A Moodiful Question

My blogging friend, Michele posed a question to me in the last post of Moody Blues pictures. So I'm going to answer it here. I'm not sure how good my answer will be or if any of you that are fans of the band will agree with me.

Here's the question:

If you HAD to use only one word to describe The Moody Blues, what word would you use?

A dozen or more words came to my mind instantly. A few of them came straight from the lusting soul that I am, and I instantly dismissed them. (Yes, believe it or not, I see the Moody Blues as something more than sex objects!) I can't believe I just typed that.

Talented, relaxing, ethereal, gentle, thoughtful, intelligent, kind, squirrelly...Ooops squirrelly was a thought about Justin, but all these words describe the guys.

Finding one word is proving difficult, but perhaps one word will do the trick and almost all its synonyms as well.

The word?

Beautiful

Here's proof:



The Moody Blues - Never Comes The Day (Acoustic)

Atlantic City June 19, 2004 Part 3

It's time for 5 more Moody Blues photos. I'm going to be sad when I've exhausted them. I'm probably going to suffer a relapse of post concert depression. (Which doesn't go away sometimes even 6 months or more after the last show...which was this one)


Almost everyone is in this shot. Just missing out on the backing boys. 


John and Graeme, with Norda and Bernie in the background 


Graeme's adjusting his trousers. 


All three Moody Men 


OK, I couldn't resist my one token shot of John Lodge's bottom, even if it is a bit fuzzy. (The picture..not his bottom) 

Lazy Days...Saturday Afternoon

Ok, I'm slaughtering song lyrics and feeling genuinely snarky today. But that's ok, because I can watch Sitting At The Wheel over and over until I explode from laughter.

That's officially my favorite Moody Blues video now.

Oh and speaking of videos and video clips..

This site has some great clips posted. Some are as recent as the German concert they played a few months back. But if you really want to see a beautiful clip, download or view Vincent.

Oooo la la to Justin, all snazzy in a tux.

Another site with a few Justin Hayward clips is Button Productions

The second and fourth clips are both of Justin. The second one is a gorgeous acoustic rendition of Blue World.



This is one of the screen shots from the clip. I captured the audio from the recording too, if anyone wants it, I can post the mp3 here.

The fourth clip on the site with Blue World is also on Justin's official site, so most of us have seen that one. I do recommend you at least watch Blue World, it's just too pretty to be missed.

I'll be back later with more of my Atlantic City photos, after I've calmed down from work and going around the Curves circuit 9 times today.

Atlantic City June 19, 2004 Revisited Part 2

Ok, here's the next batch of 5 photos. I'm glad some of you are enjoying them. I'm going to post the two or three good shots we had of John Lodge and then post some of Paul Bliss and Gordy Marshall. After those, it will be all Moodies, because oddly most of the pictures we took have Justin, John and Graeme in them.


The lovely Lodgeymuffin. 


My sister's Lodgey hug. 


Ride his see saw? Hell yeah! 


The boys in the background: Graeme, Gordy and Paul. 


Paul Bliss and Gordy Marshall  

Early Morning Moodies

Well I woke up before the rooster, or as I like to call it, the ass crack of dawn to watch Vh-1 Classic.

Yes, it's official, I'm insane.

I have the Moody Blues Headline Act taped now.

~insert happy dancing here~

I was pleasantly surprised that they showed new interviews. Everyone looked smashing. And when John opened his mouth to speak, I think I might have gone into a short coma. Lordy but Lodgey's voice is like sex on stick covered in butter.

And yes, I finally got to see Sitting At The Wheel.

Mmmm what a very weird video. But hey, John cleaned up nice and it was amusing to see Justin behind the wheel of a truck...a erm..wasn't that a dump truck?

I bet he was thrilled to do that.

The video choices were odd, The Other Side Of Life (Damn where was my glow stick at 6 a.m.?), Question, Sitting At The Wheel, Your Wildest Dreams and Nights In White Satin.

I would like to take the time to thank Vh-1 Classic for playing the Nights video, so that I could relive the childhood trauma.



Damn that was some scary hair!

But it was great to see the guys on a special for an Mtv Network. Woot!

Now all I can say is this, if Bernie Barlow doesn't come back and tour with the guys in the summer, I'm going to cry.

Ooops. Forgot to mention that. Just found out that in the next few months Bernie is going to be touring with Sarah McLachlan. Great gig for her! Yay Bernie! I only hope she tours again with the Moodies the next US tour, because she was one of their best backup singers in recent years.

That said, I'm going to watch Sitting At The Wheel again...and again.

Top Five On Friday

This is the meme I create over at Music Memoirs, so go play it! Cos I say so!

Top 5 Songs That Can Put You To Sleep
(Interpret as you see fit, this could be songs that act like lullabies, songs that are boring or just songs that relax you)

1. Grey Eye Glances - Days to Dust

This is just an absolutely beautiful song. If you're a fan of Annie Haslam, Sarah McLachlan etc, you'll probably like this. It's light and airy and beautiful, just the right type of song to lull me into a nice sleep.

2.The Moody Blues - Words You Say

What can I say about Words You Say? I've never heard it live in concert physically. (I have it on several concert cds though) I don't know what the fuss is over this song. It's not that terrible. In fact, when you really listen to the lyrics you can start to chuckle, because the lyrics are even more out there (somewhere...somewhere...giggle giggle, cough cough...sorry for the pun) then John's usual.

Anyway, I find something very pretty in the chorus...

I don't want to wake up now

I don't want to wake up now

3. Annie Haslam w/Justin Hayward - The Angels Cry

There are two versions of this song out there, this one and one recorded by Agnetha from ABBA. Of the two, this is the one I like better. Annie's voice is much prettier and you can hear Justin's backing vocals much clearer in this one.

It's just a beautiful song, written by Mr. Hayward and one that can send me off to sleep when I'm in a nice dark room. Very relaxing and very pretty.

4. Justin Hayward - Penumbra Moon

OK, I just love this song. It's probably one of my favorites from Night Flight, a CD that this child of the 80's can't help but love. Sure it's not one of his best, but it's cheesy 80's music and for that alone, I love it.

It's funny to me that this one song from this CD seems more like a Hayward tune than the songs he wrote for the album. And as for why it made my list, you'll just have to listen to it to know.

5. Erasure - Rock Me Gently

This song is an ambient lullaby. It's from the self titled CD by...well...Erasure, a very lush and very soothing disc. Most of the songs are longer than you would expect from a pop band, but all of them are beautiful. Almost every one could have made this list, but this one is perfect.

Atlantic City - June 19, 2004 Revisited

I don't think I've ever posted more than one or two of the shots here. Again, these were taken either by me or my sister from that show. I'm going to post 5 a day here, until all the good shots are gone.

I'll start with some very beautiful Justin pictures. At least I think they are beautiful, and that's all that matters.


The orginal image that is now part of my blog template. 


This one resides on my desktop, and beside my bed. 


Justin's best...erm back side 


My sister's Justin picture. 


The end of the show. 

Remembering

I was going through stuff on my computer last night. I'm still trying to clean up the hard drive. Not fun. I'm a pack rat even at home. I hate hate hate, getting rid of things.

And what do I happen across?

My folder with all the pictures from the June 19th Moody Blues show. I was surprised at how good some of them were after I did the necessary cropping etc. See, we were on John's side of the stage at the end of the show, so it was a bit dark.

I have a bunch posted in the photoblog back in August when I started the thing. Ooops, fibbed again, it was September, but there are 2 shots in August, bad me, again. But every so often I revisit that folder to see what we snapped from Nights In White Satin through Ride My See Saw, and I did so again last night.

I was surprised to find that there were a few more good shots than I thought. I had about 4 or 5 really excellent shots of Justin. As most of you know, the picture on this page is one of my Atlantic City shots. (Only my wonderful blog designer, colored that hidieous pink shirt Moody Blue..as it should be)

I guess the question is if and where do I post them. My shots from Atlantic City are posted rather haphazardly over at the photoblog and the anal retentive person I can be over things would like to get them all together.

Also I discovered a few good shots of Paul Bliss and Gordy Marshall. Oddly I didn't get any pictures of Bernie or Norda. I'm more upset by missing out on Bernie Barlow, because she's one of my favorite female vocalists, and if you don't have her CD Golden, I suggest you hightail it over to her website and buy one.

I guess I'm going to have to decide pretty soon, eh?

So I fibbed

I went hunting through my stuff on my computer. Fly Me High was a single and not a b-side. Bad me for not knowing that when I have a picture of the single sitting on my hard drive.

I should be flogged for forgetting, and Justin Hayward and John Lodge can do the flogging





Don't they look so sweet all cleaned up?

Justin doesn't look like he's old enough to buy a pint from a pub and Lodgey, well, he looks like he's ready to do my tax return. And is it me or does Ray Thomas resemble Jay Leno in this picture?

Oh and if you haven't heard this song:

The Moody Blues - Fly Me High

In the mood for a giggle

Sometimes you just need a chuckle. Today is one of those wet, cold and icky days that require some extra effort to laugh. I could pull out my DVD of the Reading Moody Blues show and watch Justin give Graeme Edge dirty looks as he Riverdances, bumps and grinds and chicken dances across the stage, but that would just give me concert depression.

And if I watch the Maryland DVD, John's in head to toe leather, I'll end up comatose. (I have to go to work at 3, so that's not an option)

Instead, I'm opting for funny songs. Ok, maybe not funny songs, but lighthearted songs that will brighten my day.

You know songs like:

They Might Be Giants - Birdhouse In Your Soul

Any of Justin Hayward's pre-Moodies songs. Something about London Is Behind Me, Day Must Come, I'll Be Here With You Tomorrow and Can't Face The World Without You always brighten my day.

(I can post these for anyone that didn't nab them from the old This Morning site before it went down)

Justin wrote some good cheesy 60's pop!

He still writes some good cheesy pop. (Don't Need A Reindeer)

But back to Justin's early stuff, I absolutely love Fly Me High from Prelude. I can't remember what it was the B-side of, but it's so cute to hear Justin sing Whoops!

The first time I heard that one I doubled over in laughter. Almost as much as when I first heard him on BBC 2's Jammin' show. Something about Justin singing like Justin from The Darkness, and changing the lyrics to Forever Autumn, just has to make you grin and giggle.

Suddenly I'm feeling a bit happier. Just thinking about that Jammin' episode brings a smile to my face. Now if only Lodgey would do something silly, life would be complete for a moment or two.

Sitting At The Wheel

Ok. Heads up to all Moody Blues fans. If you missed Headline Act on VH-1 Classic yesterday morning, it's repeating Friday at 6 a.m. EST and 6 p.m. EST as well as Sunday morning at 3 a.m.

Yeah, it's not much. It's a half hour show with some interview clips and videos.

The usual videos.

Almost.

Sitting at the Wheel is one of the videos they play.

Sitting at the Wheel!!!

I'll try to calm down, because I've never seen that one. I've seen Blue World which is another elusive video, and I've seen all the others that are on Legend of the Band and the cheapo Millenium DVD.

And speaking of that song. Sitting at the Wheel is probably one of the only Moody Blues songs that you can do the 80's dance to.

If you don't know what the 80's dance is, rent any movie with Molly Ringwald in it from the 80's or just find an old American Bandstand, you'll see. It's also the only Moody Blues song ever to be remixed, to the best of my knowledge.

The remix is really good too, as far as remixes go. I hope when they get around to remastering everything, that remix makes the cut. Of course, that's probably not going to happen anytime soon. Lord knows when the Core 7 reissues still aren't reissued.

I'll just grin stupidly at the fact I'm finally going to see the video for one of my favorite songs!

Take Me Back Tuesday

Blogdrive was giving Fallen a hard time last night, so I helped out with this week's meme. Here we go, straight from Music Memoirs.

The last four decades....list 3 of your favorite songs from each:

1990's
Garbage - I'm Only Happy When It Rains
Matchbox Twenty - 3 a.m. (Overplayed yet I still love it, as well as the original version by Rob's band Tabitha's Secret that was mostly the guys in Matchbox Twenty)
Elvis Costello - This House Is Empty Now (Shut up! I love this song. It's gorgeous)

Honorable Mentions

Elvis Costello - Just About Glad

1980's
Duran Duran - Like An Angel
Erasure - Cry So Easy
The Moody Blues - Sitting At The Wheel

Honorable Mentions

The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams (Without this song..my obsession would never have been born)

Elvis Costello - Everyday I Write The Book

1970's
Nick Lowe - Cruel To Be Kind (If you don't like this song, there's something seriously wrong with you)
David Bowie - Queen Bitch (Which I am, damn it)
Lodgey! erm John Lodge - Street Cafe (Best damn video I've ever seen too)

Honorable mentions

Justin Hayward - Raised on Love and Lay It On Me (from that album I can't stand, Songwriter)

Elvis Costello - I'm Not Angry (Best angsty song)

1960's
The Beatles - Nowhere Man
The Moody Blues - The Actor
Herman's Hermits - This Door Swings Both Ways

Honorable Mentions..
Too many to list here..

list 3 of your favorite bands from each:

1990's
Matchbox Twenty
Garbage
Semisonic

1980's
Duran Duran
Erasure
Depeche Mode

1970's
ABBA
Elvis Costello and the Attractions
David Bowie

1960's
The Moody Blues
The Beatles
The Monkees

BTW..if any of you want the songs I listed, leave a comment and I can see if I can get them to you via You Send It.

Happy Valentine's Day

Well its February 14th! Yipee skippee.

So without further adieu






And I'll leave you all with something we all want:

A Love That Will Last

Shopping!

I was out and about today. Yay! I had a coupon for Dots, and I was dying to use it. So we went to Washington Crown Center for dinner and some economy stimulation.

Broke I may be, but I have some cute clothes!

I bought a new workout suit for work, hot pink with black racing stripes and a pair of matching sneakers!

Then for going out attire, I bought a pair of pale pink and black herringbone pants with a black ribbon belt and a black sweater.

Oh and lastly...I finally got one of those bustier purses! Have you seen those before? They were everywhere at Christmas, but I couldn't find one I liked until today!

Squee!

It's hot pink and black!

Ask me how much I spent.

Go ahead, ask!

36 dollars!

Dots is the best store ever! (Squeals like a happy child)

Now if only music were as cheap. They only have an FYE store at Washington Crown Center, so I didn't bother to look for any of my want list. I refuse to spend 22 dollars for one CD.

Grey Eye Glances

I discovered this band from a person on Live Journal. It's hard to describe their music. I'm tempted to put the progressive label on them, though they are a fairly new band. Are there any new progressive rock bands? I think that genre pretty much died in the 80's though the bands live on.

Something about them makes me think of Annie Haslam and Renaissance. It's just really pretty music and oddly the lead singer looks a bit like Enya. (Comparisons to two of my favorite ladies is definitely a plus)

Check out the webpage for the band. There are mp3s to download. From the looks of their tour schedule, they are native to the eastern part of PA or the NJ area. (Funny...I believe Annie Haslam is living in that area too)And like Annie Haslam, they seem to be afraid of the mountain range that seperates eastern PA from western PA.

But anyway, they are a great band. Go to the site and check out the song Angel, it's absolutely beautiful.

Do it!

NOW!

Oh and two free downloads can be found here.

Dreaming of you

The Depeche Mode song is Dreaming of Me, and that's the case too, because I was in the dream, but mostly I was dreaming of Justin Hayward. Ok, truth be told, I was dreaming of the Moody Blues and a concert.

Yeah, I'm a nutcase. Yeah, I know it.

But who hasn't had a dream or two or twenty about the celebrities we crush on?

Just me?

I don't think so.

The fun part of this dream was I was on stage with them, taking pictures. When I dream, I dream big. But wait it gets better. Justin was making faces at me. Not his normal guitar faces or squirrelly looks either. He was sticking out his tongue rather provocatively, and when I teased him about it, as I snapped more pictures, he just got worse.

Can I go back to bed now?

Cos I forgot to tell Justin where he could put that tongue!

Oye! My mind is in the gutter today.

And it's all his fault.



Well, him and his tongue.

Oh and I'd just like to add, he was wearing that pink shirt in my dream just to taunt me, I think.

Top Five On Friday

It's time for my Music Memoirs meme.

Top Five Love Songs

1.Elvis Costello - She

2.The Beatles - Something

3.The Moody Blues - Lean On Me (Tonight)

4.Justin Hayward - Moving Mountains

5.John Lodge and Justin Hayward - Maybe

Honorable Mention

Paul McCartney - Maybe I'm Amazed

And now for the second part:

The Top Five Love Songs You Hate

1. Celine Dion - My Heart Will Go On (And On And On and On and On....and never stop)

2. Celine Dion - Because You Loved Me

(Do you sense a pattern here?)

3. Paul McCartney - My Love
(I know...this is so wrong, but this song is just a pitiful example of Paul's talent...and the Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoas really get on my nerves.)

4. Shania Twain - You're Still The One
(I hate hate hate hate Shania Twain)

5. Jewel - You Were Meant For Me
(I loved this song the first 100 times. After that...it started to get on my nerves)

Look At What I Have!

MoodyMistress made this for me.



I'm going to place him in the side bar of my blog, so that I can appreciate the best side of Lodgey every day.

SQUEE

It's the little things in life that make me happy.

Time waits for no one...no not even you

Or me for that matter. My god, it's already February 10th. Over a month and a half into the new year. It's kind of frightening. Even more frightening is turning 31 in July.

About this time every year I start fretting over my birthday, and what I've accomplished or rather what I haven't accomplished in all my years. Granted I've done alot of great things but nothing remarkable, and nothing to make me proud of who I am. Unless of course being obsessive about music is something to be proud of.

Is it?

Do you think?

Nah, I didn't think so.

What's worse than that is not really knowing what direction you want to take with your life. Hell, almost 31 years into it, I should know something, right?

Wrong!

I swear I know even less today than I did when I was in high school, and still time keeps drifting on by leaving me in the dust. Just me, my computer and my music.

Most of my friends are married ...with kids (Bratlings) and here I am. That's not what I want. That's one thing I know. This Music Whore will never be a mother. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, children give me hives!

So while they are fretting over family stuff, I'm worried and upset that I can't go to an Elvis Costello concert or that the Moody Blues won't come to Pittsburgh.

Yeah. Those are some interesting priorities. But their mine. And I guess I want to enjoy what I love the most, while I still can. Before anymore time slips away.

So much I want to do...so little money

I've given up on most concerts this year, well except for the Moody lunkheads that I love so, and have the stupidest way of touring. 2 weeks here, go home for a month or 2 or 3 and then off somewhere else for a few weeks.

These guys don't tour, they vacation. But that's not the case.

Elvis Costello has officially screwed me over. Tickets go on sale for Atlantic City this Saturday and the cost is 75 dollars. Nope not happening. I'm a bit depressed about it, but I think I knew all along this show wasn't going to happen for me anyway.

I guess I'm going to have to stick to doing things close to home. There's a few comedians coming to the Improv that I'd like to see, Bob Saget being one of them. Plus one weekend I'd like to road trip to Erie, just to see the lake, etc.

It would be nice to have the extra cash laying around to do something. Hell, it would be nice to have cash to pay bills. I've spent the last 2.5 years worrying about money, hoping for change, only to have things get worse.

I always laugh at the people that suggest me getting two jobs. Ha! I just managed to get one part time job. Each day on the news we see how many more jobs are lost in Pittsburgh and the area. It's depressing. Almost as depressing as being stuck in a one horse town most of your life.

I hope that someday soon I'll dig myself out of the hole I'm in, because I would like to be able to do things again, without having to ask for help from everyone in my family.

Now it's time for a rousing rendition of the song "It Sucks To Be Me" from the Avenue Q musical.

Who wants to join me?

And who wants to join me in the hunt for the money fairy, who doesn't visit me often enough?