STUCK IN THE VINYL AGAIN - THE MOODY BLUES - LONG DISTANCE VOYAGER

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Good morning record enthusiasts and welcome back to the Thursday edition of Stuck In The Vinyl Again. Today we celebrate the 78th Birthday of British bassist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, John Lodge, best known for his work with the progressive rock band, The Moody Blues. Happy Birthday John ! He was born  in Erdington, Birmingham in 1953 and met his future bandmate, Ray Thomas at age 14. In 1966 he replaced bassist Rod Clarke and became a member of The Moody Blues. In order to mark the occasion, we spotlight the group's 10th album Long Distance Voyager. The LP was released May 15, 1981 on the Threshold label and produced by Pip Williams. The record reached #46 in Sweden, #28 in Germany, #25 in Finland, #16 in the Netherlands, #12 in Norway, #8 in New Zealand, #7 in Australia and the UK, #1 in both Canada and on the Hot 100. It has been certified Platinum and saw the birth of three singles ; "Gemini Dream" (#36 Australia, US Dance, #13 Cash Box, #12 Hot 100, #1 Canada),  "The Voice" (#91 Australia, #46 Netherlands, #16 Adult Contemporary, #15 Hot 100, Cash Box,  #9 Canada), and "Talking Out Of Turn" (#65 Hot 100, #60 Cash Box, #27 Canada). My beautiful Wife, Lynn has seen the band countless times including in 1979, 1981, 1993, 1994, and even saw guitarist/vocalist, Justin Hayward in 2021. I'll enclose a couple of ticket photos below. 

1. "The Voice" Justin Hayward Hayward 5:21
2. "Talking Out of Turn" John Lodge Lodge 7:18
3. "Gemini Dream" Hayward, Lodge Hayward, Lodge 4:09
4. "In My World" Hayward Hayward 7:22

Side Two

1. "Meanwhile" Hayward Hayward 4:08
2. "22,000 Days" Edge Thomas, Hayward, Lodge 5:25
3. "Nervous" Lodge Lodge 5:45
4. "Painted Smile" Ray Thomas Thomas 3:18
5. "Reflective Smile" Thomas Dave Symonds 0:36
6. "Veteran Cosmic Rocker" Thomas Thomas 3:18

Justin Hayward – vocals, guitars
John Lodge – vocals, bass guitar
Ray Thomas – vocals, flute, harmonica
Graeme Edge – drums, percussion
Patrick Moraz – keyboards, synthesizers, arrangements

Additional personnel

B. J. Cole – pedal steel guitar on "In My World"
New World Philharmonic – orchestrations
Pip Williams – string arrangements and director of the orchestra
Dave Symonds - spoken word

Production

Pip Williams – producer, string arrangements
Greg Jackman – recording engineer, mixing
Norman Goodman – assistant to Greg Jackman
Melvyn Abrahams – mastering
Ted Jensen – mastering for US release
Cream – sleeve design, artwork