The Moody Blues - August 25, 2009 @ Bank of America Pavilion

As 68-year-old drummer Graeme Edge was quick to point out, we've recently celebrated a few 40th anniverseries. It's been "forty years and four decades" since Woodstock, and likewise "forty years and four decades" since the first landing on the moon. It's safe to assume that at least 2/3 of the 3700 people at the Bank of America Pavillion remember each of these two events. However, despite all the time that has gone by sinced Edge's teeth were white and his hair was not, some things have not changed at all. "It's still sex, drugs, and rock and roll!," Edge exclaimed midway through the second of two hour sets last night at the Moody Blues concert.

The Moody Blues took the stage at the Pavillion at 7:40 PM, opening up with 1981 pop hit "The Voice." From there the group enthusiastically played through a progressive rock set of classic Moody Blues tunes, reviving memories for the diverse population present at the venue. Justin Hayward's voice was in top form, crisply flowing throughout the facility on the beautiful August night. At the same time, he seemed to put little effort into sounding so polished, frequently interacting with the audience.

The three founding members present were additionally supported by four other talented multitalented artists. While multi-instrumentalist Norda Mullen might be younger than the band she performs with, her presence enhances the uniqueness of the British group. Her versatile flute playing is a great compliment to the guitar playing on many of the tunes.

The band broke for a twenty minute intermission after "Story In Your Eyes." While intermissions in the middle of a single act often tend to have a negative connotation, most of the audience members seemed too swept with the joy of revival to even care. After the intermission, the Moody Blues relaunched with "Your Wildest Dreams," and at that point the music seemed as if it had been flowing all along and there had been no interruption. The tireless performing continued in the spirit of Woodstock. Towards the end of the second set, Hayward modestly reminded the audience "we're just singer's in a rock and roll band." The audience excitedly responded to this cue for their signature hit.

After the second set, the band joyfully returned for a final encore. It begun with a lengthy keyboard introduction and drum duet. Then Hayward and Lodge, both dressed in Boston Red Sox outfits, made way onto the stage to sing 1968 classic "Ride My See-Saw."

Setlist:

Set 1:

1. The Voice
2. The Day We Meet Again
3. Steppin' in a Slide Zone
4. Gypsy
5. Tuesday Afternoon
6. Lean on Me (Tonight)
7. Never Comes the Day
8. Peak Hour
9. I Know You're Out There Somewhere
10. Story in Your Eyes

Set 2:

1. Your Wildest Dreams
2. Isn't Life Strange
3. Other Side of Life
4. Driftwood
5. Higher and Higher
6. Are You Sitting Comfortably?
7. I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock & Roll Band)
8. Late Lament
9. Nights In White Satin
10. Question

Encore:

1. Ride My See-Saw