MOODY BLUES

Photo by Ricky Redman

Esoteric Antenna, a label of the Cherry Red Records Group, is proud to announce the release of “10,000 Light Years Ago”, the new studio album by legendary MOODY BLUES member JOHN LODGE on May 4^th in the UK and R.O.W. and May 5^th in the U.S. and in Canada (with distribution via MVD Entertainment).

As vocalist and bass player of THE MOODY BLUES, “10,000 Light Years Ago” is Lodge’s second solo album. His first solo album, “Natural Avenue”, was released in 1977, and was recently reissued on CD and Vinyl LP by Esoteric Recordings. A member of THE MOODY BLUES since 1966, Lodge has written such hit songs for the band such as “Peak Hour”, “Ride My See Saw”, “The Eyes of a Child”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock & Roll Band)”, “Steppin’ in a Slide Zone”, “Gemini Dream” (with Justin Hayward) and many more.

“10,000 Light Years Ago” also reunites Lodge with special guest contributions from former MOODY BLUES members – flutist RAY THOMAS and keyboardist MIKE PINDER on the song “Simply Magic.” Legendary guitarist CHRIS SPEDDING also appears on the album, among others. The new collection was recorded at various locations and completed at The Mix Factory studios in Florida.

From the opening song “In My Mind”, to the biographical “Those Days in Birmingham”, the more reflective “Simply Magic” and “Lose Your Love”; to the rock influenced “Crazy”, the jazz–tinged “Love Passed Me By” and the powerful “Get Me Out of Here”, Lodge paints a variety of moods on a fine musical canvas.

Lodge comments; “Back in the 60s, when the dreams of a ‘new generation’ were being born, The Moody Blues wrote a stage show which became the album ‘Days of Future Passed.’ The theme encompassed the past, present and future experiences of our lives. When ‘Days of Future Passed’ was successful I knew that our decision to stick to our principles by writing and recording music we felt driven to create was the right one. Upon reflection, I suppose in my work with The Moody Blues and in my solo work I have continued to stick to that principle.”

Lodge adds, “I think that this theme has continued in the music of The Moody Blues and in my music, and it’s a musical record of our generation travelling through life. With ’10,000 Light Years Ago’ I have continued this theme of constant evolution, as everything in the future remains in reach, and although the past is behind us, it once was our future.”

For more than 40 years, THE MOODY BLUES has been one of the most enduring and consistent groups in the world. Their remarkable music has enthralled generations of fans since the 1960’s, and their recorded legacy contains some of the most important and groundbreaking work in the history of popular music, having generated over 70 million sales throughout the world. During the course of their illustrious career the band has earned 18 platinum discs and won numerous awards, including the NARM Number One World Group Award of 1972, the Playboy Vocal Group of the Year Award, the Golden Ticket Award for the sale of 100,000 tickets at Madison Square Gardens, as well as ASCAP and Performance Awards, the Ivor Novello Statue (in 1984 for an Outstanding Contribution to British Music), and an enviable place in rock history.

John reflects; “With a guitar, a blank piece of paper and a pen, the musical horizon has always been there. I go wherever the songs take me.”

JOHN LODGE will be on tour as a member of THE MOODY BLUES in April & May 2015 in the USA and in June in the UK.

John Lodge Sleeve hires-albumart

JOHN LODGE: “10,000 Light Years Ago” track listing is as follows:

1.     In My Mind
2.     Those Days in Birmingham
3.     Simply Magic
4.     Get Me Out of Here
5.     Love Passed Me By
6.     Crazy
7.     Lose Your Love
8.     10,000 Light Years Ago

YouTube Link to 10,000 Light Years Ago video:

Album Trailer link:

http://youtu.be/eGlTBYOq77s

http://johnlodge.com
http://www.moodybluestoday.com
https://www.facebook.com/MoodyBlues
https://twitter.com/moodybluestoday

IRON MAIDEN’s Bruce Dickinson, JETHRO TULL frontman Ian Anderson and Justin Hayward of the MOODY BLUES performed for the first time together under the name Canterbury Rocks At Christmas, on Saturday, December 10th at the Canterbury Cathedral Nave in Kent, England in support of The Canterbury Gift, which raises funds for the ongoing renovation work on the cathedral.

Video footage from the event can be seen below:

The Canterbury Cathedral Appeal was launched to protect and enhance Canterbury Cathedral’s future as a religious, heritage and cultural centre. Every five years the cathedral carries out a major structural review. The last so-called Quinquennial made it very clear that a combination of centuries of weathering, pollution and constant use had taken its toll on the building and there were some serious problems at Canterbury Cathedral that needed urgent action.

Much of the cathedral’s stonework is damaged and crumbling, the roofs are leaking and much of the stained glass is badly corroded. It is thought that if action is not taken now, the rate of decay and damage being inflicted on the building will increase dramatically with potentially disastrous results, including closure of large sections of the cathedral in order to guarantee the safety of the million plus worshippers, pilgrims and tourists who visit the cathedral every year.

Ian Anderson spoke of the importance of supporting Canterbury Cathedral recently: “If our generation and the future generations don’t do it, then it will be lost,” he said. “There is a real parallel regarding the preservation of our great buildings, and the greater sense of conserving our world. We need a huge change of thinking about the stewardship of our planet and all it contains, both natural and man-made. Canterbury Cathedral is a place for life today. But it is also a place for the future and, whether you are a Christian or not, it is a place which should remain forever close to our hearts.”