The first time I immersed myself in the sonic embrace of the Moody Blues, it was through an extraordinary album titled "This Is The Moody Blues" - a harmonious blend of songs from their initial seven "classic" albums, seamlessly curated by their producer, Tony Clark. This wasn't your ordinary greatest hits compilation; it was a psychedelic odyssey, revealing the deeper cuts of their musical tapestry. In the realms of 1979, surrounded by good vibes, my two companions embarked on a beer quest, leaving me alone to unveil the magic of side one. As the notes unfolded, I found myself on an extraordinary journey. The music painted vivid colors flowing from the speakers, guiding me through the intricate landscapes of my mind, transcending both space and time. "Music is the best way to travel," -Michael Pender. The experience felt eternal, and as side one gracefully concluded, I hesitated but surrendered to the magnetic allure of side two. Each facet of the album sparkled with brilliance, invoking laughter and tears. "He'll take you up, he'll bring you down, he'll put your feet back on the ground, you'll fly so high, you'll fly so low….Not Timothy Leary but The Moodies taking me on an unparalleled ride that lingers in my thoughts. The spaces between notes and words took on significance, mirroring the ethereal importance of the notes and words themselves. I almost became the strings of the guitar and rode on the waves of Pinder’s mellotron, really “hearing’”every note of every instrument and every word creating an immersive experience that transcended mere music, leaving an indelible mark on my consciousness. “Through the eyes of a child you will see” Justin Hayward “The Moody Blues music is made to hear when your high” Timothy Leary
"There you go, man Keep as cool as you can Face piles of trials with smiles It riles them to believe That you perceive the web they weave And keep on thinking free” -Michael Pinder from “In the Beginning”
Moody Blues music is the only drug needed for my astrial trips. I have never desired to try any "illicit" drugs, but I do enjoy the musical effects others have gotten from their experiences. What a great group of musicians. So sad that we have lost Ray and Graeme.
The problem with doing a track like this out of context is just that. It's out of context. This was just one of the four doors. Kind of like when Carlos Castanada asked Don Juan why he gave him Peyote but wouldn't anymore. "Don Juan told him he didn't know enough to get there on his own. In Search Of The Lost Chord explored many paths to enlightenment.
My main men Mojo and Uncle Ted! Like Ted, that's a trip I avoided taking. However, I did see the Moody Blues in concert in 2010 at the Tennessee Theater. The guys still had it then.
I was born in 1964.....so a little young to be into the 'drug scene' of that decade. I have never used any illicit drugs..... But this song is absolutely a gem! The flute here is gorgeous! Part of the overall beauty of the song. R.I.P. Mr. Ray Thomas...(the flutist, 1947-2018) Thank you for your gift of such beauty and power.
Read an interview with Leary long ago. Part of it went something like this: Leary did his first LSD trips with incarcerated men.. He was in a prison with a prisoner doing a state sanctioned medical experiment with LSD and when they both started tripping... Looked at each other and Leary said to the inmate (who was in jail for murder) "I'm really scared of you right now" and the killer looked at him and said "Are you kidding? I'm the one who's scared of you".
