (1967)
8. 'Love Me Tonight' / 'Leave This Man Alone' (1968)
9. 'Nights in White Satin' / 'Cities' (1967)
10. 'Voices in the Sky' / 'Dr. Livingstone, I Presume' (1968)
11. 'Ride My See-Saw' / 'A Simple Game' (1968)
12. 'Never Comes the Day' / 'So Deep Within You' (1969)
13. 'Question' / 'Candle of Life' (1970)
14. 'Melancholy Man' / 'The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)' (1970)
15. 'The Story in Your Eyes' / 'My Song' (1971)
16. 'Isn't Life Strange' / 'After You Came' (1972)
17. 'I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)' / 'For My Lady' (1972)
18. 'Emily's Song' / 'New Horizons' (1972)
19. 'Blue Guitar' / 'Driftwood' (1975)
20. 'Sitting at the Wheel' / 'Going Nowhere' (1983)
21. 'Your Wildest Dreams' / 'Talkin' Talkin' (1986)
22. 'The Other Side of Life' / 'The Spirit' (1986)
23. 'I Know You're Out There Somewhere' / 'Miracle' (1988)
24. 'No More Lies' / 'Say It With Love' (1988)

Other releases:
- This Is The Moody Blues (1974) - compilation album
- Prelude (1987) - compilation album
- The Best of The Moody Blues (1996) - compilation album
- Nuages: Live (2003) - live album
- Lovely to See You: Live (2005) - live album
- Gold (2005) - compilation album
- Timeless Flight (2013) - box set