Denny Laine-era Moody Blues

[Alex]

Quite a different sound than what they would become known for. I think I prefer what I've heard so far to Days of Future Passed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC4jCjLjnPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBx9s-s9rnw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUFFRd27YDw

[MBE]

Yeah very good stuff with him. I like that period best.

[Lonely Summer]

I like this stuff, too. Denny is a very underappreciated artist. Usually thought of as just one of McCartney's backup musicians, but he did cool stuff before (and after) Wings.

[EgoHanger1966]

I've sampled many of their albums and songs (in all incarnations of their being), but I still think "Go Now" is the absolute best thing they ever did. I rember getting a ootleg-bay VHS compilation tape of 60s clips when I was a little kid, and watching this video and wanting to know who it was so I could buy some of their music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h42kzEA9l8Q

[Lonely Summer]

"Go Now" is hard to beat. Never get tired of it. Wonder if the Justin/John MB's ever attempted it in the early days?

[SMiLE Brian]

"Go Now" is hard to beat. Never get tired of it. Wonder if the Justin/John MB's ever attempted it in the early days?

They apparently did for a while in 1966 because the Moodies kept doing the R&B act until they learned new material.

[Lonely Summer]

Are there any recordings from that transitional period?

[SMiLE Brian]

Are there any recordings from that transitional period?

There is a video on a moodies forum of them with J&J doing "really haven't got the time" in R&B suits and short hair.

[Jason]

I like both eras of the band but it's pretty fair to say that despite all of the collective talent involved, the Go Now Moody Blues were just a one-hit wonder. Admittedly, it's hard to follow up a hit like that. Both John Lodge and Graeme Edge mentioned that by 1967 the fact that they were middle class blokes from Birmingham singing about life in the American deep south just did not ring true to them. They saw it as phony. I think as far as R&B-based British Invasion groups, the Mark I Moody Blues were in the top three at least, behind the Rolling Stones and the Pretty Things.

[SufferingFools]

I like this stuff, too. Denny is a very underappreciated artist. Usually thought of as just one of McCartney's backup musicians, but he did cool stuff before (and after) Wings.

Denny's writing contributions in Wings were underappreciated also, because of McCartney's star status.  If you go through the 70's and early 80's catalogue of Wings and McCartney, a lot of the stronger songs had a McCartney-Laine byline.  Especially ones with something of a Celtic feel like "Mull of Kintyre," "Rainclouds," or "Don't Let It Bring You Down."

[Lonely Summer]

I like this stuff, too. Denny is a very underappreciated artist. Usually thought of as just one of McCartney's backup musicians, but he did cool stuff before (and after) Wings.

Denny's writing contributions in Wings were underappreciated also, because of McCartney's star status.  If you go through the 70's and early 80's catalogue of Wings and McCartney, a lot of the stronger songs had a McCartney-Laine byline.  Especially ones with something of a Celtic feel like "Mull of Kintyre," "Rainclouds," or "Don't Let It Bring You Down."

I always thought I was the only one who appreciated
Denny's contributions to the group. Exchanged a few emails with Mr. Laine a few years go, very down to earth, friendly, open, but he doesn't stay in one place for long. Been waiting for his Valley of Dreams cd for years - he sent me a cdr of the demos back in 2006; still no sign of the proper cd.

[SufferingFools]

I like this stuff, too. Denny is a very underappreciated artist. Usually thought of as just one of McCartney's backup musicians, but he did cool stuff before (and after) Wings.

Denny's writing contributions in Wings were underappreciated also, because of McCartney's star status.  If you go through the 70's and early 80's catalogue of Wings and McCartney, a lot of the stronger songs had a McCartney-Laine byline.  Especially ones with something of a Celtic feel like "Mull of Kintyre," "Rainclouds," or "Don't Let It Bring You Down."

I always thought I was the only one who appreciated
Denny's contributions to the group. Exchanged a few emails with Mr. Laine a few years go, very down to earth, friendly, open, but he doesn't stay in one place for long. Been waiting for his Valley of Dreams cd for years - he sent me a cdr of the demos back in 2006; still no sign of the proper cd.

Wow, I really hope we get to hear that someday.

I can't think of a McCartney-Laine tune that I'm not into.  "Go Now" was also a highlight of the Wings concerts from the Wings Over America/the World/Whatever era.

[Lonely Summer]

There's some youtube vids of Denny from recent gigs, including some Beatles-related events with Denny Seiwell and Laurence Juber. Some pretty good versions of No Words, Mull of Kintyre, Deliver Your Children, Time to Hide, and Go Now. I missed my one chance to see him live, in Portland a couple years ago. Oh well.

[BergenWhitesMoustache]

In the grand scheme of mid sixties Brit RnB groups, Laine era Moody Blues aren't quite bottom of the barrel, but not far off.

Do enjoy his solo 45 'say you don't mind' though.