The Moody Blues - In Search Of The Lost Chord (1968) [Deluxe Edition, 2006] 2CD

2006 reissue of In Search of the Lost Chord,originally released in 1968, which was the third album by The Moody Blues, and the second to feature Justin Hayward and John Lodge. The album may be considered a concept album because several of the tracks deal with the theme of a person's search for spiritual fulfillment. Another concept dealt with in the album is the search for a mythical "lost chord," which is revealed to be the mantra "Om" (in the last stanza of Graeme Edge's poem "The Word"). The album peaked at #23 U.S. album charts and in the UK reached #5.

After helping lay the groundwork for concept albums and progressive rock with 1967's orchestra-enhanced suite Days Of Future Passed, the Moodies retrenched for the follow-up. They abandoned the orchestra but kept their sound as rich as before by playing a multitude of instruments themselves, including everything from sitar to cello to oboe. At the time, it was remarkable enough for these instruments to appear on a rock record, much less to be played by the band itself. The string-laden conceptual pieces of Days were replaced by shorter, more concise songs that leaned more toward Beatlesque pop and displayed a pronounced Eastern influence. In Search Of The Lost Chord is the most exotic, trippy album in the Moodies' catalog.





DISC ONE

In Search Of The Lost Chord
Originally released as Deram SML711 in July 1968

01. Departure (00:45)
02. Ride My See-Saw (03:39)
03. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (02:59)
04. House Of Four Doors (Part 1) (04:13)
05. Legend Of A Mind (06:37)
06. House Of Four Doors (Part 2) (01:47)
07. Voices In The Sky (03:29)
08. The Best Way To Travel (03:14)
09. Visions Of Paradise (04:16)
10. The Actor (04:39)
11. The Word (00:49)
12. Om (05:50)

DISC TWO

01. Departure (Alternate Mix) (00:56)
02. The Best Way To Travel (Additional Vocal Mix) (04:03)
03. Legend Of A Mind (Alternate Mix) (06:44)
04. Visions Of Paradise (Instrumental Version) (04:30)
05. What Am I Doing Here? (Original Version) (03:54)
06. The Word (Mellotron Mix) (01:02)
07. Om (Extended Version) (06:08)
08. A Simple Game (Justin Hayward Vocal Mix) (03:27)
09. King And Queen (1968 Studio Recording) (03:53)
10. Doctor Livingstone I Presume (BBC ''Top Gear'' Radio Show) (02:58)
11. Voices In The Sky (BBC ''Top Gear'' Radio Show) (03:52)
12. Thinking Is The Best Way To Travel (BBC ''Top Gear'' Radio Show) (03:38)
13. Ride My See Saw (BBC ''Top Gear'' Radio Show) (03:50)
14. Tuesday Afternoon (BBC ''The Afternoon Pop Show'') (03:24)
15. A Simple Game (1968 Single B-side) (03:45)

Produced by Tony Clarke
Reissue Producer: Mark Powell

Remastered by Alberto Parodi & Justin Hayward (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12), Paschal Byrne (tracks: 2-1 to 2-15)

The Band

• Mike Pinder - vocals, mellotron, piano, harpsichord, acoustic guitar, bass, cello, autoharp, tambura, spoken vocals
• Ray Thomas - vocals, C flute, alto flute, soprano saxophone, oboe, French horn, tambourine
• Justin Hayward - vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, sitar, harpsichord, bass, percussion, mellotron, piano
• John Lodge - vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, cello, snare drum, tambourine
• Graeme Edge - vocals, drums, timpani, tambourine, piano, percussion, tabla, spoken vocal

Notes

Album stereo mix remastered from the original master tapes at Logical Box Studios, Genova, Italy
Bonus tracks remastering at the Audio Archiving Company, London

Disc Two (CD):
Track 2-1: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 12th June 1968
Track 2-2: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 28th May 1968
Track 2-3: Decca Studios West Hampstead - 13th January 1968
Track 2-4: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 4th June 1968
Track 2-5: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 28th January 1968
Track 2-6: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 11th June 1968
Track 2-7: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 7th June 1968
Track 2-8: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 12th October 1968
Track 2-9: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 13th February 1968
Tracks 2-10 to 2-13: BBC Radio session for John Peel's "Top Gear" radio show - Recorded 16th July 1968. First broadcast 21st July 1968
Track 2-14: BBC Radio Session for "The Afternoon Pop Show" - 7th October 1968
Track 2-15: recorded at Decca Studio Number One West Hampstead on 11th October 1968

[On back sleeve:]
This compilation:
℗ 2006 Decca Music Group Ltd
© 2006 Decca Music Group Ltd
A Universal Company

[On discs:]
This compilation:
℗ 2006 Decca Music Group Limited
© 2006 Decca Music Group Limited
A Universal Music Company
Made in the E.U.