(S4 EP23) Moody Blues - “Days of Future Past” (Derem Records)
Released November 17, 1967. Recorded May 9-Nov 3, 1967
Days of Future Passed (1967) by The Moody Blues is a landmark concept album that fused rock with orchestral music, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of progressive rock. Initially commissioned by Decca Records to showcase stereo sound with a rock adaptation of Dvořák’s New World Symphony, the band instead created an original work that follows a symbolic day from dawn to night. Featuring the London Festival Orchestra and pioneering use of the Mellotron by Mike Pinder, the album blends lush orchestration with introspective songwriting. Highlights include Justin Hayward’s “Nights in White Satin” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” both emotionally resonant and enduringly popular. The album's innovative structure, poetic lyrics, and seamless integration of classical elements redefined the LP as an artistic format. Days of Future Passed remains a foundational piece in the history of progressive music, influencing bands like Genesis and Yes, while solidifying The Moody Blues’ legacy as sonic visionaries.
Signature Songs: "Dawn: Dawn is A Feeling", "The Afternoon: Forever Afternoon" "The Night: Nights In White Satin"