Legend of a Mind

Infobox Song
Name = Legend of a Mind


Artist = The Moody Blues
Album = In Search of the Lost Chord
Released = July 1968
B-side =
Recorded = January 1968
Length = 6:34
Label = Deram Records
Writer = Ray Thomas
Producer = Tony Clarke
Last single =
This single =
Next single =
Misc =Extra tracklisting
Album = In Search of the Lost Chord
Type = studio
Tracks = ;Side one
#"Departure"
#"Ride My See-Saw"
#"Dr. Livingstone, I Presume"
#"House of Four Doors"
#"Legend of a Mind"
#"House of Four Doors (Part 2)";Side two
#

"Voices in the Sky"
#"The Best Way to Travel"
#"Visions of Paradise"
#"The Actor"
#"The Word"
#"Om"

"Legend of a Mind" is a song by the British progressive rock band The Moody Blues, and was written by the band's flautist Ray Thomas, who provides the lead vocals. "Legend of a Mind" was recorded in January of 1968 and was first released on the Moody Blues' album "In Search of the Lost Chord". It was the first song recorded for the album.

The song's lyrics are about former California gubernatorial candidate Timothy Leary. Leary was an advocate for the use of LSD, enjoying its "spiritual" benefits, with one of his catchphrases being "Turn on, tune in, drop out." The song's lyrics describe both Leary and the effects of LSD, such as:

"He'll fly his astral plane"
"Takes you trips around the bay"
"Brings you back the same day"

as well as:

"He'll take you up,"
"He'll bring you down."
"He'll plant your feet back firmly on the ground."
"He flies so high,"
"He swoops so low."
"He knows exactly which way he's gonna go."

"Legend of a Mind" is one of the Moody Blues' longer songs, lasting about six and a half minutes (although it is not quite as long as "Nights in White Satin," which is seven and a half minutes). The song also features a flute solo by Ray Thomas, which takes up most of the song, lasting about two minutes in the middle.

When playing the song live, Ray Thomas would expand the flute solo in the middle of the song, and perform it as a duet with the keyboards. The flute and keyboard duet on "Legend of a Mind" were sometimes the most popular part of The Moody Blues concerts, and Ray Thomas always received a standing ovation for his flute performance on the song. [ [http://www.moodyblues.co.uk/2002web/band/mid_ray.swf Official Ray Thomas Biography] ] However, "Legend of a Mind" is no longer performed live since Ray Thomas retired from the band in 2002.

Personnel

* Justin Hayward: acoustic guitar, backing vocals
* John Lodge: bass guitar, backing vocals
* Mike Pinder: mellotron, backing vocals
* Ray Thomas: vocals, flute
* Graeme Edge: drums, percussion

References

External links

* [http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=10191 "Legend of a Mind" from Songfacts]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDuRV2wNGFM "Legend of a Mind" being performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater (YouTube)]