Moodies for me are in that category of “I know i should like them better but I struggle”. Nice description Shaggy of psych pop. I think I was at the same party with this on the turntable way back when. Maybe I will try harder with them once I hear your whole series.
I consider this the first Moody Blues album as what came before is so different (RnB pop). After Denny Laine left, the band scouted out a folkie (Justin Hayward) and a bassist (John Lodge). Both were songwriters whose voices sounded great together. All the band were committed to experimentation (sonic and chemical) that created a tight creative bond. The Deram gig was supposed to be a classical-rock version of Dvorak's "New World Symphony". As already stated, the band and producer Tony Clarke had other ideas. They used Decca's classical recording studio and enlisted conductor Peter Knight to orchestrate their songs and fragments, quite bold for '67. (Deep Purple, Caravan and others also tried this out.) If it wasn't for the two hit singles, the album would probably have been an interesting footnote. Instead, the combination of songs and yearning style would propel the band to the forefront of the emerging progressive rock movement. As other, heavier bands emerged, the Moodies would rely more and more on their chart singles and tours but, first and foremost, they were an album band that capitalized on the growing hi-fi and rug-sitting audience. Some great music ahead, Shaggy!
The orchestral stuff was the entire point of the album. They were commissioned to do this by their label in order to demonstrate the Deramic stereo technology they had developed.
Yea..I used to listen to the MB's in High School. Go tired of the British orch-pop sound in a couple of years.. Once I discovered the Band and the Grateful Dead the MB's were a little bit too pop-ish for me. Can't give those MB records away now... Always liked Tuesday afternoon though...right up there with Whiter Shade of Pale.
I know the album was made by Deram to show off their recordings dynamic audio range Im not sure how much control the band had in the project I agree songs are diamonds in the rough but next 3 albums should be a real treat I think next song up is Ride My See Saw , a song Ive always loved I think i may have asked before Do tou have the Jack Lancaster / Robin Lumley Peter and the wolf ? The Prog Version
@@theopinionatedhippie470 very cool thank you Next up : Gavin Fridays version which is my favorite although may be a little scary It was just recently animated based on Bono’s original artwork It was a charity project to raise money for Irish Hospice came as book and CD package
The Band had control of their songs but they never played with the orchestra & hadn’t heard the entire album until it was screened for DECCA executives. Everyone was silent after jaws agape. Even the band. One of higher ups at DECCA said I didn’t know what this but I like it. Boys, go do what you do & gave them DECCA’s best studio.
