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Strange
Times for the Moody Blues
More than 30 years has elapsed since The Moody Blues entered the music scene. And now they are set to release a new single, “Strange Times”, followed by a brand new album. They have come a long way since their innovative and ground-breaking album “Days of Future Passed” was released in December 1967. The album marked a milestone in rock history as one of the very first concept albums, recorded not only with a symphony orchestra but also in stereo, both uncharted territory at that time.
”Days of Future Passed” was the catalyst that catapulted the Moodies onwards and into the realms of pop history. They all decided not to be constrained at an early stage, and that they would be true to themselves by creating and developing their own music — they have witnessed their style being emulated by many musicians over the years.
Prior to Justin Hayward joining the band, they had big success with a single called “Go Now” in 1964, and have had continued success since releasing “Nights In White Satin” from their “Days of Future Passed” album. The song title referred to some white satin sheets which had been given to Justin Hayward, the singer and writer of that song.
Their music has been influenced by American music (Motown and Blues music), Eastern influences (use of the sitar), but their roots were in rhythm and blues in Birmingham (UK).
When they came to record “Days of Future Passed”, the record company, Decca, proposed a different way of recording, using the Deramic Sound System. It recorded right across the range — high quality classical standard, to show that rock & roll could be as interesting in stereo as classical music (they weren’t many stereo rock & roll records then). Decca hired the London Festival Orchestra and the album was released with both rock music and classical orchestral music blended together. Decca had originally wanted the Moody Blues to record a new version of Dvořák’s “New World Symphony” but the Moody Blues persuaded them to let them use their own songs.
After releasing another six albums after that, the band took a four-year sabbatical during the mid-seventies to pursue solo ventures, and re-grouped to record “Octave” in 1978. The album very quickly moved into the charts, proving that their fans had remained loyal despite their absence and the many radical changes on the popular music scene.
The Very Best In 1997 the band toured both the United Kingdom and America, and released “The Very Best of the Moody Blues”, a compilation of their best songs, and Justin Hayward’s “Forever Autumn” which featured on Jeff Wayne’s “War of the Worlds”. The most recent track to appear on the album was “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” from 1988. (Click for MIDI)
Ten years on from that single, the band now have prepared a new single called “Strange Times”, which they played to American audiences on their tours last year. Currently, at the time of writing, they are recording their new album in Italy, in a recording studio that overlooks the beautiful Ligurian. Time and logistics willing, we should see a 1998 release of this long-awaited album and judging by the tracks already completed it will be well worth the wait.
The Moodies gave concert-goers a preview of what is to come when they played “Strange Times” during their 1997 summer tour of the USA — the first time that the Moodies have played an unreleased song on stage since the mid-1960s, and to say that it was well-received would be an understatement! More details will be released in Good Music magazine as they become available.
The Moodies have also produced a 5-CD box set and various live and compilation albums since the release of the studio album “Keys of the Kingdom” in 1991.
During their extraordinary career, the Moody Blues have warranted their place at the top of the music charts around the world, both with singles and albums. They have also received numerous coveted music awards and appeared all over the world to sell-out audiences.
Sources: Moody Blues CD inserts, Moody Blues website (http://www.moodyblues.co.uk ).
If it’s a Tuesday afternoon where you are, click here for the
Moody Blues music called Tuesday Afternoon.
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Updated 12 March, 2003 © David King 2000-2003