DESCRIPTION:
"Steppin' In A Slide Zone" was the opening track on The Moody Blues' ninth studio album, Octave, from the spring of 1978.

The Moody Blues are one of the few remaining groups which I list among my all-time favorites for which I've I have not (until now, in the case of The Moody Blues) made a video. Until very recently the effort to make one would have been wasted, but I am thrilled that I can finally so some Moodies! ;-)

This is easily my favorite Moody Blues album (though I'm a fan of all their albums), and contains at least 4-5 of The Moody Blues tracks that I most want to put a video behind. Octave was one of my very favorite albums from 1978 and though it didn't get played much with friends, at parties, etc. (though I'm certain I tried a few times!) as often as many other records from that year....it spent way more than it's fair share spinning on my turntable late at night. What a great record! :-)

FROM WIKI:
The album proved to be the last for the group with keyboardist Mike Pinder, who departed during the album's sessions, and declined an offer to tour with the group. Pinder had just started a new family in California, and found that he was not getting along with his bandmates as he had. As a result of Pinder's departure, Justin Hayward and John Lodge were forced to play some of the remaining keyboard parts themselves, and Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1979 tour, beginning a new era in the band's history.

Octave was considered a departure from previous Moody Blues albums, mainly because the group's use of lounge-style organs and synthesizers in place of a Mellotron or Chamberlin (Pinder's song "One Step Into the Light" referenced the Mellotron). Real strings were used on three songs: "Under Moonshine" and "I'm Your Man" (both written by Ray Thomas), as well as "Survival" (written by John Lodge).

Released after a considerable break, which saw The Moody Blues returning in an era of punk music and disco, Octave evidenced a reduced commercial impact for the band, but reached #6 in the United Kingdom and went platinum in the United States, where the album reached #13. The album produced the hit single "Steppin' in a Slide Zone," which hit #39 in the US, in addition to "Driftwood".
END WIKI.

I remember when this album was released...punk and new-wave held sway and there wasn't a whole lot of love for this new Moody Blues effort. I think some critics were leery of giving high praise to the earlier groups which were considered "dinosaurs" because they were concerned about their hip image and it was far cooler to be falling allover themselves for the latest band to emerge from the underground....and subsequently great records such as this one weren't given the credit they deserved. I can clearly remember Rolling Stone giving the album an unfavorable review and wondering how they could miss that it was absolutely spilling over with gorgeous melodies, great hooks, amazing singing and great production. To me at least, even though I was as deeply into the emerging new-wave as most, this album came as sort of an oasis of melody....it was a reminder that there was a reason that some of the "dinosaurs" were (and remained) popular....they made great music!

I'll definitely have a few more tracks from this album up very soon...until then, I hope you enjoy this one. Thanks so much for watching!

As usual HUGE THANKS to everyone's who's art contributed to this new art.....THANK YOU!!!!!!

[Lyrics]
I took a ride in a limousine
I took a road I'd never been
I met a stranger by the way
His coat was torn but his eyes were clear

Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' in a slide zone

He told me where a river flows
He showed me how the apple grows
He told me of a magic stream
His face was worn but his eyes were clear

Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' in a slide zone
Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' through a time zone

He went to find a shooting star
Around the bend that's where they are
I went along just for the ride
Suddenly I began to glide

Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' through a time zone

The air raced by there was no sound
We drifted high above the ground
And then said you know this place
And then a smile lit up his face

Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' in a slide zone
Standing in a slide zone
I could be steppin' through a time zone

I turned my head and looked below
And there was something there I know
Suddenly I began to fall
I looked around and tried to call

Standing in a slide zone
He had me steppin' in a time zone
Standing in a slide zone
Falling through a time zone

Help me please I thought I said
Then something happened in my head
Music came from all around
And I knew what I had found

Standing in a slide zone
Falling through a time zone
Steppin' in a slide zone
He had me falling through a time zone