GO NOW - MOODY BLUES #1 [AKA: IN THE BEGINNING]

Just as Pete Best preceded Ringo Starr in the Beatles early days, Denny Lane preceded Justin Hayward in the Moody Blues. As a snapshot of the early Moody Blues, the future member of Wings taking the reins of the group with a sound that is heavily rooted in American R&B & soul. Although there is little that hints at the band's progressive rock future, there are some truly worthwhile moments on this album thanks to Lane and pianist Mike Pinder.

"I Go Crazy" is an ambitious read of James Brown's "I'll Go Crazy". Denny is, of course, no James Brown, but by British Invasion standards, he does deliiver a very solid vocal performance. "And My Baby's Gone" features a nice piano riff from Mike Pinderthat compliments another great vocal from Denny. "It's Easy Child" sounds very reminiscent of Jackie Wilson's "Lonely Teardrops". Then there's the hit single "Go Now". Denny Lane truly delivers the vocal goods on this classic, and Mike Pinder's piano solo make it the dramatic highlight of the album. "Go Now" is such a good tune that Paul McCartney & Wings included it in their concert set list as a show piece for Denny. Other highlights include the jumpin' "Bye Bye Bird" and the lovely "From the Bottom of My Heart". Perhaps the closest the Moody Blues get to prog at this early stage of their career is their rather surprising cover of Gershwin's "Ain't Necessarily So" from Porgy and Bess.

Go Now is a very good album, but it would be an unlikely addition to the collection of the progressive rock purist. Passive fans of the Moody Blues might not like this album either. Therefore, it is recommended but mostly to serious Moody Blues fans.