Last Saturday, the audience at Seneca Niagara Casino was taken on a journey to the past as the Moody Blues brought their “Timeless Flight Tour” to Western New York. Supporting their 2013 compilation album of the same name, the show featured many of the bands hits throughout the years and epitomized both parts of the term ‘classic rock’. The bands current lineup consists of long time members Graeme Edge (drums), Jon Lodge (guitar) and Justin Hayward (bass) as well as touring musicians Norda Mullen (flute and guitar), Julie Ragins (keyboard/saxophone), Gordon Marshall (drums) and Alan Hewitt (keyboards). The show was a sellout, with the age of the crowd reflecting the band’s longevity and the timelessness of their songs.
Kicking off the show with “Gemini Dream”, the Moody Blues started with an energy that did not falter throughout the entirety of the 1 hour 45 minute set. Weaving through iconic songs such as “I Know You’re Out There” and “Tuesday Afternoon,” Lodge’s voice was pitch perfect and was complimented nicely by Hayward and Edge’s playing. A pleasant surprise for me during the set was the performance put forth by Norda Mullen who brought a youthful vigor to the show. Her involvement exceeded the masterful playing of her instruments as she got the crowd clapping and dancing along with her to the classic tunes. During the song “Isn’t Life Strange,” Mullen was given the spotlight as she gave an exquisite flute solo that was delivered with elegance and class. Another highlight of the show was when Edge came out from behind his drum kit to thank the audience and provide a little comic relief. He explained that back when he had first started playing that he had shiny brown hair, with shiny white teeth and that a “V” with your fingers stood for peace. Now he joked that he had shiny white hair, with shiny brown teeth and the “V” now stands for Viagra.
Overall, the show proved to be a testament to the greatness the Moody Blues have achieved and the sheer brilliance that goes into their progressive rock style. From the soaring vocals of “Nights in White Satin” to songs with a softer touch such as “Say It with Love,” the Moody Blues received standing ovation after standing ovation. For long-time Moody Blues fans, and new fans such as myself, this show exceeded our ‘Wildest Dreams’ and reaffirmed why both young and old have such an affinity towards classic rock of this quality. As the song “Driftwood” says, “time waits for no one” and you should not wait to go see the Moody Blues.
Setlist:
Gemini Dream
The Voice
Steppin’ in a Slide Zone
Say It With Love
Peak Hour
I Know You’re Out There Somewhere
The Story In Your Eyes
Your Wildest Dreams
Isn’t Life Strange
Tuesday Afternoon
Higher and Higher
Driftwood
I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)
Late Lament
Nights In White Satin
Question
Encore
Ride My See- Saw
Photos by BackstageAxxess Correspondent Michael Mietlicki. We would like to thank Tony Astran from the Seneca Niagara Casino for the credentials to review the show.
