That was a flute Ray Thomas was playing, sadly he recently passed away as did their drummer Graeme Edge. They will be sorely missed. I have loved this group, this song and the album "Days of Future Passed" which "Nights in White Satin" is from, when it came out in 1967 when I was 20 years old and at university. Oh, besides playing the flute, Ray also played the oboe, sax, French horn, piccolo (which is played like the flute, but is much smaller and shorter in length and has a much higher sound), and harmonica. Truly a very very talented musician and vocalist in the Moody Blues. RIP Roy and Graeme. SO many of the greats from my era in the 1960s are passing away, it hurts.
It is the most beautiful song ever! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Justin and the whole group and orchestra were fantastic. Yes it does have a mystic that is part of its appeal. It's great young people like music from my youth.
This song is so powerful it can transport us to another dimension, another time or space. Like all of us Moody Blues lovers, you've just experienced the power of beauty ❤. Welcome to the club!
Song writers write all these fancy ways of telling someone how they feel, but it always feels so alien and amazing to hear Justin simply belt out "I LOVE YOU! OH HOW I LOVE YOU"! I felt that same awe at that as a kid that I still feel now and I'm sure always will. It's simple, straight, honest, and so emotionally effective!
Great review brother. This is a very important group in terms of their influence on music. The Moodies brought the orchestra to rock and it's been in rock ever since. Hell, even Metallica uses strings at times! This song (and album) came out in 1967 which is the same year the Beatles released Sgt Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band. Those 2 albums have been credited as the start of progressive rock.
the Moody Blues, British rock band formed in Birmingham, West Midlands, England, in 1964 and credited as the pioneer of a subgenre, now called art rock or classical rock, that blends pop and classical music.
Man I would love to just go back in time just for one more day this music just brings back so many memories . So peaceful. The music back then brought so much joy happiness peace
They recorded this song in 1967..the instrument is a flute..the flute player was Ray Thomas who passed away in 2018 at the age of 76..He also played the Oboe, Piccolo, Saxophone and Harmonica. Moody Blues were part of the British Invasion in the 1960's that took the US by Storm starting with the Beatles. I was a young adult in the 50's 60's, went to Woodstock and many outdoor concerts back then..A time when people actually went to hear the Music, not to riot or cause trouble. A time that has never been and never will be seen Again.
Justin the lead singer wrote this song in 1 day. It is the climax to the album Days of Future Past. A must listen to. You are right the whole album has a fairy tale quality to it.
I will also recommend Emerson, Lake and Palmer. Electric Light Orchestra and Three Dog Night early stuff like Eli's coming ... this music is timeless to me still as I am in my mid 60s. Today's music is so subpar to us..
Definitely three groups more than worth listening to…. Thanks for reminding me. Now I’m looking up all their songs to put in my playlist with my current phone.
There is both pathos and angst in this song. And it worked. The woman this song was written about, asked him if it was written about her and he said yes. Not long after that, she said yes and they have been married ever since.
This is the tip of the iceberg with the Moody Blues. If you're attracted to mysticism, and incredible instrumentation, dive into the rabbit hole. Other gems by them: The Story in Your Eyes Tuesday Afternoon Question The Threshold of a Dream Are You Sitting Comfortably
My friends dad caught me and my friend smoking a joint when we were teens in 1992. His dad sat us down and had us listen to The Moody Blues. I've been a fan since. I've seen them 5 times in concert. The last time was for the 50th anniversary of Days of Future Passed album. Absolutely amazing!!!
Underrated heroes in history: the girl who gave Justin Hayward (the singer) those white satin sheets. Days of Future Passed is the only album I have saved in its entirety on Spotify - it's a rock symphony (they put together an orchestra specifically to record it) - and A Question of Balance is the one I return to the most often. A good follow-up would be "Procession" and "The Story in Your Eyes" as a pair. Moody Blues albums often have the songs flow into each other with no clear start/stop point, and those two come as a set.
And although they had many different orchestras backing them up for this song, live, this one was the closest one to the original album orchestra, and among the finest of the finest.
One of the most famous flute players in UK is Ian Anderson fro Jethro Tull. What he can do with this instrument in unbelievebal. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eSUdlUmtg3Q.html I know Mr. Anderson is a character, but he can play everything. YES
Friend, this concert hall is THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL in London. When you are invited to perform there, you realy are someone. The instument was the flute. Have a safe and pleasant year 2023. Elmar from Germany.
Lucky enough to see them back in the 70s in Detroit, backstage passes. What a fantastic concert, orchestra behind them and Justin never missed a note! Melted every woman's heart thar night!
I have been a fan of The Moody Blues for years. I was fortunate enough to attend a live performance of theirs in West Palm Beach, Florida and they were amazing. I could listen to a mix of Pink Floyd and the Moody Blues all day long.
This is one of the all time classic love songs or just song!The Moody Blues were the first to use an orchestra in their thematic album called Days of Future Passed!Justin Hayward still has a great voice 50 plus years later.
This band had one of the biggest cult following ever…. Fans would literally go from concert to concert with them. They’re a RABBIT HOLE worth diving in with your whole body, mind, and soul
Hey, I resemble that remark ... I've attended 139 Moody Blues concerts and enjoyed every single one. Sadly, after the passing of Ray Thomas (flutist) and Graeme Edge (drummer), The Moody Blues are no longer touring as a band. Justin Hayward (guitarist) and John Lodge (bassist) are still touring as solo acts, however. I also miss seeing Mike Pinder (keyboardist) who left the band back in 1978. Cheers.
You MUST listen to the original recording from the album Days of Future Passed from 1967. This was performed with the London Festival Orchestra. It ended with a long cymbal crash. The band and the orchestra did not play together. The orchestral sounds during the song were done by Mike Pinder on the Mellotron. He is known as The Mellotron Man and produced the Moody Blues' classic sound. They produced 7 albums from 1967 to 1972 and these are known as their "Core Seven" albums. The band broke up when Graeme Edge, the drummer died in 2021. He was the last founding member of the Moody Blues still alive when the group was formed in 1964. Ray Thomas, the flute player, died in January 2018 only 3 months before the Moodies were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
I've been privileged to hear this played live many times, most recently in January 2023. He still sings the song with as much passion as he did when the band recorded the album Days of Future Passed in 1967. Amazing.
Dude i love your face watching this! I wish the ending poem was on this version but anyways . That was a flute . When the horns come in it does take on a royal vibe to it
The whole album is a connected concept, performed originally with the London Philharmonic. It’s one of the first and certainly most famous rock/orchestra collaborations. It’s basically a cycle of songs taking you through the day. This song closes it, and if you listen to it as a vinyl record, the ending kinda leaves you breathless IMO. The other famous song from the album is “Tuesday Afternoon.”
Correction: The London Festival Orchestra… session players for Decca Records, directed by Peter Knight. Nevertheless it was a historic moment in prog rock !
(Breath deep the gathering gloom. Watch lights fade from every room. ) ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wRd6rmnKUxg.html - This is a link to the poem that is missing from the end of "Nights in White Satin." It was originally played with the song. but apparently it is listed separately on the album so even when you do the studio version it is absent. Also the Moody Blues began their concerts with the poem but to me and many others, it belongs at the end of Nights in White Satin.
I love Moody Blues and this is one of my favorites of the catalogue of song's they wrote and recorded and preformed live !!! The members of Moody Blues are from England, and in this video sound like they did in their youth !!!
Your coughing ….. I’m crying !!!!! So beautiful !!!! My mom loved this song !! So glad u did this song, I haven’t heard it in YEARS !!!!! Thank you !!!! 😘
Do yourself a favor, get your headphones on turn the lights down and listen to the whole album Days of Future Passed is a journey, so Enjoyable. The Moody Blues 💙 are amazing Musicians
Did a concert with them at the Hollywood Bowl in early 80’s. Young kids were selling bootleg tshirts on freeways exit. They stopped their Limo,bought all the shirts and put them on their guest list! Down to Earth great people! Treasure’s
I bought there first album on LP when it first came out. And every one since. Saw them live at Indianapolis, not sure of the year now, but can look it up. Just almost as good then though a rain and windstorm at this outdoor theater messed with us and we all had to take cover for a bit. They came back of and did a great job. Then about 25 years ago, I converted all my CDs (bought them too) to MP3, and they are on my phone, PC, in my car, etc. I never get over this great music. Also a fan of Dire Straits (Mark Knopfler), Santana, and more.
Thank you "Not An industry Artist" for this good song from Moody Blues by Germany! This war the Flower Power Era an time for love and peace with the Hpppies. The original came from album: "Days of future passed" with the London Festival Orchestra 1967. ✌
MOODY BLUES, "NIGHT'S IN WHITE SATIN". Off of the Album, "Days of future past". I believe 1967. The orchestra is prevalent on the Album also. More from them.. "TUESDAY AFTERNOON", "RIDE MY SEESAW", "THE STORY IN YOUR EYES", "I'M JUST A SINGER IN A ROCK AND ROLL BAND"...
This live version shows how badly the Moody Blues have slipper since 1967, when the original album , Days Of Future Passed, which is a sheer masterpiece, was first released!
I read somewhere that every song they wrote was ultimately meant to be (or at the very least COULD be) accompanied by an orchestra...I'd have to agree with that thought. Excellent reaction, man...
It's like a journey, the album it is off of, Days of Future Passed, could be considered a journey through asingle day. The tracks start with The Day Begins, Dawn: Dawn Is a Feeling, The Morning: Another Morning, Lunch Break : Peak Hour, The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) :Time to Get Away, Evening: The Sun Set : Twilight Time, The Night : Nights in White Satin
Listen to the song called the Question. And that was a flute. And while I am here check out Dazed and Confused from madison Garden. It's like 25 minutes long but well worth it. Peace to you
Back in 1967, the Moody Blues were one of those British bands wearing the retro Romantic era clothing spoofed in the "Austin Powers" films. :) The Moody Blues had several hits in the '60s, but "Nights in White Satin" is their masterpiece, and it became a hit on the radio at least 3 different times, in 3 different eras, just coming up from nowhere to become popular again. Most people of a certain age can recite at least some of the lines from the "Long Lament" poem at the end. "Cold hearted orb that rules the night ..."
Not sure what year this particular concert took place, but it's some years old. Two members you see here are no long with us; Graeme Edge on the drums, and Ray Thomas who plays the flute on this piece. I saw them live a couple of times, in the 80s and 90s. They were just as amazing as this video suggests. I also remember playing the Days of Future Passed album regularly with my sister and I as children, when it was still relatively new. This was released in 1967, so what you are hearing is the magnificent creation from 55 years ago. You should listen to the whole album in sequence at some point. It's the cycle of a 24 hour day, each song speaking to a different part from sunrise on. There is nothing like this being written or performed in today's music.
came back for a second listen, GREAT REACTION! those 5 guys played up to 33 instruments on a single album and have many musical firsts. if you would like a suggestion try their song "Procession, Story In Your Eyes" for a trip thru the history of music. looking forward to more Moodies reactions! here is the link to the song ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A6EFytM1sxM.html
Since you enjoyed Orchestra style. Danish Symphony cover of the Theme song of Good the Bad and Ugly Movie... It's a EXPERIENCE Movie Won Best soundtrack in 1969 You might know it, It's really something 🤗
The strings on the original record were played on a Melotron. Look it up. Watch earlier concert footage. Moody Blues are superb, especially the 1st 7 albums with Justin Heyward and John Lodge.
Moodie's, are an album band, you need to sit an listen to the full album, in this song this rendition they leave out the poem, but the album tells a musical story, of course back in the day we would drop a little somethin somethin an go on a magical journey in search of the lost chord and the Moodie's never disappointed! Love & Peace 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Although they had many different orchestras backing them up for this song, live, this one was the closest one to the original album orchestra, and among the finest of the finest.
🇨🇦 a Flute ! Procol Harum Moody Blues Cream The Who The Kinks Bee Gees Led Zeppelin Chicago Jefferson Airplane Santana The Rolling Stones The Beatles The Animals there were so many groups/bands from those days
Appreciate the appreciation. If you like this give Led Zeppelin's Kashmir a listen. Nothing against old people performing, I am old myself. But.... Try to find the older versions of just about everything. If it's new it has autocorrect and Auto-Tune messing everything up. Music is meant to be felt and Auto-Tune takes all the humanity out of it. Could you imagine someone trying to autocorrect Karen Carpenter?
BREATH DEEP, THE GATHERING GLOOM, WATCHLIGHTS FADE FROM EVERY ROOM, BEDSITTER PEOPLE LOOK BACK AND LAMENT . . . . . ANOTHER DAYS USELESS ENERGY SPENT . . . . . . . .
I wish you were giving a first listen to the original recording and not the Moody’s 40+ years after the fact. I caught the 50th anniversary tour and was grateful to have seen them but Justin’s voice didn’t have the spark it once did. John Lodge was still great.
