Moody Blues ‘Lost Chord’ 50th Anniv. Edition: Listen

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On Nov. 2, Polydor/Republic/UMe released the 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of the Moody Blues’ classic third album, In Search of the Lost Chord.

The deluxe format is a 3-CD/2-DVD boxed set, featuring the album’s remastered original stereo mix and new stereo mix, plus rare and unreleased tracks, including a never-before-heard mono version of “Legend of a Mind.” There are BBC Radio One John Peel “Top Gear” and “Afternoon Pop Show” sessions, as well as mono mixes of the related Deram single A- and B-sides.

Listen to several of the tracks below.

DVD1 (Audio) contains In Search of the Lost Chord 96kHz/24-bit 5.1 surround mix, new stereo mix, and original stereo mix.

DVD2 (Video) comprises BBC TV Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord (September 1968); Ce Soir On Danse: The Moody Blues – ORTF French TV (July 1968, previously unreleased) and Carte d’Or – ORTF French TV (October 1968, previously unreleased).

A 76-page book is also included, with extensive sleeve notes by compiler Mark Powell, plus a host of rare photos and memorabilia images.

Disc 1 (CD)
1. Departure – original stereo mix
2. Ride My See-Saw – original stereo mix
3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume – original stereo mix
4. House of Four Doors – original stereo mix
5. Legend of a Mind – original stereo mix
6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) – original stereo mix
7. Voices in the Sky – original stereo mix
8. The Best Way to Travel – original stereo mix
9. Visions of Paradise – original stereo mix
10. The Actor – original stereo mix
11. The Word – original stereo mix
12. Om – original stereo mix
13. Voices in the Sky (mono)
14. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (mono)
15. Ride My See Saw (mono) – previously unreleased on CD
16. A Simple Game
17. Legend of a Mind (mono mix) – previously unreleased

Disc 2 (CD)
1. Departure – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
2. Ride My See-Saw – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
3. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
4. House of Four Doors – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
5. Legend of a Mind – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
6. House of Four Doors (Part 2) – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
7. Voices in the Sky – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
8. The Best Way to Travel – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
9. Visions of Paradise – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
10. The Actor – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
11. The Word – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
12. Om – “In Search of the Lost Chord” new stereo mix
13. A Simple Game (Justin Hayward Vocal Mix / Remastered 2018)

Disc 3 (CD)
1. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume (BBC Radio One “Top Gear” Session / 1968)
2. Voices in the Sky (BBC Radio One “Top Gear” Session / 1968)
3. The Best Way to Travel (BBC Radio One “Top Gear” Session / 1968)
4. Ride My See-Saw (BBC Radio One “Top Gear” Session / 1968)
5. Tuesday Afternoon (BBC Radio One John Peel “Top Gear” session – 16th July 1968)
6. Departure (alternate mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
7. The Best way to Travel (additional vocal mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
8. Legend of a Mind (alternate mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
9. Visions of Paradise (instrumental mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
10. The Word (Mellotron mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
11. Om (extended mix) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
12. King and Queen – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
13. Gimmie a Little Something – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
14. What Am I Doing Here? (full version) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968
15. A Simple Game (Justin Hayward vocal version) – Mixed at Decca Studios, West Hampstead in September 1968

Disc 5 (DVD – Video):
1. Departure / Ride My See-Saw – Visual content
2. Dr. Livingstone I Presume – Visual content
3. House of Four Doors – Visual content
4. Voices in the Sky – Visual content
5. The Best Way to Travel – Visual content
6. Visions of Paradise / The Actor – Visual content
7. Om – Visual content
8. Tuesday Afternoon – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
9. Nights in White Satin – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
10. Bye Bye Bird – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
11. Fly Me High – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
12. I’ve Got a Dream – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
13. A Beautiful Dream – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
14. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
15. Peak Hour – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
16. Dr. Livingstone, I Presume – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968
17. Ride My See Saw – BBC TV “Colour Me Pop: In Search of the Lost Chord” – 14th September 1968

Moody Blues in the late ’60s

In Search of the Lost Chord (50th Anniversary Edition) is also available in these formats:

– Deluxe Digital – 45 tracks, presented in the same sequence as the boxed set’s three CDs (the album’s original stereo mix, new stereo mix and 15 rare and previously unreleased tracks).

– Standard Vinyl – a 180-gram facsimile of the original LP with the original packaging.

– Limited Edition Color Vinyl – psychedelic color vinyl with original packaging. This format is exclusively available from the uDiscover store.

– 1CD – the album’s new stereo mix plus bonus tracks.

According to a October 12 press release, “Released in July 1968, In Search of the Lost Chord is regarded by many to be the group’s masterpiece. A concept album, concerning itself with the spiritual and philosophical concerns of the psychedelic era, the group eschewed the use of an orchestra, opting instead for the Mellotron (played by keyboardist Mike Pinder) and other exotic instrumentation, with which they experimented and played themselves, including flute, sitar, tabla and cello.”

Listen to the classic “Ride My See-Saw” from In Search of the Lost Chord