Agreed I saw a relatively recent video of Justin performing "Forever Autumn' that was written and used in the musical version of "War of the Worlds' that I had on vinyl as a child (first listen scared the bejeezus out of me) it sounds very close to the 1978 album. Which I had the pleasure of seeing a live performance in 2007. Justin sounded remarkably similar even after 40+ years. In Your Wildest Dreams is still a favourite song of mine.
His technique is really impeccable, yeah. I can tell that he has to think about the switch to his high end a little more than when he was younger, but it's super subtle and just further proof that he's really put in the work to take care of himself and master his instrument.
You're spot-on in your perception about the band being very seasoned by this point. The song/album came out in 1967. The singer's voice, while excellent here, was much stronger on the studio version, for example. The album, Days of Future Passed, is one of my all-time favorites by any artist. It was the first rock album I know of which thoroughly fused classical music and rock, utilizing a full symphony throughout. They wrote a set of rock/pop songs and also composed a score. While, as in this one, some songs used the orchestra in the song itself, primarily, the orchestra was used for an overture and for interludes in the transitions of one song to another. The songs, and the score itself, trace a day from dawn through mid-day, including people at work, to the afternoon and into the night. It is brilliant. You are absolutely right that this version is only a nostalgic look back at a musical achievement of great power that was created nearly sixty years ago.
Maddy, You must listen to the original album, "Days of Future Passed". This song, although wonderful on its own, is taken out of context. You need to hear the entire production. It journeys through a complete day. It's a beautiful piece.
Absolutely! A very concise CONCEPT album in 1967; groundbreaking! And I'd go with the studio recording, cuz the tech for live performances just wasn't quite there yet.
Also consider finding the story on YT relating to the making of this album. The group pulled a fast one over on their record label, who had tasked them with creating a classical fusion of Dvorak with rock, in stereo. The label, Deram Records, a subsidiary of Decca, wanted an album demonstrating their new stereo recording process. Enough said - don't want to ruin the story.
I first heard this song my first night out of Marine Corps training at Camp Del Mar on Camp Pendelton. I hadnt listened to any music for months. It was my first taste of freedom as a Marine. When i heard this song i was totally memorized. It was and still is hauntingly beautiful. The Moody Blues is one of the greatest bands of all times. Most music today cant compare
I've been going to their concerts since the 70s, and their concerts actually improved as time went on. This is the best live performance I've seen of them. One of the reasons is that they started using local orchestras as backup, in the 90s. And it added so much texture and depth to the sound. Especially this concert, as the orchestra was top-notch! I only wish they had done the poem, (Late Lament) at the end.
"Late Lament" ................. Breathe deep the gathering gloom Watch lights fade from every room Bedsitter people look back and lament Another day's useless energy is spent Impassioned lovers wrestle as one; Lonely man cries for love and has none New mother picks up and suckles her son Senior citizens wish they were young Cold-hearted orb that rules the night Removes the colours from our sight Red is grey is yellow white But we decide which is right And which is an illusion
God Bless the 60's & early 70's of music. Never will be repeated, sad. The music was phenomenal! You didn't hear to entire song in that vid... "Breathe deep the gathering gloom Watch lights fade from every room Bedsitter people look back and lament Another day's useless energy spent Impassioned lovers wrestle as one Lonely man cries for love and has none New mother picks up and suckles her son Senior citizens wish they were young Cold-hearted orb that rules the night Removes the colours from our sight Red is grey and yellow, white But we decide which is right And which is an illusion"
The Moody Blues is a progressive rock band. Between 1967 and 1972, they released 7 albums, all with Justin Hayward as lead song writer, lead guitar and lead vocals, Mike Pinder on keyboards and the Mellotron, Ray Thomas, John Lodge, and Graeme Edge. The music and the sounds they created were innovative and well received by the fans as the first 7 albums really were the foundation of their great success, and that is before Mike Pinder left the band. Other great songs are, Tuesday Afternoon, The Story In Your Eyes, You And Me, The Balance, Ride My Sea-Saw, The Actor, Legend Of A Mind, Your Wildest Dreams, English Sunset, and so many others. Starting in the early 80's, their music started to sound more mainstream rock/pop but still they released great music. I've been listening to The Moody Blues since 1970 when I was 10 years old, and I've seen them in concert 3 times. They always put on a great show.
I was a college freshman in 1972 when I first heard this. My roommates and I would stay up for hours to hear it again and again on the radio - it usually repeated after 4 hours! We were swooning, no doubt dreaming of having a guy feel this strongly about us. Just hearing this puts me right back into that college dorm room. Sigh.
I was in high school when the album was released. Vinal of course in 1967. I also really love the 1978 Jeff Wayne album production and musical version of the "War of the Worlds". Justin sings lead vocals and Richard Burton does the narration. It's just a wonderful experience to listen to.
When asked what I think may be the most beautiful song ever written,I come back to this one. The melodies,harmonies, lyrics, and musicianship are up at the top. “ Just what you want to be,you will be in the end”…. as beautiful as it gets for me. And a song that is almost 60 years old?
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This is the song that launched the Moody Blues into the consciousness of many during my time. I was 11 when this came out, but it wasn't until I was 13 that I really came to appreciate them due to my girlfriend's brother at that time who was a fanatic. I became a devoted fan from that point on. I'm now 66 and the Moody Blues are dear to my heart forever. I teach college physics, and I often expose my students to the Moody Blues via the song/poem "This garden universe vibrates complete", otherwise known as "the Word/Om". Check this out and prepare to have a musical spiritual experience like no other. Om!
This song isn't just music... It's a mood and a vibe! Especially if you hear the 'Days of Future Passed' album version. A true classic song! I hope you continue listening to the Moody Blues music! Thanks for sharing Maddie ❤️💛
Hey Maddy, actually, this performance sounds very much the way it sounded on the original album from 1967. That was recorded with the London Festival Orchestra, and the lead singer's voice sounds virtually the same as it did then. While so many concert performances veer far away from the sound of a track on the original album, this one is unbelievably almost identical to the track on the original 1967 album, DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED.
Moody Blues sang this back in 1967, I think it sounds better than the original, another song that came out in 1967, was A whiter shade of pale, by Procol Harum, but the one from 2006 from Denmark is just as good or better !
I've seen the Moody's twice; both outdoor evening shows. The first was at the Audoban Zoo in New Orleans on a perfect summer eve. On the quieter parts of the songs, you could hear the growls and shrieks of the animals in the dark. During this song, the clouds parted, revealing a full moon while the surrounding clouds all became silver lined. The whole feeling was just magical.
The album chronicles a "day", this closes the album. Like 'new age' or 'ambient' long before called them. Had studio quality headphones Koss Pro 4 AA's. black light material... add Simon-Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water chilled out
As these guys grew older, they only got better. They never lowered their aim. They always aimed to do their best 👌. By the way, I loved the orchestral crescendo. Great arrangement and great performance. 👍
Its hard for me to realise he recorded the original when I was two, now I'm grey and wear trifocals, and he still sounds this wonderful. the original included orchestration. It was from 1967.
This song and Proco Harem’s (Whiter Shade Of Pale ) we would dance to in the gym at our prom’s and homecoming’s 69-72. Us jocks would call them pantie droppers. lol it’s no different from then and now, except for the poem at the end.
The album...........Days of Future Passed. Every song is based on a time of the day. Dawn.....the morning....the afternoon....the evening, and, Nights in White Satin. Brilliant concept album.
This version closely aligned with the original studio version. Also, live recordings back then were hit or miss. Some bands made great live recordings back then, but some just did not have those resources.
Nights in white satin was a reference to the sheets he received from a girl friend that dumped him. "Letters I have written never meaning to send ", with 20 versions in the trash can to try and win her back he never mails the letter. Why? "Just what the truth is I don't know any more". "Seeing people some hand in hand" seeing others in love just brings back the hurt and pain. Anyone that was dumped by the love of their life knows this song is the most gut wrenching sadest song ever written. Damn this song all to hell its so beautifully played and sung yet brings back all the memories of the pain. Every time I hear it I cry and wonder where she is what is she doing. 😢
Nights In White Satin. This live version is so close to the original that it is not worth mentioning except for the fact the the poem is missing as we heard when it 1st came out on the radio.
A timeless classic that joins the list of other greats like Procol Harum' s Whiter Shade (2016 Denmark performance) . We had this album when I was a kid and Mom played it regularly. Always a treat.
Once again I am disappointed that "Late Lament" was not included. It's just not the same without it. Late Lament: Breathe deep the gathering gloom, Watch lights fade from every room, Bedsitter people look back and lament, Another day's useless energy is spent... Impassioned lovers wrestle as one, Lonely man cries for love and has none, New mother picks up and suckles her son, Senior citizens wish they were young... Cold-hearted orb that rules the night, Removes the colors from our sight, Red is grey and yellow-white, But we decide which is right... And which is an illusion...
The FULL version of this is a must, as asked for by other comments, the poem at the end is so true. OLD FRIENDS/BOOKENDS is a must. TUESDAY AFTERNOON FULL VERSION is too. Completely different at the time this was released 57 years ago, and they are still now. ❤
This sounds almost exactly the same as the version on the original 1967 album Days of Future Passed. They didn’t add orchestra in the later years, it was always there.
The original studio version had an orchestra. The difference (this performance and the studio version) being that the studio version had a recitation of a poem at the end.
The original had the same orchestral arrangement. In fact the London Philharmonic was on the original album. Of course they couldn't tour with a symphony orchestra so this rare performance with an orchestra is the closest you'll come to hearing this song the way it was originally intended to sound.
Nights In White Satin. The poem at the end is missing. That is the problem with the live versions. The way we heard it on the radio way back when it came out was with the poem ... Late Lament ... attached. For context --- There is another great song called ... Tuesday Afternoon ... from the same album with the orchestra. The live Red Rocks concert starts with the poem and goes into Tuesday Afternoon to start the concert. Nights In White Satin is almost the last one played but without the poem at the end. They already did it at the beginning. To hear it the way we did back in the day you have to do the studio version with Late Lament attached. .
This was in their peak, the song is considered one of the greatest songs from the 20th century, for a group that is currently celebrating their 20th anniversary you might check out Celtic Woman, for an early song look at Spanish Lady from the New journey CD or for comparison their latest release I know my love from their 20th anniversary CD both can be found in utube or almost any platform.❤❤❤
They sound pretty much like they always did in this performance later in their career but I get it, you should hear their late 60s & early 70s albums and see vintage performances from that era. This song was the climax of the incredible album, Days of Futures Past, and epic concept album and one of the first successful merging of Rock and a classical orchestra. These guys, along with Pink Floyd, YES, ELP, Genesis and King Crimson are the best classic, pioneering Prog bands that are all worth your time in the long run to explore. For more Moodies, do the original studio for The Legend of a Mind, their psychedelic ode to LSD guru Timothy Leary. That song is literally a trip! Enjoy. 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶
The original 1967 studio album included the entire orchestral accompaniment. Moody Blues is not wide;y considered Progressive Rock but they are Proto-Prog. ---OronOfMontreal
I have been a Moody Blues listener since the late 1970’s. I attended a few of their concerts in the 1980’s. In the late 1990’s, I attended my final one of their concerts. It was depressing. I felt so old among my fellow old fans and the old band. The band rushed through their set. Justin muddled the lyrics. I decided I would stick with my album collection.
Moodies music moves you! with 16 studio albums and over 200 songs in their catalogue. the studio version of this song has the spoken word in it and this and the 6 following albums are all considered concept albums and should be done from start to end.
I saw them in their heyday and twenty years later and it was even better! Why? The first time I saw them they were without an orchestra and it really lost the sound that I was used to after purchasing and listening to all their albums fully. In the nineties they made deals with each and every concert venue to have the local symphony orchestra, in whatever city they were in, accompany them and man it was magical!! That's all I can say!! Great band and thought provoking lyrics!!
This was a concept album; I never saw them as " performance" artists; they did "concept" albums. This song from Days of Future Passed, was part of thei first of those. It needs to be listened to as a whole. You don't randomly pick a part of a book to read, and imagine you'll understand the story.
This whole album is symptomatic like this and as others have mentioned, I consider this a very clean performance unaffected by the age of the band. Check out some of their other hits If you prefer something more upbeat! Thanks for looking at this one and keep’em coming!
This is how it was recorded. With a full symphony as an integral part of the album My Mother was a local radio Dj when this was released. She brought home the album. I found it in her collection a few years later. "Days of Future Passed" was one of the first albums my little record player wore out.
Oh snap, I peeped The Great Reset book by Alex Jones on the desk, great placement. That is a frightening book, and unfortunately one exposing a lot of truth
My favorite of all Moody Blues songs (a very hard choice) is the long version, again from the “Days of Future Passed” album, is the combination of “Afternoon” and “Evening.” Such gorgeous melodies and everything else! This is the same as the _long_ version (8+ minutes) of “Tuesday Afternoon.” Other greats are “The Voice,” “Wildest Dreams” (has an early and gorgeous music video), and “The Story in Your Eyes,” IIRC their first huge hit, everywhere on the radio. Thanks Maddy!!
Listen to "Nights In White Satin - The Moody Blues (1967)" to get their earlier live performances of this song. In this case there was no orchestra; rather, all the orchestral sounds come from Mike Pinder on a Mellotron keyboard (an interesting early form of a synth). Sadly, he left the band early on due to his dislike for touring and travel. I, personally, have seen the Moodies in concert five times and they never lost their mojo over the many decades they were a band.
Great reaction, Maddy! This came out when I was still in High School. I always enjoyed the orchestral, symphonic elements they added to their music. That's probably one reason why I like Symphonic Meta nowl in my old age. I saw The Moody Blues live in the early 2000s, and they sounded real close to what they were in their prime. Tuesday Afternoon is a good Moody Blues song.
Your assessment it spot on! This performance was for the people that already internalized this song many decades ago and is "evolutionary". You, as someone who hadn't heard this song, should definitely listen to the original studio version to experience the sensation and impact of this artist back in those days.
Saw Moody Blues at Starplex it was the night Timothy Leary died and they announced it and everyone cheered thinking they were going to play "Timothy Leary is Dead" Ray got mad and cussed us and left the stage for like 15 mins. Justin told him we didn't know and finally got him back out to finish the concert! Have you heard "Question" That's my all time favorite Moody Blues song. Love to see what you think Maddy!
I agree with you about listening to the earlier works of the artists. There seems to be more energy in the beginning of their careers, but as time passes and they've performed it over the years, it seems they lose enthusiasm and just play it out of habit. It's really hard to maintain the energy when you play the same songs for decades.
In the early 70s not everyone was into the Moody Blues I thought they were great but most of my friends and people I knew thought they were just too over the top They didn’t get it This was LA and I was a teen so we went to ALL the concerts and saw ALL the bands multiple times if possible For some reason I had to beg people to go to a Moody Blues concert with me and I was so groovy too It really puzzled me I came to the conclusion their puny little brains couldn’t grok the Moody Blues
