THE MAGNIFICENT MOODIES

Just like PFM's first record(not exactly but I Quelli) is this first Moody Blues record is a quite nice little record. "The Magnificent Moodies" from 1966 though has little in common with the later more symphonic sound and nothing to do with prog feelings. Unlike other bands of those days The Moody Blues here didn't sound psychedelic. I like the cover with the band standing on a bridge in proper suites.

The band made up by Michael Pinder(keyboards and vocals), Ray Thomas(bass, flute and vocals), Graeme Egde(drums), Denny Laine(guitar and vocals), Elaine Caswell(percussion) and Clint Warwick(bass) and they played quite simple rock'n'roll songs. They are not complex and the melodies aren't so strong such as those from The Beatles. I like the happy feeling and the young enthusiasm but I don't like the blues feeling and the simplyness. The best songs are "Go Now" which I consider cosy and jolly(6/10) and the cover "It ain't necessarily so" which is a different from the original and the nearest the organ sound of the later prog(6/10). Otherwise the songs mostly are quite nice and pleasant but I find them quite uninteresting. The least good tracks are the first "I'll go crazy"(3/10) and "Thank you baby"(3/10). I wouldn't say I recommend this record, but if you like The Moody Blues you'd perhaps find this interesting or if you prefer the little simplier sixties.

I hope the next Moody Blues record will give me more to think about because I don't think I will remember this. Two stars!