From before Days of Future Passed to Strange Times and beyond, Justin Hayward has been connecting the past to the future to the Present with his solo work, collaboration with other artists, and, of course, with the Moody Blues. His recent concert in Derry, New Hampshire, was as good as any of the 10+ Moody Blues concerts this author has seen, as described in this review.
More than Ever – The Focus is the Music #
The concert, part of his Blue World Tour that ends in England on November 3rd, showcased the breadth and depth of Hayward’s music from his 60+ year career. The intimacy of the sold-out Tupelo Music Hall was the perfect venue for the music. The sound was perfect.
The focus of the show was the music. The simple backdrop was reminiscent of the album cover for The Present. Mike Dawes, Julie Ragins, Karmen Gould, and Josh Johnson formed a perfect complement to Justin Hayward.
Dawes, as seen in his pre-show warm-up, is a one-man band with his guitar. It’s understandable why Justin Hayward has heaped such praise on his guitar-playing abilities. His pre-show performance, which ranged from his originals to interpretations of classics like Van Halen’s Jump, set the stage for the group’s performance. Dawes’ affable and approachable stage presence was reinforced with his post-show banter in the lobby, where he sold and signed his merchandise.
Ragin’s harmonies with Hayward freshly reimagined the originals. Her keyboard playing created the lush backdrop of so many of Hayward’s songs, while Gould’s flute playing completed the package. They appeared to be having fun on stage. Hayward regularly stepped out of the spotlight to showcase the talents of the other performers.
Timeless Performance #
Unbelievably, for someone who is well into his 8th decade, Hayward’s voice was as strong as ever and emoted the same feelings as when the songs were new. The ultimate professional, he effortlessly and efficiently moved through the set without missing a beat. He joked about not rehearsing, but it is clear that his assembled group is as tight as he and his former bandmates ever were.
Often, he would play two or three songs in a row, so they became woven into a musical tapestry of some of his greatest hits. The familiar songs, such as Nights in White Satin, Question, and Tuesday Afternoon, were in the mix. The special treats were found in the deep cuts, such as Out and In, Hope and Pray, Forever Autumn, and his latest original release, Living for Love.
Occasionally, he would interject a story to provide more context about the music and his life. These were often self-deprecating anecdotes of life lessons from the proverbial school of hard knocks.
He and the band seemed extremely appreciative of the fans’ adulation. Of course, many fans would love to see a Blue Jays reunion with Hayward and John Lodge. This fan came away with a new perspective. With Hayward and Lodge performing separately, they expose more of the Moody Blues’ extensive catalog and bring joy and their love of music to a wider audience.
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