The Moody Blues

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I would love a reunion album as well!

Mike Pinder is soul of the Moody Blues and something was lost in his absence. I wish Edge would drop his feud with him.

Agree, Pinder was the cosmic soul of the band. The arguement/ feud with Edge started with a comment to Edge by Pinder that his opinion didn't count as he was 'just a drummer', or something like that.

Pinder has since apologized in video interviews but Edge won't let him sit in with the band. Crying shame

Man, he needs to get over that-it's been over 30 years, closing in on 40 (think Octave came out in 1978).

If they ever get in the R&R HoF, they need to act like adults, unlike the tools in Kiss.

Here is the story from Mike Pinder( towards the end of the clip)

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

The link doesn't take me to it.

Sorry (God, I hate my tablet!)

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

He tell the Edge story at 7:20 but plenty of other good stuff in there about the Beatles and the Moodies.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Moodies Vinyl is of high quality and in large numbers.

Indeed! The Moodies has great quality control. Their records were always pressed on high quality vinyl (until Octave, at least) and the jackets were of extra durable board. All this just adds to the experience.

Oil crisis, recession, so many returns that they started chipping the recycled records up and throwing it into virgin vinyl, at the same time high sales so more mass market production = low quality control.  You have to be careful buying old vinyl.  This started in the mid-70's.  By late in the decade me and my friends were buying more imports than domestic.  Japan, Germany, Holland - that's were you wanted your collection to come from.  I have some records (RCA) that have become unplayable due to warping.  Some where one side has NO sound whatsoever.  My Octave is an Import, and sounds fine.  I have some domestics that are fine too.  But it was a time of having to take a record back several times to get a good one.  I think it had a lot to do with why CDs took off.  I didn't give in to that until 1989, yeah the Beatles releases...

.

Okay, a new Moodies fan.  Pretty much The Blue Jays these days, but that's a good thing too.  I expected Pinder to do half-a-page.  About the only thing I can add is - what if you also want CDs and something visual.

.

For this group The Time Traveller Box is essential post '66 (nothing from the first lp).  It is a better than average over-view, with many outtakes and rarities - over 40 tracks from the Core 7, a nice dose of the Blue Jays, and a selection of the 80's/90's.  Add the Live at Red Rocks DVD or CD - this has the 8 cuts to complete the concert.  Pinder is right, and lucky to have been there.  If you can't get the box, there is a Deluxe CD (2003) of that complete show.  This again was a very important release.

The other Best live material, both DVD and CD has Mr. Pinder.  Isle of Wight (1970): 16 tracks CD/10 on the DVD (read the reviews- not all songs are complete on the DVD), but includes interviews from 1998 (including Pinter).  There is a "staged" 1970 concert DVD as well, with some really rare numbers.  Caught Live + 5 CD (or vinyl) has a strong set list too.

.

My personal favorite long-players all come from this era: Children's Children's...(1970 - their Best), In Search of the Lost Chord (1968) and On The Threshold of a Dream (1969).

Sheriff, enjoy walking through the blue world.  It's a psychedelic place.

And ORR, thanks for the link.  All was well until it wasn't...  Pinder narrated most of Edge's poems, including: "the Word"('68), "In the Beginning" and "the Dream" ('69), and "the Balance" ('70).  His mellotron work on Edge's instrumental "Beyond" was fantastic.

It's okay with me if they chose not to get back together.  They left a legacy behind.

.

edit: ORR, if you can't get the link to work, tell us which clip it's in...Mike has many pages on youtube.  thanks, Will

Thanks for the suggestions, feelsflow. I've got some serious $$$$$ budgeting to do!

[Sheriff John Stone]

I would love a reunion album as well!

Mike Pinder is soul of the Moody Blues and something was lost in his absence. I wish Edge would drop his feud with him.

Agree, Pinder was the cosmic soul of the band. The arguement/ feud with Edge started with a comment to Edge by Pinder that his opinion didn't count as he was 'just a drummer', or something like that.

Pinder has since apologized in video interviews but Edge won't let him sit in with the band. Crying shame

Man, he needs to get over that-it's been over 30 years, closing in on 40 (think Octave came out in 1978).

If they ever get in the R&R HoF, they need to act like adults, unlike the tools in Kiss.

Here is the story from Mike Pinder( towards the end of the clip)

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

The link doesn't take me to it.

Sorry (God, I hate my tablet!)

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

He tell the Edge story at 7:20 but plenty of other good stuff in there about the Beatles and the Moodies.

The link now works. Thank you for sharing.

Wow, Mike Pinder still carries some sad feelings. The part about not being able to attend a Moody Blues' concert....It really makes you hope that somebody will take the first step and extend the olive branch. Life is too short, and Mike Pinder and Graeme Edge are in their mid-70's now...

OregonRiverRider or anybody else, can I assume that Ray Thomas simply retired, and there were no extenuating circumstances?

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I would love a reunion album as well!

Mike Pinder is soul of the Moody Blues and something was lost in his absence. I wish Edge would drop his feud with him.

Agree, Pinder was the cosmic soul of the band. The arguement/ feud with Edge started with a comment to Edge by Pinder that his opinion didn't count as he was 'just a drummer', or something like that.

Pinder has since apologized in video interviews but Edge won't let him sit in with the band. Crying shame

Man, he needs to get over that-it's been over 30 years, closing in on 40 (think Octave came out in 1978).

If they ever get in the R&R HoF, they need to act like adults, unlike the tools in Kiss.

Here is the story from Mike Pinder( towards the end of the clip)

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

The link doesn't take me to it.

Sorry (God, I hate my tablet!)

Try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOSWEF7QPcA

He tell the Edge story at 7:20 but plenty of other good stuff in there about the Beatles and the Moodies.

The link now works. Thank you for sharing.

Wow, Mike Pinder still carries some sad feelings. The part about not being able to attend a Moody Blues' concert....It really makes you hope that somebody will take the first step and extend the olive branch. Life is too short, and Mike Pinder and Graeme Edge are in their mid-70's now...

OregonRiverRider or anybody else, can I assume that Ray Thomas simply retired, and there were no extenuating circumstances?

Yeah Ray just retired due to he his health (preserving it). Just think he had had enough of the road. Nothing serious health wise or band conflicts. Mike seems on good terms with everybody but Edge.  If they get in the RnR HOF next year, I'd expect all five to show up and play.

[alf wiedersehen]

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

[SurfRiderHawaii]

http://www.raythomas.me/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=1&Itemid=105

Photos from Ray's website. Good glimpses of his life in retirement.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

I'm kind of a Moodies newbie, but I grew up with the hit singles from the radio. From the above posts from some serious Moody Blues' fans, I gather you could:

1) If you have the time and money, take the trip and purchase the "core" albums from 1967 Days Of Future Passed to 1972 Seventh Sojourn, or

2) Check out the fine 4 CD boxed set, Time Traveller; try to find the one with the bonus fifth disc, or

3) Maybe you could start out with a career encompassing, single CD greatest hits comp, enjoy the heck out of that, and go from there.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

Everyone has their favorites. Mine, in order, are:

1. On the Threshold of a Dream (1969)
2. In Search of the Lost Chord (1968)
3. To Our Children's Children's Children (1969)
4. Seventh Sojourn (1972)
5. Days of Future Passed (1967)
6. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)
7. A Question of Balance (1970)
8. Long Distance Voyager (1981)
9. Blue Jays (1975)

Turn on the lava light, open a bottle of red wine (or whatever floats your boat), and take the cosmic trip.

I have most of these in SACD (awesome).

[Summertime Blooz]

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

I'm kind of a Moodies newbie, but I grew up with the hit singles from the radio. From the above posts from some serious Moody Blues' fans, I gather you could:

1) If you have the time and money, take the trip and purchase the "core" albums from 1967 Days Of Future Passed to 1972 Seventh Sojourn, or

2) Check out the fine 4 CD boxed set, Time Traveller; try to find the one with the bonus fifth disc, or

3) Maybe you could start out with a career encompassing, single CD greatest hits comp, enjoy the heck out of that, and go from there.

As a long-time fan I would most definitely recommend Door #1. With the Moody Blues, it's all about the whole album experience. Compiling songs out of context is not the best way to appreciate how special they were. Not to sound too spacey, but just pick any one of those 7 albums, put on some headphones, and enjoy the voyage from beginning to end (preferably with album cover and lyric sleeve accompaniment).

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Moodies Vinyl is of high quality and in large numbers.

Indeed! The Moodies has great quality control. Their records were always pressed on high quality vinyl (until Octave, at least) and the jackets were of extra durable board. All this just adds to the experience.

Oil crisis, recession, so many returns that they started chipping the recycled records up and throwing it into virgin vinyl, at the same time high sales so more mass market production = low quality control.  You have to be careful buying old vinyl.  This started in the mid-70's.  By late in the decade me and my friends were buying more imports than domestic.  Japan, Germany, Holland - that's were you wanted your collection to come from.  I have some records (RCA) that have become unplayable due to warping.  Some where one side has NO sound whatsoever.  My Octave is an Import, and sounds fine.  I have some domestics that are fine too.  But it was a time of having to take a record back several times to get a good one.  I think it had a lot to do with why CDs took off.  I didn't give in to that until 1989, yeah the Beatles releases...

.

Okay, a new Moodies fan.  Pretty much The Blue Jays these days, but that's a good thing too.  I expected Pinder to do half-a-page.  About the only thing I can add is - what if you also want CDs and something visual.

.

For this group The Time Traveller Box is essential post '66 (nothing from the first lp).  It is a better than average over-view, with many outtakes and rarities - over 40 tracks from the Core 7, a nice dose of the Blue Jays, and a selection of the 80's/90's.  Add the Live at Red Rocks DVD or CD - this has the 8 cuts to complete the concert.  Pinder is right, and lucky to have been there.  If you can't get the box, there is a Deluxe CD (2003) of that complete show.  This again was a very important release.

The other Best live material, both DVD and CD has Mr. Pinder.  Isle of Wight (1970): 16 tracks CD/10 on the DVD (read the reviews- not all songs are complete on the DVD), but includes interviews from 1998 (including Pinter).  There is a "staged" 1970 concert DVD as well, with some really rare numbers.  Caught Live + 5 CD (or vinyl) has a strong set list too.

.

My personal favorite long-players all come from this era: Children's Children's...(1970 - their Best), In Search of the Lost Chord (1968) and On The Threshold of a Dream (1969).

Sheriff, enjoy walking through the blue world.  It's a psychedelic place.

And ORR, thanks for the link.  All was well until it wasn't...  Pinder narrated most of Edge's poems, including: "the Word"('68), "In the Beginning" and "the Dream" ('69), and "the Balance" ('70).  His mellotron work on Edge's instrumental "Beyond" was fantastic.

It's okay with me if they chose not to get back together.  They left a legacy behind.

.

edit: ORR, if you can't get the link to work, tell us which clip it's in...Mike has many pages on youtube.  thanks, Will

Thanks for the suggestions, feelsflow. I've got some serious $$$$$ budgeting to do!

On a budget: head to your local used vinyl outfit and you can likely snag everything from Days Of Future Passed through Seventh Sojurn for maybe $23 total or even less ..... Long Distance Voyager through Sur La Mer might set you back $9 at most .... For some reason the first Denny Laine album seems to cost a tad more usually.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

I've never listened to The Moody Blues before, but I'd be open to.
What should I check out first?

I'm kind of a Moodies newbie, but I grew up with the hit singles from the radio. From the above posts from some serious Moody Blues' fans, I gather you could:

1) If you have the time and money, take the trip and purchase the "core" albums from 1967 Days Of Future Passed to 1972 Seventh Sojourn, or

2) Check out the fine 4 CD boxed set, Time Traveller; try to find the one with the bonus fifth disc, or

3) Maybe you could start out with a career encompassing, single CD greatest hits comp, enjoy the heck out of that, and go from there.

As a long-time fan I would most definitely recommend Door #1. With the Moody Blues, it's all about the whole album experience. Compiling songs out of context is not the best way to appreciate how special they were. Not to sound too spacey, but just pick any one of those 7 albums, put on some headphones, and enjoy the voyage from beginning to end (preferably with album cover and lyric sleeve accompaniment).

krabklaw is a super Moodies expert! He has mixed selected solo songs into an excellent lost Moody Blues album, "Together Alone".

[alf wiedersehen]

Thanks, guys, sounds fun.

Looks like I'll be heading out to buy a lava lamp.


Ooh, looks like I have a nice, clean(ish) vinyl copy of Days of Futures Passed from 1967. Seems I'll start here.

[ESQ Editor]

They got into an argument during octave's recording and Mike left the group before a major tour.

It is not that simple.

[ESQ Editor]

The Moody Blues have always been my favorite band (from across the pond).

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is my favorite album.

If you're just starting out seek out the incredibly mixed two disc set, "This Is The Moody Blues," produced by Tony Clarke

It was released in 1974, and only includes tracks from the first seven albums ("Days Of Future Passed" through "Seventh Sojourn").  It also includes the rare (single only) "SImple Game."

Seek out "Fly Me High"…the very first single that Justin Hayward recorded with the group.

Check out this interview that I did with Justin and Graeme back in 2012…pretty informative.
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-moody-blues-landmark-album-days-of-future-passed

[SurfRiderHawaii]

The Moody Blues have always been my favorite band (from across the pond).

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is my favorite album.

If you're just starting out seek out the incredibly mixed two disc set, "This Is The Moody Blues," produced by Tony Clarke

It was released in 1974, and only includes tracks from the first seven albums ("Days Of Future Passed" through "Seventh Sojourn").  It also includes the rare (single only) "SImple Game."

Seek out "Fly Me High"…the very first single that Justin Hayward recorded with the group.

Check out this interview that I did with Justin and Graeme back in 2012…pretty informative.
http://www.examiner.com/article/the-moody-blues-landmark-album-days-of-future-passed

Great interview Dave. Thank you!

[SMiLE Brian]

I love the original 1967 mix of that album so much.

[Sheriff John Stone]

They got into an argument during octave's recording and Mike left the group before a major tour.

It is not that simple.

What's your take on it?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Hadn't Pinder relocated to California and had a new young family in-between Seventh Sojurn and Octave and didn't really want to go back out around the world touring?

[Jason]

Mike Pinder's departure from the band was a long, drawn out process. The band were in a personal rut during the Seventh Sojourn period, mainly due to the rigors of touring and some other personal problems. Mike Pinder was the one most affected by this. After Seventh Sojourn was released the band toured the world in throughout much of 1973 and the beginning of 1974. After the tour ended in 1974 the band was worn out and, despite pressure from Justin Hayward to continue, decided to go on hiatus and work on individual projects for a while. Each member made solo records during the hiatus, and Justin Hayward and John Lodge recorded the Blue Jays album during this period, as well.

By the time the band reconvened in late 1977 (and Decca saw fit to release the Caught Live +5 record, which angered the band), Mike had moved to the United States, married, and started a family. The rest of the band were ready to record, as usual, but Mike's refusal to leave Los Angeles resulted in the Moody Blues moving their entire entourage (including producer Tony Clarke) to Los Angeles in order to record what would become Octave.

The sessions were, to put it mildly, disastrous. The initial sessions had to be cancelled midway through when a torrential rainstorm sent a series of mudslides down through the studio and rendered it unusable. To complicate matters, Tony Clarke's marriage fell apart, and he had to return to England to deal with an impending divorce. The band moved the sessions and started recording in Mike Pinder's garage studio, but the tension had already reached a fever pitch. Mike had a lot of trouble relating to the rest of the band, culminating in a furious screaming match between Graeme Edge and Mike that led to Mike dropping out of the sessions before completion. The four-piece band (spearheaded by Justin and John) finished the album themselves, including the keyboard parts.

A disastrous press conference in England before the 1978 tour featured Tony Clarke "sitting in" as Mike Pinder in order to give the impression that all five were back together, however, the Decca press agent mentioned at the end of the conference "Mike Pinder currently absent back in the States", much to the band's distaste.

When time came to tour the Octave record (and with some of their highest ticket sales ever), Mike was initially up for the touring, but only got as far as a final meeting and contract signing before admitting he couldn't bear to go out on the road. He claimed later on that the band agreed that he would work in the studio and a session musician would perform live in his place. The session musician hired for the job was ex-Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz.

By the time came to record Long Distance Voyager in 1980, Patrick had already been given full membership in the band. Mike Pinder's first news of the album's release came in the form of advertisements he saw in a local newspaper. He filed suit to stop the band from releasing the record without his contributions, but was unsuccessful.

I wouldn't say there is bad blood between Mike and the other Moodies, but he seems very content to do his own thing. I'd love to see a reunion, but with both Mike and Ray Thomas enjoying their respective retirements, I doubt it would happen.

[Jason]

I'm definitely glad to learn that Dave and I both share a favorite American and British band (in that order, no less). I lovesssssssssss me muh Moodies.

[Kurosawa]

Hadn't Pinder relocated to California and had a new young family in-between Seventh Sojurn and Octave and didn't really want to go back out around the world touring?

Yeah, he had. And the sessions for Octave didn't go well, either. Not just disputes, but there was a landslide or something, iirc.

Saddest thing about the Moodies not being in the HoF is they would actually appreciate it. Well, the actual saddest thing is that jerk Wenner has kept them out long enough for Tony Clarke to die like he did to the Dave Clark 5.

EDIT: what RBB said.

[Jason]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a bunch of bollocks. Jann Wenner can get in the long line of people who can kiss my ass.

[Kurosawa]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a bunch of bollocks. Jann Wenner can get in the long line of people who can kiss my ass.

  Agreed 200%.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I'm definitely glad to learn that Dave and I both share a favorite American and British band (in that order, no less). I lovesssssssssss me muh Moodies.

The Real Beach Boy, I hope you don't mind if I ask you - or any other Moody Blues fans - a question.

Growing up I remember hearing a lot of older Moody Blues' music on FM radio, and this was before the popularity of classic rock/oldies stations. Songs like "Tuesday Afternoon", "Legend Of A Mind", "Ride My See-Saw", "Question", and even "Nights In White Satin" always sounded psychedelic and eerie - in a good way. I liked the sound. And, it makes me wonder. Compared to our other favorite band - from Hawthorne, California - the Moody Blues appeared to have led fairly "clean" lives. Or have they? Do you know if drugs ever played any part in the history of The Moody Blues?

[ESQ Editor]

I'm definitely glad to learn that Dave and I both share a favorite American and British band (in that order, no less). I lovesssssssssss me muh Moodies.

The Real Beach Boy, I hope you don't mind if I ask you - or any other Moody Blues fans - a question.

Growing up I remember hearing a lot of older Moody Blues' music on FM radio, and this was before the popularity of classic rock/oldies stations. Songs like "Tuesday Afternoon", "Legend Of A Mind", "Ride My See-Saw", "Question", and even "Nights In White Satin" always sounded psychedelic and eerie - in a good way. I liked the sound. And, it makes me wonder. Compared to our other favorite band - from Hawthorne, California - the Moody Blues appeared to have led fairly "clean" lives. Or have they? Do you know if drugs ever played any part in the history of The Moody Blues?

Read my interview.  Justin is quite open about having smoked pot.