Now I'm on my way

Now I'm on my way
Categories
Music
Tags
John Lodge, The Moody Blues, Westbury Music Fair, Jon Davison, Yes, Days of Future Passed

Caught my first live show of 2025 last week: "John Lodge Celebrating 58 Years of Days of Future Passed with special Guest Jon Davision of Yes."  The concert was at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair.  My fave Moodie is Justin Hayward.  I was not sure what to expect when I decided to go.  I found a few YouTube clips of some prior shows with Davison singing lead on songs that Justin sang lead on the originals like "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" and "The Voice."  Those videos suggested the concert would be compelling. It was!.  The band -- Alan Hewitt (Keyboards `& vocals), Duffy King (Guitars & vocals), Jason Charboneau (Cello) and Billy Ashbaugh (Drums) -- played top notch and offered fresh renditions of familiar tunes. 

What made the show special was how much John Lodge made clear his joy at being able to share the music he made with The Moodies.  During the early part of the show he shared his recovery from a stroke some 14 months ago.  When a musician (and his band) perform(s) with such energy and excellence, it makes for a compelling show and the circumstances of this show and John's exuberance in sharing the music Wednesday eve put a smile on my face.

Lodge played a good selection of Moody tunes during an opening set concluding with "I'm Just A Singer in a Rock and Roll Band."  The second set was "Days of Future Passed" in it entirely.  Highlights were "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin".  Rather than an encore, after completing the album and mucho applause, John and band accompanied by Davison went into "Ride My See-Saw."

I left glad I attended.  Looking forward to more good shows this year.  One might say as far as this concert season begins, these lyrics from Tuesday Afternoon apply: "Now I'm on my way."

Check out the sets: 

 

Set 1:

Steppin' in a Slide Zone

Talking Out of Turn

Legend of a Mind (“Timothy Leary's dead") 

The Voice (Jon Davison vocal)

Gemini Dream

Isn't Life Strange

I'm Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)

 

Set 2 - Days of Future Passed:

The Day Begins: The Day Begins/Morning Glory

Dawn Is a Feeling

Another Morning

Peak Hour
Tuesday Afternoon (Jon Davison vocal)
(Evening) Time to Get Away

The Sunset

Twilight Time

Late Lament

Nights in White Satin (Jon Davison vocal)

finale: Ride My See-Saw (Jon Davison co-vocal)

Comments

Daniel Schwartz

Great when a a show you are unsure of turns out better than expected. Starting the year strong.
ODEY RAVIV

Sounds like it was a JACKPOT night
Great insights in your blog about the Moodies.
Corey Bearak

Interestingly, after posting I learned that Jon Davison is engaged to John Lodge's daughter, Emily.
Corey Bearak

I suspect a few more will occur this year. I believe my next show is also at this venue.

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