One of the leading pop bands of the 1960's The Moody
Blues made their mark on the British pop charts with their
#1 hits "Go Now" in 1964. Their next highest chart
entry came in 1970 with "Question", but arguably
the number best remembered (at least in my mind) from the
Moody Blue was "Nights In White
Satin". The song's first impression on the
charts was in 1967…topping out at #19, but made a
healthier #9 when re-released in 1972. A third release
twelve years after it's original outing gave a more modest
#14 in 1979, but still five points higher than its initial
showing and now standing as a rock 'n' roll classic!
Record producer/mandolinist David Harvey was playing
with the Harley Allen Band at Nashville's restaurant, come
premier songwriter's platform the Bluebird when he was
introduced to Radney Faulkner. A phone call the following
day brought Harvey and Faulkner back together, as he told
Harvey that he had been at a party and heard "Knights
In White Satin" played on the mandolin. This had
started Faulkner thinking "Moody Blues, Moody….
Bluegrass." And from this the project Moody
Bluegrass was conceived!!!
Here we find a heart-gripping acoustic version of
Justin Hayward's song featuring John Cowan on lead vocals,
with Alison Krauss - tenor vocals and Sam Bush - baritone
vocals, with searing solos from David Harvey on mandolin and
Andrew Hall on Dobro.
Many of the top-flight musicians in Nashville both
well-known names and lesser-known accompanists have come
together for this project simply for the love of the music
which translates well to a bluegrass style. You'll find 31
different names with each player projecting their own
musical personality. Though we can't list every artists
here, you will find on lead vocals Harley Allen, John Cowan,
Jan Harvey, and Larry Cordle (who wrote the song
"Murder On Music Row") plus Tim O'Brien (also on
mandolin). Other vocalists not already mentioned include Jon
Randall, David Harvey, Patty Mitchell, Jill Snider and
Russell Smith. Just a small handful of the fine musicians to
be found encompass Stuart Duncan (fiddle), Alison Brown and
Barry Crabtree (banjo), Tim May (guitar) and Tim Shinness
offers a gentle solo on harp guitar for the track "Late
Lament".
There are twelve spellbinding tracks in all to be
found on Moody Bluegrass.
Layered with strongly delivered vocals, lighter than air
harmonies, souring instrumental solos and guitars, fiddle,
dobro and mandolins combining in sweet conversation to
communicate well with the listener. Moody
Bluegrass is an intoxicating and rich album that
certainly sits one notch above the rest!!!
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