Nights in White Satin - Moody Blues

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Nights In White Satin and; Moody Blues Notes & Links

Brief Song and Band Notes    Late Lament Poem by Graeme Edge    Useful Links

Nights in White Satin by the then, nineteen year old Justin Hayward , and was first released on the 11th November 1967 as a track on the Days of Future Past Album . This was the second album released by the Moody Blues and the one that really started defining the 'Moody Blues sound'.

This Album version of Nights in White Satin was seven minutes thirty eight seconds long and includes orchestral sections by the London Festival Orchestra and a Poem: Late Lament (Sometimes Day Begins/Late Lament) by Graeme Edge , which was spoken not sung. This was an extremely sophisticated track, on an album which was itself an extremely ambitious project. The Moody Blues
may have been formed three years earlier in 1964, but this took them and their music to a new level.

It was decided to edit Nights in White Satin. to make it more 'singles friendly' a severely edited version was released and with great respect this three minute six seconds version should be never have been allowed to have 'escaped'!

Fortunately a second single version was released in 1972 and again in 1979 and it is this one that is used in the above video.

Although this still leaves out the three elements provided in the original by the London Festival Orchestra and the Poem, the synthetic strings of the Mellotron played by Mike Pinder , coupled with the flute, played by Ray Thomas that were always part of the main track and provide an Orchestral feel.

Mike Pinder's masterly playing of the Mellotron with the Flute of Ray Thomas provided that special something that made the 'Moody Blues sound'.

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Late Lament (Sometimes Day Begins/Late Lament) by Graeme Edge
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
Removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white,
But we decide which is right..
..and which is an illusion?
Pinprick holes in a colourless sky,
Let inspired figures of light pass by,
The mighty light of ten thousand suns,
Challenges infinity and is soon gone.
Night time, to some a brief interlude,
To others the fear of solitude.
Brave Helios wake up your steeds,
Bring the warmth the countryside needs.

Breathe deep; the gathering gloom.
Watch lights fade from every room.
Bedsitter people look back and lament,
Another day's useless energy spent.
Impassioned lovers wrestle as one,
Lonely man cries for love and has none.
New mother picks up and suckles her son,
Senior citizens wish they were young.
Cold hearted orb that rules the night,
Removes the colours from our sight.
Red is grey and yellow white,
But we decide which is right..
..and which is an illusion?

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Nights in White Satin and Moody Blues Related Links

Nights in White Satin Links
Nights in White Satin - Wikipedia Entry      Nights in White Satin - BBC Radio 2 Sold on Song Entry

Moody Blues Current Band and Members
Moody Blues - Official Web site      Moody Blues - Official Fan Community Site      Moody Blues - Tony Brown's Gallery

Moody Blues - Wikipedia Entry

Justin Hayward - Official Site      Justin Hayward - Wikipedia Entry      John Lodge - Official Site      John Lodge - Wikipedia Entry

Graeme Edge - Wikipedia Entry

Moody Blues when Nights in White Satin Recorded
These were the other members of the Band:
Mike Pinder - Official Site      Mike Pinder - Wikipedia Entry      Ray Thomas - Wikipedia Entry

The Mellotron
Mellotron      Do you want a Mellotron? - Well try: Streetly Electronics home of the M4000

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