Classic Rock Album of the Day- The Moody Blues- To Our Children's Children's Children (1969) ****
I had previously reviewed the bookends of what I feel is the Golden era of the Moody Blues, and those two were the most imaginative, with their first being in the forefront of innovation, and the latter (Seventh Sojourn) their apex of their songwriting. Still, there are 5 absolute gems in the middle, and all are classics. I really struggled with picking the 3rd of the installment. As none of them are bad, and all 5 epics in the early and formative years of progressive rock. I finally worked it down to two. Their second (Threshold of a Dream) and this one. Threshold is so strikingly and breakingly innovative in the matter of their progression as a band. The Moody's are not only the first to perform their craft via chemical assistance, but they were among the first to outright flaunting it. And the level of creativity was truly incredible. I know Pink Floyd gets the credit as the God Fathers of Prog, but these really were the ones who got overlooked for being the true pioneers who introduced it at inception, and gave it its foothold as a musical genre.
I finally chose Children's Children's Children, because of in one example this is probably the bands's outside the debut, the most pure concept album they produced. The debut was generally themed simply as a day of a life. This one is much much much more deep, and has a heavy existential spacey theme that, that has some really thought provoking and philosophical bend..... "Therefore I Am" conceptual feel that parses time, space, and how life is just a blip on the screen. Overall musically wide, I view this and the second albums as equals, but this one has that magic feel that extracts almost a pure equal contribution of songwriting talent. Most bands have one or two good songwriters, this band has 4 who each have contributed heavily to their catalog. I also love the fact that when you listen to Moody Blues music, you can almost with 100% certainty predict who was the principle writer. They were that diverse, and unique in each of their own styles.
I tell people that every Moody Blues album... at least the first 7 are a journey into thought provoking themes. And I suggest that if you are not familiar with this band, stream or screen the lyrics as you are listening. It enhances the listening experience, and gives you an idea if what a great talent these 5 guys were. I know there are a lot of fans who like the post 1972 stuff, but from my POV, something changed then , much like someone messing with Classic Coke. But again, just my take.
Fun fact: Michael Pinder not only was one the first to use the Mellotron on vinyl, but was actually involved in the R & D and concept of its commercialization in the early 1960's.
Side 1-
-------------
Higher and Higher- Spacey intro into this journey, and an obviously some references that the chemicals were doing a nice job on the creativity juices. Song beautifully builds with some very strong Hayward almost psychedelic like licks that were very much indicative of the times- 5
Eyes of a Child I- Light balladry, that has incredible vocal harmonies. That this is a lower tier number on this LP, is just some heavy proof how solid this album is. Song fits well with theming. 13
Floating- Ode to their numerous flights. Yeah, Timothy Leary wasn't dead. I am guessing (speculating) that since this song is wedged between the Eyes, that their intent was that the LSD trips was basically being reborn. Never seen any accounts or documentaries to this point. Just my guess. 7
Eyes of a Child II- Second installment is much more rocking and shorter. Same theme I suppose. 9
I Never Thought I'd Live to Be a Hundred- Very nice, but again short acoustic ballad by Hayward. And I will go on record saying that he was the best in this aspect of the Moody Blues talent pool. 8
Beyond- Instrumental transition that is standard band jamming, and crazy flute runs that are often seen in their repertoire 10
Out and In- Love the lyrically inward inflection the band uses in basically saying look outward, outside of you norm of reality, by what means possible. Not a proponent of Haullucagens, and have never used them, but these guys not only seem to endorse them, but exploited those experiences into some truly celestial directions. Much like they are the narrators of the trip. 3
Side 2-
-----------
Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)- The most traditional sounding Moody sounding song on the LP., though and again staying true to the concept of time travel. Outside Watching, last song..... Some of Pinder's best Mellotron work. Everyone adds nicely on this fantastic song- 2
Eternity Road- With a Ray Thomas number, its usually a real hit or a miss. This is more on the miss side of the tally. Not awful obviously, but if there are ones to skip, and I don't recommend skipping anything in a concept album, but this would be the one. 12
Candle of Life- Only song on the album that was listed as a collaboration (Lodge/Hayward). Has that nice flowing rocking sound that you get a lot of on Seventh Sojourn. Pointed and effective narrative of the fragility and shortness of life. Interesting how we view these songs at different points of our life. The band had a wisdom streak a mile wide. 5
Sun is Still Shining- Somewhat back to a psychedelic styling with eastern sitar like infusion that was seen in the day. 11
Never Thought I would Live to Be a Million- Brief acoustic account of. the concept of life as it sits within the realm of eternity. Masterfully preludes to my favorite song on the LP - 6
Watching and Waiting- Wow, where do I start. First let me say this is one of the most beautiful, overlooked, and under-appreciated songs in the entire Moody Blues extensive playbook. To me this is so hauntingly beautiful, and epically thought provoking visual of a timeless entity, maybe a higher being living in the prepice first hand and witnessing eternity.... alone. Pinder's Mello is so spine tingling beautiful, and augments so perfectly with Haywards perfect inflective vocals. If you only have time for one song. Please sample this one 1
I had previously reviewed the bookends of what I feel is the Golden era of the Moody Blues, and those two were the most imaginative, with their first being in the forefront of innovation, and the latter (Seventh Sojourn) their apex of their songwriting. Still, there are 5 absolute gems in the middle, and all are classics. I really struggled with picking the 3rd of the installment. As none of them are bad, and all 5 epics in the early and formative years of progressive rock. I finally worked it down to two. Their second (Threshold of a Dream) and this one. Threshold is so strikingly and breakingly innovative in the matter of their progression as a band. The Moody's are not only the first to perform their craft via chemical assistance, but they were among the first to outright flaunting it. And the level of creativity was truly incredible. I know Pink Floyd gets the credit as the God Fathers of Prog, but these really were the ones who got overlooked for being the true pioneers who introduced it at inception, and gave it its foothold as a musical genre.
I finally chose Children's Children's Children, because of in one example this is probably the bands's outside the debut, the most pure concept album they produced. The debut was generally themed simply as a day of a life. This one is much much much more deep, and has a heavy existential spacey theme that, that has some really thought provoking and philosophical bend..... "Therefore I Am" conceptual feel that parses time, space, and how life is just a blip on the screen. Overall musically wide, I view this and the second albums as equals, but this one has that magic feel that extracts almost a pure equal contribution of songwriting talent. Most bands have one or two good songwriters, this band has 4 who each have contributed heavily to their catalog. I also love the fact that when you listen to Moody Blues music, you can almost with 100% certainty predict who was the principle writer. They were that diverse, and unique in each of their own styles.
I tell people that every Moody Blues album... at least the first 7 are a journey into thought provoking themes. And I suggest that if you are not familiar with this band, stream or screen the lyrics as you are listening. It enhances the listening experience, and gives you an idea if what a great talent these 5 guys were. I know there are a lot of fans who like the post 1972 stuff, but from my POV, something changed then , much like someone messing with Classic Coke. But again, just my take.
Fun fact: Michael Pinder not only was one the first to use the Mellotron on vinyl, but was actually involved in the R & D and concept of its commercialization in the early 1960's.
Side 1-
-------------
Higher and Higher- Spacey intro into this journey, and an obviously some references that the chemicals were doing a nice job on the creativity juices. Song beautifully builds with some very strong Hayward almost psychedelic like licks that were very much indicative of the times- 5
Eyes of a Child I- Light balladry, that has incredible vocal harmonies. That this is a lower tier number on this LP, is just some heavy proof how solid this album is. Song fits well with theming. 13
Floating- Ode to their numerous flights. Yeah, Timothy Leary wasn't dead. I am guessing (speculating) that since this song is wedged between the Eyes, that their intent was that the LSD trips was basically being reborn. Never seen any accounts or documentaries to this point. Just my guess. 7
Eyes of a Child II- Second installment is much more rocking and shorter. Same theme I suppose. 9
I Never Thought I'd Live to Be a Hundred- Very nice, but again short acoustic ballad by Hayward. And I will go on record saying that he was the best in this aspect of the Moody Blues talent pool. 8
Beyond- Instrumental transition that is standard band jamming, and crazy flute runs that are often seen in their repertoire 10
Out and In- Love the lyrically inward inflection the band uses in basically saying look outward, outside of you norm of reality, by what means possible. Not a proponent of Haullucagens, and have never used them, but these guys not only seem to endorse them, but exploited those experiences into some truly celestial directions. Much like they are the narrators of the trip. 3
Side 2-
-----------
Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)- The most traditional sounding Moody sounding song on the LP., though and again staying true to the concept of time travel. Outside Watching, last song..... Some of Pinder's best Mellotron work. Everyone adds nicely on this fantastic song- 2
Eternity Road- With a Ray Thomas number, its usually a real hit or a miss. This is more on the miss side of the tally. Not awful obviously, but if there are ones to skip, and I don't recommend skipping anything in a concept album, but this would be the one. 12
Candle of Life- Only song on the album that was listed as a collaboration (Lodge/Hayward). Has that nice flowing rocking sound that you get a lot of on Seventh Sojourn. Pointed and effective narrative of the fragility and shortness of life. Interesting how we view these songs at different points of our life. The band had a wisdom streak a mile wide. 5
Sun is Still Shining- Somewhat back to a psychedelic styling with eastern sitar like infusion that was seen in the day. 11
Never Thought I would Live to Be a Million- Brief acoustic account of. the concept of life as it sits within the realm of eternity. Masterfully preludes to my favorite song on the LP - 6
Watching and Waiting- Wow, where do I start. First let me say this is one of the most beautiful, overlooked, and under-appreciated songs in the entire Moody Blues extensive playbook. To me this is so hauntingly beautiful, and epically thought provoking visual of a timeless entity, maybe a higher being living in the prepice first hand and witnessing eternity.... alone. Pinder's Mello is so spine tingling beautiful, and augments so perfectly with Haywards perfect inflective vocals. If you only have time for one song. Please sample this one 1
