Let's Listen to The Moody Blues: Days Of Future Passed, Side 1
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- Опубликовано: 26 июн 2022
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First listen to the the album Days Of Future Passed by The Moody Blues
All rights and music: The Moody Blues, Decca
iTunes: / days-of-future-passed
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Jim, the first track is basically an overture for the album with snippets of tunes from various songs on the album. The orchestration throughout the album then links the individual tracks. In the songs any orchestral sounds are from Mike Pinder's mellotron rather than the orchestra. After this album the Moodies ditched the orchestra and made their rich sound totally themselves thanks largely to the genius of Mike Pinder
A blazing explosion of pure sixties!
My parents must have been impressed, when they heard this coming from my bedroom. 🙂
I got fully introduced to the Moodies in 1971, when I was stationed at Ft Sill, OK, during the Vietnam War. A couple of the guys I hung around with, off post, had bought reel-to-reel tape players while in Vietnam. They had all the Moodies albums to that point, and would play them at night, full blast on the best speakers available at that time. Add a bit of pot and sometimes a hit or two of acid, and you had a very memorable experience. We sometimes had 20 or more people in that tiny apartment, with the windows and doors wide open and sometimes friends dropping in without us paying much attention to who was coming and going. As far as I know, the neighbors never complained. An experience I will never forget.
"Pot & acid". You did it the right way, my friend. Whenever I listen to this now, those feelings all come back to me. That was '71 for me as well. I almost hate to say this, but people who have listened to this without the "little helpers" previously mentioned are missing out on much of what this beautiful album has to say.
There's something very bucolic and earthy feel to Moody Blues music, very peaceful.
I enjoy the whole thing it's not for everybody most people like just the two popular tunes but I like to put it on and listen to the whole thing at least every few months
For me, the cycle of the day/life has to be in full nearly every time.
How beautiful "Days of Future Passed"! And brings back memories of watching Pearl and Dean adverts in the cinema, waiting for the film to start :)
..too orchestral? :) If I'd won, I'd have us listening to Rite of Spring, full on orchestral prog written by a madman (?) c. 1910 !
PS hear Who, Monkees, Beachboys in here
Rite of Spring would be awesome! Although the full Firebird ballet is my favorite Stravinsky. I went with an album I knew Jim already had, though. I don't know if he has any Stravinsky...
I don't!
Jim you need to remember this is at a time where not only prog was being invented but also the concept album. So many new ideas and experiments by the Moodies are going here. That's why I have always loved it. And also so very interesting your oral comments are so very "Days of future past". In one track it promotes 1950's America becoming the modern utopia platform for the future. Likewise the next track with 1960's Beatles UK in competition. That was also pushed as the UK modern utopia. So ironic your comment reflect the album title as if it was the advertised propaganda. Then finally on top of that the Moodies crafted concept to fit into the concept of a day.
absolutely gorgeous and legendary masterpiece....
just relax and let the music develop.
the end result is very rewarding.
Brilliant album, nice reaction. Days of Future Passed and the Beatles got me hooked on prog, that and playing in an orchestra in 68.
😎
The Orchestration was arranged by Peter Knight a much respected composer/arranger who worked in both film and TV
Brill,what an album
Iconic album time, love the Moodys always and their next six albums are fantastic.
I sincerely hope Jim will continue his journey through the Moody Blues Magnificent Seven albums in chronological order with In Search of The Lost Chord, which was released the following year in 1968.
@@IllumeEltanin Me too, In Search of the Lost Chord is my favorite.
@@ericanderson8886
My personal favorite is Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. I love the gatefold artwork portraying the opening track Procession. Oh, that reminds me. I need to encourage Jim to try to pay attention to the album art of his vinyl copies as he gets them. Even the non-gatefold album cover of Days of Future Passed relates amazingly to the concept of the album.
@@IllumeEltanin lol now I want to listen to them all again.
@@ericanderson8886
I did that chronologically during the height of lockdown. Such positivity in music really helped during that uncertain time.
🫂
What a day is this! Looking ford, no, chevrolet, to your reaccion. BRB! (vrooom!)
Wow that was fast! I love side 2, especially that spacy part in the evening. "When the sun goes down..."
Since the next 6 or 7 of their albums are concept albums, they too might best be played one side at a time, and chronologically.
On this one, I love the retro suburban shopping mall orchestration. I see people going up and down escalators or driving in shiny convertibles with hat boxes.
That's exactly the image I had in my head!
Oh man, so excited for you to get into this record. Such a special record. I fell asleep to this record most night during my teenage years.
1967 a break through classical and rock hybrid. I love this album. Mike Pinder the keyboard player help invent the Mellotron. so they could use it on tour for the strings and choir. the late Peter Knight arraigned the orchestra, for the short lived London festival Orchestra.
Mike Pinder IS THE musician who introduced Live thé Mellotrons ,a unique musician and technician !!
Cool! So glad your listening to this! One of my all time favorite albums! The more times you listen the more you’ll love it…Like YES!😉
I saw the Moody Blues perform this entire album in the summer a few years ago in Baltimore! Wonderful 🎶 Concert!
One of my favorite bands from the late 60s and 70s. Lots of great albums Jim. Hope you get a chance to listen to them all.
Oh cool.... interesting fact....alot of Maidens themes/lyrics and song titles are sometimes referencing Steve Harris' love of the Moody Blues....🧐
That's a VERY orange shirt, Jim! 😄 This album is right up your alley -- a classic LP from the Swinging Sixties, that falls squarely in the baroque pop/proto-prog category. Procul Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale" predates this (and pretty much everything else) in that arena, but there's no denying the importance of this album (even if some of the orchestrations haven't aged well.) Still, the imagery and impressionistic power of the orchestrations stands up to, and in places outshines the Moodies own songs. One thing that does come across in the Moodies' songs is how each band member had an equal seat at the table creatively, and each reveals their individual character. Justin is the romantic balladeer, John is the rocker, Ray is the whimsical one, Mike is the muso, and Graham is the poet. That formula pretty much holds together across all of the classic seven albums. I'll also mention that this album really announces the arrival of the Mellotron in pop music.
I like orange!
Yes's first album Yes is very similar. They probably were inspired by Days of Future Passed.
@@lesblatnyak5947 Interestingly in interviews with Yes band members this album (and the Moodies in general) is never mentioned as an influence. But the similarities are hard to ignore. I’m sure they were at least influential in terms of overall style and artistic temperament.
@@yes_head I think Squire mentions that Jon and him saw the Moodies but not so much as an influence but mind you the boys did nik a lot of things, for the better of course.
@@lesblatnyak5947 Yes were more explicitly influenced by King Crimson, who themselves almost signed to the Moodies' Threshold label and used their producer on their debut. So the Moodies were definitely a force to be reckoned with back then.
This is so cool to witness an audiophile’s first listen to DOFP. My initial exposure was 35 or so years ago and my reactions were much the same as shown here. This is an amazing album to experience. Thanks for sharing!
I believe the London Festival Orchestra was the name the orchestra musicians got themselves billed as for the first time when they recorded this album.
its timeless!
Stone cold classic. Thanks Illume and Jim.
Ps, I wish my mornings could start out so majestically :) The opening track is a kind of overture, lying out the main themes that continue with the album.
Hello Jim! Bravo to Pam and a very good choice to start the week! Very relaxing and romantic!
😎
@@jeffschielka7845 still no Yes and no Nightwish LOL
@@gabiesiren 😔😎
I want to encourage you to really look at the artwork for each of the Moody Blues Magnificent Seven albums as you get to them, Jim. Especially the ones with gatefolds. But even the cover art of the non-gatefold Days of Future Passed relates to the entire concept of the album. It truly is brilliant.
I don’t know if they still do it, but I saw them a few times in the late 90s and they would play their set with the full orchestra of the local city. For instance, the Houston Symphony Orchestra played with them when they came to Houston.
I bought this album when I was just out of high school in 1978. This really brings back lots of memories! Although I've always preferred the second side. Thank you for this! :)
g'day all! Just waking up with my first cuppa here on the Eastside of Seattle. Thank you for getting to this so quickly, Jim!
As Jeff has said, side 2 has the more familiar sounds of the Moody Blues. But for me, the entire concept is amazing.
If you look closely at the lyrics, you'll notice that each track doesn't only evoke a time of day, but it also portrays a time of life.
The Day Begins is an overall overture reworking themes from some of the tracks throughout the album. You picked up on Nights In White Satin, which preceded Morning Glory. If you haven't already listened to side 2, pay particular attention to the opening stanza of Morning Glory and the closing stanza of Late Lament, which follows the actual track of Nights In White Satin. Then make note of the closing sound of the album, and recall the slow fade in at the beginning.
To me, the entire The Day Begins section, from opening sound through Morning Glory portrays not only the very early morning predawn time of day, but also a phase before/between life. Keep in mind at least a few members of the Moody Blues were into Eastern philosophy.
Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling denotes both birth and the awareness of a new life beginning. The lines:
This day will last
a thousand years,
if you want it to
are, in my opinion, crucial to the entire concept. More on that later after side 2.
The Morning: Another Morning depicts childhood. You picked up on the cheerful feeling of the track, and the lyrics portray children's innocence and joy in the moment.
Lunch Break: Peak Hour shows one growing older and taking on responsibility, education, and work. Some of the tones in the orchestral section reminds me of teletype machines back in the day.
This is how I relate to this album. On a surface level, it depicts both a single day and an entire lifetime. But, for me, the way it ends on side 2 reveals a much deeper, more philosophical meaning. I look forward to seeing if you picked up on it during the side 2 listen, and I'll definitely continue my interpretation, which took me decades to come to appreciate.
Thanks again, Jim. ❤
I've already recorded the second side but not edited it yet. My comments at the end echo a lot of what you've just said here. This record can be listened to on different levels. It goes from shallow to very deep depending on how you interpret the songs!
A great choice, and look forward to hearing more!
@@JimNewstead
Awesome!
I'm really looking forward to hearing your comments at the end of side 2.
Love this album, I still have my first pressing that my dad bought. Still sounds great to this day.
Hey Jim, side 2 is 100 times better than side 1. But what do I know! Lol!😎
Hey Jim! Big surprise Pam. Lol! Good pick, as you well know, this album is a complete masterpiece. Enjoy Jim!😎
I told you on the post for the radio show that you know me well. 😉
@@IllumeEltanin I know. Getting used to the way you think. Probably knew it would be Days of Future Passed before you did! Lol! Like I said in my first comment, it's a masterpiece and I still have my album which is still in mint condition. 😎
214! First heard this in Chicago in 69 my cuz could play it on piano, he was a genius no ambition, so I wrote it down and at home learned to play it on my violin.
@@lesblatnyak5947 Very cool 36!🎹🎻😎
Thank you, I will
Nice comments Jim ," beatleskes " ,"beach boysesk" they did known how to play their instruments !!!
Great proto-prog album. Another album you should check out is shine on brightly by procol harum.
OK I watched Side 1 and 2 review. An eclectic album for sure! But nobody mentioned the cyclic brilliance of the representatiom of a full day. The odd, bizarre sound that starts side A is actually a Gong recorded backwards and side B ends with the same gong strike fading out thereby completing the dawn/dusk cycle of a day. Hope your son is doing well, Jim!
Jim you re making me go broke! Lol…..every record you review ends up on my next purchase list…at this rate i will have more records than living space!! Anyway - great channel really enjoyable thanks so much for reminding me about stuff i had forgotten about…cheers
And our Day begins. Nice choice Jimbo.
In actuality, the “orchestra” was comprised of classical studio musicians comprising only the instruments required to record a particular track, and the band came in later to record their portion, and the two were then mixed to create one finished product… Also, the “choral” background voices were produced by Mike Pinder on the Mellotron… The only time the two groups recorded together in studio was on “Nights in White Satin”… Enjoy!!
This sort of thing indirectly lead to Jon Lord's "Concerto for Group & Orchestra" and the later "Gemini Suite" with orchestra (in both cases) conducted by Malcolm Arnold.
This was actually the first album with this configuration of musicians. Ray Thomas, Mike Pinder & Graeme Edge were the only hold overs from the "Magnificent Moodies".
I think you'll enjoy side two better.
The next album "In Search of the Lost Chord" they finally started "feeling their oats" and did away with the orchestral works (they could play any orchestral instruments they needed themselves and had a Mellotron by then so...) ;-)
London Festival Orchestra is a made up name for the classical musicians involved with this recording! They had a lot of input and kinda convinced the Moody’s to record their tunes with orchestral stitching😎❤️
The orchestrations are by Peter Knight who also worked with The Walker Brothers and then worked with two of The Moodies again in the mid 70's, Justin Hayward and John Lodge on their side project album Blue Jays.
Understand that this was supposed to highlight the "new" stereophonic system from Decca. That's why I think that they used compositions that required many different instruments. There's more to the history of this album that you need to find out. Time is needed to learn the history. The Moody Blues were also going through a musical metamorphosis. Still a fan...
^this^
I believe the label wanted the orchestra parts and the band parts separate to show how the new "Deramic Sound" enhanced both symphonic and popular recordings. We know the label expected a Dvořák recording, but I don't know if the intent was for one side to be the orchestra and the other the band, or if the intent was always to alternate the symphonic and popular sounds.
We do know the Moody Blues were performing a stage show based on the concept, so I believe they approached Peter Knight with many of the themes already composed. But Knight's brilliance shone in weaving them altogether into a cohesive piece.
the opening fade in is the gong at the end of the album, played in reverse and the band never played while the orchestra was playing. the music fits the theme of each song, so i dont know what you know about the Moodies but if your interested in how this album came to be, may i offer this for your viewing of the History of the Moodies
ruclips.net/video/yKP3sYEUAm0/видео.html
I’ll be listening to your new radio show soon I hope.
Only know a few songs by Moody Blues but these ones are excellent.
Don’t know any of the song titles of side one of this record.
The classical piece is good. The other songs sound like movie soundtracks with very sixties happy sounding bits in between.
Nights in white satin is their greatest hit of side two. It’s so good.
A few more days and I'll upload it.
A film score for the images in your head,
The spoken intro about the scenery and the illusion... For one moment that has reminded me about The Central Scrutinizer saying that "imaginary guitar notes and imaginary vocals exist only in the mind of the imaginer..." ;) (oops, sorry, you're not there yet ;) )
Actually, how many albums with a narrator are out there?
Been listening to this since 1971. But just a few months ago I noticed a flying saucer on the cover. Do you see it?
Yup... in front of the white horse at the bottom.
@@JimNewstead Cream:Wheels Of Fire has 2. One on each side.
It's no mean feat that you seem to be able to find so much good stuff on vinyl.
I’m guided by the audience, and eBay is my friend!
@@JimNewstead As we used to say in the olden days, "Right on!"😁
Something I think that should be discussed regarding this album, and why it is considered one of the earliest progressive or even proto-progessive albums of the genre, is the definition of Progressive Rock.
The progressive is derived from the sound always changing and developing in a track, not really in regards to a certain sound. To quote Wikipedia's definition of Progressive Rock:
Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog; also known as classical rock or symphonic rock; sometimes conflated with art rock) is a broad genre of rock music that developed in the United Kingdom and United States throughout the mid-to late 1960s, peaking in the early 1970s. Initially termed "progressive pop", the style was an outgrowth of psychedelic bands who abandoned standard pop traditions in favour of instrumentation and compositional techniques more frequently associated with jazz, folk, or classical music. Additional elements contributed to its "progressive" label: lyrics were more poetic, technology was harnessed for new sounds, music approached the condition of "art", and the studio, rather than the stage, became the focus of musical activity, which often involved creating music for listening rather than dancing.
Progressive rock is based on fusions of styles, approaches and genres, involving a continuous move between formalism and eclecticism. Due to its historical reception, the scope of progressive rock is sometimes limited to a stereotype of long solos, long albums, fantasy lyrics, grandiose stage sets and costumes, and an obsessive dedication to technical skill.
While the individual tracks by the Moody Blues on this album may not flow and change the way later progressive rock developed, the flow of the overall album, especially with the orchestral interludes between tracks, is very progressive indeed. That is the importance of this album to the genre. It is among the first, if not the first, to take such an approach and concept to popular rock music.
At least, in my opinion.
Well I replied a few minutes ago but it seems to have disappeared. So I will say something else. Know your audience. I feel like my intelligence was insulted. Sorry, just my opinion!😎
@@jeffschielka7845
I must have missed something. What was insulting?
I was posting in response to Jim saying he wouldn't really classify this as prog, along with some others who say the same. Should I have prefaced my comment to say that? It seems there are a few who are not aware of the definition of Progressive music, nu?
@@IllumeEltanin Everyone is entitled to an opinion whether you agree with it or not. If someone has a different definition of prog so be it. Sounds like I'm in school trying to be taught something that I have been doing for 50 years. Just have fun and enjoy the videos.😎
@@jeffschielka7845
Ah, I'm sorry you took it that way. This was not my intent at all. I wanted to explain why this album is viewed as being so important to the genre, even if it sounds dated. Especially with newer listeners since the resurgence of neo-prog, I honestly believe some of the younger members of the community may not have a grasp of what the beginning of Progressive Rock was. That is my intent with the above post. It definitely is not directed towards those who lived through the evolution of the genre.
Wonderful album, but I agree with you Jim, that it's a little too much Orchestra and not enough band on side 1.
great reaction!! please react to the new porcupine tree album please!
I will!
Pivotal album. To be fair, not one that I play all that often, as I agree that the orchestral passages are a bit too dominant. It starts a string of great and influential albums. I like the second side better, it has more blending of the band and orchestra. Keep going!
Enjoyable album, but the next 6 were much better to my ears, where the orchestra is replaced by mellotron. BTW where did you get the Roger Dean mug - want one!
Go to Roger Dean's website.
love the Moody's, but i could never get into this one.
I know one Moody Blues song, and other stuff from them I have not liked at all. Let's see how this goes!
The London Festival Orchestra, were really the musicians from the London Symphony, moonlighting at night, in the studio, according to drummer Graham Edge.
Peter Knight took the melodies from the Moody's show and then orchestrated the melodies. This is not a classic. According to Justin Hayward, guitarist, the band didn't really care for his song, Nights In White Satin, but Mile Pender, the keyboard player, said, "Well, let's try it, and see what happens."
It is my least fave of the first Moody Blues albums....but it has its charms....👍🤔...makes me think of Disney....or at the least Destino surrealist Disney....
This was a far reach from their first album that featured Denny Laine and a skiffle rhythm. With the addition of Justin Heyward and John Lodge, the music really took off.
Yes - I am a huge Moody Blues fan.
But I think the orchestra here is very cheesy,
Bad habit / talking over the singer … don’t do that
Ooo! Naughty step, Jim!
While I understand the groundbreaking nature of this album, it is my least favorite of their great seven album run. It is really half of a Moody Blues album. The orchestral sections take up too much of the record.