John Lodge: With 10 classic songs!

David states, «Thank you, John Lodge!  It must take some courage to release a staple of the Moodies’ set list with a new arrangement fifty years after the world first fell in love with it.  This version holds its own against the original and other live versions from across the decades.  Yes, they are each different, which means listeners can take their pick depending on their mood!  This song exemplifies the staying power of the Moodies’ music by remaining relevant with its timeless message.  Congrats on the live album, and thank you for giving us another tour!».

Legendary bassist John Lodge deliver a live collection from the Royal Affair Tour from a couple of years ago which saw Lodge join Yes and Asia for a prog delight. Lodge enjoyed the tour very much with many top notch gigs and combine his solo work with Moody Blues classic Night in White Satin, and Ride Me See-Saw. This album consist often songs and many of them are classic songs from the golden days of prog.

Isn’t Life Strange, the luscious and symphonic rock song extraordinaire written by John, and a Top 100 Billboard hit for the Moody Blues in 1972, has been reimagined by John for it’s 50th Anniversary.  The new version retains the intriguing and euphoric sound that resonates around the room and touches everyone in a crowd, but adds a new complexity to it with a richer use of cello and guitar that can be felt deep within.

 John particularly sought to feature the cello on this new live album as he felt that the instrument would bring a naturally organic and acoustic symphonic quality to these new versions, with a purity unmatched by any electronic device, allowing rediscovery of songs such as this. The resulting reimagined song is uplifting and poignant and speaks eloquently through its lyrics and music to us all, especially in these strange times.

The track is taken from John’s new live album, The Royal Affair And After, which features vibrant new live recordings of all his Moody Blues hits, along with special tributes to all his bandmates: Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas.  Recorded live in Las Vegas on The Royal Affair Tour, the album’s track list draws together songs that John calls the soundtrack of his life and also continues his deeply-felt personal desire to keep all the Moody Blues music alive.

Tracklisting:

1. Steppin’ in a Slide Zone (3:39)

2. Saved by the Music (3:47)

3. Legend of a Mind (6:21)

4. Sunset (3:40)

5. Late Lament (1:30)

6. Nights in White Satin (5:42)

7. Gemini Dream (4:05)

8. Isn’t Life Strange (6:48)

9. I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band) (4:08)

10. Ride My See-Saw (4:39)

Total Time 44:19

Line-up / Musicians

John Lodge / bass, vocals

Alan Hewitt / keyboards

Billy Ashbaugh / drums

Duffy King / guitars

Jason Charboneau / cello

With:

Graeme Edge / drums (5)

Jon Davison / vocals (6,10)

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