Ray Thomas has Passed


Very sad tonight.
128x128mapman

Showing 3 responses by mapman

Yes I have been harping about the Hall and the Moody Blues for years.


At least Ray THomas knew he had made it, if he even cared that much.

For any act to still be relevant, honored, listened to 50 years after the fact is perhaps the greatest achievement of all.
I always liked Ray Thomas. He’ll be known to most as the guy who played the flute on "Nights In White Satin", but I always levitated towards his songs. They provided a lighter, fun side to the Moody Blues sound that helped keep the band balanced.

Example:

" Nice to be here hope you agree
Lying in the sun
Lovely weather, must climb a tree
The show has just begun

All the leaves start swaying
To the breeze that’s playing
On a thousand violins
And the bees are humming
To a frog sat strumming
On a guitar with only one string

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

And it seems worth noting
Water rats were boating
As a lark began to sing
The sounds kept coming
With Jack Rabbit loudly drumming
On the side of a biscuit tin

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

Silver minnows were devising
Water ballet so surprising
A mouse played a daffodil
A mole came up blinking
Underneath an owl who’s thinking
How he came to be sat on a hill

I can see them they can’t see me
I feel out of sight
I can see them they can’t see me
Much to my delight

I know you won’t believe me
But I’m certain that I did see
A mouse playing daffodil
All the band was really jumping
With Jack Rabbit in there thumping
I found that I couldn’t sit still
I just had to make it with them
Cause they played my kind of rhythm
And the bees hummed in harmony
And the owl played his oboe
Then the frog’s guitar solo
It was all just too much for me

I know you won’t believe me
But I’m certain that I did see
A mouse playing daffodil
All the band was really jumping
With Jack Rabbit in there thumping
I found that I couldn’t sit still "



"If you find you can't sleep at night
And you pace up and down in your room
And your mind is just full up with words
You'll be writing your own song soon

So let the music just turn you around
When you can't seem to utter a sound
But don't worry my friend that's alright
You'll be doing the same tonight

For we've got the music for your soul
We've got the rhythm to the roll
We hope the melody lingers in your mind
We've got the freedom of our youth
We've got the chance to speak the truth
So put you hopes your wishes and dreams
In a song
In your song
In your song
In your song"