In a typical month, I get $300 for reading over 100 staff reports, attending about nine hours of meetings, writing about nine 800-word articles, 5-8 400-800 word articles, 36 news briefs and 30-some events briefs. Can we swing a deal where I pay you to write this and am still able to make some money?

You need to up your rates. This is the time and place to go on strike.

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Putlocker

What think ye of this article? I rush to judgment to believe the author rushed to judgment. It reads almost like a hit-piece on Tony Visconti.

From my perspective, the Moodies waned more from diminution of support from the record industry than a reduction in quality output. Both 'Sur la Mer' and 'Strange Times' had high emotional and compositional quality. It is well-established that Universal did not distribute Moodies releases to radio stations. People within the Moodies organization admitted to me off-the-record that, "Universal let us down, and they know it."

How do I know this? Back in the day, Ivy Stewart invited me to write an article for the fan club newsletter. I chose as my topic why the Moodies were not getting any airplay. I thought I'd talk to DJ's across the country and they'd say, "That song is really awful!" Instead, they were saying, "What? The Moodies have a new album? I've gotta hear it! I didn't know." That was all over the place. I had looked up phone numbers back in the early days of Internet to interview several jocks.

Following that, I had connections at a local radio station that still had live DJ's, took requests, and pulled vinyl and CD's off the shelves. (They were soon to be bought out by a closet operation.) They hooked me up with their guy from Universal, who promo'd me a box of 'Strange Times' CD's out the door, which I took to radio stations as I chased Justin across the countryside that summer's tour.

Receptions were warm, but most stations were constrained to play what the record companies provided on their periodically-updated hit lists. In conclusion, it may be safer to say the Moodies waned more because of a loss of independence in the broadcast industry. Back then, one wouldn't have heard of MP3 or i-tunes. Record stations were being consolidated, thanks to changes to FCC rulings under then-chair Michael Powell. Record companies were consolidating, too, and dictating to radio stations what they would play. There were only a few remaining avant-garde stations where indie jocks would play something as daring as "Nights" was in its day.

My perception at the time was the Moodies were being marginalized because they didn't play games like the other rock stars who were remaining relevant - posing with one-half clad and the other half ghastly for posters, getting busted to stay in the news cycle, or whatever. Of course, that is just something in my own mind with no corroboration.

I am, however, grateful that the Moodies stayed true to the music and avoided the hype and commercialization.

I cannot say why certain people in the band were marginalized, but Justin does talk about strong personalities rising and diminishing in the Pinder years. The author draws from secondary sources, and even thought he nicely cites his quotes, I would have preferred him submitting his questions to a #JHQA to him publishing his conclusions. ("Then, instead of reaching conclusions, he'd be reaching for something else ...")

http://ultimateclassicrock.com.....ur-la-mer/

Nice one with the eyebrows.

leslee did you write that blurb above? I'm going to clip and paste to my blog unless you say "No because I wrote it" it's ok if I can't share. But I liked what you had to say, you did your homework.

Thank you! I did.... simple enough. It does say a lot, with the record industry "big powers" being certain promoters who could be promoting their cousins, their neighbors, their boyfriends, who knows.... quality doesn't matter, but scmoosch does.... sure a lot of mediocre musicians coming out of New Jersey and being great stars... go figure. "It is political"

The Moodies have always just been about good music. Fossil rock, yacht rock.... I still love it and obviously it is marketable. But we too have our marketing trends, Like John Lodge, I find his music just as wonderful and worth listening to as Justin's. BUT Justin has the balance of the "drool factor" in the fan base, so Justin takes the spotlight. Just goes to prove, it's about the images, and Justin at this age is projecting a "prettier image" so sure to sway the weaker, drooling minds .............. what happened to love of music for music's sake?

[sorry if I offend, but it's the truth]

I never even pay attention to radio music unless I can dial in news, the Beatles, Classical (and I turn it off when Mozart comes on) or something I love from my own youth. And we Be Baby Boomers... we are still out here listening.

I would never have given Justin a second look, and didn't back in the 60s when my bestie and I were looking them over... along with a couple of other bands (a lazy afternoon stealing our folks liquor and looking at our albums) She DID like Justin for looks, and I liked Mike, on the Threshold album (I liked Ray too, so handsome back then. My mom liked John Lodge!)

When I got divorced, and had an unsettled time in my life, getting out of the Navy and divorce and looking for my place in life (going back to college) I started listening to the Moodies more and more. It was music that took me back to age 13, an anchor in my life. It turned out every song that really touched me was by the same guy.... Hayward. I was actually living in Hayward CA at the time.... I took this as a sign and checked Justin out. Still the same "blaugh" blonde I'd seen before (not that exciting visually) but the words!!!! and the melodies!!!!

You see??? Justin visually is no more or less exciting then other men, from the photo. And there are a lot of men in this world!!!

Then I went to my first Moody concert in Concord (1990) and got the biggest kick out of JUSTIN! He was actually having a bad night, looked quite grouchy, but you could tell he had this underlay of sarcasm that was quite amusing and refreshing. "Something in the way he moves" like George Harrison would say. The others were very mechanical (except Patrick who was behaving like a ninny), like "another day another gig". Justin was "alive" to me. He came over during a dark out for him (John was singing) and stared at me.... no idea but he was bored apparently. So I stared back and we got into a stare war. Quite funny actually.

So that is why I'm so fond of Justin. He moves well, and has a very subtle humor. And yes I find him nice looking now, because there is a mind I like behind it. I think of him as a friend I see in concert once in a while. More than "friend" isn't likely as I don't like running the gauntlet of peeping fans, stalkers, security and crowds that follow them all when they tour. (LOL like he'd be interested in an old hag like me!!!! )

"Good soul" no better I'm sure than the rest of us. We all try to find the best that's within us, unless we are a very dysfunctional person. I don't think he's a saint. But I think he does put his time and energy he has to spare toward good causes such as giving fatherly smiles at disturbed chicks in the front rows.... I've seen this happen. (No that is not a reference to YOU leslee.... there are a lot of intense fans out there, yes drooling)

BTW Happy father's day to all the Moodies!