News

JOHN LODGE ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF HIS VERSION OF THE MOODY BLUES CLASSIC ALBUM ‘DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED – MY SOJOURN’

JOHN LODGE, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues and Rock
and Roll Hall of Famer, has announced that he will be releasing his version of the iconic album
‘Days of Future Passed’, entitled ‘Days of Future Passed – My Sojourn’, to accompany his
upcoming tour of the same name.

The album is to be released on CD as special fan club only release, and will be available at the
upcoming shows starting July 18 th , and through John’s website https://shop.johnlodge.com

The album was recorded over the last year, and has grown from John’s current live show as he,
and his 10,000 Light Years Band, lovingly recreate this classic album. The album also features a
special recording by the late Graeme Edge and performances by Jon Davison of YES. It is being
released as part of John’s celebration of the album ‘that changed his life’, and with the hope that it
will continue to introduce fans to the original iconic recording. The album’s orchestration is by
John’s long-term collaborator, and great friend, Alan Hewitt.

“November 2023 will be the 56th anniversary of 'Days of Future Passed’. It’s incredible to look
back on this album that changed my life, and that still has so much impact today on so many, and
I felt that it deserved celebrating, and so I began rehearsals in 2021/2022 to bring this celebration
to life on stage. What was important to me was to make this concert another milestone in the
history of ‘Days of Future Passed’, and so I asked Graeme if he would record his poetry, ‘Morning
Glory’ and ‘Late Lament’, to include in my concert. Graeme gave me his blessing and said, ‘John,
Keep the Moody Blues music alive’. We had a fantastic time putting the show together, with Alan,
Duffy, Billy and Jason, and Jon Davison, giving me so much support and helping bring my vision
to life. After the final rehearsals for the concert, I realised I should capture this new moment in
time, although a reflection of the past, forever, by going into the studio and recording the album,
‘Days of Future Passed – My Sojourn’. I am hoping that this will bring a new generation of
listeners to the album, that they then may rediscover the original recording, and the beautiful
vocals of Mike Pinder, Justin Hayward, Ray Thomas and myself. I dedicate this album to
Graeme, Justin, Mike and Ray, to Tony Clarke, and to all the fans that are with me on this sojourn,
no matter when you joined…” John Lodge July 2023

The CD in Digipak will be available starting July 18 th at John’s first show in Rockford, IL, and a
vinyl album is due to follow in the Fall. The album will also be available to stream and download
from July 14 th . The cover features a poignant photograph of John and his wife, Kirsten, taken by
his daughter-in-law, Inga Wilson, for John, this was an image that perfectly encapsulated the idea
of past and future and what this album means to him.

Go here to stream and download, https://slinky.to/DaysOfFuturePassed

The original album, released in 1967, came about when Decca were exploring stereo and full
frequency sound and wanted the band to put the melodies of Dvorak’s New World Symphony to
lyrics to make a ‘sampler’ album. The band decided to follow their own path, and the rest is
history… but in a reflection of this, John wanted to also explore how modern fidelity will impact the
album today. He is therefore also working on a Dolby Atmos version that will be available for
streaming later this year.

Joining JOHN on the album is his 10,000 Light Years Band, comprised of longterm collaborator
Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards, plus Orchestration) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums)
from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau
(Cello). Jon Davison of YES will also be joining him for his special renditions of “Nights in White
Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” plus the magical voice of Graeme Edge will be seen and heard
via a special video and recording.

The tour kicks off on July 18 th at the Coronado PAC in Rockford, IL, and then continues through
the Mid-West and onto the West of the USA. The show will also feature a first half set of Moody
Blues’ classics, including all of John’s hits, “Ride My See-Saw”, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and
Roll Band)”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, to name just a few of these classic and time-enduring hits.
For tickets and VIP packages - which include a great seat and exclusive merchandise - please
visit: https://johnlodge.com/tour.


Join Justin plus All-Star Lineup. LIMITED CABINS AVAILABLE

The On the Blue Cruise is back for another journey in 2024! It will be an exciting one, featuring the return of your cruise host, Justin Hayward, the Voice of the Moody Blues, as well as an amazing lineup including The Zombies, Alan Parsons, Starship featuringMickey Thomas, Little River Band, Al Stewart, Uriah Heap, Vanilla Fudge, Glenn Hughes performing Deep Purple Live, Rare Earth, John Ford Coley, Leonid and Friends celebrating the music of Chicago and many more!Sailing from Miami April 5-10, 2024, aboard the Norwegian Pearl, the On The Blue Cruise will visit Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and the incredible new port of Nassau, Bahamas, reborn with a $300 million makeover! In addition to these great new ports, guests will enjoy TWO music filled days at sea, allowing fans time to hang with fellow cruisers and artists without feeling rushed to get it all in!

This 5-night vacation is an immersive music experience full of incredible concerts, interactive artist events, photo opportunities, Q&As and more…the action never stops!

BOOK YOUR CABIN TODAY!


JOHN LODGE ANNOUNCES JULY 2023 USA DATES ON HIS ‘DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED’ TOUR

JOHN LODGE, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, has announced that he will be bringing his incredible new show “Days of Future Passed” to the Mid-West and West Coast of the USA in July. JOHN, together with his 10,000 Light Years Band, will perform The Moody Blues’ groundbreaking album, Days of Future Passed, in its entirety with a special recording by the late Graeme Edge and performances by Jon Davison of YES. The show will also feature a first half set of Moody Blues’ classics, including all of John’s hits, “Ride My See-Saw”, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, to name just a few, plus tributes to all his band mates, as he continues in his quest to ‘keep all the Moody Blues music alive’. The tour starts July 12 in Edwardsville, IL, and ends on July 29 in Thousand Oaks, and includes Chicago, Detroit, Denver, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Las Vegas and many other cities that John has never before toured with his solo band.

The July dates are a continuation of John’s phenomenally successful Feb/March 2023 run that saw almost every show sold out. John is delighted to be able to continue bringing this show, the soundtrack of his life, to fans across America, and the electrifying show promises to be a truly spectacular evening.

“In the Moodies I always wanted to bring our ‘Days of Future Passed’ show to the fans across America, and in February and March of this year, I brought the show to the North East and Florida. I’m both delighted and humbled at how the fans embraced the show, and really happy to now announce that I will be bringing the show to the Mid-West and West Coast. It’s so very special to me to have Graeme’s voice on stage with me, and I’m grateful to Jon Davison who does such an incredible job on ‘Nights’ and ‘Tuesday Afternoon’. To me the Moodies were always about the different writers and vocalists, and I’m so proud to be able to continue to do this with Jon and my 10,000 Light Years Band. As I said at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this album changed our lives forever, but it’s the fans that matter and I am so glad that we can continue to keep the Moody Blues music alive for them”

For tickets and VIP packages - which include a great seat and exclusive merchandise - please visit: https://johnlodge.com/tour.


Days of Future Passed celebrated its 55th Anniversary in November 2022, and JOHN wanted to do something special to celebrate the album. Very sadly, Graeme Edge had passed away in 2021, but shortly before his passing, John and Graeme met and spent some special time together, and Graeme told John how he hoped John would continue on with the Moody Blues, and keep their music alive. Graeme had already recorded a special version of “Late Lament” for John, and John’s great friend (and son-in-law) Jon Davison (of YES) had recorded “Nights in White Satin”, and so the stage was set; John went into the studio and began work with his Musical Director, Alan Hewitt on the new show. John’s hope being that he could honor his lost friends Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge, and his other bandmates Justin Hayward and Mike Pinder, but also reimagine it for today.

The show, based around the simple tale of “a day in the life of an everyday man,” will highlight all that made Days of Future Passed the ground-breaking album that it was - arguably the start of Progressive Rock with its fusion of rock and symphonic sound. The show retains the core emotion of the original album and recreates its incredible orchestration, but at the same time it also brings in a modern feel thanks to the great strides in fidelity, and the maturity that comes with the passing of the years. Listen to “Nights in White Satin,” “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Peak Hour,” and more fill the room, and you’ll be taken back to 1967, but at the same time, you’ll hear what John has brought to this new version in his vocals, bass and harmonies, and how he sees the album 55 years later. In its own way, it can also be said to be a reflection of John’s own life.

The electrifying show will also feature a selection of JOHN’s classic self-written hits, including the above-mentioned “Ride My See-Saw,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” and “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band).” The latter two were hit singles on the Moody Blues' album Seventh Sojourn which spent 5 weeks at Number 1 on Billboard and is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary.

Joining JOHN on stage is his 10,000 Light Years Band, long term collaborator Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau (Cello). Jon Davison of YES will also be joining them for his special renditions of “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon” plus the magical voice of Graeme Edge will be heard via a special recording.

“I’m sorry that the Moodies are no longer touring, and I miss my friends Ray and Graeme deeply (RIP), but as I looked back to the past, I realised that I also wanted to look forwards to the Future. My hope is that in this show, and album, you will get to revisit 1967, but at the same time, see how this album has grown with me, and with you. Thank to you the 10,000 Light Years Band, Jon Davison and, of course, Graeme, for their belief in this project and helping bring my vision to life. And thank you to all the fans for Keeping the Faith.”

Here are the tour dates for JOHN LODGE’s “Performs Days of Future Passed”:

12 July - Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Illinois

14 July - Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa

15 July - Copernicus Center, Chicago, Illinois

16 July - Peoria Civic Center Theatre, Peoria, Illinois

18 July - Coronado PAC, Rockford, Illinois

19 July - Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

21 July - Royal Oak Music Theatre, Detroit, Michigan

23 July - Paramount Theatre, Denver, Colorado

25 July - Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona

26 July - Fox Theater, Tucson, Arizona

28 July - Smith Center, LasVegas, Nevada

29 July - Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks, California



Join Justin Hayward aboard the ON THE BLUE CRUISE

The On the Blue Cruise is back for another journey in 2023! It will be an exciting one, featuring the return of your cruise host, Justin Hayward as well as an incredible lineup including The Zombies, Dave Mason, Alan Parsons, Little River Band, Starship with Mickey Thomas, Al Stewart, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Ambrosia, Renaissance, Lighthouse, The Baby's and many more! Sailing from Miami January 28-February 2, 2023, aboard the Norwegian Pearl, the On The Blue Cruise will visit Belize and Cost Maya, Mexico! In addition to these great new ports, guests will enjoy TWO music filled days at sea, allowing fans time to hang with fellow cruisers and artists without feeling rushed to get it all in!

This 5-night vacation is an immersive music experience full of incredible concerts, interactive artist events, photo opportunities, Q&As and more…the action never stops!

Limited Cabins Available..don’t miss the boat!Book your cabin now at www.OnTheBlueCruise.com



Justin Hayward "Living For Love" New Single

Justin Hayward is delighted to announce to release a brand new single through BMG, entitled ‘Living For Love’. This is his first release for over two years and comes ahead of his ten-date tour of the UK in September.

He said of the release, “I’m one of a generation that as teenagers, if we were lucky, were living just for love; with the most wonderful music, freedom and optimism. We didn’t really understand at the time but I have to celebrate those days now, while we are still here, and we remember.”

‘Living For Love’ was recorded in Italy early this year, but the release was held until now while Justin featured in ‘The War Of The Worlds’ tour and completed his rescheduled live solo gigs in the USA so that the song could be released ahead of his UK tour. Justin and his recording partner Alberto Parodi are the only musicians who feature on the record. Justin plays his 1961 Gibson J200 and his 1963 Red Gibson ES 335, and Alberto and Justin, between them, play all keyboards.

Stream or Download HERE.


Join Justin Hayward aboard the ON THE BLUE CRUISE

The On the Blue Cruiseis back for another journey in 2023! It will be an exciting one, featuring the return of your cruise host, Justin Hayward, the Voice of the Moody Blues, as well as an incredible lineup including The Zombies, Dave Mason, Alan Parsons, Little River Band and many more! Sailing from Miami January 28-February 2, 2023, aboard the Norwegian Pearl, the On the Blue Cruise will visit Belize and Cost Maya, Mexico! In addition to these great new ports, guests will enjoy TWO music filled days at sea, allowing fans time to hang with fellow cruisers and artists without feeling rushed to get it all in!
This 5-night vacation is an immersive music experience full of incredible concerts, interactive artist events, photo opportunities, Q&As and more…the action never stops!



John Lodge "Royal Affair and After" Release Date Update

Thank you for all the support and excitement around the release of ‘The Royal Affair and After’ album! As most of us already know there is a world-wide supply chain issue affecting almost every business including the music industry that is not immune to this problem. We are very sorry to say our distributor has just informed us that, despite their best efforts in trying to move mountains, there has been a production delay with John’s new release and the CDs will not be ready in time for the anticipated December 3rd release. The revised release date for digital and CD is now January 14th with the limited edition blue vinyl still on track for January 29th. John and all his team are very upset by this news and hate to let you all down, especially those of you hoping Santa would leave it under your tree on Christmas. In the meantime we hope you are enjoying ‘Ride My See-Saw’ and ‘Gemini Dream’, both available digitally, to download/stream and on YouTube!

Thank you in advance for your understanding we can’t wait to share the album with you!



Graeme Edge Passing

It’s a very sad day. Graeme’s sound and personality is present in everything we did together and thankfully that will live on.

When Graeme told me he was retiring I knew that without him it couldn’t be the Moody Blues anymore. And that’s what happened. It’s true to say that he kept the group together throughout all the years, because he loved it.

In the late 1960’s we became the group that Graeme always wanted it to be, and he was called upon to be a poet as well as a drummer. He delivered that beautifully and brilliantly, while creating an atmosphere and setting that the music would never have achieved without his words. I asked Jeremy Irons to recreate them for our last tours together and it was absolutely magical.

Graeme, and his parents, were very kind to me when I first joined the group, and for the first two years, he and I either lived together, or next door to each other - and despite us having almost nothing in common, we had fun and laughs all the way, as well as making what was probably the best music of our lives.

Graeme was one of the great characters of the music business and there will never be his like again.

My sincerest condolences to his family.
Justin Hayward

“When the White Eagle of the North is flying overhead” …sadly Graeme left us today. To me he was the White Eagle of the North with his beautiful poetry, his friendship, his love of life and his “unique” style of drumming that was the engine room of the Moody Blues…I will miss you Graeme….John Lodge



Moody Madness Bracket Challenge

Think you know what Moody Blues song reigns supreme? Fill out the Official Moody Madness bracket for a chance to win a merchandise prize package of your wildest dreams!

FILL OUT YOUR BRACKET

One Grand Prize Winner Will Receive:
• (1) Lost Chord Sweatshirt
• (1) Question of Balance Tee
• (1) Vintage Logo Apron
• (1) Nights Face Mask

Brackets are due Sunday, March 21 at 11:59p ET.
Voting Begins Monday, March 22.


John Lodge - Flower Power Cruise 2022

Join John Lodge of the Moody Blues on the Grooviest Trip at Sea! Fans will enjoy over 50 LIVE performances by John Lodge of the Moody Blues, The Hollies, The Zombies, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Procol Harum, The Guess Who, The Yardbirds, The Association, Mark Lindsay (former Lead Singer of Paul Revere & The Raiders), The Family Stone, Cruise Host Peter Asher, Canned Heat, The Cowsills, The Box Tops, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, The Outsiders, The Music of Cream, Kiss the Sky The Re-Experience: World’s Greatest Tribute to Jimi Hendrix, Magic Bus Band, Lisa Polizzi’s Janis Joplin Experience, and many more!

You’ll sail on the newly renovated Celebrity Summit from Miami to the beautiful ports of Puerto Plata, San Juan and Labadee while grooving to the hits of your favorite artists of the Love Generation. Get up close and personal with these stars as you enjoy over 25 celebrity interactive events including artist Q&As, panel discussions, wine tasting, trivia and more!

March 28, 2022 through April 4, 2022

Enjoy this special package, just for John Lodge of the Moody Blues fans:

  • Special insider rate when you use promo code JOHNLODGEFAN.

GET MORE DETAILS AND BOOK HERE.



In These Crazy Times - New Video

“The song is basically about what I was feeling at the time and how I reacted to the pandemic and the isolation and wondering what I was going to do. The opening lyric talks about me sitting there in isolation but I am not just thinking about myself, because in the second line I am saying we’re all in this situation. So, let’s make something of it, let’s be creative, let’s all try and do something in our own little worlds. And you can share it with the world, or just do it for yourself: what you can share is something within yourself, you can make something special for yourself,” said John Lodge


Justin Hayward - One Summer Day / My Juliette - New 2 Song EP Available

Justin Hayward will release the digital-only EP One Summer Day / My Juliette. This two-track release is available via all digital service providers.

Whether performing solo or with The Moody Blues, Justin Hayward’s songwriting is known for its thought-provoking lyrics and inventive melodies. These qualities are fully displayed in the new tracks “One Summer Day” and “My Juliette.”

“One Summer Day” is written in a conversational style, telling the story of unexpected events taking place one day in the summer. According to Justin, the song came about in an organic manner. “ just sprang out of my old Martin guitar late one evening...I had been playing the riff for a while just for fun, without realizing it could actually be a song.”

“My Juliette,” which references Danny Williams’ early 60s recording of “Moon River”, was inspired by Justin’s childhood fascination with the theater. His mother played piano for a repertory theater group during a summer in his childhood. He played guitar for the company, and was drawn into the artistry of the stage, from Shakespeare to pantomime. “I was entranced and I still treasure every moment of that theatre life,” Hayward continues. “I had the song for years before I was sure I wanted to actually finish or record it because I enjoyed just playing around with it.”

One Summer Day / My Juliette is available for streaming and download here.


Message From Justin

I’m very sorry to say that the promoter of the ‘On The Blue’ cruise contacted me to inform me that our trip has been postponed. He said that they are looking to reschedule later in the year or early 2021.

Regarding my own US tour: it’s clear that the April and May USA gigs will be postponed as well. As soon as we know rescheduled dates I will share them. I do look forward to that, and I hope everyone is safe and sound..

I am desperately sorry for those individuals and families that are seriously impacted by the current situation and my heart goes out to them.

My love, and every good wish.

Justin


Experience 1970, Isle of Wight Festival Featuring John Lodge

EXPERIENCE 1970 invite you to
come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary .......of

This will be Landmark Event.

The 1970 ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL at the LEGENDARY ORIGINAL FESTIVAL SITE

East Afton Farm, Freshwater

FIFTY years after the Isle of Wight made history
with the biggest rock festival ever staged in the UK,
Experience 1970 is returning to the iconic original Island site
to mark the anniversary with a celebratory weekend fest. John Lodge and his band will be performing.

Get Tickets HERE.


Flower Power Cruise with John Lodge

We hope to see you on the Flower Power Cruise 2021! This cruise sells out every year, and our fans are invited to book early during the online presale on April 8th. To book early, you must register for this presale with code JOHNLODGEPRESALE, so follow the link below where you’ll find all the important instructions - remember to mention the special code JOHNLODGEPRESALE when prompted. This code will get you special savings, a $100 onboard credit per cabin PLUS a private event with us onboard. Can’t wait to see you all on the grooviest trip in 2021! https://flowerpowercruise.com/2021-presale-registration


Justin Hayward Nights - Tour Dates Being Announced

Justin Hayward is back in 2020 with a new tour, "Nights." Some dates have been announced for his April/May 2020 US Tour and more dates will be announced soon. VIP packages are available across all tour dates and include a great ticket, an autographed poster, an exclusive t-shirt and more. Be sure to check out the tour schedule to find a tour date near you!



Justin on Elton John's New Biography

So pleased we get a mention in Elton's autobiography. I remember. sitting next to him on the plane going to Cannes, Midem music festival in January 1968 and he was very shy , almost afraid to speak - it never occurred to me that he might actually have listened to DOFP, or any of our music - and even more remote, that he would have liked it! He was playing piano at the time for a friend of ours, Long John Baldry and was hugely respected as a piano player - Long John with Elton on piano, and us, were the only two acts that could play 'live', (all the rest were 'miming') so we got on French telly - that was union rules then - you had to be able to really play!. Some years later he came to see a show of ours at Madison Square Garden and he was so nice, gentle and sweet. He is one of the truly lovely, genuine people in music - he has brought tremendous joy in to the would, and we will never see another that gets close to him. Just saying ! Justin Pick up "Me Elton John" - available now.


New Vinyl Edition For Justin Hayward And John Lodge’s ‘Blue Jays’

UDiscoverMusic.com The album was released during the group’s five-year hiatus that followed 1972’s Seventh Sojourn and before the reunion that led to Octave in 1978. Blue Jays, the highly successful 1975 collaboration by Justin Hayward and John Lodge of the Moody Blues, will be reissued by UMC in a new black vinyl edition on 4 October. The album was released during the group’s five-year hiatus that followed 1972’s Seventh Sojourn and before the reunion that led to Octave in 1978. It was produced by the Moody Blues’ longtime right-hand-man Tony Clarke and featured ten songs, five credited to Hayward as the writer, three to Lodge and two as collaborations. The album was released in March 1975 and soon followed by the single ‘I Dreamed Last Night,’ written by Hayward. That track reached No. 47 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a top 30 adult contemporary hit. Later that year the non-LP track ‘Blue Guitar’ became a substantial UK hit, reaching No. 8. It was credited to Hayward and Lodge but featured unlisted performances by all the members of 10cc. The project was launched in highly unusual fashion with a playback — but not a performance — in the historic surroundings of New York’s Carnegie Hall. was unveiled to the world in somewhat pompous fashion – a playback at Carnegie Hall. “It was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Hayward later told Q magazine. “There’s John and me in the dressing room at Carnegie Hall and the house is full and all there is on stage is a record player with a couple of spotlights on it. And they say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen! The very first performance of Blue Jays!’ And then someone plonks the record on.” Blue Jays was a big success on both sides of the Atlantic, eagerly embraced by longtime Moodies fans who had been starved of new material for three years. It reached No. 4 in the UK, spending an impressive seven weeks in the top ten and 14 in the top 40. In America, it climbed to No. 16 in a 23-week chart run. Billboard’s enthusiastic review of the album noted that its symphonic sound “brings back memories of the ‘Nights In White Satin’ days, with smooth, flowing cuts, powerfully soothing production and solo and harmony vocals that are reminiscent of the best of the Moodies…expect immediate FM play (response is already strong).” The magazine’s advice to record dealers was “Let the consumers know who this duo is and you’ve got a super seller on your hand.” Blue Jays is released on vinyl on 4 October. Scroll down for the tracklisting, and pre-order it here. Side A: This Morning Remember Me (My Friend) My Brother You Nights Winters Years Side B: Saved By The Music I Dreamed Last Night Who Are You Now Maybe When You Wake Up



Justin Hayward - On The Blue Cruise 2020

Justin Hayward and the On the Blue Cruise is ready to Rock Your World…It’s time to reserve your ticket to Classic Rock Paradise? Book you cabin today at www.OnTheBlueCruise.com
The journey will depart from Miami, Florida and sail to the eastern Caribbean from April 1-8, 2020. Expect 7 days and nights of incredible music, activities & events, surrounded by sandy beaches and the emerald waters of the Caribbean aboard the Norwegian Pearl…visit St. Maarten, St. Thomas, USVI and Great Stirrup Cay.
All-star lineup features Rock & Roll Hall of Famers from 6 bands and more! THIS IS THE BEST CLASSIC CRUISE LINEUP ON PLANET EARTH…Check it out!


John Lodge at Trading Boundaries, Sheffield Green, East Sussex

NationalRockReviews.com By Paul Davies A magical fairy lit evening in an enchanted venue straight out of a musical fantasy found a pitch-perfect performance of more than moody proportions by John Lodge and his crack ensemble of players.

Still sporting a magnificent bouffant style head of hair as though he has just stepped straight out of a late 1960s King’s Road Chelsea hair salon, Lodge literally and musically rolled back the years with a classy retrospective set of Moody Blues classics, back in the day solo specials and a confident pick of tunes from his excellent recently released solo album 10,000 Light Years Ago.
Exuding natural charisma and clearly very comfortable engaging with a close-up audience, in this warm and intimate venue, as he is to 10,000 plus capacity arenas, this 10,000 light year man created a buzz of anticipated joy prior to his grand entrance. Walking onto a stage decorated with Hindu and Buddha statues and eastern inspired decorated ornamentation, opener Steppin’ In A Slide Zone enraptured a musically sharp and devoted audience and so began an evening of legendary music.
Funnily forgetting the Moody’s album title from which Nervous was taken from – Long Distance Voyager – Lodge confidently negotiated the tricky arrangement of this and the punchy psych out of Peak Hour.
Prefacing songs (Evening) Time To Get Away and Sunset with the reflective wisdom of Days Of Future Passed being the album that changed his life forever, the presence alone of these much-loved songs produced a wistful and swooning effect on the collective countenance of this evening’s sold out fanbase.
Paying his heartfelt respects to his recently passed away bandmate, Ray Thomas, by recalling their first meeting on a Birmingham bus and a resolution to form a band which developed into The Moody Blues, Lodge has lost none of his own Brummie accent as he launched into a head-spinning take of Thomas’ Legend Of A Mind.
Searching for the lost chord metaphorically inspires musicians to experiment and expand their sound base in a quest to surpass their own and their fans expectations and Lodge has done just this on numerous occasions as tonight’s setlist revealed in bucket loads.
Going back to his well of musical wonderment, Lodge effortlessly switched between superbly played bass lines and fills and 12 string acoustic to plunder a back pocket of seminal penned songs. It’s no surprise that this affable and visibly content Ivor Novello winning song man revels in sharing his anecdotes to a peerless catalogue of tunes as he smiled his way through a rare outing of Candle Of Life and the redeeming Saved By The Music.
A sonic triptych of stellar Moody Blues songs Gemini Dream, Isn’t Life Strange and I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock ‘n’ Roll Band) closed an evening of exquisite entertainment in an exotic environment as an audience of diners and standing fans raised the starry roof of this entrancing venue especially when the band returned to blast the loon pants off psych classic Ride My See-Saw.
No artist alone can be a one-man band and execute the arrangements of some of the most sophisticated songs in rock music and, as mentioned earlier, Lodge is blessed with a crack band of players. Guitarist Duffy King, Cellist Jason Charboneau, Keyboard maestro Allan Hewitt (who also produces Earth, Wind & Fire) and holding everything together, between the onstage exotic adornments, drummer Billy Ashbaugh are some of the finest musicians I have witnessed in a close-up and personal setting.
Not enough words can be written to commend venues such as Trading Boundaries for the effort, passion and risk-taking in putting on special evenings of music with top-notch food and service. To wander around the vast rooms of authentically sourced antique Indian furniture and decorations is to have one’s mind, body and soul transported to another continent and then there is the upstairs Roger Dean room whose artworks Trading Boundaries represent and display for sale. Moreover, Roger is a frequent visitor here from his nearby studio in Lewes.
My evening was completed by the thrilling company of Yes singer Jon Davison – who revealed that Yes are currently writing new songs for a forthcoming album – who joined my dining booth with John Lodge’s wonderful daughter Emily and Trading Boundaries co-owner Michael Clifford who with Tracy Thomson founded this delightful and sparklingly magical emporium of live music and exotica.


THE MOODY BLUES’ JOHN LODGE AND THE 10,000 LIGHT YEARS BAND TO JOIN YES, ASIA, AND CARL PALMER FOR NORTH AMERICAN “THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR”

JOHN LODGE, legendary bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and recent inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be performing on “The Royal Affair Tour” with Yes, Asia and Carl Palmer this summer in North America (itinerary below). The first set of dates for “The Royal Affair Tour” has been announced. The trek will launch Wednesday, June 12 in Bethlehem, PA and visit cities including Holmdel, NJ; Toronto; Nashville, Hollywood, FL; Phoenix; Las Vegas; and Irvine, CA before wrapping Sunday, July 28 in Saratoga, CA. Most shows go on sale Friday, April 5. More dates will be revealed in the coming weeks. LODGE is looking forward to being part of this exciting tour. “‘Music is my life and I can’t wait to get on the road with my 10,000 Light Years Band, and perform my Moody Blues music, which has meant so much to me in my life, all across America with the Yes tour. The fans and I have travelled this road a long time, and I also hope new fans will discover and explore along with me.” JOHN will appear with his 10,000 Light Years Band, and together they capture the heart of classic Moody Blues songs he has penned and recorded such as “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band),” “Gemini Dream,” “Ride My See-Saw,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone.” He will also perform a tribute to Ray Thomas with his version of “Legend of a Mind (Timothy Leary).” JOHN has been performing with his 10,000 Light Years Band for the last three years with three tours in the USA, a tour of the UK and appearances as ‘Special Guest’ on Yes’ “Cruise to the Edge.” He is about to embark on a short UK tour in April 2019, and will be honored with the Birmingham Walk of Fame at a special “Night of Stars” event on April 11th at the Symphony Hall, in his hometown. Carl Palmer is also being honored, and the event will be hosted by Jasper Carrott. Joining JOHN on stage in his 10,000 Light Years Band are long term collaborator Alan Hewitt (Music Director and Keyboards) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) from the Moody Blues touring band, together with Duffy King (Guitars) and Jason Charboneau (Cello) The “all-American band sizzled on the solo tracks and Moodies’ masterpieces’, on their recent tour (North Coast Voice). As a member of The Moody Blues since 1966, JOHN LODGE has spent much of his life touring the world, as part of a “rock n roll band.” His first solo album titled NATURAL AVENUE was released 40 years ago in 1977 but was never performed live. When asked what has taken him so long to get his own show on the road, JOHN was quick to point out, with a smile, that he has been busy with his "other band.” The tour will support his live album and DVD JOHN LODGE: LIVE FROM BIRMINGHAM – THE 10,000 LIGHT YEARS TOUR, recorded during his 2016 UK tour in his hometown. Artwork was designed by Roger Dean, and is available as DVD/CD box set, 180g Double Red Vinyl, and download via Amazon and iTunes.


Live At The BBC: 1967-1970 3LP Color Vinyl Edition

THE MOODY BLUES’ ‘LIVE AT THE BBC: 1967-1970’ MAKES VINYL DEBUT

WITH DELUXE, LIMITED EDITION 3LP COLOR VINYL SET

Los Angeles – March 6, 2019 – The Moody Blues’ Live At The BBC: 1967–1970 will make its global vinyl debut with a limited, individually numbered 3LP color vinyl edition to be released April 26 by Polydor/UMe. Across its three 180-gram vinyl LPs, the deluxe special edition features 41 live performances from several BBC radio and television appearances the band made between 1967 and 1970. Preorder The Moody Blues’ Live At The BBC: 1967-1970: https://UMe.lnk.to/MoodyBluesBBCPR Originally released in 2007 as a double CD and digital collection, Live At The BBC: 1967–1970 features many of the band’s performances for popular BBC radio and TV programs, including “Top Gear” (“Ride My See-Saw,” “The Best Way To Travel,” “Voices In The Sky,” “Dr. Livingstone, I Presume,” “Lovely To See You,” Never Comes The Day,” “Send Me No Wine,” and “To Share Our Love”); “Afternoon Pop Show” (“Peak Hour,” “Ride My See-Saw,” and “Tuesday Afternoon); “The Tony Brandon Show” (“So Deep Within You” and “Lovely To See You”); “Colour Me Pop” (Ride My See-Saw,” “Dr. Livingstone, I Presume,” “House Of Four Doors,” “Voices In The Sky,” “The Best Way To Travel,” “Visions Of Paradise,” and “The Actor”); “The Lulu Show” (“Question”); and more. An eight-song performance for “BBC Live In Concert” is also included, featuring live versions of tracks spanning three Moody Blues albums: In Search Of The Lost Chord, Days Of Future Passed, and To Our Children’s Children’s Children. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, The Moody Blues have been at the forefront of the UK’s classic rock music scene for fifty years and have continued to be a mainstay of concert stages, recording studios and the airwaves to the present day. During their immensely successful career, they have sold, according to the band’s files, more than 70 million albums worldwide and have been the recipients of numerous prestigious awards. The Moody Blues: Live At The BBC: 1967-1970 LP1 (light blue vinyl) Side A
  1. Fly Me High (BBC Session - the Saturday Club 9/5/67)
  2. Don't Let Me Be Understood (BBC Session - the Saturday Club 9/5/67)
  3. Love And Beauty (BBC Session - Easybeat 20/9/67)
  4. Leave This Man Alone (BBC Session - Easybeat 20/9/67)
  5. Peak Hour (BBC Session - Easybeat 20/9/67)
  6. Nights In White Satin (BBC Session - Dave Symonds 6/11/67)
  7. Fly Me High (BBC Session - Dave Symonds 1/1/68)
  8. Twilight Time (Evening) (BBC Session - Dave Symonds 1/1/68)
Side B
  1. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (BBC Session - Dave Symonds 5/7/68)
  2. Voices In The Sky (BBC Session - Dave Symonds 5/7/68)
  3. Ride My See-Saw (BBC Session - Top Gear 16/7/68)
  4. Voices In The Sky (BBC Session - Top Gear 16/7/68)
  5. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (BBC Session - Top Gear 16/7/68)
  6. Peak Hour (BBC Session - Afternoon Pop Show 7/10/68)
  7. The Best Way To Travel (BBC Session - Top Gear 16/7/68)
LP2 (dark blue vinyl) Side A
  1. Tuesday Afternoon (BBC Session - Afternoon Pop Show 7/10/68)
  2. Ride My See-Saw (BBC Session - Afternoon Pop Show 7/10/68)
  3. Lovely To See You (BBC Session - Top Gear 18/2/69)
  4. Never Comes The Day (BBC Session - Top Gear 18/2/69)
  5. To Share Our Love (BBC Session - Top Gear 18/2/69)
  6. Send Me No Wine (BBC Session - Top Gear 18/2/69)
  7. So Deep Within You (BBC Session - Tony Brandon 2/4/69)
  8. Lovely To See You (BBC Session - Tony Brandon 2/4/69)
Side B
  1. House Of Four Doors (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  2. Nights In White Satin (BBC Session - Tom Jones Show 31/5/68)
  3. The Morning: Another Morning (BBC Session - Tom Jones Show 31/5/68)
  4. Ride My See-Saw (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  5. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
LP3 (yellow vinyl) Side A
  1. Voices In The Sky (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  2. The Best Way To Travel (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  3. Visions Of Paradise (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  4. The Actor (BBC Session - Colour Me Pop 14/9/68)
  5. Gypsy (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  6. The Sun Set (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  7. Never Comes The Day (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
Side B
  1. Are You Sitting Comfortably (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  2. Poem: The Dream (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  3. Have You Heard (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  4. Nights In White Satin (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  5. Legend Of A Mind (BBC Session - BBC Live in Concert 17/12/69)
  6. Question (BBC Session - Lulu TV 29/8/70)


Justin Hayward Reveals All The Way UK Tour Dates

Moody Blues man Justin Hayward has revealed details of his upcoming All The Way UK tour. He’ll play a total of eight intimate dates throughout September, where he’ll perform tracks from his solo career, along with a selection of Moody Blues favourites. Mike Dawes will open for Hayward at all shows. Hayward says: “I'm always so thrilled to have the opportunity to tour in the UK, particularly at this time in in my career when no one knows what the future holds. “I’m bringing my ‘songwriting' guitars from home on the road with me, so the gigs will have the feel and sound of my music room along with the vibe I was feeling as I wrote the songs. “I look forward to singing and playing new songs and old songs, particularly Forever Autumn, which I only get to perform in my solo show, and also to tell the real stories behind all the songs and the events that surrounded them at the time.” Hayward adds: “It's a joy to share a stage with such wonderful young and inspiring talents as Mike Dawes – one of a new generation of brilliant young guitar masters who is worth the price of admission alone – and Julie Ragins, a truly exceptional musician and singer. “She and I have shared stages all over the world for many years, loving the music we play, both with the Moody Blues and solo. I look forward to seeing you on the road.” Tickets On Sale HERE! Justin Hayward All The Way 2019 UK tour Sep 08: Edinburgh Assembly Rooms Sep 10: Birmingham Town Hall Sep 11: Swindon Wyvern Theatre Sep 12: London Union Chapel Sep 15: High Wycombe Swan Sep 16: Bury St Edmunds Apex Sep 17: Cambridge Corn Exchange Sep 18: Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion


Moody Blues star and top 1960s rock drummer to appear in Birmingham this spring

Two of the most famous rock stars from the 1960s – John Lodge and Carl Palmer – are to be celebrated at a unique appearance in Birmingham this spring. The gifted musicians will be on stage in a special ‘Birmingham Night of Stars’ event to be hosted by Jasper Carrott at the Symphony Hall on 11 April, in collaboration with Westside Business Improvement District (BID). John Lodge is best known as the bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of Moody Blues, the longstanding rock group formed in Birmingham in 1964. He was born in Erdington, Birmingham in 1945. Carl Palmer is one of the most respected rock drummers to emerge from the 1960s, a veteran of many banks including Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Atomic Rooster, ELP (Emerson, Lake & Palmer) and Asia. He was born in Handsworth in 1950. Birmingham’s renowned comedian Jasper Carrott, chair of the city’s Walk of Stars project created by Westside BID, said: “We love throwing the spotlight on people who were born and bred in this great city and then went on to become such big stars. “The audience will enjoy various musical treats during the event on 11 April and I will also interview both John and Carl about their childhood, fame in the 1960s rock and roll scene, and what they’re up to now.” Carrott said that various other “star friends” from the music world would be joining him to gig, reminisce and laugh with Lodge and Palmer. He added: “This star-studded event will be a fabulous mixture of musical performances as we pay tribute to the life and careers of John Lodge and Carl Palmer, and it will be terrific to have them both there to take part.” Mike Olley, manager of Westside BID, said: “We love helping to provide a structure through which Birmingham’s stars can be admired, thanked and celebrated, and for anyone who enjoyed the 1960s music scene, this will be a night not to be missed!” The ‘Birmingham Night of Stars’ event will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 11 April at Symphony Hall, Broad Street. Tickets are priced* at £28 or just £15 for the back tiers, with proceeds going to the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charities and Westside Charitable Endeavour, dedicated to recording the area’s historical attributes. Only 2,262 seats are available at the venue, so book early at the Symphony Hall here: https://www.thsh.co.uk/event/birminghams-night-of-stars-in-aid-of-birmingham-childrens-hospital


In Search Of The Lost Chord 50th Anniversary Reissue

Limited Edition 3CD / 2DVD Box CLICK HERE TO PREORDER HERE. We are delighted to announce the November 2nd release of a 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of The Moody Blues’ classic third album, In Search of the Lost Chord. With 3 CDs and 2 DVDs plus a 76-page book, it really is a fascinating deep delve into one of the most influential albums of its era. Click here for pre-order and more info. PRE-OREDER HERE One of the all-time classic albums of ‘60s Psych gets a welcome 50th anniversary makeover with this 5-disc box set. Across the three CDs are new and original stereo mixes of the album, mono ‘A’ and ‘B’ sides of the original Deram-era singles, BBC sessions and bonus tracks including a never-before-heard mono version of ‘Legend Of A Mind’. Meanwhile, DVD1 contains an audio ‘In Search of the Lost Chord’ 96 kHz / 24-bit 5.1 Surround Mix, the new stereo mix plus a re-master of the original stereo mix. Visuals on DVD2 include BBC TV’s ‘Colour Me Pop’ special from 1968 and the previously unreleased French TV’s ‘Ce Soir On Danse’. Comes in a hard box with 76-page book packed with photos and a new essay. Disc 1 (CD):

  1. Departure - The original stereo mix
  2. Ride My See-Saw - The original stereo mix
  3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume - The original stereo mix
  4. House of Four Doors - The original stereo mix
  5. Legend of a Mind - The original stereo mix
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) - The original stereo mix
  7. Voices in the Sky - The original stereo mix
  8. The Best Way to Travel - The original stereo mix
  9. Visions of Paradise - The original stereo mix
  10. The Actor - The original stereo mix
  11. The Word - The original stereo mix
  12. Om - The original stereo mix
  13. Voices in the Sky (mono)
  14. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (mono)
  15. Ride My See Saw (mono) - Previously unreleased on CD
  16. A Simple Game
  17. Legend of a Mind (mono mix) - Previously unreleased
Disc 2 (CD):
  1. Departure - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  2. Ride My See-Saw - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  4. House of Four Doors - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  5. Legend of a Mind - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  7. Voices in the Sky - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  8. The Best Way to Travel - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  9. Visions of Paradise - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  10. The Actor - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  11. The Word - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  12. Om - “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix:
  13. A Simple Game (Justin Hayward Vocal Mix / Remastered 2018)
Disc 3 (CD):
  1. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (BBC Radio One "Top Gear" Session / 1968)
  2. Voices in the Sky (BBC Radio One "Top Gear" Session / 1968)
  3. The Best Way to Travel (BBC Radio One "Top Gear" Session / 1968)
  4. Ride My See-Saw (BBC Radio One "Top Gear" Session / 1968)
  5. Tuesday Afternoon (BBC Radio One John Peel “Top Gear” session – 16th July 1968)
  6. Departure (alternate mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  7. The Best way to Travel (additional vocal mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  8. Legend of a Mind (alternate mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  9. Visions of Paradise (instrumental mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  10. The Word (Mellotron mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  11. Om (extended mix) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  12. King and Queen - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  13. Gimmie a Little Something - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  14. What Am I Doing Here? (full version) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
  15. A Simple Game (Justin Hayward vocal version) - Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
Disc 4 (DVD) “In Search of the Lost Chord” 96 kHz / 24-bit 5.1 Surround, new Stereo mix and re-mastered original stereo mix”
  1. Departure -
  2. Ride My See-Saw
  3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume
  4. House of Four Doors
  5. Legend of a Mind
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2)
  7. Voices in the Sky
  8. The Best Way to Travel
  9. Visions of Paradise
  10. The Actor
  11. The Word
  12. Om
Disc 5 (DVD):
  1. Departure / Ride My See-Saw - Visual content
  2. Dr. Livingstone I Presume - Visual content
  3. House of Four Doors - Visual content
  4. Voices in the Sky - Visual content
  5. The Best Way to Travel - Visual content
  6. Visions of Paradise / The Actor - Visual content
  7. Om - Visual content
  8. Tuesday Afternoon - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  9. Nights in White Satin - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  10. Bye Bye Bird - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  11. Fly Me High - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  12. I’ve Got a Dream - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  13. A Beautiful Dream - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  14. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  15. Peak Hour - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  16. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
  17. Ride My See Saw - BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
Standard Vinyl One of the all-time classic albums of ‘60s Psych gets a welcome 50th anniversary reissue on 180 gram vinyl complete with original artwork and packaging. Side One
  1. Departure - The original stereo mix
  2. Ride My See-Saw - The original stereo mix
  3. Livingstone, I Presume - The original stereo mix
  4. House of Four Doors - The original stereo mix
  5. Legend of a Mind - The original stereo mix
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) - The original stereo mix
Side Two
  1. Voices in the Sky - The original stereo mix
  2. The Best Way to Travel - The original stereo mix
  3. Visions of Paradise - The original stereo mix
  4. The Actor - The original stereo mix
  5. The Word - The original stereo mix
  6. Om - The original stereo mix
D2C Limited Edition Vinyl One of the all-time classic albums of ‘60s Psych gets a welcome 50th anniversary reissue on 180 gram vinyl complete with original artwork and packaging. This very limited release comes in psychedelic coloured vinyl. Side One
  1. Departure - The original stereo mix
  2. Ride My See-Saw - The original stereo mix
  3. Livingstone, I Presume - The original stereo mix
  4. House of Four Doors - The original stereo mix
  5. Legend of a Mind - The original stereo mix
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) - The original stereo mix
Side Two
  1. Voices in the Sky - The original stereo mix
  2. The Best Way to Travel - The original stereo mix
  3. Visions of Paradise - The original stereo mix
  4. The Actor - The original stereo mix
  5. The Word - The original stereo mix
  6. Om - The original stereo mix
1CD One of the all-time classic albums of ‘60s Psych gets a welcome 50th anniversary reissue in this new stereo remaster. Also contains five bonus tracks including a mono version of ‘Ride My See Saw’ previously unreleased on CD, and the mono mix of ‘Legend Of A Mind’, previously unreleased on any format.
  1. Departure - The original stereo mix
  2. Ride My See-Saw - The original stereo mix
  3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume - The original stereo mix
  4. House of Four Doors - The original stereo mix
  5. Legend of a Mind - The original stereo mix
  6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) - The original stereo mix
  7. Voices in the Sky - The original stereo mix
  8. The Best Way to Travel - The original stereo mix
  9. Visions of Paradise - The original stereo mix
  10. The Actor - The original stereo mix
  11. The Word - The original stereo mix
  12. Om - The original stereo mix
  13. Voices in the Sky (mono)
  14. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (mono)
  15. Ride My See Saw (mono) (Previously unreleased on CD)
  16. A Simple Game
  17. Legend of a Mind (mono mix) (Previously unreleased)


INTERVIEW – JOHN LODGE OF THE MOODY BLUES

During the 1960s, Rock-n-Roll came into its own as a leading force in the Pop music world. A time when many UK bands rose to international fame, one which stood on their own were The Moody Blues. Initially debuting in 1965, with the more R&B influenced The Magnificent Moodies album, introducing new members to the band shortly thereafter, the direction and course of history for The Moody Blues would change forever. Progressive and unique, they would go on to sell over 70 million albums worldwide, attain 18 platinum or gold-selling albums, and finally earned a rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. A long overdue induction, The Moody Blues remain immersed in touring and bringing 50 years of their music to sold out crowds around the globe. With no lack of inspiration, amidst it all, key member John Lodge has kept busy, releasing his new solo album, 10,000 Light Years Ago, in 2015, and more recently, Live from Birmingham: The 10,000 Light Years Tour in late 2017. A piece of music he is proud of, on the heels of The Moody Blues shows, Lodge is set to continue solo touring, and with it he brings a treasure chest of surprises to audiences. Energized and ready to rock, Lodge recently took the time to chat about the years gone by with The Moody Blues, the work behind his most recent music, what to expect from his solo performances, the potential of new Moody Blues music, plus more. CrypticRock.com – You have been involved in music essentially your entire life. With that in mind, The Moody Blues have been established for over five decades, sold multi-millions of albums, toured all over, and are no question one of the most influential Rock bands in history. Briefly tell us, what has this Rock-n-Roll journey been like? John Lodge – Amazing! When I was 12-13 years of age I got my first guitar, I paid about 10 dollars for it. I learned to play the guitar, and there was no one in England at the time who could show me what Rock-n-Roll was about; I just tried to find out how it worked. At the time, I watched so many American television shows/movies and tried to watch how people were playing guitars. That is how it started. The journey has gone from there all the way through to double concerts at Madison Square Garden. It’s just been an amazing journey! It’s all down to the music. I love Rock-n-Roll, I loved it from the very minute I heard it for the first time. That’s who I am, really. Read Full Interview HERE.


THE MOODY BLUES REISSUE SEVEN ESSENTIAL STUDIO ALBUMS ON 180-GRAM VINYL LPS

On The Threshold of a Dream; To Our Children's Children's Children; A Question of Balance; Every Good Boy Deserves Favour; Seventh Sojourn; Octave; and Long Distance Voyager Available Now

London – August 2, 2018 - The Moody Blues have reissued seven essential albums from their acclaimed recorded catalogue on heavyweight 180-gram vinyl via Polydor/UMe. Available now, the seven LPs are presented with faithfully reproduced original album artwork. Purchase the albums here: https://MoodyBlues.lnk.to/Reissues On The Threshold of a Dream is the fourth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1969. Like the band's preceding two albums, On The Threshold of a Dream follows a concept. It explores dreams -- especially on the second side, which climaxes with the "Voyage" suite, inspired in part by Richard Strauss's Also sprach Zarathustra. The piece, by Mike Pinder, features mellotron orchestration and flute. The album begins with a poem accompanied by electronic sounds, which also appear at the end of the album. To Our Children's Children's Children is the fifth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1969. The album was the first to be released via the group's newly-formed Threshold record label, named after the band's previous album from the same year, On The Threshold of a Dream. The album was inspired by the 1969 moon landing, with songs centred on twin themes of space travel and children, with minor-key tonalities and a distinct psychedelic influence. To Our Children's Children's Children reached No. 2 in the United Kingdom and No. 14 in the United States. A Question of Balance is the sixth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1970. The album was an attempt by the group to strip down their well-known lush, psychedelic sound to be able to better perform the songs in concert. The album reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom and No. 3 in the United States. Every Good Boy Deserves Favour is the seventh album by The Moody Blues, released in 1971. This album featured the only track to be written by all five members of the band. The opening “Procession" was intended to describe the history of music from the beginning of time up until the album's recording. The only three words heard in this track – "desolation," "creation," and "communication" – were similarly used (along with many other "-ation" words) in "One More Time to Live." The album reached No. 1 on the British album charts, in addition to a three-week stay at No. 2 in the United States, and produced one Top 40 single, "The Story in Your Eyes." Seventh Sojourn is the eighth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1972. Several songs contain overt political references. "You and Me," like "Question" from two years earlier, alludes to ongoing wars and conflicts, including Vietnam. However, although the album showcases political concerns, in the 1990 documentary The Moody Blues: Legend of a Band, bassist John Lodge described "I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)" as a response to fans who mistakenly read guru-like wisdom into the Moodies' lyrics. Instrumentally, in addition to the Mellotron, singer/keyboardist Mike Pinder used a similar keyboard device called the Chamberlin. Octave is the ninth album by The Moody Blues, released in 1978, their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972. The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who departed during the album's sessions and declined an offer to tour with the group. Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history. Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke. Long Distance Voyager is the 10th album by The Moody Blues, first released in May 1981 on the group's Threshold label. It was their first album featuring keyboardist Patrick Moraz (who had previously worked with Refugee and Yes), in place of co-founder Mike Pinder, who departed the group in 1978 after Octave. Long Distance Voyager was The Moody Blues' second American No. 1 album, boasting the Top 20 singles "Gemini Dream" (No. 12) and "The Voice" (No. 15). The album also continued the group’s winning streak in their native United Kingdom, reaching No. 7 there. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, The Moody Blues have been at the forefront of the UK’s classic rock music scene for fifty years and have continued to be a mainstay of concert stages, recording studios and the airwaves to the present day. During their immensely successful career, they have sold, according to the band’s files, more than 70 million albums worldwide and have been the recipients of numerous prestigious awards.

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