A word about the lyrics: this album is definitely a product of its times, 1966-67. Radical change was sweeping through the culture, an expansion of consciousness and rejection of conventional norms. Across the world, boundaries were being pushed in art, music, fashion, cinema, relationships, philosophy, politics, and every other aspect of the culture.The very idea of this album was considered radical at the time, but people were willing to try anything, so it fit right in. The lyrics reference a feeling across the land, an awakening of minds, a clarity of meaning. This was the aim of the psychedelic movement, of which The Moody Blues stood at the forefront. Their next album, In Search Of The Lost Chord, expanded upon these themes and more.
The morning is also an analogy for youth - when you're a kid, every day seems to last forever and you have no adult dread of the future. It's a wonderful way to open the album...
when the Moodies are singing there is no orchestra playing. that is the mellotron you hear played by Pinder. The Moodies are in a class of their own on so many levels. The music God listens too......
The Moody Blues after this album became a very successful light rock band through the 70s and 80s, their songs echoing their name, moody, with soaring vocals and guitar by lead singer and guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge, they still tour today in their mid 70s!
Yes, that was Mike Pinder's actual speaking voice on the poem "Morning Glory." However, the engineer and producer may have punched up the bass a bit. The two tracks here, "Dawn Is a Feeling" and "Another Morning" were written by Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas respectively. For "Dawn Is a Feeling", the lead vocal was shared by Justin Hayward (verses) and Mike Pinder (bridge: "Do you understand..."). Ray Thomas sang "Another Morning." As a general rule, the writer sings the lead vocal, though there are exceptions (and any song written by the drummer, Graeme, is usually shared by the other members--but again there are exceptions when Graeme does his own poetry). Each member brings their own distinct style to the albums. Mike Pinder tends to write more spiritual songs, Ray Thomas is more whimsical, John Lodge often writes rock songs, Justin is usually more romantic, and Graeme is more philosophical. These aren't hard rules, of course, as they all do a mix of ballads and heavier stuff.
Knights in White Satin is definitely their best song. Thank you for tackling this album it was and still a very unique album that stands out a miles from other bands. One of my favorite albums and song by them is On the Threshold of a Dream. On their first 7 albums they included at least one spoken word/poem. One has to be willing to enter their albums like going to an alternate world. There is a definite englishness(is that even a word???) to their late 60s and early 70s music.
As mentioned by others, you eventually will experience the searing guitars, faster pace, and overall versatility of The Moody Blues as later music is explored.
Mike Pinder who plays the mellotron & creates the orchestral sound , recites the spoken lyrics: I was honored to have a dinner with him in 2001 & when he said "hello "in that voice, my husband had to hold me up to keep my knees from buckling: The beautiful voice of Ray Thomas - who plays flute, sings Morning , Ray was known for his whimsical Child like songs-I miss him
Well done, way to stack them u;p, you won't find really complex lyrics on this album, but they will be beautiful. Three different singers on those three songs: Mike Pinder (keyboard) on the first, Justin Hayward (lead guitar) and Mike on the second, and Ray Thomas (Flute and other assorted) on the third. John Lodge (bass) also sings on some songs, Graeme Edge (drums) rarely sings, but he writes most of the poems.
This is a very unique British band. Most of their tunes are written and sung by guitarist Justin Hayward, but on occasion other members sing (bass-John Lodge, flute-Ray Thomas, keyboards-Michael Pinder, drums and poetry-Graham Edge). Almost all of their albums have an unusual flow and reflect positive or mystical themes. Before this album (their first) they produced a Top Ten hit on the charts called "Go Now", but THAT lead singer/guitarist Denny Laine left before this album and was only included on their greatest hits compilation. They were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They performed for at least 50 years before retiring recently.
During the "Core 7" era, the band's music was fairly evenly balanced. While it could be said that a slight majority were by Justin, each member generally submitted two tracks to each album. It was later that Justin and John dominated the song writing. That said, most of their hits were by Justin.
One of the first Concept Albums (even moreso than Sgt. Pepper), as each song is actually more chronologically themed and connected to a time of the day, also correlating to the time and phases of a psychedelic experience analogy.... 1967, this was the peak of that era (pun intended). (There's even a song called "PEAK hour" of course during Noon, at the peak of the day, but also the peak of the experience of an LSD trip). I find it a bit uncomfortable revealing how much of the 60's were influenced by psychedelics, but it was a necessary step in our evolution. Many people were "acid-causalities" but many had also discovered spirituality was real and there was much more than met the eye in a normal sense. Without the exploration of these substances, culture would be much different today. It was certainly a double-edged sword. I'm glad these experiences were put down into music by some of the prodigies of the time that had that ability. The experience itself is often called "ineffable" or something that can not be described accurately with words and would have to be experienced. "Jimi Hendrix - Are you Experienced?" But musicians found a way to better share (and enhance if one does take that path) the inexplicable. And the music also reflects the dark side, the "heaven and hell" involved with these experiences. (Purple Haze describes a blown mind, very confused for instance). It wasn't all flowers and rainbows, it also included menacing dragons and "demons" lurking in people's minds. It brought it all out. "Beware Dragons", a common phrase for unexplored areas of ancient maps is certainly applicable.
Justin Hayward has one of best voices in rock history. I saw them in Austin Tx with a symphony backing them. Wonderful. Ps, the late Ray Thomas was the second singer in the group...I think that it was him in the second song...not sure though
Agree about Justin’s voice. The lead singer of each track was its primary writer: Justin on Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin, John on Peak Hour and Evening (Time to get away), Ray on Another Morning and Twilight Time, and Mike on Sunset. The only one to sing lead on a song they didn’t write was when Justin sang lead on Mike’s song Dawn Is a Feeling, but even there, Mike sang the bridge.
LOVE this album. I bought it when I was in high school. I used to listen to it when I'd get home (putting the speakers next to my head as I didn't have headphones back then). I'd just immerse myself into this album. No one was doing this kind of stuff save for them. Still ranks as one of my most favorite albums of all time.
"Yesterday's dreams, are tomorrow's sighs" I have always taken to mean that in the future, I will look back at what I've done (dreams) and fondly reminisce (sigh).
Bravo Daniel. Thanks for all your reactions to Jethro Tull, Moody Blues and Vanilla Fudge. I was a 60s teenager and still love this but am enjoying your discovery of “my music”. I’m even getting a different perspective of songs I’ve known and enjoyed for over 50 years. Thanks for keeping them alive for another generation.
Oh my, how I've enjoyed seeing/hearing you go through this album! The Moodies were able to capture, quite perfectly and magically, the feeling/emotion of each part of the day! (you're not far off in thinking that things get a little more 'darker' as the day progresses). I distinctly remember first hearing Another Morning, and could not help but bob my head, with a huge grin on my face (and almost a longful tear in my eye)! Anyone who can recall their childhood, or see in their children the world of wonder, magic, excitement, will completely relate to the words in this song. There is no worries in the mind and life of a child (except maybe what's for lunch). It's an enviable, simplistic life that is completely lost come adulthood. 4 out of the 5 members of this band sang. Justin Hayward (guitar) was the primary vocalist (Dawn Is A Feeling is Justin), John Lodge (bass) sang more of their 'heavier' (if you can call anything the Moodies did heavy) tunes (plus it's mostly his falsetto that you hear through their catalogue - and he had a GREAT falsetto - comparable to Roger Taylor of Queen!), Mike Pinder (keyboards) - his was more of a deep tone, with definitely more of a British tinge (check out Melancholy Man), and lastly, Ray Thomas (flute, tamborine). He's who you heard on Another Morning, and is definitely the MOST British sounding. He sings a lot of whimsical songs through their catalogue, and they're all wonderful. The drummer, Graeme Edge, wrote pretty much all the poems, which were all recited by Mike Pinder (refer to the first song for recitation of Morning Glory)
Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin were the songs played on the radio back in the day off this album and their best songs for my money. Threshold of a Dream is another of their concept albums you might want to attack eventually.
Yes, I'd say the smell of some herb or other is about to pass me into a dream! The Moody Blues music has a hypnotic effect that maybe only Pink Floyd has, as well.
I have the DVD Moody Blues at Red Rocks...one of the most amazing Moody Blues concerts EVER...seriously tempted to leave it in my will for you ;) Hopefully you will either find/receive/watch it sooner though, as it takes the best of all of their music, but also done with a full orchestra, and with a natural amphitheatre that Red Rocks is (ask Dad)...it could and imo IS a form of a concept album of their very best loved songs...with Graham Edge poem..."Breath deep..." spoken, LIVE:) one of the most amazing Moody experiences EVER!!
Hear of quantum physics. That's what I feel we are in touch with as in there is no interesting difference between the future and the past. Now that you are knowing. Their band was such a teaching moment, especially for young people at the time but it has stood the test of time and I for one still feel the same way about those words.
If you do any more full albums, I wish you would do one of the Pink Floyd masterpieces. This album is lighthearted but spiritual, like most of their songs. They were very much centered in the consciousness-raising hippie era and they are also Scientologists. Some of their songs are amazing. They tend to play on the emotions rather than the intellect.
There has never been a shred of truth that The Moodies were Scientologists!!! The general concensus was/is that Scientology used the statement "The Moody Blues are Scientologists" as a recruiting tool.
I don't enough about you .i know metal you said. Do me a favor you don't have to react. Just me to you. Listen to a BEATLES or even STONES POP whatever listen to the drumming.then put a small sample of about 9 minutes type in best drum solo ever .(along those lines ) GINGER BAKER.he is the reason drums went from. Snare from and high hat to influencing every major rock and jazz drummer .listen to what power he invented the drum solos of power .youre a smart kid you will see and hear his influence.learning is what these reactions are all about and it's fun to watch, people's minds expand
A word about the lyrics: this album is definitely a product of its times, 1966-67. Radical change was sweeping through the culture, an expansion of consciousness and rejection of conventional norms. Across the world, boundaries were being pushed in art, music, fashion, cinema, relationships, philosophy, politics, and every other aspect of the culture.The very idea of this album was considered radical at the time, but people were willing to try anything, so it fit right in.
The lyrics reference a feeling across the land, an awakening of minds, a clarity of meaning. This was the aim of the psychedelic movement, of which The Moody Blues stood at the forefront. Their next album, In Search Of The Lost Chord, expanded upon these themes and more.
Great context/perspective.
ThatOneGuyAgain - very accurate and lovely observations!
And now Disney is defending pedophiles. Good job, hippies.
The morning is also an analogy for youth - when you're a kid, every day seems to last forever and you have no adult dread of the future. It's a wonderful way to open the album...
when the Moodies are singing there is no orchestra playing. that is the mellotron you hear played by Pinder. The Moodies are in a class of their own on so many levels. The music God listens too......
The Moody Blues after this album became a very successful light rock band through the 70s and 80s, their songs echoing their name, moody, with soaring vocals and guitar by lead singer and guitarist Justin Hayward and bassist John Lodge, they still tour today in their mid 70s!
Their song "Question"....on the album Question of Balance....three yrs after this in 1970 ...still gives me good chills & almost tears.
Yes, that was Mike Pinder's actual speaking voice on the poem "Morning Glory." However, the engineer and producer may have punched up the bass a bit.
The two tracks here, "Dawn Is a Feeling" and "Another Morning" were written by Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas respectively. For "Dawn Is a Feeling", the lead vocal was shared by Justin Hayward (verses) and Mike Pinder (bridge: "Do you understand..."). Ray Thomas sang "Another Morning." As a general rule, the writer sings the lead vocal, though there are exceptions (and any song written by the drummer, Graeme, is usually shared by the other members--but again there are exceptions when Graeme does his own poetry).
Each member brings their own distinct style to the albums. Mike Pinder tends to write more spiritual songs, Ray Thomas is more whimsical, John Lodge often writes rock songs, Justin is usually more romantic, and Graeme is more philosophical. These aren't hard rules, of course, as they all do a mix of ballads and heavier stuff.
Sums it up perfectly! Indeed, they're such a talented lot with everyone contributing, everyone singing, etc.
Knights in White Satin is definitely their best song. Thank you for tackling this album it was and still a very unique album that stands out a miles from other bands. One of my favorite albums and song by them is On the Threshold of a Dream. On their first 7 albums they included at least one spoken word/poem. One has to be willing to enter their albums like going to an alternate world. There is a definite englishness(is that even a word???) to their late 60s and early 70s music.
As mentioned by others, you eventually will experience the searing guitars, faster pace, and overall versatility of The Moody Blues as later music is explored.
Amen to that
Mike Pinder who plays the mellotron & creates the orchestral sound , recites the spoken lyrics: I was honored to have a dinner with him in 2001 & when he said "hello "in that voice, my husband had to hold me up to keep my knees from buckling: The beautiful voice of Ray Thomas - who plays flute, sings Morning , Ray was known for his whimsical Child like songs-I miss him
Well done, way to stack them u;p, you won't find really complex lyrics on this album, but they will be beautiful. Three different singers on those three songs: Mike Pinder (keyboard) on the first, Justin Hayward (lead guitar) and Mike on the second, and Ray Thomas (Flute and other assorted) on the third. John Lodge (bass) also sings on some songs, Graeme Edge (drums) rarely sings, but he writes most of the poems.
This is a very unique British band. Most of their tunes are written and sung by guitarist Justin Hayward, but on occasion other members sing (bass-John Lodge, flute-Ray Thomas, keyboards-Michael Pinder, drums and poetry-Graham Edge). Almost all of their albums have an unusual flow and reflect positive or mystical themes. Before this album (their first) they produced a Top Ten hit on the charts called "Go Now", but THAT lead singer/guitarist Denny Laine left before this album and was only included on their greatest hits compilation. They were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They performed for at least 50 years before retiring recently.
During the "Core 7" era, the band's music was fairly evenly balanced. While it could be said that a slight majority were by Justin, each member generally submitted two tracks to each album. It was later that Justin and John dominated the song writing. That said, most of their hits were by Justin.
JOHN LODGE and RAY THOMAS and MIKE PINDER wrote their share of songs my friend...PINDER played the MELLOTRON
One of the first Concept Albums (even moreso than Sgt. Pepper), as each song is actually more chronologically themed and connected to a time of the day, also correlating to the time and phases of a psychedelic experience analogy.... 1967, this was the peak of that era (pun intended). (There's even a song called "PEAK hour" of course during Noon, at the peak of the day, but also the peak of the experience of an LSD trip).
I find it a bit uncomfortable revealing how much of the 60's were influenced by psychedelics, but it was a necessary step in our evolution. Many people were "acid-causalities" but many had also discovered spirituality was real and there was much more than met the eye in a normal sense. Without the exploration of these substances, culture would be much different today. It was certainly a double-edged sword. I'm glad these experiences were put down into music by some of the prodigies of the time that had that ability. The experience itself is often called "ineffable" or something that can not be described accurately with words and would have to be experienced. "Jimi Hendrix - Are you Experienced?" But musicians found a way to better share (and enhance if one does take that path) the inexplicable. And the music also reflects the dark side, the "heaven and hell" involved with these experiences. (Purple Haze describes a blown mind, very confused for instance). It wasn't all flowers and rainbows, it also included menacing dragons and "demons" lurking in people's minds. It brought it all out. "Beware Dragons", a common phrase for unexplored areas of ancient maps is certainly applicable.
Another excellent set of observations from someone who writes as if he actually lived in that time!!!
These guys were doing LSD with Timothy Leary
Justin Hayward has one of best voices in rock history. I saw them in Austin Tx with a symphony backing them. Wonderful.
Ps, the late Ray Thomas was the second singer in the group...I think that it was him in the second song...not sure though
Agree about Justin’s voice. The lead singer of each track was its primary writer: Justin on Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin, John on Peak Hour and Evening (Time to get away), Ray on Another Morning and Twilight Time, and Mike on Sunset. The only one to sing lead on a song they didn’t write was when Justin sang lead on Mike’s song Dawn Is a Feeling, but even there, Mike sang the bridge.
Several members of the band sing. ✌
LOVE this album. I bought it when I was in high school. I used to listen to it when I'd get home (putting the speakers next to my head as I didn't have headphones back then). I'd just immerse myself into this album. No one was doing this kind of stuff save for them. Still ranks as one of my most favorite albums of all time.
"Yesterday's dreams, are tomorrow's sighs" I have always taken to mean that in the future, I will look back at what I've done (dreams) and fondly reminisce (sigh).
Bravo Daniel. Thanks for all your reactions to Jethro Tull, Moody Blues and Vanilla Fudge. I was a 60s teenager and still love this but am enjoying your discovery of “my music”. I’m even getting a different perspective of songs I’ve known and enjoyed for over 50 years. Thanks for keeping them alive for another generation.
Transcendent, beautiful , truly meaningful. That's what I love about them.
Tuesday Afternoon..my favorite. When you get there.
This is such a beautiful reflective song. The singing with lyrics and mellotron really are standouts. Great review 👏
When a little one, the days seemed to last forever. Today, holidays just seem to cycle around so fast. Sorry, not meant to be depressing.
Beautiful LP - The orchestra plays an integral role in it's production and quality!
Oh my, how I've enjoyed seeing/hearing you go through this album!
The Moodies were able to capture, quite perfectly and magically, the feeling/emotion of each part of the day! (you're not far off in thinking that things get a little more 'darker' as the day progresses).
I distinctly remember first hearing Another Morning, and could not help but bob my head, with a huge grin on my face (and almost a longful tear in my eye)! Anyone who can recall their childhood, or see in their children the world of wonder, magic, excitement, will completely relate to the words in this song.
There is no worries in the mind and life of a child (except maybe what's for lunch). It's an enviable, simplistic life that is completely lost come adulthood.
4 out of the 5 members of this band sang. Justin Hayward (guitar) was the primary vocalist (Dawn Is A Feeling is Justin), John Lodge (bass) sang more of their 'heavier' (if you can call anything the Moodies did heavy) tunes (plus it's mostly his falsetto that you hear through their catalogue - and he had a GREAT falsetto - comparable to Roger Taylor of Queen!), Mike Pinder (keyboards) - his was more of a deep tone, with definitely more of a British tinge (check out Melancholy Man), and lastly, Ray Thomas (flute, tamborine). He's who you heard on Another Morning, and is definitely the MOST British sounding. He sings a lot of whimsical songs through their catalogue, and they're all wonderful.
The drummer, Graeme Edge, wrote pretty much all the poems, which were all recited by Mike Pinder (refer to the first song for recitation of Morning Glory)
Enjoyable so far but wait it gets so much more interesting from a rock perspective.
You’ve come along way kid ! The next three albums are even better
Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin were the songs played on the radio back in the day off this album and their best songs for my money. Threshold of a Dream is another of their concept albums you might want to attack eventually.
It gets better, from a rock music standpoint, stick with it...
Yes, I'd say the smell of some herb or other is about to pass me into a dream! The Moody Blues music has a hypnotic effect that maybe only Pink Floyd has, as well.
The chord progression is damn good also. Yesterdays dreams are tomorrows sighs when the dreams are not realized.
Album made it to the top ten chart twice, 7 years between.
Listen to “The Voice” by the Moody Blues, perhaps a live version. Or “Story in Your Eyes.” Those songs rock more.
I have the DVD Moody Blues at Red Rocks...one of the most amazing Moody Blues concerts EVER...seriously tempted to leave it in my will for you ;) Hopefully you will either find/receive/watch it sooner though, as it takes the best of all of their music, but also done with a full orchestra, and with a natural amphitheatre that Red Rocks is (ask Dad)...it could and imo IS a form of a concept album of their very best loved songs...with Graham Edge poem..."Breath deep..." spoken, LIVE:) one of the most amazing Moody experiences EVER!!
JUSTIN HAYWARD'S, SOUNDS LIKE HIS VOICE BELONGS ON BROADWAY....LOL GOOD FOR YOU, AND YOU'RE REACTIONS, DETH.
Another song with a somewhat similar theme to Dawn, is The Grass Roots - Let's Live For Today - ua-cam.com/video/G5NtzB-voZo/v-deo.html
solid reaction
Another morning is my favorite song on this album
Moody Blues try "Procession/ Story in Your Eyes" one song
Hear of quantum physics. That's what I feel we are in touch with as in there is no interesting difference between the future and the past. Now that you are knowing. Their band was such a teaching moment, especially for young people at the time but it has stood the test of time and I for one still feel the same way about those words.
I highly recommend listening to their album "Seventh Sojourn" (1972).
More Mellotron Please.
If you do any more full albums, I wish you would do one of the Pink Floyd masterpieces. This album is lighthearted but spiritual, like most of their songs. They were very much centered in the consciousness-raising hippie era and they are also Scientologists. Some of their songs are amazing. They tend to play on the emotions rather than the intellect.
There has never been a shred of truth that The Moodies were Scientologists!!! The general concensus was/is that Scientology used the statement "The Moody Blues are Scientologists" as a recruiting tool.
John Lodge has been a born again Christian since the early 70s... He’s the bass player and sometime lead singer
John Lodge has been a born again Christian since the early 70s... He’s the bass player...
I hope you go further! This album helped me become a Christian as a teenager.,.. btw.
It helped me fall in lv w goodness.
It's almost like they took The Beatles' "A Day in the Life" and expanded the theme into LP form.
Except this was long before "A Day in the Life". Mike Pinder was friends with John Lennon.
Aside from this great album check out their songs Question and I'm Just A Singer In A Rock N Roll Band. .
“Knights In White Satin?”
We're going through the album, that's the last of the seven:)
Dicon Dissectional Reactions Oh, ok! Way to go! Please go through a Pink Floyd “Animals”
Keep on keepin on.
That would be "Nights" -- not noblemen wearing bed linen at all...
Mikko Kivisto Oopsy! Voice text goes to knights before nights! Ha! That’s the KKK version! 😂
A nice listen, but it won't be very impactful until you reach the end, so I'm looking forward to that.
I don't enough about you .i know metal you said. Do me a favor you don't have to react. Just me to you. Listen to a BEATLES or even STONES POP whatever listen to the drumming.then put a small sample of about 9 minutes type in best drum solo ever .(along those lines ) GINGER BAKER.he is the reason drums went from. Snare from and high hat to influencing every major rock and jazz drummer .listen to what power he invented the drum solos of power .youre a smart kid you will see and hear his influence.learning is what these reactions are all about and it's fun to watch, people's minds expand
"Sunshine Of Your Love" by Cream, in some ways the perfect rock song, Ginger Baker in total control.
But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.
2 peter 3 8
Much more to the Moody Blues than this style. Try "I'm Just A Singer In a Rock and Roll Band."