Days of Future Passed [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Track Listings

1. Day Begins

2. Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling

3. Another Morning

4. Lunch Break: Peak Hour

5. Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) / Time To Get Away

6. Evening: Sun Set / Twilight Time

7. Night: Nights In White Satin

Tracks:

The Day Begins
Dawn: Dawn Is I A Feeling
The Morning: Another Morning
Lunck Break: Peak Hour
The Afternoon:a) Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) b)(Evening) Time To Get Away
Evening: a)The Sunset b)Twilight Time
The Night: Nights In White Satin

Amazon.com

The Moody Blues' second album was also their first of what would be a succession of "concept" albums. Inspired by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper and utilizing the London Festival Orchestra primarily for epic instrumental interludes between songs, Days of Future Passed moved the Birmingham band away from its early R&B roots (as displayed on its debut album with soon-to-depart future Wings member Denny Laine) into uncharted rock territory, making them the early pioneers of both classical and progressive rock. The concept of the 1967 release was very simple, tracing a day in the life from dawn to night, from awakening to sleep. The seven tracks spawned two hit singles--"Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" (which hit No. 2 four years after the LP's original release) and a prog-rock cottage industry. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

timeless... or, ahead of it's time.......2007-06-21

`Cold hearted orb that rules the night... removes the colors from our sight... yet we decide which is right.... and which is an illusion."

Such are the spoken words which close this remarkable recording... leaving one almost breathless at the consideration of that thought.
There is some music that is simply timeless. Music imbued with a such a quality that sets it outside of the confines of time and space... a specialness that is unique among other works. The Moody Blues landmark recording, `Days of Future Passed' is such a special piece of music. It is both timeless and far ahead of it's time.

Technically their second recording release, (following `Go Now' with mostly different band personnel), for all practical purposes, `Days' is their debut album with the addition of the mainstay songwriters Justin Hayward and John Lodge. This record is astounding in every respect, from it's concept to it's orchestration to the originality, beauty and diversity of it's songs. The time period of it's release, 1967, was the absolute peak in creativity in the music world. And indeed, this album has no predecessor in terms of sound or style. It's an original new creation, and was executed with exquisite artistic brilliance.

This was the record that launched the careers of the Moody Blues, and it was a hard act to follow, probably especially for them. Although they went on to record many more great albums... In Search for the Lost Chord, On the Threshold of a Dream, A Question of Balance, To Our Children's Children's Children, EDBDF, Seventh Sojourn, and on..... most would agree they never exceeded the beauty put down on this one.

A very young Justin Hayward opens the suite singing `Dawn is a feeling...' and the rest is a trip that takes you along through a day with a variety of moods and emotions. What is amazing is the quality of maturity in his voice, yet he was only 18 when this was recorded. Amazing. The two most recognizable songs on the record, also Justin Hayward tunes, Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin remain the strongest Moody Blues songs in their 40+ year history.

The orchestration score complements the songs beautifully with a variety of segway pieces that connect the tunes in such a way as to lead one through a story. The score is credited to a Peter Knight, but research as to who this guy is leads to a dead end. I later read in an offbeat book that Peter Knight was one of many stage names for a man named Chuck Hamil, the brother of actor Mark Hamil who starred in the original Star Wars movie trilogy. It seems Chuck Hamil is/was an amazingly gifted musician who also wrote, sang and recorded many other radio hit records of the late sixties, such as those credited to a Scott McKenzie's `San Francisco' and others (Gary Puckett?)... but he never used his real name. Interesting details!

Regardless, the origins of the album seem to be shrouded in mystery. But the quality of the music speaks for itself. I always have felt there was something special about the music of the Moody Blues. This is the album that sparked that interest, which has never died since. Great art stands the test of time, and this certainly does.

The Moody Blues.......2007-06-10

This is the best of the The Moody Blues. I have this on a LP record,Cass, and now a cd.

You gotta love these guys.......2007-06-08

This is the kind of stuff that should be considered for elevator music in heaven! Still great after 40 years.

You Gotta Have It.......2007-06-06

Days of Future Passed, the first effort of the 'Phase 2 Moody Blues', is one of those landmark albums that should be in everyone's music library, Moody Blues fan or not. Having hardly no exposure at all to the world of classical/orchestral-type music, I have to admit I haven't much of an ear for it. Frankly, my musical tastes just aren't that highbrow, so I realize I'm not able to fully appreciate this album. That is my biggest obstacle in truly embracing the whole of 'Days' for the masterpiece that it is. Oh, I dearly love the Moodies songs, but the rest, well let's just say I'm getting there. The more I hear it, the more I like the orchestral parts, what I as a simple country girl have always called Beethoven/rich people music. At this point in my musical self-education, I have to heartily give DOFP my big ol' stamp of approval. In reviewing, I will briefly(or not so) give my thoughts on each song along with a yay or nay vote.
1 'The Day Begins'- NO. Haven't fully acquired a taste for poetry or chamber music- yet. Sorry Graeme.
2 'Dawn is a Feeling'- YES. Mike Pinder's opener is just lovely and well-sung by Justin Hayward but Mike's voice wasn't in top form for his part, which fortunately was brief. Pinder has said that his reference to the "smell of grass" wasn't about pot, but looking back he realized it fit well with the times.
2 'Another Morning'- YES. Another Ray Thomas number. It had to grow on me, as I normally don't care for "kiddie" songs. He does such an outstanding job vocally that I had to like it.
3 'Peak Hour'- YES. John Lodge rocks me with this great song. It's the overlooked gem on 'Days'. I had read that it was the Moodies loudest number played live for many years. Wish I could have been there to experience it. Great lyrics- if I could just find the originals. I've seen about 5 versions of it online! Lodgie and mates sing it superbly and slap play the fool out of it.
4 'Tuesday Afternoon'- YES. What can I say about this classic that hasn't already been said before? I think it's THE best Hayward number on DOFP. Justin singing this song is a little slice of heaven in my headphones.
5 'Evening Time to Get Away'- YES. Oh yes, yes, yes. Hearing John's lovely voice- especially his falsetto- at it's best is enough for this gal. "Working, living it brings. Only way to have those things. Toiling has bought too many tears". Lodge simply nailed it on this timeless ode to the working class.
6 'The Sunset'- YES. Good song- only wish Pinder would've had a longer part to sing this time. He sounded great.
7 'Twilight Time'- YES. Ray redeems himself VERY well here. His subtle vocal literally carresses the lyrics- and my ears.
8 'Nights In White Satin'- YES. Brilliant song and THE ONE Hayward will forever be known for. Though I love it, it's not my fave of his. This song manages to be both beautiful and haunting all at once. Lodge's almost eerie-sounding, wailing chorus parts never fail to get me. WOW.
9 'Late Lament'. NO. Another poem by Graeme Edge. My sincere apologies Edgie. It's not you, really. It's me. You're a fantastic drummer to be sure!

'Days Of Future Passed' will forever be known as THE record that launched The Moody Blues onto the world stage. It did so for a very good reason: it's a ground-breaking, magnificent recording, created by the minds, hands and voices of five talented young men simply doing what they love- making great music.

Excellent.......2007-05-30

This really started the re-birth of the Moodies. Thanks for the mistake made by a DJ playing Nights in White Satin. Great quality.

Average customer rating:

Horrid Version
Get an SACD Player and Hear For Yourself
$30.00 burning a hole in your pocket?
These Are The Days Of Future Passed
Dawn:A Band Begins Again

Days of Future Passed
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Ume Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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In Search of the Lost Chord
To Our Children's Children's Children
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Question of Balance
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ASIN: B000E8NQTU
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Tracks:

Day Begins/Morning Glory
Dawn: Dawn Is a Feeling
Morning: Another Morning
Lunch Break: Peak Hour
Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)/Time to Get Away
Evening: The Sun Set/Twilight Tim
Night: Nights in White Satin

Tracks:

Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon) [Alternate Mix]
Dawn Is a Feelin [Alternate Version]
Sun Set [Alternate Version Without Orchestra]
Twilight Time [Alternate Vocal Mix]
Nights in White Satin [Mono Version]
Fly Me High [Mono Version]
I Really Haven't Got the Time [Mono Version]
Love and Beaut [Mono Version]
Leave This Man Alone [Mono Version]
Cities [Mono Version]
Long Summer Days [Stereo]
Please Think About It [Stereo]
Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood [BBC Radio Sessions]
Love and Beauty [BBC Radio Sessions]
Leave This Man Alone [BBC Radio Sessions]
Peak Hour [BBC Radio Sessions]
Nights in White Satin [BBC Radio Sessions]
Fly Me High [BBC Radio Sessions]
Twilight Time [BBC Radio Sessions]

Album Description

2 CD set. Days Of Future Passed is the Moody Blues' true contribution to rock history and the most cohesive integration of rock songs with orchestral music ever produced. Asked to create a rock reworking of Dvorak's New World Symphony, the Moodies instead wrote their own symphony, a song cycle that describes the emotions that accompany each part of the day, from dawn ('Dawn Is A Feeling') to night (the classic 'Nights In White Satin'). The songs are connected by lush orchestral passages in which the basic musical themes are reworked. Polydor. 2006.

Customer Reviews:

Horrid Version.......2007-06-21

If you are a fan, avoid the DERAM versions at all cost. If you are new to the Moody Blues music, then get whatever version you can to just experience the experience.
Unfortunely, the Deram discs (at least the ones I have) suffer from a bad mix. Sounding muted at the dynamic tracks, and then way over the top on surround stage with no center stage on other tracks. (of course I know it was recorded on quad to begin with, but how can you almost completely lose some of the spoken parts?)
I've heard much better from lesser disks on lesser systems.
Point being that this is supposed to be a "better" version. "[ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]"
NOT even close!!

Get an SACD Player and Hear For Yourself.......2007-05-26

I'm impressed by the lengths that some reviewers have taken to compare waveforms, etc. of the older discs compared to the new release of this album. However (coming from an audio engineer), if you do not have an SACD player, you cannot appreciate the sound that this disc produces. Direct Stream Digital technology, pioneered by Sony/Philips, is the closest a consumer can hear to what the original analog tapes sounded like. As far as I am concerned, the Mobility Sound Lab discs are propaganada that are worth nothing more than expensive toilet paper. Sure, it's great to get to hear someone else's remastered version of a disc. We all enjoy that to an extent. But if you want to hear what this album was designed to sound like in either stereo or quadrophonic format, you must do one of two things: 1)Buy this disc and 2)Make sure that you have an SACD player. This is a hybird (dual format) disc, so be sure that you're listening to the SACD version and not the CD version.

$30.00 burning a hole in your pocket?.......2007-05-10

I held off from getting this due to the fact that I own the Mobile Fidelity gold disc version of this album as well as "In Search Of The Lost Chord" and I have a SACD player but it's not set up for 5.1, but I wanted to get the bonus tracks so there you go. As far as the quality of the mastering, yes it is not the original mix and it was a stupid move for not putting it on the disc. It is more compressed in sound than the gold disc version but in the end it is still a classic album and it still sounds great. I do possess a DTS surround sound disc of this album and from that I can only ascertain that the same quad mix was used for the SACD version. But to make a long story short it's mostly various reverbs to create a sense of depth and nothing more.

This was the second Moody Blues album and the first to feature new members Justin Hayward and John Lodge. The band decided to create a musical piece that was different than their previous material, which was more of an R&B sound. When they were asked to do a demonstration record for Decca to show off their new fangled stereo technique called the Deramic Sound System by recording a group and orchestra version of a Dvorak symphony the band decided to record their musical piece they had been working on at live gigs. So with Peter Knight and Hugh Mendi history was made and the Moody Blues were back on the scene with mellotron in tow. This album contains the classics "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights In White Satin" (any similarity to Love's "Signed D.C." is purely coincidental) as well as those spoken passages at the beginning and end of the record (oops! I mean CD) that is lampooned on various Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes, which shows how this album has become a part of the pop culture zeitgeist.
So if you're looking to upgrade from the last re-masters you could do worse like buying a MFSL Gold Disc issue for $200.00 on Ebay.

These Are The Days Of Future Passed.......2007-04-11

I'm writing this dual review because it needs to be done. No matter what they do to advance CD's (the new technology) they will NEVER get the sound quality of vinyl. It is beyond the capacity of the CD. Another thing that annoys me is when they do these CD's, the remixes or reissues NEVER sound like the originals. There's something always missing. A harmony here, a guitar lick there, a refrain, a bass line, or a doo wop, it's always something that's missing. Some albums are completely reformatted and have a pause where the songs should have started but, a hesisitation is inserted for some incipid reason! Compression, remixing, re-editing, re-releasing and the rest of the things they do to try to "improve" on the original, well, it's NEVER going to happen so, if you have a new, like new or pristine copy of the vinyl, guard it with your life and play it with reverence, but, if you (like me) have worn out your vinyl, or you were stupid enough to toss out your turntable, then you'll HAVE TO HAVE this masterpiece in your CD collection. I got "Days Of Future Passed" for Christmas the year it was Re-Released on Vinyl when "Nights In White Satin" climbed the charts due to a D.J. in Seattle, WA who loved the song and played it on his night show until they started getting requests for it all the time and caused a sensation! The re-release saw "Nights In White Satin" climb to #2 on the Singles Chart and the LP to catapult to the top of the Album Charts for many weeks, making Moodies History and only adding to the Mystic Moodies Aura of Genius. Personally, I'd like to thank that D.J. because he changed my life forever. On my vinyl cover, the person that gave it to me wrote "here's a little necessity to keep you from driving us all crazy". It only served to fuel the fire for me and for all my friends and family. We are ALL Moodies Fans Forever, Thanks to Days Of Future Passed and the Moody Blues for enriching my life and the lives of the people I love and care for.

Dawn:A Band Begins Again.......2007-03-16

This album features the Moodies reinventing their sound and basically creating Art Rock or Prog Rock or whatever else you want to call it. Two of their best known songs are from this album Tuesday Afternoon and Nights And White Satin but really this is an album that needs to be listened to from beginning to end. The sound on this version is amazing and the orchestra has never sounded fuller as well as the band. I've owned all the former cd editions and, to me, I like this one the best. Disc two features some great performances and hearing the Moodies do a cover of an Animals song is great.

Average customer rating:

Who knows more music like this?
A symphonic pop-rock masterpiece that stands the test of time
ON THE CUTTING EDGE...
is it a masterpiece?
Rock music + orchestration = progressive rock concept album

Days of Future Passed
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
In Search of the Lost Chord
Seventh Sojourn
Question of Balance
Disraeli Gears

ASIN: B000001F5R
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Day Begins
Dawn: Dawn Is a Feeling
Morning: Another Morning
Lunch Break: Peak Hour
Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)/Time to Get Away
Evening: The Sun Set/Twilight Time
Night: Nights in White Satin

Amazon.com

The Moody Blues' second album was also their first of what would be a succession of "concept" albums. Inspired by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper and utilizing the London Festival Orchestra primarily for epic instrumental interludes between songs, Days of Future Passed moved the Birmingham band away from its early R&B roots (as displayed on its debut album with soon-departed future Wings member Denny Laine) into uncharted rock territory, making them the early pioneers of both classical and progressive rock. The concept of the 1968 release was very simple, tracing a day in the life from dawn to night, from awakening to sleep. The seven tracks spawned two hit singles--"Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" (which hit No. 2 four years after the LP's original release) and a prog-rock cottage industry. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

Who knows more music like this?.......2006-01-12

"Days of future passed" is the most beautiful album I ever heard. It's because the instrumental music between the songs of the Moody Blues. Those instrumental pieces are rare, but I want to hear more like this! Can you help me? Please mail to: leif.boysen@xp-win.com --- thank you so much!

A symphonic pop-rock masterpiece that stands the test of time.......2005-09-30

Days Of Future Passed (1967.) The second Moody Blues album.

INTRODUCTION:
Truly, the Moody Blues were a pop-rock band with a sound all their own. They are one of the first groups that can truly be considered progressive. In the beginning, the group had a very different sound from the one fans would know and love them for, but following the release of their debut album, Denny Laine and Clint Warwick departed the group. They were replaced by Justin Hayward and John Lodge, who would be instrumental to the band's future successes. Along with drummer Graeme Edge, the band's classic formation was complete. The new version of the band planned to record a version of Dvorak's New World Symphony with the London Festival Orchestra, conducted by Peter Knight. However, the band changed their plans, and decided to do an entire album with the orchestra! Their plan was a concept album about the various times in a single day. This became the Days Of Future Passed album, released in December of 1967. It has since become the most popular album the band ever recorded. Read on, and see it the band's sophomore album lives up to its hype.

OVERVIEW/REVIEW:
With this album, Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, and John Lodge created a symphonic pop-rock masterpiece - and one that stands the test of time. Not only is the band in their prime on this album, but so is the London Festival Orchestra, conducted here by Peter Knight. The album itself is divided into seven suites, each of which relates to a different time of the day. Appropriately enough, the album is started off with a piece called The Day Begins. The opening track is an orchestral instrumental sequence which helps to set the tone for the rest of the album. Following the instrumental portion of the song, Graeme Edge treats us to some of his spoken-work poetry, which only adds to the overall charm factor of the album. Second comes the Dawn suite. This is a slow, melodic, and mature piece of music, whose overall sophistication was well ahead of its time musically. This should have been one of the big hits on the album, but sadly, it has been forced to remain as an underrated masterpiece all these years. It's a shame that the best songs on albums often tend to be the most underrated ones... oh well. And then we move onto the morning suite. This is a happy, uplifting orchestral experience. The overall tone of the song is very similar to that of the poppy tunes on David Bowie's self-titled debut album, also released on 1967. At the middle of the album comes the Lunch Break suite. The first two minutes of this song are the traditional, orchestral sounds you've likely come to expect, but after that the song explodes into sixties-style rock, along with several other smaller musical transition. Next up is the Afternoon suite. The first half of this suite is the melodic, orchestral pop tune Tuesday Afternoon. The Justin Hayward-penned masterpiece became one of the band's biggest hits of all time, and appropriately so - it's one of the band's best songs. The second half of this song, Time To Get Away, is a drastic transition from the melodic and uplifting first half. Here the band slows things way down, and takes on a gloomy tone. It's a shame the first half of this suite became so popular and the second half never really got the proper credit, because it really is excellent! The sixth suite is the Evening suite. This is more of the symphonic pop-rock you've come to love so far. In many places, this song's sound resembles that of the Beatles, but with the orchestration and distinctive vocals, it's uniquely Moody Blues. Closing out the album is the biggest hit the band ever had, Nights In White Satin. This Night suite, the final track on the album is what would propel the band into classic rock super stardom, and it's not surprising at all to see this song still get played on the radio on a regular basis. And, there you have it. Days Of Future Passed is a symphonic rock masterpiece that must be heard to be appreciated.

EDITION NOTES:
There is a standard remastered version of this album readily available in America. It should do fine, but if you're a die-hard Moody Blues fan, you may want to consider hunting down one of the import remasters. I have heard that they have better sound quality, and that there is even an import that has an interview with the band. The domestic version, sadly, lacks any bonus material other than some short comments, looking back at the time the album was created. I wish they would have included the single edits of Tuesday Afternoon and Nights In White Satin as bonus cuts, though.

OVERALL:
There is no other album out there like this one. And there never will be, either. If you want to experience pop music at its most unique, the Moody Blues classic sophomore album is just waiting to be discovered, or in some cases, rediscovered. If you want to be impressed, buy this album. And if you're new to the Moody Blues, and you want to start with one of their albums rather than a compilation, this is the one to start with! Final verdict? MASTERPIECE. Five stars.

ON THE CUTTING EDGE..........2005-08-05

A unique and magical meld of pop and classical strains make for an unusually compelling CD. The symphonic orchestration of the Moody Blues' music extends their range, and somehow it all works.

Though some of the music on this 1967 release may now seem pretentious and pedestrian, such as the poetry which is, in fact, somewhat trite and sophomoric, the rest of it is quite sublime. Two tracks in particular make this CD well worth having, "Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" and "The Night: Nights in White Satin". These two tracks are quintessential Moody Blues.

is it a masterpiece?.......2005-07-04

Well yes, of course it is. 'Days of Future Passed', released in 1967, followed on the heels of 'Sgt. Peppers' as one of the first concept albums, and though The Beatles also beat The Moody's to the punch in merging their rock instruments with a full orchestra, The Moody's did so more extensively, and arguably more expertly than The Beatles. That isn't to say 'Days of Future Passed' is as good as 'Sgt. Peppers', but it is a purer vein in the genre of the concept album.
The Moody's made use of the London Festival Orchestra in several ways. On a number of the compositions, such as John Lodge's 'Time To Get Away', the orchestra exists 'in concert' with The Moody's guitars and drums. Throughout the suite the orchestra also provides musical commas and dashes, interludes between the pop compositions. Unfortunately, these are the only 'dated' segments of the production, sounding at times like soundtrack music for 1960's movies (and we're not talking '2001' either...). At other times, such as in the opener 'The Day Begins', the orchestra gives us cameo's into themes that will dominate later in 'the day'.

Ah yes, 'the day'. What could be purer than the simplistic concept 'Days of Future Passed' is based upon: translate the stages of a prototypical day (morning, afternoon, evening, and night) into their musical equivilents. Interestingly, The Beatles did something of a 'Days of Future Passed' mini-series on 'Sgt. Peppers', in the form of 'Good Morning' and 'A Day In the Life'. Obviously the concept was not as pure as The Moody's take, and The Beatles version gets lost in their grander vision. Grander isn't necessarily better, however, and The Moody's simplicity is a large part of the appeal to 'Days of Future Passed'.

The Moodys apparently are not morning people, because the album starts out slowly. Rather than bounding out of bed 'The Day Begins' and 'Another Morning' are bright, but generally soft passages dominated not by The Moody's rock instruments, but the soothing strains of the London Festival Orchestra. It really isn't until 'Lunch Break (Peak Hour)' that we can conclusively confirm that this is indeed at least partially a rock and roll excursion. John Lodge's 'Peak Hour' is a driving number, however, and it begins a six-song sequence that is probably the best in The Moody's extensive catalog.

'Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)', which became more commonly known as 'Tuesday Afternoon', follows 'Peak Hour'. The song was the only single release from 'Days Of Future Passed' until 1972 when 'Nights In White Satin' was released and rose to number two on the national charts. 'Tuesday Afternoon', though every bit as appealing as 'Nights...' only rose to number 24 in 1968. Each song in this progression has an uncanny knack for musically mimicing its time in 'the day', and the lyrics give us insight to how we, as people, respond to that progression. More than anything else, this is what makes 'Days of Future Passed' a masterwork.

The remaining songs on the disc, 'Time To Get Away', 'The Sun Set', and 'Twilight Time' are indispensible to the whole, and as wholly entertaining as 'Tuesday Afternoon' and 'Nights...'. Each number accentuates and complements the others. Pure magic. Almost as though it had to be.

1967 was a remarkable year for music. Along with The Beatles and The Moodys, Jimi Hendrix released another seminal work, 'Are You Experienced?'. Albums such as these have an impact that reverberates for many years subsequent to their release. Each is an essential componant to understanding the artists and the eras that produced them. This album is a must-have, regardless of your musical penchants or peculiarities.

Rock music + orchestration = progressive rock concept album.......2004-10-20

"Days of Future Passed" has one of the stranger stories behind the birth of an album in rock history. In 1967 Deram Records, part of the Decca label, wanted to promote its new Deramic Stereo process and tapped the Moody Blues to do a rock version of Dvorak's "New World Symphony." However, instead of putting together something that would anticipate Emerson, Lake & Palmer's live performance of Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition," the group persuaded the powers that be to abandon the Dvorak idea and let them do their own original compositions. Obviously inspired by the Beatle's "Sgt. Pepper," the result was a concept album presenting an archetypal day from "The Day Begins" to "Nights in White Satin" and essentially became the first major salvo in the Progressive Rock movement.

The fusion of rock and classical music works well overall, mainly because the pretentiousness of the songs was offset by the stunningly beautiful orchestrations by Peter Knight, played by the London Festival Orchestra, and integrated with the group's instrumentation. Arguably the Moody Blues never scaled these grand heights again and in one significant sense they never tried: after "Days of Future Passed" the orchestra was replaced by a Mellotron on their albums. But what would become part of the Moody Blue's music that would continue were the deep thoughts profoundly intoned by Graeme Edge, which certainly gave this album one of the most unusual endings in rock history.

This is another album that benefits from being on CD because as an album or cassette Side 2, with "The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)" and "Nights in White Satin," was going to be listened to a lot more because those are far and away the best songs on the album. I bet that I am not alone in having gotten a bit tired of "Nights in White Satin" and now having more of a liking for the song known as "Tuesday Afternoon," but the other is still a gorgeous song. Both were written and sung by Justin Hayward, who had just joined the band in the wake of Denny Laine's departure. Then you throw in Graeme Edge's poetry just to make this really seem like a high concept album. I think "Days of Future Passed" still stands up today, even if David Antsey's cover painting belies the high brow approach. Besides, if it does not, then it surely takes me back to a time when it did.

Average customer rating:

Who knows more music like this?
A symphonic pop-rock masterpiece that stands the test of time
ON THE CUTTING EDGE...
is it a masterpiece?
Rock music + orchestration = progressive rock concept album

Days of Future Passed
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Mobile Fidelity
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music

Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Every Good Boy Deserves Favour
In Search of the Lost Chord
Seventh Sojourn
Question of Balance
Disraeli Gears

ASIN: B000000IR9
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Day Begins
Dawn: Dawn Is a Feeling
Morning: Another Morning
Lunch Break: Peak Hour
Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)/Time to Get Away
Evening: The Sun Set/Twilight Time
Night: Nights in White Satin

Amazon.com

The Moody Blues' second album was also their first of what would be a succession of "concept" albums. Inspired by the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper and utilizing the London Festival Orchestra primarily for epic instrumental interludes between songs, Days of Future Passed moved the Birmingham band away from its early R&B roots (as displayed on its debut album with soon-departed future Wings member Denny Laine) into uncharted rock territory, making them the early pioneers of both classical and progressive rock. The concept of the 1968 release was very simple, tracing a day in the life from dawn to night, from awakening to sleep. The seven tracks spawned two hit singles--"Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" (which hit No. 2 four years after the LP's original release) and a prog-rock cottage industry. --Bill Holdship

Customer Reviews:

Who knows more music like this?.......2006-01-12

A symphonic pop-rock masterpiece that stands the test of time.......2005-09-30

ON THE CUTTING EDGE..........2005-08-05

is it a masterpiece?.......2005-07-04

Rock music + orchestration = progressive rock concept album.......2004-10-20

Average customer rating:

ON THE CUTTING EDGE FOR ITS TIME...
The Moody Blues' Best Album!

Days of Future Passed
The Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Universal Japan
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Seventh Sojourn
Sweet Baby James

ASIN: B000068CYF
Release Date: 2007-03-14

Tracks:

Day Begins
Dawn: Dawn Is a Feeling
Morning: Another Morning
Lunch Break: Peak Hour
Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?)/Time to Get Away
Evening: The Sun Set/Twilight Time
Night: Nights in White Satin

Customer Reviews:

ON THE CUTTING EDGE FOR ITS TIME..........2006-04-16

The Moody Blues' Best Album!.......2006-01-17

This version of the Moody Blues' best album comes in a mini-lp sleeve replica and has been remastered although not that well. This means the sound quality is good but not great. Still, the price is steep but if you are a fan and don't already have this, it's not a bad version of the album to pick up.

Released originally in 1967, this album is a good example of what pop music was like in the psychedelic 60's. Many other great seminal albums were released in that year of my birth like Jimi Hendrix's first, The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's...Band", the Doors' first, Love's "Forever Changes", Velvet Underground and Nico's first and the list goes on and on. This was a time when people began to realise that rock/pop music could be taken seriously as works of art in themselves and bands began experimenting very heavily in not only their music but also with mind-altering substances.

This album also attempts to experiment just like the other ones just mentioned except that it chooses to blend pop music very heavily with classical music throughout. Just like modern classical "program" music, this album chooses a theme of the times of the day to compose around and does it very well. The tour de force, "Nights in White Satin" alone is worth getting this album for and yet there are other great tracks such as "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Dawn is a Feeling".

But to truly do this album justice, it has to be heard from start to finish at one sitting and as one cohesive piece as is the case with most of the classic albums a.k.a. works of modern art. Good album although the sound could have been better remastered but still worth getting. Recommended.

Average customer rating:

ON THE CUTTING EDGE...

Days of Future Passed
Moody Blues
Manufacturer: Universal/Island
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Psychedelic Rock | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

General | Classic Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Classic Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
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Every Good Boy Deserves Favor
Wheels of Fire

ASIN: B00006HBBK
Release Date: 2002-10-07

Tracks:

Day Begins
Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling
Another Morning
Lunch Break: Peak Hour
Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) / Time To Get Away
Evening: Sun Set / Twilight Time
Night: Nights In White Satin

Customer Reviews:

ON THE CUTTING EDGE..........2006-06-07

Music Review:

Music Review

Music Review

1. Day Begins
2. Dawn: Dawn Is A Feeling
3. Another Morning
4. Lunch Break: Peak Hour
5. Afternoon: Forever Afternoon (Tuesday?) / Time To Get Away
6. Evening: Sun Set / Twilight Time
7. Night: Nights In White Satin