MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story 12" Vinyl 2LP Album

- A Rare Dutch 2LP Compilation Tracing the Moody Blues’ Evolution from 1964 to 1978

"The Moody Blues Story" unfolds across a captivating 12" Vinyl 2LP Album, offering a comprehensive journey through the band's musical evolution up to 1978. This two-record set is a curated collection of Moody Blues classics, showcasing their timeless artistry. Noteworthy is its unique origin – manufactured in France for distribution in the Netherlands, underscoring the band's international impact. With hits spanning nearly two decades, this release stands as a testament to The Moody Blues' enduring legacy and their ability to transcend geographical boundaries through their music.

Transcript of the original liner notes:

  De op deze dubbel-elpee bijeengebrachte komposities vormen in grote lijnen het verhaal van één van de langst bestaande en tevens meest mysterieuze popgroepen ter wereld. In december 1964 werd de popminnende wereld, toen nog nauwelijks erkend. opgeschrikt door "Go now", de eerste succesvolle single van de Moody Blues. Het waren zeker niet dezelfde Moody Blues zoals we hen tegenwoordig kennen. De uit Birmingham, industriestad in de Midlands. afkomstige 5-mans formatie bestond toen uit het huidige Wings-lid Denny Laine, zang: Mike Pinder, piano: Clint Warwick, basgitaar: Graeme Edge, drums en zanger/blazer Ray Thomas. De laatste werd bijvoorbeeld door Mike Pinder om 5 uur opgewacht aan de poort van een gereedschappenfabriek met het verzoek zich bij de band te voegen. "Go now" was niet de eerste plaat, die de Moody's maakten. In arren moede waren ze naar Londen gekomen om daar de showbizz te ontdekken en pas bij hun 3e poging lukte het, net op tijd. de Engelse eerste plaats te bereiken.

  De naam van de groep was afgeleid van het favoriete biermerk van de groep M. M.& B. (gebrouwen door een plaatselijke brouwerij); de B was so-wie-so geen punt, want hun muzikale invloeden gingen in de richting van de Blues. Enkele maanden stonden de Moody Blues door dat gigantische hitparade-succes in de volle belangstelling. De hele incrowd uit die tijd, waaronder de Beatles en de Stones, frekwenteerde de parties. die ter ere van dat succes werden gegeven. En toen... niets. Er kwamen wel opvolgende singles uit. zoals don't want to go on without you", ,From the bottom of my heart" en Everyday, maar enig hitparade-succes werd daar niet mee gehaald. Toch is een aantal van die nummers nog steeds redelijk populair in Nederland. Reden van het aanwezig zijn op deze elpee van „Boulevard de la Madeleine", uit oktober 1966. De inkomsten van de groep liepen terug van de £ 250,-, die ze in 1965 nog voor een optreden konden vragen naar slechts £ 40.- voor een avond.

  Het ontbrekende succes zal de oorzaak zijn geweest, dat zanger Denny Laine opstapte om eerst een redelijk succesvolle solo-carrière te beginnen en zich later bij Paul McCartney te voegen. Ook Clint Warwick ging zijn eigen weg. De heren werden vervangen door de latere smaakmakers van de groep Justin Hayward (opgetrommeld via een advertentie in een muziekblad) en John Lodge (die de anderen al kenden uit de amateurtijd van tegen het eind van de jaren '50). Toen werd het tijd voor het gigantische „Days of future passed"- project. dat toevallig ontstond door het koppelen van een symfonieorkest onder leiding van Peter Knight, die de opdracht had gekregen een soort stereo-demonstratieplaat te maken, met een popgroep. De schitterende komposities en de fraaie stem van Justin zorgden voor een wereldwijde acceptatie van de Moody Blues. Tevens werd voor de eerst maal de mellotron gebruikt, tweedehands gekocht van een arbeidersclub in Noord-Engeland. In juli 1968 kwam de opvolgende elpee "In search of the lost chord".

  Was hun bij „Days ..." nog verteld zuinig met de ponden om te springen, nu konden de heren hun gang gaan. "Lost chord" bevestigde de kwaliteiten van Days... en de Moody Blues hadden een gevestigde naam. Het album leverde nummers op als "Ride my see-saw" en "Legend of a mind". Een jaar of drie gaat het uitstekend met de band. Enorme toernees worden gemaakt en van de platen gaan wereldwijd miljoenen exemplaren over de toonbank. Hoewel niet álle toernees van een leien dakje gingen, zoals een optreden in het New Yorkse "Fillmore East" waar een 45 minuten durende demonstratie van " mellotron repareren" werd gegeven. Schitterend album-werk komt uit met nog mooiere hoezen. omdat de groep vindt, dat er maar eens iets aan die saaie hoezen moest worden gedaan. Een ontwikkeling. die later door vele andere acts is overgenomen. Na "On the threshold of a dream" uit april 1969 en "To our children's children" is het afgelopen met de concept-elpees (een thema dat door het hele album wandelt) en komt „Question of balance" uit. Het is dan juli 1970. De single "Question" is een dikke hit voor de Moody Blues.

  Door het tijdloze van de meeste composities duurde een Moody Blues-concert in die dagen meer dan twee uur, omdat de fans zowel de oude als de nieuwe nummers wilden horen. Hoewel iedereen in het begin van de jaren '70 aan de kwaliteit van de Moody Blues gewend was geraakt en sommigen de band weinig spannends en nieuws meer vonden hebben, bewezen de verkopen van de elpee "good boy deserves favour" het tegendeel. Op de plaat, uit juli 1971, worden door Graeme Edge voor de eerste keer elektronische drumkits gebruikt. "Seventh Sojourn", de opvolger van ..EGBDF- werd in de Verenigde Staten al goud, voordat hij was uitgebracht. Dat jaar bereikte "Days of future passed" pas dat Amerikaanse succes, dat het verdiende. Een disc-jockey bij een lokaal radiostation aan de westkust besloot de uitzendingen iedere dag met "Nights in white satin". Binnen enkele maanden deed heel Amerika mee en dat betekende een nummer-1 hit voor de Moody's met een 5 jaar tevoren opgenomen nummer. Na zo'n jaar of 7 van zware toernees. ingewikkelde opname-sessies, meningsverschillen en een eigen platenlabel hield de groep het na 1972 zo'n beetje voor gezien, hoewel er daarna altijd een band is blijven bestaan tussen de individuele leden. Er verschenen van alle leden solo-elpees, van de één met meer succes dan van de ander. Er kwam zelfs een "Blue Jays" affaire. Een project van Justin en John. Maar in 1978 werd een al lang gedane suggestie om de draad maar weer eens op te pakken werkelijkheid. The Moody Blues waren terug met "Octave".

  Hoewel nog niet het succes van de hoogtijdagen is teruggekeerd. spelen Justin Hayward, John Lodge. Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas en Graeme Edge weer voor uitverkochte zalen.

Music Genre:

Psychedelic Rock, Pop Rock, Symphonic Rock

Label & Catalognr:

Decca 6641 913

Media Format:

Gatefold Cover (Fold Open Cover)
Record Format: 2x 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 460 gram  

Year & Country:

1978 Netherlands

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Go Now 3:10
  2. Boulevard De La Madeleine 2:51
  3. Nights In White Satin 4:14
  4. Tuesday Afternoon 4:02
  5. Fly Me High 2:52
  6. Legend Of A Mind 6:35
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Ride My See-Saw 3:36
  2. A Simple Game 3:18
  3. Dear Diary 3:56
  4. Never Comes The Day 4:42
  5. Eyes Of A Child 3:16
  6. Gypsy 3:35
Tracklisting Side C:
  1. Lovely To See You 2:32
  2. Melancholy Man 5:03
  3. Question 5:37
  4. One More Time To Live 5:42
  5. Isn't Life Strange 3:30
Tracklisting Side D:
  1. Lost In A Lost World 4:38
  2. New Horizons 4:04
  3. I'm Just A Singer 4:04
  4. Stepping In A Slide Zone 3:21
  5. I'll Be Level With You 3:47
  6. Had To Fall In Love 3:38

Front Cover Photo Of MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Surreal front cover of The Moody Blues Story 2LP album featuring icy blue landscape, a floating eyeball, flower, dice, a woman, bird, and binoculars.

Front cover artwork of "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP album features a surreal and dreamlike landscape under a moody, stormy blue sky. On the left, a pale, statue-like hand emerges from the ice, gently holding a blue-centered white flower. Nearby, two six-sided dice rest on the icy ground, suggesting chance or fate.

Hovering above the landscape is a floating, disembodied eyeball and an antique brass-and-marble binocular device, suspended vertically as if offering a view into another world. A falcon with outstretched wings flies across the scene, casting a dynamic contrast against the static, icy background.

On the right side, a stylized woman with pale skin and long black hair gazes thoughtfully at the binoculars. Her expression is calm, possibly contemplative. In the distance, jagged cliffs and crevasses cut across the frozen terrain, reinforcing a sense of vast, eerie isolation.

The album title "The Moody Blues Story" is displayed prominently in bold, metallic lettering across the sky, with the "2LP" label in light blue at the top left corner and the Decca logo at the top right. The artwork visually evokes the band's signature blend of symphonic rock and psychedelic themes, mixing fantasy, introspection, and surreal imagery.

Photo Of The Back Cover MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Back cover of The Moody Blues Story 2LP album with surreal landscape, track listings, floating microphones, cracked question mark, heart, clock, and book.

Back cover of "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP vinyl album presents a continuation of the surreal dreamscape. The background features an icy, fractured terrain under a moody twilight sky. At the center, track listings for all four sides are neatly organized into columns, printed in white text for easy readability.

The imagery blends time, love, knowledge, and voice—symbols of the band's lyrical themes. A cracked stone question mark floats near the middle, symbolizing existential reflection. Nearby, a large metallic heart glows with icy translucence, evoking emotional depth and fragility.

To the left, a black-and-gold pocket watch is fractured and spilling stars, alluding to the passage—and distortion—of time. At the bottom, a thick black book with a red ribbon bookmark appears to rest on a shelf of ice, suggesting memory, knowledge, or a personal journey.

On the right, a cluster of chrome microphones with wire mesh heads drift through the air like missiles or comets, implying sound, voice, or performance. The Decca logo, catalog number (6641 913), and production credit to Tony Clarke appear in the corners. This composition visually underscores the philosophical and sonic exploration that defines the Moody Blues' discography.

Photo One Of The Inner Gatefold MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Inner gatefold cover of The Moody Blues Story featuring detailed liner notes in Dutch and black and white performance and portrait photos of the band.

Inner gatefold of "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP album contains extensive liner notes printed in Dutch, offering an in-depth narrative of the band's formation, evolution, and musical achievements between 1964 and 1978. The text, presented in dense, justified columns, recounts the band's early hits like "Go Now", the lineup changes, and the pivotal role of albums such as "Days of Future Passed" and "Seventh Sojourn".

The notes also highlight key members including Denny Laine, Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, John Lodge, Ray Thomas, and Graeme Edge, and describe their transformation from rhythm & blues to pioneers of symphonic rock.

Interspersed within the text are three monochrome photographs. At the top center, a still from a televised performance captures the band in mid-song, performing with a full string section. Below that, a live concert shot features drummer Graeme Edge and guitarist Justin Hayward on a crowded stage with vintage amps and Ludwig drums. In the lower left, a posed early portrait of the original Moody Blues lineup showcases them in formal jackets, standing closely together with serious expressions.

This gatefold spread functions both as a historical document and a visual tribute, reflecting the band's journey through the changing musical landscape of the 1960s and 1970s.

Photo Two Of The Inner Gatefold MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Second inner gatefold panel of The Moody Blues Story showing black and white group portraits, rehearsal shots, and a vertical strip of album covers.

Second inner gatefold panel of "The Moody Blues Story" presents a collage of black-and-white photographs capturing different eras of the band, along with a vertical column of their classic album covers.

Dominating the left side of the panel are four photographic group portraits. The top photo shows the band members during their mid-to-late 1970s period, smiling warmly with beards, long hair, and patterned shirts—highlighting their camaraderie. Below that, additional images display the band in earlier formations: formal promo shots with clean-cut hair and suits from the 1960s, and a relaxed, mid-70s lineup with flared collars and flowing hairstyles.

A lower photograph captures the Moody Blues in a rehearsal or studio setting. A guitarist strums while other members, including a keyboardist at an upright piano, concentrate intently. Lighting equipment and a disco ball are faintly visible, suggesting a TV or film studio environment.

Along the right edge of the panel, six small album covers are stacked vertically, reproducing key releases including "Days of Future Passed", "In Search of the Lost Chord", "To Our Children's Children's Children", "On the Threshold of a Dream", "A Question of Balance", and "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour". This strip emphasizes the band's prolific discography and the iconic artwork that accompanied their conceptual albums.

The bottom right corner credits the magazine “Muziek Expres” for their photo contributions. Altogether, this layout visually encapsulates the band's stylistic evolution and album legacy.

Photo Side One Vinyl LP MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Decca record label for The Moody Blues Story LP Side 1, black with white text, showing stereo format, 33 RPM speed, track listing and Made in France marking.

Close-up of Side 1 label from "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP vinyl album released by Decca Records. The label is classic matte black with bold white print and features a clean, minimalistic design typical of late 1970s European pressings.

Prominently displayed at the top is the DECCA logo in large block lettering, with “REGd” noted below. To the right, the playback speed is indicated as 33⅓ RPM, along with the infinity symbol denoting a long-play record. The word STEREO is enclosed in a box on the left, confirming this pressing is in stereo format.

Beneath the spindle hole, the catalog number 9198 100 and matrix number 9198 100.1 are printed. "Made in France" confirms this version was pressed in France, even though it was distributed in the Netherlands—making it a notable variation compared to other Moody Blues Story editions.

The track listing for Side 1 appears in the lower half:
1. Lovely to See You (J. Hayward)
2. Melancholy Man (M. Pinder)
3. Question (J. Hayward)
4. One More Time to Live (J. Lodge)
5. Isn’t Life Strange (J. Lodge)

Around the outer edge, French legal text encircles the label, referring to rights and restrictions concerning reproduction, rental, and broadcasting. The date stamps 1969 to 1972 appear just above the track list, reflecting the original release years of the songs included on this side.

Photo Side Two Vinyl LP MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Side 2 label of The Moody Blues Story LP with Decca branding, stereo format, 33 RPM speed, tracklist and Made in France designation.

Label for Side 2 of "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP vinyl album, pressed in France for Decca Records. This matte black label with white text mirrors the design of Side 1, maintaining a clean and uniform presentation.

At the top, the large bold DECCA logo is flanked by legal copyright text in French circling the edge of the label. The playback speed is noted as 33⅓ RPM, and the infinity loop symbol confirms this is a long-playing record. The STEREO designation again appears on the left side, with the boxed SACEM/STEMRA logo denoting mechanical rights societies.

The matrix number 9198 100.2 and catalog number 9198 100 are listed to the right of the spindle hole, with "Made in France" printed beneath, reaffirming this pressing's unique manufacturing origin.

Tracklist for Side 2 includes songs from 1972 and 1978, reflecting the band’s later period output:
1. Lost in a Lost World (M. Pinder)
2. New Horizons (J. Hayward)
3. I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band) (J. Lodge)
4. Stepping in a Slide Zone (J. Lodge)
5. I'll Be Level With You (G. Edge)
6. Had to Fall in Love (J. Hayward)

The label’s simplicity allows focus on the track credits and dates, which mark a transition from the Moody Blues’ symphonic conceptual albums to a more rock-oriented sound found in their post-hiatus recordings. This side showcases the band's evolving musical style and the continued contributions of Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Mike Pinder, and Graeme Edge.

Photo Side Three Vinyl LP MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Side 1 label of second LP in The Moody Blues Story with DECCA branding, stereo format, 33 RPM speed, and tracks from 1966 to 1968. Made in France.

Side 1 label of the second LP from "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP album, showcasing the early phase of the band’s catalog. This black Decca label with bold white typography is printed in the familiar minimalist layout used across all sides in this edition.

Dominating the upper portion is the large DECCA logo with “REGd” underneath. To the right, the speed is noted as 33⅓ RPM and the infinity symbol indicates it's a long-playing vinyl record. The STEREO designation and boxed STEMRA rights logo confirm the format and legal rights management.

The matrix number 9198 099.1 and catalog number 9198 099 are printed on the right side, with Made in France beneath—reinforcing that this pressing was manufactured in France, though intended for Dutch release. Date stamps at the bottom reference original release years: 1966, 1967, and 1968.

The tracklist for this side captures a formative era in the band’s stylistic development:
1. Go Now (Banks & Bennett)
2. Boulevard de la Madeleine (M. Pinder / D. Laine)
3. Nights in White Satin (J. Hayward)
4. Tuesday Afternoon (J. Hayward)
5. Fly Me High (J. Hayward)
6. Legend of a Mind (R. Thomas)

This selection spans the Moody Blues’ R&B roots with Denny Laine to their psychedelic and orchestral rock breakthroughs. The inclusion of iconic tracks like "Nights in White Satin" and "Legend of a Mind" illustrates the band's transition into their signature symphonic sound.

Photo Side Four Vinyl LP MOODY BLUES - The Moody Blues Story

Side 2 label of second LP in The Moody Blues Story showing Decca branding, stereo format, track listing, 33 RPM speed, and Made in France details.

Side 2 label of the second LP from "The Moody Blues Story" 2LP vinyl compilation, manufactured in France for Decca Records. The label design remains consistent with the rest of the set—black background with clear white text, cleanly arranged for readability.

Centered at the top is the bold DECCA logo, accompanied by the registered mark “REGd.” To the right, the format 33⅓ RPM is marked alongside the long-play infinity symbol. STEREO format is noted in a box on the left, and the legal STEMRA collecting society stamp appears just beneath.

The catalog number 9198 099 and matrix number 9198 099.2 identify this pressing, and Made in France confirms its production origin. The copyright years at the bottom—1968 and 1969—refer to the dates of the original song releases.

The track listing for this side offers a rich sample of late-60s Moody Blues classics:
1. Ride My See-Saw (J. Lodge)
2. A Simple Game (M. Pinder)
3. Dear Diary (R. Thomas)
4. Never Comes the Day (J. Hayward)
5. Eyes of a Child (J. Lodge)
6. Gypsy (J. Hayward)

This selection highlights the band's experimental phase, blending introspective lyrics with symphonic rock arrangements. It includes compositions by key members Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder, Ray Thomas, and John Lodge—illustrating the diversity of songwriting within the group.


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