The Moody Blues V Procol Harum

seventhsojourn wrote: The Whistler wrote: Procol are more diverse, edgier (WELL...at first at least. Now they're as safe as houses, or, as safe as the Moodies), more resonant, and better musicians (and before you argue that...Trower).  The Harumsters are truly, in my opinion, an underrated band. Right up thar with Family.      I'm a fan of Procol Harum, but The Moodies are my favourites. Just to say about Mike Pinder... he was the test driver of Mellotrons at the small factory that produced them in the UK. He made modifications to the 'Tron that, combined with his musical ability, led to some groundbreaking use of  the instrument. Who do you think introduced The Beatles to the Mellotron?

Dylan? It was an honest guess (if perhaps a poorly thought out one). 

I find no fault with the Moodies musicianship (particularly on Children's Children, where Graeme Edge really lets loose for a bit), I just think the Procolers were better overall. 

Procol Harum

The Procols for me

The Whistler wrote: Procol are more diverse, edgier (WELL...at first at least. Now they're as safe as houses, or, as safe as the Moodies), more resonant, and better musicians (and before you argue that...Trower).  The Harumsters are truly, in my opinion, an underrated band. Right up thar with Family.

The Moodies were my mother's milk, music-wise.  The "big seven" albums are all fantastic and indispensable.   And as great as Procol is/was, I think the Moodies were more progressive as well.  Procol Harum wins in the edginess/lyrics department easily though.

I like both bands a lot, but my vote goes for Procol Harum.

The Moody Blues. Looking at my avatar, you can see that I'm a fan, so call me biased...... but In the 3 years I've been on this site, I can swear the Moodies have been sl*gged a bit too much. The 'Core Seven' is unbelievably consistent. Seven great albums in five years time. "Days of Future Passed" is important and influential. The band does have a little album called  "TO OUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN'S CHILDREN". This is their crowning achievement!! The flow of the entire album is unreal. The blistering guitar on "Higher and Higher"!! The spacy sounds in "Beyond"!! The best use to date of a mellotron on "Out and In"!! The pure drive in "Gypsy"!! The melancholic beauty in "Candle of Life"!! And for anyone who doesn't think the band could pull anything of the complex nature off, just listen closely to the closing minutes of "Eternity Road". An out of this world soundscape is what ensues! Bloody hell, I'm ranting. But really the Moodies are a great band, and even if they're not your cup of tea, at least listen to TOCCC, because "Days of Future Passed" it is not!!!!

The Moody Blues by a long shot.

Procol Harum. Not by a distance, it's just that the Moody Blues sound a bit too sweet.

PH is my  choice.  I've nothing against the Moodies, and in fact enjoy the classic 6 (I don't count Days).  But Procol's first three albums are simply in another league altogether.