Days of Future Present
Last week I saw the Moody Blues, which are touring supporting the 50th anniversary of their album, Days of Future Passed.
The show I saw was at the PNC Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ where I’ve seen hundreds of shows over the years. For those of you from Northern NJ it’s the arena right off the Garden State Parkway at exit 117 (Directions by exits is a Jersey thing). Appropriately, I went with some high school buddies from Johnathan Dayton Regional High School (as it was known then) in Springfield, NJ.
Days of Future Passed was a revolutionary album at its time as it combined the music of the band along with the London Festival Orchestra conducted by the late Peter Knight. It is viewed by many as the granddaddy of progressive rock of the era.
The band played the entire album to open the second set. Even marginal Moody’s fans know Tuesday Afternoon and Nights in White Satin from this collection. The band has evolved over the years, but front men Justin Hayward and John Lodge (who both had joined the band in 1966) and drummer Graeme Edge remain. Hayward’s vocals are amazingly still strong which makes the music still feel relevant despite its age.
The set list for this show (and the tour) is as follows:
Set One
1. I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
2. The Voice
3. Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
4. Say It With Love
5. Nervous
6. Your Wildest Dreams
7. Isn’t Life Strange
8. I Know You’re Out There Somewhere
9. The Story in Your Eyes
Set Two
(Days of Future Passed)
10. The Day Begins
11. Dawn Is a Feeling
12. Another Morning
13. Peak Hour
14. Tuesday Afternoon
15. (Evening) Time to Get Away
16. The Sunset
17. Twilight Time
18. Nights in White Satin
Encore
19. Question
20. Ride My See-Saw
The first set was a little uninspiring, but good. But the second set was terrific and the sound was crisp and the Moody Blues were at their best.
Progressive rock is under-appreciated in the rock world, and shamefully the Moody Blues (along with Yes, Deep Purple and other progressive rockers of their era) are not yet in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Shame on the Hall. The Moody Blues still sound great.
More Strumings
- Tips= To Insure Prompt Service
- It’s All Over.
- A DJ Once More.
- States Rights and States Responsibilities.
The first set “uninspiring?” With four fantastic songs (all hits, 1, 6, 8 and 9)?
Other than that, I am in agreement 100%. I wish I had been there, and it is an absolute TRAVESTY that these guys are not in the R&R HOF.
Sounds was weak for first set. But more importantly, they will finally be inducted into HOF in 2018.