Moody Blues
John Lodge and Justin Heyward served as the Moody Blues' creative core. They were among the first to use orchestral arrangements in Rock n' Roll. While not always successful as Rockers, that probably wasn't their main goal. They were more interested in dramatic effect.
The Moody Blues recorded their "Days of Future Past" with the London Symphony Orchestra. The Moody's found their greatest artistic and commercial success with dirges like "Nights In White Satin." Their neo-Classical/pop-rock blend worked best on ballads. The slower pace provided more room. When they tried to Rock (with orchestra) as in "Ride My See-Saw" or "I'm Just A Singer (In a Rock 'n' Roll Band)" it sounded like an uncomfortable alliance . The Moody's dreamy, orchestral Rock faded in the late '70s but the band returned in the '80s with "Gemini Dream" and other songs that were dangerously close to corporate Rock. Overall, their best song was "Tuesday Afternoon," a mid-tempo ballad.
The Moody Blues tend to be a little too dramatic and artsy for their own good. "Greatest Hits" or "The Best of the Moody Blues" with "Ride My See Saw," "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band)" and Tuesday Afternoon" has what's important. "Days of Future Past" and "Seventh Sojourn" are their best studio albums.
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