John Lodge’s New Live Album ‘The Royal Affair and After’ — Now Available on Limited Edition 180g Blue Vinyl
John Lodge - renowned bass player, songwriter and vocalist of The Moody Blues, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee - today releases his critically acclaimed new live album, ‘The Royal Affair and After’ on aptly coloured limited edition 180g blue vinyl, with the 180g black vinyl due for release on 11th February.
Released on CD and all digital and streaming platforms on 14th January, this spectacular 10-track album includes brand-new, live recordings of all John’s Moody Blues hits, along with special tributes to all his bandmates: Graeme Edge, Justin Hayward, Mike Pinder and Ray Thomas, including a very special recording of ‘Late Lament’ by Graeme Edge.
The album has already received critical acclaim and rave reviews. Three videos have been released on YouTube to accompany the album: ‘Ride My See-Saw’, ‘Gemini Dream’, and the latest, for ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, was premiered this week in Prog Magazine.
Check out ‘Isn’t Life Strange’ here https://youtu.be/oXpCUh0gEUg
The album was recorded live in Las Vegas on ‘The Royal Affair Tour’, in the Summer of 2019, with additional tracks recorded during John’s subsequent USA dates. The carefully curated set and album track list includes hits such as ‘I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)’, ‘Ride My See-saw’, ‘Isn’t Life Strange’, ‘Steppin’ in a Slide Zone’, and ‘Gemini Dream’. John has woven these tracks together with special tributes to his bandmates from The Moody Blues.
“I’m absolutely delighted by the incredible reaction to the album,” says John, “it truly is ’the soundtrack of my life’… as I always say to the fans: thank you for Keeping the Faith, but this time they truly have. It also makes me so very happy that Graeme did his special performance of ‘Late Lament’ for the album, he will be deeply missed, but always stay with us in our hearts and on this album. I’m also thankful to Jon Davison from YES who is a great friend, but also performs the vocals on ‘Nights’ so beautifully, honouring this iconic song. I can’t wait to see everyone back on the road — I’ve missed being just a singer in a rock and roll band!”
John and his 10,000 Light Years Band capture the essence, energy, and messages of these Moody Blues songs, performing them with the verve and musicianship the band were famed for, whilst bringing a truly modern feel to these classic songs. John’s mission statement is, after all, “I want to keep all the Moody Blues music alive!”
And that he will with this album and its carefully chosen tracks. In the words of Folk and Tumble “’The Royal Affair And After’ is a stunning live album from John Lodge”
Powerplay Magazine who awarded the album 9/10 say “Performed in Las Vegas on The Royal Affair Tour, it's clear that those present were treated to something very special… We’re left more than satisfied by a fabulous selection of live favourites which act as a timely reminder of why The Moody Blues remain one of our finest treasures.”
Sonic Perspectives agree “These fine musicians lay the groundwork to allow Lodge to shine on top with his vocals, bass and most importantly – charisma – which conveys his sustaining love for the material.”
“In summary,” RockMusicStar reflect, “The Royal Affair and After’ record is a must have for any music lover that is appreciative of well-crafted songs, classic rock and electrifying live performances. John Lodge and band bring back the magic of the Moody Blues with a record that is both very satisfying to not only to long-time fans, but also the younger newer fans. The music of the Moody Blues may be decades old, but Lodge and band give the Moody Blues’ masterpieces a fresh coat of sonic paint.”
The ‘Royal Affair and After’ is out now on CD, digital download, all streaming services, and limited-edition 180g blue vinyl. The black vinyl will be released on 11th February 2022. You can catch John and his 10,000 Light Years Band on tour in the USA in March, performing all these songs and more! See John’s website for details.
Download/Stream here https://orcd.co/JohnLodgeTheRoyalAffairAndAfter
JOHN LODGE 2022 TOUR DATES
8 March Infinity Hall, Norfolk CT
9 March Levoy Theatre, Millville NJ
11 March Suffolk Theater, Riverhead NY
12 March Warehouse at FTC, Fairfield CT
13 March Infinity Hall, Hartford CT
15 March Sellersville Theater, Sellersville PA
16 March Rams Head on Stage, Annapolis MD
17 March The Tin Pan, Richmond VA
19 March City Winery, Nashville TN
20 March City Winery, Atlanta GA (two shows in 1 night)
23 March The Villages, FL (two shows in 1 night)
25 March Ponte Vedra Hall, Jacksonville FL
26 March Stage 954 at the Casino at Dania Beach, Dania Beach FL
Track Listing (CD and Digital)
1. Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
2. Saved by the Music
3. Legend of a Mind
4. Sunset
5. Late Lament (with Graeme Edge)
6. Nights in White Satin (with Jon Davison)
7. Gemini Dream
8. Isn’t Life Strange
9. I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
10. Ride My See-Saw (with Jon Davison)
For further information
NOTES TO EDITOR
John Lodge is bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2018 inductees, The Moody Blues. Songwriter of such mega Moody Blues hits from “Ride My See-Saw,” to “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band),” “Isn’t Life Strange” and many more. Lodge has been performing and recording with The Moody Blues for more than five decades, selling in excess of 70 million albums, as well as releasing his three solo albums ‘Natural Avenue’, ’10,000 Light Years Ago’ and ‘B Yond’. Lodge has been voted one of the “10 most influential bass players on the planet,” and has been the recipient of many awards, including ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), an Ivor Novello Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Prog Magazine, to name just a few.
John is passionate about “Keeping all the Moody Blues Music Alive”, and John and his 10,000 Light Years Band provide a unique opportunity to continue to experience the magic of the Moody Blues. This January John released his live album ‘The Royal Affair and After’ and will be on tour March 2022.
WHAT THE PRESS ARE SAYING
"John Lodge and his perfectly pedigreed 10,000 Light Years Band expertly capture the undeniable live energy of a setlist filled with royally great songs that have stood the test of time, reinforcing the eternal, regal power of The Moody Blues music fans have cherished for decades." -- Mike Mettler, Sound & Vision Magazine
“Four Stars. John’s passion for his musical legacy is on full display with a performance that envelopes the listener in a rich, sonic landscape.”
Chris Hoffmann
Sinclair Broadcasting Group
“Throughout this entertaining 10 song set, John Lodge takes the audience on a ride through wonderful performances of some iconic songs, all the while, showcasing what has made him such a legendary artist.”
The Prog Report
The Royal Affair and After, will be well received by fans of The Moody Blues and will, no doubt, be considered a valuable addition to the record library of confirmed Moody’s everywhere.
MNPR MAGAZINE
it’s a fitting celebration of a set of songs that defined the 60s and 70s and are still sailing happily down the years.
Prog Magazine
“Performed in Las Vegas on The Royal Affair Tour, it's clear that those present were treated to something very special… We’re left more than satisfied by a fabulous selection of live favourites which act as a timely reminder of why The Moody Blues remain one of our finest treasures” 9/10 Powerplay Magazine
The Moody Blues no longer perform live, but clearly John Lodge has plenty of touring left in him and is very aware that there are Moody Blues fans out there who still want to revisit their repertoire live and The Royal Affair & After is the perfect way to do that. With the 10,000 light years Band putting their own stamp on the set, it makes for something fresh and exciting while staying true to the Moody’s roots.
Fireworks Magazine
For me, John was and still is undoubtedly far more than just a singer in a rock and roll band. Long may he remain so and continue to keep both his and the music of the Moody Blues alive.
Fatea Magazine
Folk and Tumble found that “’The Royal Affair And After’ is a stunning live album from John Lodge, showcasing some of the hits from the back-catalogue of The Moody Blues… The Royal Affair And After’ can be seen as a fine testimonial to the band and its legacy, but make no mistake, it is a great live album in its own right.”
'The Royal Affair And After’ is a stunning live album from John Lodge’ ‘The Royal Affair And After’ can be seen as a fine testimonial to the band and its legacy, but make no mistake, it is a great live album in its own right.
Folk and Tumble
“The Royal Affair and After,” record is a must have for any music lover that is appreciative of well-crafted songs, classic rock and electrifying live performances. John Lodge and band bring back the magic of the Moody Blues with a record that is both very satisfying to not only to long time fans, but also the younger newer fans. The music of the Moody Blues may be decades old, but Lodge and band give the Moody Blues’ masterpieces a fresh coat of sonic paint." RockMusicStar
"These fine musicians lay the groundwork to allow Lodge to shine on top with his vocals, bass and most importantly – charisma – which conveys his sustaining love for the material."
Sonic Perspectives
"John’s burning passion and fire to play the music which has come to define his legacy is readily apparent throughout The Royal Affair And After (Live).”VWMUSIC
Photo Credit: Brian Arris
Isn't Life Strange (live)
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