Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Moody Blues, The
Label: Decca Records
Release: 1971
Length: 40:05
Rating: 4.5/5
Legendary English progressive rock pioneers The Moody Blues were at the peak of their career in the early seventies, both creatively and commercially, even though most British critics of the day no longer rated them as highly as they had in the band’s early years. With »Every Good Boy Deserves Favour« and their distinctive, pioneering brand of symphonic prog rock, which they had by then honed to near perfection, they once again climbed to the very top of the British charts.
The album’s title, which in many ways picks up where its excellent predecessor »A Question Of Balance« (1970) left off stylistically, shortens to EGBDF, an acronym for the series of notes used when tuning a guitar. That chord intonation pops up in a half-hidden way several times across the album, which, in true Moody tradition, is richly layered under the weight of lavish symphonic arrangements (mainly on the Mellotron, but also the Mini Moog, which was a real marvel of music technology back then) and at the same time full of gorgeous melodies. Throughout their whole career, to the delight of most fans, they never gave those up for the sake of convoluted and obscure improvisations.
The opener, a mostly instrumental experiment called »Procession«, is conceptually about the evolution of music from prehistory to the present day, and it’s the only song in their career written by all five members of the band. The history of music is staged through a cyclical swapping of motifs, from birdsong, shamanic rhythms, church choir, sitar and baroque arrangements to the dramatic blare of organs, Mellotron and an epic guitar riff, until at the very end they show off the unmistakable symphonic Moody Blues sound. The rhythm is marked by the electronic drums of Graeme Edge (who also did the ‘shamanic’ vocalizing), which was a technological innovation all its own at the time. The hit single »The Story In Your Eyes«, ruled by the velvety, melodramatic vocals of guitarist/singer Justin Hayward and his mighty guitar riff, is the best-known classic on the album. A subtle bass line in the background is accompanied by massive Mellotron sounds that blend beautifully into the melodic chorus.
On the pastoral-flavored »Our Guessing Game«, where flutist Ray Thomas takes over lead vocals with the help of hypnotic backing harmonies, that unmistakable, ethereal ambient magic so typical of these symphonic prog rock innovators takes over. The ballad »Emily’s Song« has special meaning for bassist/singer John Lodge, since it was dedicated to his newborn daughter. Backed by lavish symphonic arrangements and a warm acoustic guitar melody, he sings it the way he does best – from the heart and with his trademark genial tone. Two more songs follow under the bassist’s vocal lead. »After You Came« is an interesting melodic little number with an epic main motif and dramatic vocal harmonies, set at a mid-tempo pace. The instrumental-leaning ending even features a mischievous guitar solo.
»One More Time To Live«, the second part of the conceptual puzzle about the evolution of music, offers pastoral ambience courtesy of Thomas’ flute and gentle acoustic guitar melodies. The main, dramatic »Procession« motif comes back here and once again creates a sense of a closed circle, even though the album as a whole isn’t conceptual at all. »Nice To Be Here« is another tender Thomas ballad with a delightful acoustic melody and rolling waves of Mellotron. Despite its ‘holy simplicity’ when it comes to structure, it’s an extremely effective piece thanks to its serene ambience, especially on rainy days when you’re playing cards or chess with friends.
»You Can Never Go Home« is yet another thoroughly characteristic Hayward creation, with a melodramatic vocal approach, multi-layered vocal harmonies, a hypnotic guitar melody and chunky Mellotron backing alongside mighty drum fills. On the closing orchestral epic »My Song«, keyboardist Mike Pinder finally gets the main ‘word’ at the microphone, spicing everything up with vast waves of Mellotron that deepen the epic, dramatic mood even further. It’s that triumphant closer where, thanks to the gorgeous orchestral arrangements, the album shows most clearly why The Moody Blues were always one of the key symphonic prog rock bands, whose early innovations had a major influence on prog rock giants like Genesis, Yes, Camel, BJH and so on.
»Every Good Boy Deserves Favour«, another superb studio achievement packed with all the beloved trademarks of this legendary band, cemented The Moody Blues’ status as eternal innovators and champions of melodic symphonic prog rock. The album is superb from start to finish, and it also has a slightly different production from, though no less high-quality than, the previous work of this legendary outfit, since it was recorded for the first time at another location, which meant the studio didn’t belong to their label of the time, Decca.
Line-up
Justin Hayward – vocals, guitar, sitar
John Lodge – vocals, bass guitar
Ray Thomas – vocals, flute, tambourine
Graeme Edge – electric and acoustic drums
Mike Pinder – vocals, Mellotron, Hammond organ, synthesizer, harpsichord
Production
Tony Clarke
Track list
1. Procession
2. The Story in Your Eyes
3. Our Guessing Game
4. Emily’s Song
5. After You Came
6. One More Time to Live
7. Nice to Be Here
8. You Can Never Go Home
9. My Song
