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One
note: Tuesday night's concert was in two acts, with the usual 20 minute
intermission (unusual to get a full concert at a casino - Thanks, Viejas!)
The Fashion Report: JL: White short sleeved shirt, black slacks, first half, black short-sleeved shirt second half. JH: Black long-sleeved shirt, black slacks, first half, white long-sleeved shirt (appears to be one of his favorites) second half. Ray: Black long-sleeved shirt, black slacks for entire concert GE: painter's drop cloth shirt , first half, black shirt with white design on right side second half Bernie: Same as prior night, black, low-cut halter jump suit Two things: the Viejas stage is quite high (at least 5 feet) and I was unable to tell if the Band had chipped in together and bought Bernie a pair of shoes or the tour, or whether she was again barefoot. Justin did come fairly close to the edge of the stage and so I was able to see his policeman shoes. He appears to have left the studded boots in his closet for this tour (Damn! one fan in my hotel room was heard to say). The second half attire by the Front Men proved to be QUITE striking, with Justin's white shirt framed by black on either side. Looked Good! The stage setup had the three mikes closer than last year. The Venue: The Viejas venue is in its second year and conditions there were much improved. Screens surround the venue in a tasteful manner and one actually forgets she is at a shopping mall. Personnel are pleasant, courteous and friendly and the crowd is well managed. Like Sandia, cameras are forbidden, and they searched purses for even small cameras. The stage looked better than last year, less thrown together. It's a cute, well-laid out area and has the advantage of regular restaurants within the complex. This year the famous watershow was active and entertained us before the concert. It's turning out to be quite a nice little venue! The Concert: The setlist was the same as the prior night, including both the Actor and Gemini Dream. Technical problems seemed at a minimum, and the concert went smoothly. John was hopping around tonight energetically and did a few different and very enjoyable (though subtle) changes, including a cool rendition of his solo moment "I'm Just a Singer in a rock 'n roll band". My valued associate (some call her my partner in crime!) noted the guitar solo was different in Singer and that oddly enough, JH and JL were singing different words in one stanza of Gemini Dream. Libretto Assistance, please! Who was right? We won't tell!!! LOAM: What is happening here? Ray Thomas gave the most beautiful, moving, SPIRITUAL rendition of the flute solo in LOAM tonight that I have ever heard! His flute never sounded more beautiful. His vocals were also outstanding tonight. However, though he and Paul sounded more together than on Saturday's semi-disaster, the accompaniment is not pleasing and sounds quite discordant in some places, in an UNintended way. Is Paul using a different type of keyboard than used for LOAM on the prior tours? It has a piano-type sound. I don't like it. Others don't like it. Is the accompaniment a different arrangement? I don't like it! Others don't like it! LOSE IT! Damn it, make it sound like it USED to sound. While I personally appreciate a need for an artist to move in a different artistic direction, this must be a moral musical wrong. It was perfect how it was. This is obviously a case of "if it's not broken, don't fix it". Formal written protests on this matter WILL be filed with the Geneva Convention. The New Backing Vocalist/Keyboard: FIRST of all, I want to state that this is my PERSONAL opinion (along with my partner-in-crime). Others will form their own opinion, and that is how it should be. After three concerts, I would GENTLY like to say, that some coaching is in order. She is distracting and takes my attention away from the Band (and by this I mean Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge) She tends to catch one's eye with large movements and arm motions (often at wildly inappropriate times) and pained and painful facial expressions. The only analogy I can think of, and in fact am constantly reminded of, is that of watching a train wreck: You want to, but you CAN'T look away! Do NOT point at me (meaning the audience) during TOSOL, and please, refrain from ever doing those jumping jacks again. Tracy and Sue had an undeniable professional and smooth quality to their performance with the Moody Blues. Those qualities are lacking here. AGAIN, this is my personal opinion (as is every word I write, unless credited to another person). This is not a review of the new member's musical talents or performance; there has not been enough of that evident to evaluate. Paul does not distract me, though he always provides a pleasant contribution (other than his music). The show is in FRONT, and that is how I feel it should be. If I was asked for my suggestion, I would suggest that she be videotaped solely and throughout an entire concert, and someone with wisdom, experience and good taste be allowed to evaluate it and counsel her. And PLEASE GOD, make it SOON!!! I dislike having to write the above, and have no desire to either discourage or upset the new hire. Nor do I wish to have paper bags of poop thrown at me on the front row from her vantage point (not that she would!) However, I would like to provide other fans with an honest evaluation of tonight's concert. I will be returning to the Great Midwest tomorrow for a University board meeting this week, and I hope that another fan will provide reviews of the rest of the California concerts, so that *I* can read what is going on! Two people have asked me to post my tour reviews on other boards. I am happy for any reader to repost this review as long as it is posted in its entirety and that credit is given. I'll be back with laptop for Portland. All the best, Maggie |
