As I mentioned a short while ago, I recently purchased tickets to both the Moody Blues and Jethro Tull shows in Brisbane. The Moodys played last Saturday night and were spectacular. I saw them in the late 80s when they toured Australia for the first time and while that was also a great concert, both were very different. In the 80s, the 4 core members played with little back up, and the concert was just about note perfect to their records. This time round, founding member Ray Thomas had retired and in the intervening years since their last trip they had added a second drum kit and a couple of multi-instrumentalists. While the 80s concert was perhaps a truer 'historical' Moody's sound this performance had a power and passion that really surprised me.
A local journalist writing about the concert on Tuesday said that instead of finding a bunch of superannuated 70s superstars going through the motions he witnessed a performance that was 'vibrant and muscular'. He described (singer/guitarist) Justin Hayward as 'frighteningly good'. I agree. His renditions of Forever Autumn from the War of the Worlds sountrack and of course Nights in White Satin were absolutely beautiful. I once heard an interview with an American tradiional singer who performed on the soundtrack of O Brother Where Art Thou. He described himself as having a 'lonesome voice'. Well, Justin Hayward has a voice that has a certain catch in it that speaks of longing and loss - which of course it is meant to do in many of their songs.
If any of you out there are Moodys fans who perhaps thought they were over the hill, forget about that. Line up, buy your tickets. They're about to tour the States after they finish down here.
As musicians they've just got better and, after all these years, they still enjoy their craft with a passion. You will too.
Thanks to Sue and MaggieMay at the wonderful fansite Moodysojourn for the great picture of Justin and John in action in Sydney last week.
You've got it Joe.
Posted by: Paul | April 24, 2005 at 01:18 PM
Listen to the tide slowly turning
Wash all our heartaches away
We’re part of the fire that is burning
And from the ashes we can build another day
Posted by: The Heretik | April 24, 2005 at 01:07 PM