By Jim Fusco:
Wow, “Tuesday Afternoon” posted on a Tuesday afternoon! Okay, well, a Tuesday evening, but still. I swear I didn’t even plan it and even just realized as I was beginning to type my post. But, it fits so well!
I love this song and the Moody Blues, of course. “Tuesday Afternoon” is the afternoon section of the Moodies’ first album with their second lineup (after the addition of Justin Hayward and John Lodge and the subtraction of Denny Laine and Clint Warwick). The album is “Days of Future Passed” and stands as one of the classics. It has reached classic status because it’s one of the first true concept albums. It also is the first real fusion of a rock band with a classical orchestra. It’s almost surreal listening to the album. This album alone (not to mention the ten great albums they did AFTER this one) should’ve given them a one-way ticket into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame. It’s so stupid that they’re not in. I heard that the Hall doesn’t consider them a “rock” group. Are you serious? Have they ever even heard “Story in Your Eyes”? Or, I don’t know, “I’m Just a Singer in A Rock’n’Roll Band”???? That doesn’t give it away? My God, and they’re discounting the fact that the Moody Blues had some of the best musicians ever in Justin Hayward on guitar, John Lodge on bass, Graeme Edge on drums, Mike Pinder on piano and mellotron (which he truly pioneered as an instrument rather than just an effects machine), and Ray Thomas, who played a brilliant flute. This issue always makes me so angry. The Hall of Fame uses the same argument for not letting Chicago in. Are you freakin’ serious? Those guys had more hits than Muhammed Ali! I just don’t get it.
Anyway, this song falls in the mid-point of the album, as the album takes the listener on a trip throughout an entire day. I love that concept. It’s so original. Of course, the album ends with one of the all-time great songs in “Nights in White Satin”, but “Tuesday Afternoon” was a big hit in its own right. In fact, I even heard it today while waiting in line at Subway for lunch.
By the way, in case anyone’s being keeping track, I got a new job. It’s great: a nice atmosphere, professional collegues (what a change from my last job), and I’m getting paid 33% more than I ever have. It took me three long months to land it, and I know I won’t let anything screw it up this time around. I have a nice outlook now, especially because it’s good to be a part of a company that’s actually hiring in these economic times. That’s a good sign for me…and for getting my loved ones Christmas presents, too! I’m looking forward to a nice holiday season now.
I hope you enjoy this video as another Tuesday afternoon passes us by. I’ll be back on Friday for yet another acoustic cover song from the Beach Boys, whom I haven’t covered in a very long time. This song is from a composer, though, that I haven’t covered yet! So, I’ll keep you guessing on that one for a couple days and to pacify you in the meantime, I present Chris and Jeff tomorrow and Thumpin’ Thursday (TM). I’ll also be back (hopefully sooner than Friday) to announce yet another big milestone, so stay tuned!