The Moody Blues

Foxwoods Casino - March 16, 1998

from left: Hayward, Lodge, Thomas

The Moody Blues played to a sold-out crowd at Foxwoods Casino on March 16. The evening was full of surprises beginning with drummer Graeme Edge performing the soliloquy from "Nights In White Satin". Edge was then joined on stage by band mates Justin Hayward (guitars/vocals), John Lodge (bass/vocals), and Ray Thomas (vocals/flute) for two full hours of music. Additional musicians included two keyboard players (Bias Boshell & Paul Bliss), a second drummer (Gordon Marshall), and two backup singers (Sue Shattock & Tracy Graham). The Moodies played a broad spectrum of hits from their thirty years in the business, including songs from Days Of Future Passed, Seventh Sojourn, and their most recent effort, Keys Of The Kingdom.

Hayward, Lodge, and Thomas shared lead vocal duties on a pounding version of "I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)", which featured Thomas & Lodge at the same microphone ala The Beatles and serious guitar leads by Hayward. Ray Thomas had the crowd on its feet for his flute solo during "Legend Of A Mind", and John Lodge rocked his way through "Steppin' In A Slide Zone."

The Moody Blues should have a new release out by early 1999 and we were treated to one new song to appear on that record, "Strange Times". At the end of the show, Ray Thomas gave his tamborine to a youngster in the audience and Graeme Edge followed suit with a drum stick. The masters of orchestral rock passed the torch on to the next generation.

Set List:

soliloquy from Nights In White Satin
The Voice
Tuesday Afternoon
Steppin' In A Slide Zone
Strange Times
My Lady
Never Comes The Day
Lean On Me
I Know You're Out There Somewhere
The Story In Your Eyes
Wildest Dreams
Isn't Life Strange
The Other Side Of Life
I'm Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)
Nights In White Satin
Legend Of A Mind
Question
Ride My Seesaw

Review by Stephanie Perry

Photograph by Angie Gilchrist

Rock Notes On-Line - http://www.oocities.org/SunsetStrip/5014/