1971: Mi, Sol, Si, Re, Fa con los Moody Blues

Contenido de esta entrada:

Introducción

Lanzamiento del álbum

Enlaces, letras y opinión personal

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Canal de YouTube: The Moody Blues - YouTube

Portada del álbum  Every Good Boy Deserves Favour de los Moody Blues

Introducción

En un anterior artículo continuamos la historia de los Moody Blues con la publicación de su sexto álbum A Question of Balance. 

Portada del álbum A question of balance

Este artículo lo dedicamos a su siguiente (el séptimo) álbum Every Good Boy Deserves Favour publicado en 1971, considerado uno de sus mejores álbumes. La banda regresó a su sonido orquestal característico que, aunque difícil de reproducir en concierto, se había convertido en su marca registrada. El álbum fue el último en usar el Mellotron como el único teclado que usaba cintas pregrabadas para producir sonidos de diferentes instrumentos. A partir del siguiente álbum dispondrían también de un Chamberlin (como expliqué en otra entrada el Mellotron fue una copia del Chamberlin. El modelo de Chamberlin que apareció en 1970 mejora la calidad de sonido del Mellotron) El título "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" fue tomado prestado, irónicamente, de un mnemotécnico utilizado para recordar las notas musicales que forman las líneas de la clave de sol: EGBDF (Mi, Sol, Si, Re, Fa). Estas notas se escuchan tocadas en el piano durante el primer tema del álbum "Procession".

En enero 2022 estará disponible el nuevo álbum de John Lodge

Lanzamiento del álbum

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour fue lanzado el 23 de julio de 1971 en el Reino Unido y en agosto de 1971 en los Estados Unidos. Alcanzó el número uno en las listas británicas permaneciendo 21 semanas en lista y el numero dos en los Estados Unidos. Fue indicativo de su creciente éxito en Estados Unidos.

El álbum se vendió bien y fue bien recibido por la crítica. La banda sigue celebrando el 50 aniversario de su lanzamiento.

El álbum fue mezclado y lanzado tanto en estéreo como en cuadrafónico. En abril de 2007 el álbum fue remasterizado en formato SACD y reempaquetado con las dos pistas adicionales.

En 2008 se publicó una remasterización para CD de audio estándar con los mismos bonus tracks.

Contraportada del formato SACD monstrando los bonus tracks.

Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes (original version)

The Dreamer

La portada ha sido imitada por el líder de la banda de progresismo oscuro Current 93, David Tibet, para Halo, un álbum en vivo lanzado en 2004.

Enlaces, letras y opinión personal

Enlace al álbum completo: The M̤o̤o̤d̤y̤ ̤B̤l̤ṳe̤s̤---E̤v̤e̤r̤y̤ Good B̤o̤y̤ ̤D̤e̤s̤e̤r̤v̤e̤s̤ Favour 1971 Full Album

CARA 1

A1 «Procession»    4:40

((Escrita por – Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas)

 "Procession" es la única canción de los Moody Blues compuesta por todos los miembros de la banda. La canción describe la historia de la música desde el principio de los tiempos hasta la grabación del álbum.​ En su mayor parte es una canción instrumental. Las únicas tres palabras que se escuchan en esta canción – “desolation”, “creation” y “communication” – se usaron de manera similar (junto con muchas otras palabras “-ation”) en el tema del álbum «One More Time to Live».

Imagen del libreto de la edición SACD

"Procession" es una de las primeras canciones comerciales en hacer uso de una batería electrónica. El instrumento en cuestión era un sintetizador de batería personalizado desarrollado por el baterista de Moody Blues Graeme Edge y el profesor de la Universidad de Sussex Brian Groves.

Una sección de "Procession" fue sampleada por los músicos de hip-hop J Dilla y Madlib en la canción "L.A. to Detroit" del álbum de Jaylib de 2003 Champion Sound.

Jaylib - L.A. to Detroit

Enlaces

Procession

Moody Blues: Procession

Moody Blues - Procession

Letras

Desolation...

Creation...

Communication...

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Un fascinante tema de rock progresivo.

A2 The Story in Your Eyes  2:57

(Escrita y cantada por – Justin Hayward)

El segundo tema del álbum "The Story in Your Eyes" fue escrito por el guitarrista de la banda Justin Hayward y lanzado como sencillo en julio de 1971 en los Estados Unidos y el 7 de agosto de 1971 en el Reino Unido. En Estados Unidos presentaba el tema "Melancholy Man" en la cara B y el del Reino Unido "My Song". "Melancholy Man" era una canción de su álbum anterior "A  Question Of Balance" y "My Song" estaba incluida en el nuevo álbum.

La versión norteamericana se publicó también en otros países de América y Oceanía. La versión del Reino Unido fue publicada en otros países europeos, en los que la funda presentaba una imagen semejante a la versión norteamericana con una cara en primer plano con el logotipo de Threshold en lugar de la boca.

El sencillo no llegó a las listas del Reino Unido pero si en el Billboard Hot 100 de Estados Unidos donde alcanzó el puesto 23.

Stiv Bators lanzó un sencillo en 1987 en Bomp! con una versión de "Story in Your Eyes" con el tema "Have Love, Will Travel" en la cara B. Está incluido en el CD retrospectivo de Bators L.A. Confidential

Story In Your Eyes

Portada del sencillo de Bators

Fountains of Wayne hizo una versión de la canción para su álbum de 2011 Sky Full of Holes, apareciendo como bonus track

The Story in Your Eyes (Bonus)

Enlaces

Moody Blues - The Story In Your Eyes MFSL Ultra Disc II Audiophile

The Story In Your Eyes (2008 Remaster)

The Story In Your Eyes

Moody Blues: The Story In Your Eyes

The Story In Your Eyes

Letras

I've been thinking about our fortune

And I've decided that we're really not to blame

For the love that's deep inside us now

Is still the same

And the sounds we make together

Is the music to the story in your eyes

It's been shining down upon me now

I realize

Listen to the tide slowly turning

Wash all our heartaches away

We're part of the fire that is burning

And from the ashes we can build another day

But I'm frightened for your children

That the life that we are living is in vain

And the sunshine we've been waiting for

Will turn to rain

Listen to the tide slowly turning

Wash all our heartaches away

We're part of the fire that is burning

And from the ashes we can build another day

But I'm frightened for your children

That the life that we are living is in vain

And the sunshine we've been waiting for

Will turn to rain

When the final line is over and

It's certain that the curtain's gonna fall

I can hide inside your sweet sweet love

For ever more

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Rock ligero y comercial

A3 Our Guessing Game   3:34

(Escrita y cantada por – Ray Thomas)

Enlaces

Our Guessing Game

Moody Blues-Our Guessing Game

Our Guessing Game (4.0 quad mix): The Moody Blues

The Moody Blues - Our Guessing Game (Subt. inglés & español)

The Moody Blues "Our Guessing Game"

Letras

Walking in the sand

Thinking of things, adventures in my mind

Tall ships that sail

Across the ocean wide

They won't wait for me

See the way they glide away so gracefully

And with tomorrow what will become of me

They leave me so much to explain

That's the start of our guessing game

There are times when I think I've found the truth

There are times when I know that I'm wrong

And the days when I try to hide my fears

Bless the days when I'm feeling strong

Bless the days when I'm feeling strong

Wonder why we try so hard

Wonder why we try at all

You wonder why the world is turning around

When in the end it won't matter at all

Standing in the town

Looking at people, counting their frowns

Unhappy faces, hurrying around

So blind they cannot see

All of these things

The way life ought to be

And with tomorrow what will they make of me

It leaves me so much to explain

That's the start of our guessing game

There are times when I think I've found the truth

There are times when I know that I'm wrong

And the days when I try to hide my fears

Bless the days when I'm feeling strong

There are times when I think I've found the truth

There are times when I know that I'm wrong

And the days when I try to hide my fears

Bless the days when I'm feeling strong

There are times when I think I've found the truth

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Bonita balada

A4 Emily's Song   3:42

(Escrita y cantada por – John Lodge)

La canción "Emily's Song" fue escrita por John Lodge para su hija recién nacida.

Enlaces

Emily's Song - The Moody Blues

Emily's Song

Moody Blues-Emily's Song

Letras

Lovely to know the warmth

You're smile can bring to me

I want to tell you but the words you do not know

Sing me a lullaby

Of songs you cannot write

And I will listen for there's beauty where there's love

And in the morning of my life

And in the evening of my day

I will try to understand in what you say...

River's of endless

Tides have passed beneath my feet

And all too soon they had me standing on my own

Then when my eyes were closed

You opened them for me

And now we journey thro' our lives to what will be

And in the morning of my life

And in the evening of my day

I will try to understand in what you say

Through all that live can give to you

Only true love will see you through

And will stand beside you now in what you say

And in the morning of my life

And in the evening of my day

I will try to understand in what you say

Take me into your world

Alone I can not go

For I've been here so long

You're leaving me behind

Walk with me now

Into your land of fairy tales

And open up that book of pages in my mind

And open up that book of ages in my mind

Videos

Video del DVD The other side of Red Rocks:

The Moody Blues - Emily's Song - John Lodge Song - YouTube

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Una canción muy tierna.

A5 After You Came  4:38

(Escrita por –  Graeme Edge,  cantada por:  Thomas, Pinder, Lodge, Hayward)

Edge, el baterista-poeta comenzó a escribir letras destinadas a ser cantadas, en lugar de versos para ser hablados: su "After You Came" presentaba a cada uno de los cuatro cantantes principales tomando una sección vocal. 

Enlaces

After You Came

Moody Blues: After You Came

The Moody Blues – After you came (1971)

The Moody Blues - After You Came

"After You Came" - The Moody Blues

Letras

Since it began I've got one dream and really It's my only blessing

If I can come through then so can you

And you will find there's no regretting

Things that you want from your life's font

Will never let your spirit grow

Come back to earth for what it's worth

For you've been dreaming of the ceiling not a home

I've been doing my best

What else can I do?

Is there something I've missed

That will help you through

I've reached the top of my wall

I've found another way to fall

For some short time

For a while you and I were joined to eternity

Then we're split in two back to me and you

Like the rain rising from the sea

Rising from the sea

We all can see what we shall be

But knowing's really not controlling

With time perhaps I'll pass the traps and find some peace and understanding

After you've come and while you're gone

You leave me guessing - It's depressing

Never to know the way to go to find some time along a little less pressing

So you just have to laugh

When it hurts so much

You're so far away and so hard to touch

I've reached the top of my wall

I've found another way to fall

Since it began I've got one dream and really It's my only blessing

If I can come through then so can you

And you will find there's no regretting

Things that you want from your life's font

Will never let your spirit grow

Come back to earth for what it's worth

For you've been dreaming of the ceiling not a home

I've been doing my best

What else can I do?

Is there something I've missed

That will help you through

I've reached the top of my wall

I've found another way to fall

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

No esta mal para ser la primera canción de Edge.

CARA 2

B1  One More Time to Live  5:41

(Escrita y cantada por – John Lodge)

Enlaces

One More Time To Live

Moody Blues "One More Time To Live"

The Moody Blues - "One More Time to Live"

The Moody Blues - One More Time To Live

One More Time To Live (4.0 quad mix): The Moody Blues

Letras

[Verse 1(a)]

Look out of my window

See the world passing by

See the look in her eye

[b]

One more time to live and I have made it mine

Leave the wise to write for they write worldly rhymes

And he who wants to fight begins the end of time...

For I have riches more than these

For I have riches more than these

[Middle 8]

Desolation

Creation

Tell me someone why there's only confusion

Evolution

Tell me someone that this is all an illusion

Pollution

Tell me someone

Saturation

Tell me someone

Population

Annihilation

Revolution

Tell me someone why this talk of revolution

Confusion

Tell me someone when we're changing evolution

Illusion

Tell me someone

Conclusion

Tell me someone

Starvation

Degredation

Humiliation

Contemplation

Changes in my life

Inspiration

Elation

Changes in my life

Salvation

Changes in my life

Communication

Compassion

Solution

[Verse 2(a)]

Look out on the hedgerow

As the world rushes by

Hear the birds sign a sigh

[b]

One more tree will fall how strong the growing vine

Turn the earth to sand and still permit no crime

How one thought will live provide the others die

For I have riches more than these

For I have riches more than these

[Repeat Middle 8]

[Repeat Verse 1(a)]

Videos

Cellular Pavilion, Gilford, NH. 2007

The Moody Blues - "One More Time to Live" (remastered version in HD Quality) - YouTube

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Bonita balada.

B2 Nice to Be Here       4:23

(Escrita y cantada por – Ray Thomas)

Enlaces

Nice To Be Here

Moody Blues: Nice To Be Here

The Moody Blues - Nice To Be Here

The Moody Blues - Nice To Be Here (Ray Thomas Tribute)

Nice To Be Here (4.0 quad mix): The Moody Blues

Letras

Nice to be here hope you agree

Lying in the sun

Lovely weather, must climb a tree

The show has just begun

All the leaves start swaying

To the breeze that's playing

On a thousand violins

And the bees are humming

To a frog sat strumming

On a guitar with only one string

I can see them they can't see me

I feel out of sight

I can see them they can't see me

Much to my delight

And it seems worth noting

Water rats were boating

As a lark began to sing

The sounds kept coming

With Jack Rabbit loudly drumming

On the side of a biscuit tin

I can see them they can't see me

I feel out of sight

I can see them they can't see me

Much to my delight

Silver minnows were devising

Water ballet so surprising

A mouse played a daffodil

A mole came up blinking

Underneath an owl who's thinking

How he came to be sat on a hill

I can see them they can't see me

I feel out of sight

I can see them they can't see me

Much to my delight

I know you won't believe me

But I'm certain that I did see

A mouse playing daffodil

All the band was really jumping

With Jack Rabbit in there thumping

I found that I couldn't sit still

I just had to make it with them

Cause they played my kind of rhythm

And the bees hummed in harmony

And the owl played his oboe

Then the frog's guitar solo

It was all just too much for me

I know you won't believe me

But I'm certain that I did see

A mouse playing daffodil

All the band was really jumping

With Jack Rabbit in there thumping

I found that I couldn't sit still

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Buen tema con aires country.

B3 You Can Never Go Home      4:12

(Escrita y cantada por – Justin Hayward)

Enlaces

The Moody Blues - You Can Never Go Home

You Can Never Go Home

You Can Never Go Home (4.0 quad mix): The Moody Blues

You can never go home - Moody Blues

The Moody Blues - You Can Never Go Home

Letras

I don't know what I'm searching for

I never have opened the door

Tomorrow might find me at last

Turning my back on the past

But, time will tell, of stars that fell

A million years ago

Memories can never take you back, home, sweet home

You can never go home anymore

All my life I never really knew me till today

Now I know why, I'm just another step along the way

I lie awake for hours, I'm just waiting for the sun

When the journey we are making has begun

Don't deny the feeling that is stealing through your heart

Every happy ending needs to have a start

All my life I never really knew me till today

Now I know why, I'm just another step along the way

Weep no more for treasures you've been searching for in vain

'Cos the truth is gently falling with the rain

High above the forest lie the pastures of the sun

Where the two that learned the secret now are one

I don't know what I'm searching for

I never have opened the door

Tomorrow might find me at last

Turning my back on the past

But, time will tell, of stars that fell

A million years ago

Memories can never take you back, home, sweet home

You can never go home anymore

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Bonita balada

B4 My Song   6:24

(Escrito y cantado por Mike Pinder) 

Enlaces

The Moody Blues - My Song

My Song

The Moody Blues - My Song

The Moody Blues - My Song

Moody Blues, My Song (Mike Pinder).mpeg

Letras

I'm a melancholy man, that's what I am,

All the world surrounds me, and my feet are on the ground.

I'm a very lonely man, doing what I can,

All the world astounds me and I think I understand

That we're going to keep growing, wait and see.

And yet somehow he will not feel the same,

His life caught up in misery, he doesn't think like you and me,

'Cause he can't see what you and I can see.

Mi opinión sobre la canción:

Cierre apoteósico del álbum.

Mi opinión personal sobre el álbum:

Disco que combina los teclados con los arreglos orquestales pero manteniendo el tono rockero.

Créditos

Justin Hayward – voz principal y coros (1, 2, 5, 8), guitarras, sitar

John Lodge – voz principal y coros (1, 4–6), bajo eléctrico, violonchelo

Ray Thomas – voz principal y coros (1, 3, 5, 7), flauta, pandereta, oboe, armónica

Graeme Edge – batería, percusión, voz principal y coros (1)

Mike Pinder –voz principal y coros (1, 5, 9), Mellotron, clavecín, órgano Hammond, piano, sintetizador Moog