Kosmik Radiation Radio - Dec 23, 2011 Playlist

CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK
The Moody Blues "On The Threshold Of A Dream" 1969 (UK)

The Moody Blues were a hugely popular group from the classic rock era whose work is not so well-regarded in the 21st century. Though styles may have changed, their unique blend of melancholy English pop, vague mysticism and "philosophy", poetry recitations, orchestras and mellotrons delivered via concept albums with mysterious album covers are what "classic rock" is really all about. Threshold was the third of a run of seven albums released 1967-72 which are the core of the group's best work. All of these albums can be found dirt cheap in any used record store (your best bargain bin bets along with the discarded works of Emerson Lake & Palmer!)
The most well known song from this album is probably "Lovely To See You" (written by Justin Hayward, as were most of the group's hits). The Moody's most famous song of all is the orchestral ballad "Nights In White Satin", which was released in 1967 but didn't top the charts until 1972 -- "Tuesday Afternoon" was the song from that album which was the bigger hit at the time. "Ride My See Saw" is perhaps the most rockin' MB hit, and features one of their notorious "poetry" interludes. Another of their biggest hits was the Vietnam War-inspired "Question". The band has been fairly active in recent years, and even recorded an album of holiday-themed songs in 2004! Here's a seasonal original from that album called "The Spirit Of Christmas".

(N) = New Release

Artist	Song	Album	Year (label)	Country
Spectrum	Santa Claus (The Sonics)	Super Sympathy Spectrum Stocking Stuffer (split 7")	1992	UK
James Brown	Santa Claus Go Straight To The Ghetto	Soulful Christmas	1968	USA
Nitro	Johnny Died On Christmas	Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (Hot, Wet, Drippin' With Sweat)	1992	USA
Nico	Frozen Warnings	The Marble Index	1969	Germany
Faust	Picnic On A Frozen River / Deuxième Tableau	Faust IV	1973	Germany

The Moody Blues	In The Beginning / Lovely To See You / Dear Diary	On The Threshold Of A Dream CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK	1969	UK
The Moody Blues	Lunch Break: Peak Hour	Days Of Future Passed	1967	UK
The Moody Blues	The Dream / Have You Heard (part one) / The Voyage / Have You Heard (part two)(live)	On The Threshold Of A Dream CLASSIC ALBUM OF THE WEEK	1969	UK

Patti Smith	Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana)	Outside Society (N - greatest hits compilation)	2007 (2011 Sony Legacy)	USA
Peaking Lights	Hey Sparrow	936 (N)	2011 (Not Not Fun)	USA
Psychic Ills	Mind Daze	Hazed Dream (N)	2011 (Sacred Bones)	USA
The Fall	Greenway	Ersatz GB (N)	2011 (Cherry Red)	UK
Wooden Shjips	Flight	West (N)	2011 (Thrill Jockey)	USA

Master Musicians of Bukkake	Prophecy Of The White Camel - Namoutarre	Totem III (N)	2011 (Important)	USA
Dead Skeletons	Yama	Dead Magick (N)	2011 (Cargo)	Iceland
Earthling Society	Lola Daydream	Stations Of The Ghost (N)	2011 (4Zero)	UK
Herbie Mann	Incense	Impressions Of The Middle East	1966	USA

Frank Zappa	The Gumbo Variations	Hot Rats	1969	USA
The Mothers Of Invention	Little House I Used To Live In	Burnt Weeny Sandwich	1969	USA
The Mothers Of Invention	English Tea Dancing Interludes (live) -> Plastic People -> King Kong -> America Drinks -> Wipe Out (The Surfaris)	Electric Aunt Jemima	rec. 1968, rel. 1992	USA

Popol Vuh	Kyrie	Hosianna Mantra	1972	Germany
Popol Vuh	Hosianna Mantra	Hosianna Mantra	1972	Germany