Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: The Moody Blues #1
Company: London
Catalog: PS 428
Country/State: UK
Year: 1966
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: minor ring wear; stereo pressing
Available: 1
GEMM Catalog ID:
Price: $40.00
Formed in Birmingham England in 1964, the group
evolved out of Denny Laine's decision to break up Denny Laine and the
Diplomats. Interested in forming a new group, he quickly recruited drummer
Graeme Edge (previously of Gerry Levene and the Avengers, keyboard player
Mike Pinder and woodwinds player Ray Thomas (formerly of El Riot and the
Rebels) and bass player Clint Warwick (ex-Rainbow). Initially an R&B
outfit, the band's first break came when they won a spot playing in
Birmingham's Carlton Ballroom. Sponsorship from the Mitchell and Butlers
brewery led the band to adopt the name MB Five, which was later expanded to
The Moody Blues Five.
Spotted by manager Tony Secunda, the group was quickly signed to Decca
Records. Released in early 1965, the band's debut "Go
Now: The Moody Blues #1" featured a surprisingly raw
collection that was heavy on R&B covers. As lead singer Denny Laine had
a limited range, but he made the most of his talents, turning in several
impressive performances. Highlights included the Laine-Pinder written
"And My Baby's Gone", "It's Easy Child" and "Bye
Bye Burd". With their rollicking cover of the Bessie Banks' title track
proved a fluke American hit, it was also one of the weaker numbers - to our
ears the production is so distorted, that it's actually painful to hear.
Unfortunately, just as the band began reaping it's initial successes, bass
player Warwick quit. He was quickly replaced by Rod Clarke. A bigger problem
was Laine's decision to quit in favor of a solo career (see separate entry).
Following his departure the survivors briefly called it quits, however the
breakup was brief and by the end of the year Laine and Clarke had been
replaced by Justin Hayward and John Lodge.
"Go Now: The Moody Blues #1" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I Go Crazy (Brown) - 2:08
2.) And My Baby's Gone (Denny Laine - Mike Pinder) - 2:15
3.) Go Now (Bessie Banks) - 3:10
4.) It's Easy Child (Sandler - Bennett) - 3:10
5.) Can't Nobody Love You (Mitchell) - 4:00
6.) I Had a Dream (Barry Mann - Ellie Greenwich) - 2:50
(side
2)
1.) Let Me Go (Denny Laine - Mike Pinder) - 3:08
2.) I Don't Want To Go On without You (Bert Berns) - 2:45
3.) True Story (Denny Laine - Mike Pinder) - 1:40
4.) It Ain't Necessarily So (Gershwin) - 2:47
5.) Bye Bye Burd (Dixon) - 2:50
6.) From the Bottom of My Heart (Denny Laine - Mike Pinder) - 3:20