The Magnificent Moodies
Encyclopedia
The Magnificent Moodies is the 1965 debut album by The Moody Blues
first released in the UK and the first and only album featuring their R&B lineup of guitarist Denny Laine
, bassist Clint Warwick
, keyboardist Mike Pinder
, flute player–percussionist Ray Thomas
, and drummer Graeme Edge
. The album is a collection of R&B and Merseybeat
type songs, including the cover of "Go Now
", produced by Alex Wharton
, that had been a Number 1 hit single earlier that year. For the US release (under the title Go Now – The Moody Blues #1), four songs were replaced and the tracks were re-ordered (see below).
The album did not make the Record Retailer/Music Week chart even though it reached number 5 in August 1965 in the New Musical Express album chart. The US album did not make the Billboard chart.
Laine and Warwick left the group in 1966, and were replaced by guitarist Justin Hayward
and bassist John Lodge respectively.
At the height of The Moody Blues' US success in 1970, Deram Records reissued the US version of the album with a new cover and title, "In The Beginning" (Deram DES-18051). As with the original album, this reissue did not chart.
In 1985 Intermediate Records reissued the album on vinyl and cassette as Go Now with a mixture of songs from the original UK and US LPs plus songs that would eventually end up as bonus tracks on the CD issues. Decca Records
UK first issued The Magnificent Moodies on CD in 1988 with 13 bonus tracks, with mastering by Anthony Hawkins. Repertoire Records
issued an abridged version of the CD in the 1990s with only seven bonus tracks. In 2006, the CD was reissued again, this time with 14 bonus tracks including the rare "People Gotta Go" not found on the original 1988 Decca version. The CD also boasts for the first time a speed-corrected and undistorted version of "Go Now". The 2006 Repertoire CD was remastered by Eroc (Joachim Ehrig), who was the leader of the 1970s German rock band Grobschnitt
.
Eroc described the project, at stevehoffman.tv, as follows:
"When I got the job for the "Magnificent Moodies" from REP some time ago I also got the order to try to get the intro of "Go Now" better. So I sat down and analysed the distortion and then restored the waveforms very carefully. This can be done by "drawing" out each single harsh peak by hand. It took me some days but I wanted to find out, what can be done in general. The result is for the first time ever a much more natural sounding intro which also is pitched correctly.
I see this as an alternative for all those who always were bothered by that harsh "electric" piano-sound. I think many of them will like the new alternative and I myself prefer it a lot compared to the "technical " original. Others may hate it because it differs from the version they got used to over the decades. But in each case it's worth a qualified discussion."
Side One
Side Two
Side One
Side Two
Bonus Tracks
Bonus Tracks
Supporting musicians
The Moody Blues
The Moody Blues are an English rock band. Among their innovations was a fusion with classical music, most notably in their 1967 album Days of Future Passed....
first released in the UK and the first and only album featuring their R&B lineup of guitarist Denny Laine
Denny Laine
Denny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
, bassist Clint Warwick
Clint Warwick
Clint Warwick was the original bassist for the rock band, The Moody Blues....
, keyboardist Mike Pinder
Mike Pinder
Michael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
, flute player–percussionist Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas
Ray Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
, and drummer Graeme Edge
Graeme Edge
Graeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
. The album is a collection of R&B and Merseybeat
Beat music
Beat music, British beat, or Merseybeat is a pop and rock music genre that developed in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. Beat music is a fusion of rock and roll, doo wop, skiffle, R&B and soul...
type songs, including the cover of "Go Now
Go Now (song)
"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
", produced by Alex Wharton
Alex Wharton
Alex Wharton , later also known as Alex Murray, was part of the singing duo the Most Brothers with Mickie Most, and later, co-manager and producer of the band, Moody Blues.-Singing and acting career:...
, that had been a Number 1 hit single earlier that year. For the US release (under the title Go Now – The Moody Blues #1), four songs were replaced and the tracks were re-ordered (see below).
The album did not make the Record Retailer/Music Week chart even though it reached number 5 in August 1965 in the New Musical Express album chart. The US album did not make the Billboard chart.
Laine and Warwick left the group in 1966, and were replaced by guitarist Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward
Justin Hayward is an English musician, best known as singer, songwriter and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues.Hayward was born in Dean Street, Swindon, Wiltshire, England...
and bassist John Lodge respectively.
At the height of The Moody Blues' US success in 1970, Deram Records reissued the US version of the album with a new cover and title, "In The Beginning" (Deram DES-18051). As with the original album, this reissue did not chart.
In 1985 Intermediate Records reissued the album on vinyl and cassette as Go Now with a mixture of songs from the original UK and US LPs plus songs that would eventually end up as bonus tracks on the CD issues. Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
UK first issued The Magnificent Moodies on CD in 1988 with 13 bonus tracks, with mastering by Anthony Hawkins. Repertoire Records
Repertoire Records
Repertoire Records is a German record label from Hamburg, Germany, specialising in reissues of classic pop and rock albums originally issued in the 60s and 70s. The chairman is Thomas Neelsen....
issued an abridged version of the CD in the 1990s with only seven bonus tracks. In 2006, the CD was reissued again, this time with 14 bonus tracks including the rare "People Gotta Go" not found on the original 1988 Decca version. The CD also boasts for the first time a speed-corrected and undistorted version of "Go Now". The 2006 Repertoire CD was remastered by Eroc (Joachim Ehrig), who was the leader of the 1970s German rock band Grobschnitt
Grobschnitt
Grobschnitt was a West German rock band which existed between 1970 and 1989. Their style evolved as time passed, beginning with psychedelic rock in the early 1970s before transitioning into symphonic progressive rock, NDW and finally pop rock in the mid-1980s...
.
Eroc described the project, at stevehoffman.tv, as follows:
"When I got the job for the "Magnificent Moodies" from REP some time ago I also got the order to try to get the intro of "Go Now" better. So I sat down and analysed the distortion and then restored the waveforms very carefully. This can be done by "drawing" out each single harsh peak by hand. It took me some days but I wanted to find out, what can be done in general. The result is for the first time ever a much more natural sounding intro which also is pitched correctly.
I see this as an alternative for all those who always were bothered by that harsh "electric" piano-sound. I think many of them will like the new alternative and I myself prefer it a lot compared to the "technical " original. Others may hate it because it differs from the version they got used to over the decades. But in each case it's worth a qualified discussion."
UK Decca Records 1965 track listing (The Magnificent Moodies)
Decca LK 4711 (mono only)Side One
- "I'll Go Crazy" (James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
; CopyrightCopyrightCopyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
Lois Music) – 2:08 - "Something You Got" (Chris KennerChris KennerChris Kenner was a New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter, best known for two hit singles in the early 1960s, that became staples in the repertoires of many other musicians.-Biography:...
; Copyright Jewel Music) – 2:47 - "Go NowGo Now (song)"Go Now" is a 1964 song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett. It was first recorded by Bessie Banks, and most successfully by The Moody Blues.-Bessie Banks:The song was first recorded by Larry Banks' former wife, Bessie Banks...
" (Larry BanksLarry BanksLawrence H. "Larry" Banks was an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, and record producer.-Life and career:Banks was born in New York City and grew up in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn...
, Milton Bennett; Copyright Belinda Music) – 3:07 - "Can't Nobody Love You" (James Mitchell; Copyright Belinda Music) – 3:57
- "I Don't MindI Don't Mind (James Brown song)"I Don't Mind" is a 1961 R&B song recorded by James Brown & The Famous Flames. Originally recorded in the studio and released as a single, it was a Top 5 national Billboard R&B hit, peaking at #4, and reached #47 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" (Brown; Copyright Lois Music) – 3:22 - "I've Got a Dream" (Jeff BarryJeff BarryJeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
, Ellie GreenwichEllie GreenwichEleanor Louise "Ellie" Greenwich was an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer. She wrote or co-wrote "Be My Baby", "Christmas ", "Da Doo Ron Ron", "Leader of the Pack", "Do Wah Diddy Diddy", and "River Deep, Mountain High", among many others...
; Copyright Aberbach Music) – 2:48
Side Two
- "Let Me Go" (Denny LaineDenny LaineDenny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
, Mike PinderMike PinderMichael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
; Copyright Sparta Music) – 3:09 - "Stop" (Laine, Pinder' Copyright Sparta Music) – 2:01
- "Thank You Baby" (Laine, Pinder; Copyright Sparta Music) – 2:24
- "It Ain't Necessarily SoIt Ain't Necessarily So"It Ain't Necessarily So" is a popular song with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song comes from the Gershwins' opera Porgy and Bess where it is sung by the character Sportin' Life, a drug dealer, who expresses his doubt about several statements in the Bible.The role of...
" (George GershwinGeorge GershwinGeorge Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, Ira GershwinIra GershwinIra Gershwin was an American lyricist who collaborated with his younger brother, composer George Gershwin, to create some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century....
; Copyright Chappell Music) – 3:15 - "True Story" (Laine, Pinder; Copyright Sparta Music) – 1:41
- "Bye Bye Bird" (Sonny Boy Williamson IISonny Boy Williamson IIWillie "Sonny Boy" Williamson was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. He is acknowledged as one of the most charismatic and influential blues musicians, with considerable prowess on the harmonica and highly creative songwriting skills...
, Willie DixonWillie DixonWilliam James "Willie" Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. A Grammy Award winner who was proficient on both the Upright bass and the guitar, as well as his own singing voice, Dixon is arguably best known as one of the most prolific songwriters...
; Copyright Jewel Music) – 2:45
US London Records 1965 track listing (Go Now - The Moody Blues #1)
London LL 3428 (mono), PS 428 (stereo)Side One
- "I'll Go Crazy" (Brown) – 2:08
- "And My Baby's Gone" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:15
- "Go Now" (Banks, Bennett) – 3:10
- "It's Easy Child" (Kay Bennett, Sue Sandler, Gene Redd) – 3:10
- "Can't Nobody Love You" (Mitchell) – 4:00
- "I've Got a Dream" (Barry, Greenwich) – 2:50
Side Two
- "Let Me Go" (Laine, Pinder) – 3:08
- "I Don't Want to Go on Without YouI Don't Want to go on Without You"I Don't Want To Go On Without You" is soul ballad written by Bert Berns and Jerry Wexler and produced by Bert Berns for The Drifters in 1964.-Covers:...
" (Bert BernsBert BernsBertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
, Jerry WexlerJerry WexlerGerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
) – 2:45 - "True Story" (Laine, Pinder) – 1:40
- "It Ain't Necessarily So" (G Gershwin, I Gershwin) – 2:47
- "Bye Bye Bird" (Williamson, Dixon) – 2:50 (misspelled as "Bye Bye Burd" on back cover and label)
- "From the Bottom of My Heart (I Love You)" (Laine, Pinder) – 3:20
Decca/London Records 1988 CD track listing (The Magnificent Moodies)
- 12 tracks as on the original Decca album
Bonus Tracks
- "Steal Your Heart Away" (Parker) – 2:17
- "Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)" (Mike Pinder) – 2:02
- "It's Easy Child" (Kay Bennett, Sue Sandler, Gene Redd) – 3:16
- "I Don't Want to Go on Without You" (Bert BernsBert BernsBertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
, Jerry WexlerJerry WexlerGerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
) – 2:48 - "Time Is On My Side" (Norman Meade) – 3:05
- "From the Bottom of My Heart" (I Love You) (Laine, Pinder) – 3:28
- "And My Baby's Gone" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:25
- "Everyday" (Pinder, Laine) – 1:50
- "You Don't (All The Time)" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:24
- "This Is My House (But Nobody Calls)" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:38
- "Life's Not Life" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:38
- "He Can Win" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:29
- "Boulevard de la Madelaine" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:55
Repertoire Records 1992 CD track listing (The Magnificent Moodies)
Contains the first 19 songs from the 1988 CDRepertoire Records 2006 CD track listing (The Magnificent Moodies)
- The 12 tracks from the original Decca album
Bonus Tracks
- "People Gotta Go" (Laine, Pinder) -2:33
- "Steal Your Heart Away" (Parker) – 2:17
- "Lose Your Money (But Don't Lose Your Mind)" (Mike Pinder) – 2:02
- "It's Easy Child" (Kay Bennett, Sue Sandler, Gene Redd) – 3:16
- "I Don't Want to Go on Without You" (Bert BernsBert BernsBertrand Russell Berns , most commonly known as Bert Berns as well as Bert Russell and Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s...
, Jerry WexlerJerry WexlerGerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
) – 2:48 - "Time Is On My Side" (Norman Meade) – 3:05
- "From the Bottom of My Heart" (I Love You) (Laine, Pinder) – 3:28
- "And My Baby's Gone" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:25
- "Everyday" (Pinder, Laine) – 1:50
- "You Don't (All The Time)" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:24
- "Boulevard de la Madelaine" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:55
- "This Is My House (But Nobody Calls)" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:38
- "Life's Not Life" (Laine, Pinder) – 2:38
- "He Can Win" (Pinder, Laine) – 2:29
Personnel
- Denny LaineDenny LaineDenny Laine is an English songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, guitarist, and lead singer of The Moody Blues' 1965 debut album "The Magnificent Moodies"; and, later, best known for his role as co-founder of Wings...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals - Mike PinderMike PinderMichael Thomas "Mike" Pinder is an English rock musician, and is a founding member or the British rock group, the Moody Blues. He left the group following the recording of the band's album, Octave, in 1978...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, vocals - Clint WarwickClint WarwickClint Warwick was the original bassist for the rock band, The Moody Blues....
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Ray ThomasRay ThomasRay Thomas is an English musician, best known as the flautist and as a singer and composer in the rock band, The Moody Blues.-Career:...
– percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
, flutesWestern concert fluteThe Western concert flute is a transverse woodwind instrument made of metal or wood. It is the most common variant of the flute. A musician who plays the flute is called a flautist, flutist, or flute player....
, vocals - Graeme EdgeGraeme EdgeGraeme Charles Edge is best known as the drummer and a songwriter for the Moody Blues, but has also led his own outfit, the Graeme Edge Band.-Biography:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion, vocals
Supporting musicians
- Elaine Caswell – percussion