MOODY BLUES

The Moody Blues are one of the few British groups - those mystical Beatles the exception to every rule - who could stand on individual merit (one only has to hear their composing strength on albums like 'In Search of the Lost Chord' and 'On the Threshold of a Dream') but as a unit produce something musically unique.

I believe in the Moody Blues and that is really no mean statement after ten years in this business when there is not so much left to believe:

"If Only Everybody Found the Answer in Love"

We have dreamed the Moody Blues for some few years but for those who still need a reason to believe you might begin where they did with 'Days of Future Past' [sic] (still selling nicely thank you after two years of its release in America) and 'moody' on in from there until you fade into the musical infinity of 'To Our Children's Children's Children' which is where they were today not are because they move too fast for that.

They say that after a certain age you can read a person's character in their face - look on these faces - they are good faces which has nothing to do with photogenics. Mike Pinder is a master of the melotron - a man moving relative to Time with the technological development of electric music but fixes a lousy door-knob. Ray Thomas who plays flute like a thrust and writes of life as it is rather than what it might, could or should be. Graeme Edge a poetic percussionist - no man who breeds king newts can be all bad. John Lodge guitarist and Threshold coordinator who find the truth in fantasy. Justin Hayward sings singles which you cannot get out of your head - 'Nights in White Satin' still meandering around my mind and yours - has a poodle which smells like a lemon.

Now on their new company THRESHOLD with their new company on this tour they welcome you to share in their new freedom and the joy of Music.

The concept of the Moodies own record label was born some 12 months ago as an extension of the group's policy to retain as much control over their product as possible. In any artistic endeavour the most important aspect for the creative talent is to obtain complete artistic freedom within the terms of self expression. Moody Blue Ray Thomas explains:

"Threshold is our freedom and we hope to lend that same liberty to those artistes who join our label. We have established our success on the basis of composing and interpreting the kind of music which we like ourselves.

"It should be quite obvious that the happier you are in your work, the greater the mental release and consequently the better the product. People who buy a 'Threshold' recording can therefore be certain they are getting the best that the artist can produce.

"As musicians ourselves we know the frustrations and limitations of working for a huge impersonal concern, but as a smaller company we can relate to our artistes with some personal and sympathetic attention."

Apart from the five Moody Blues on the Board of Threshold Records the label manager is Tony Clarke - the gifted young producer who has been responsible for all the group's albums and is close enough to their ideals and attitudes as to often be thought of as the 'Sixth Moody Blue'. Tony lays considerable emphasis upon the importance of albums today.

"We are concentrating upon producing and encouraging the kind of talent and records which have some lasting quality", says Tony. "There is an ever increasing market for good progressive music with durable qualities as opposed to discs which are hits today and forgotten tomorrow".

Of the first exciting new discoveries on their own label the Moodies say:

"TRAPEZE are a Wolverhampton group who first came to the attention of John Lodge some months ago and we were all impressed by their original material and genuine desire to play good music. They are the kind of group who can sustain musical interest throughout an album.

"TIMON" is a Liverpool lad who has been around for some time but every time they have recorded him with a huge orchestra and an arrangement which has swamped him. He has some beautiful songs and we're giving him the chance to do what he wants - his way."

The Division of labour reached Chaplinesque proportions in most large companies to such an extent that one man is responsible for some small repetitious job which bores the pants off him after a time. A man who often never sees the fruits of his labour or never produces a whole creation cannot be expected to feel much devotion to the work. The Moody Blues believe by involving their artistes the initial creation, marketing and promotion they will give them that pride which results in the superior product.

Formed in February 1969, Trapeze were virtually handpicked for their individual ability and versatility. All the members, with the exception of Dave on drums, had been lead singers with previous groups, with Glenn, Terry and Mel also being lead guitarists.

Playing a programme which consists of almost all their own material they are proving to be very popular on the College circuit.

As well as performing the usual Radio One shows they scored a big hit when they were featured on Colour-Me-Pop. In fact when it was announced that the programme had won an award in one of the National music papers, BBC2's Late Night Line Up did a special show on the series and the Group highlights was Trapeze.

They are the first group to be signed up by the Moodies on the Threshold Label and have spent several weeks recording an album under the production of John Lodge. The LP, due for release early January 1970 features the groups own compositions with "Send Me No More Letters' selected as the single which was launched 21st November.

Following the concert tour, Trapeze have several University dates and are then off to America in the new year.

Nineteen year old Timon was born in Formby, Lancashire.

For four years he has been performing in the North and on the Continent. In Liverpool he has given successful one-man shows, something many an established artist would jib at.

Tonight you will be given a taste of Timon's Talent.

You'll find his act refreshing and original. Most of the songs will be his own compositions and will be found on his forthcoming single and album, on Threshold. They possess such intriguing titles as "The Eye In The Pond", "The Bitter Thoughts Of Little Jane" and "Is There A Life After Birth?"

Superlatives are bandied around like small change in the music industry as if shouting alone could raise the mediocre to the superb. One of the songs Timon will be singing tonight is called "I Am Not Important".

Judge for yourself.

A part-time exile from Radio One, and a full-time member of the Moody Blues' Supporters Club (or "Consnortium" as it is known to the enlisted men).

His lack of success in the field of recruiting new members for the Consnortium from the Tony Blackburn Fan Flub, is rivalled only by his achievements in the academic world, where he failed to complete the Botany course at Oxford. He does, however qualify on the strength of this as the first of the British flower-children, and wields a lusty axe. (This is because wood-cutting in a remote New Zealand forest was considered at the time to be fitting compensation for his Botanical qualifications.) It was also in New Zealand that he began his broadcasting career, and has not looked back since. Since what? You may well ask, but David refuses to own up to anything unless a warrant is first produced, and tonight could be the night.