THE MAGNIFICENT MOODIES [AKA: THE BEGINNING]

All (but one) of the single, EP and LP tracks of the band's original lineup are on this 25 track release. Contains that lineup's one big 1965 hit, "Go Now". This material is British Invasion Pop and R&B covers, bearing no real resemblance to the band that scored with "Nights in White Satin" and DAYS OF FUTURE PASSED in 1967. The most unique aspect of the music is that the sound is centered around Mike Pinder's piano rather than Laine's guitar.

That said, there are only three more tracks here that are really worthwhile: "From the Bottom of My Heart", a hauting, mostly acoustic ballad; a version of "Time is On My Side" that is more upbeat than that of their Decca labelmates, the Rolling Stones; and the next to the last A-side from the Laine lineup, "Boulevard de la Madeleine", a lovely, French styled ballad that was their most elaborate recording and a hit on the Continent. The rest isn't all that good, actually, despite Laine's soulful vocals. If you really want this music, then find the 1988 version on Decca/London/Polygram, which may be out of print. The 1994 reissue on Repetoire chops off the six single sides that were released in 1966 after the original "Magnificent Moodies" LP.