The Moody Blues to release 'Days Of Future Passed Live' on blu-ray, DVD and CD on March 23, 2018

I count The Moody Blues as one of the greatest 1960s-spawned artists still performing today. Along with The Zombies and John Fogerty, they continue to deliver potent and powerful performances well into the 21st century! Now comes word that The Moody Blues have an exciting release coming out next week in connection with the 50th anniversary of their seminal album 'Days Of Future Passed.' Get all the details below...

The Moody Blues' 'Days Of Future Passed Live'

is set to be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on Friday, March 23, 2018

 
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Photo credit: Patricia Seaton

On March 23, 2018, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Days Of Future Passed Live by The Moody Blues on DVD, Blu-ray and 2CD.  Filmed in high definition, this title captures The Moody Blues delivering an incredible performance of Days Of Future Passed live in its entirety with a full orchestra.  This stunning concert includes: “Nights In White Satin”, “Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)”, “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock And Roll Band)”, “Isn’t Life Strange”, “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere”, “Question”, “Ride My See-Saw”, and many more.
 
The Moody Blues’ classic 1967 album Days Of Future Passed is regarded as one of the foundation stones of the progressive rock genre. In 2017, the band headed out on the album’s 50th Anniversary Tour which included the wonderful show captured here at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts in Toronto, accompanied by a full orchestra. The concert begins with the band by themselves performing a selection of classic Moody Blues tracks before they are joined by the orchestra to perform Days Of Future Passed plus a couple of fantastic encore tracks. The Bonus Feature, entitled “Remembering Days Of Future Passed”, delivers brand new interviews with Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge discussing the making of this classic album.
 
The Moody Blues -- Justin Hayward (guitar, vocals); John Lodge (bass, vocals); Graeme Edge (drums, percussion)– are joined on stage by Norda Mullen (flute, guitar, percussion, vocals); Julie Ragins (keyboards, percussion, guitar, saxophone, vocals); Alan Hewitt (keyboards, vocals); Billy Ashbaugh (drums, percussion)and Elliot Davis (musical director, conductor and co-arranger).  The live show also features the voice of Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons on the two spoken word tracks: “Morning Glory” and “Late Lament”.
 
Days Of Future Passed Live is without doubt the definitive live version of this much-loved album and will be treasured by fans of The Moody Blues for years to come.
 
 
TRACK LISTING
 
Part One – The Moody Blues In Concert (CD Disc 1)
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
 
Part Two – Days Of Future Passed Live (CD Disc 2)
10) The Day Begins   11) Morning Glory   12) Dawn (Prelude)   13) Dawn Is A Feeling   14) The Morning (Prelude)   15) Another Morning   16) Lunch Break (Prelude)   17) Peak Hour   18) Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)   19) Evening (Time To Get Away)   20) The Sun Set (Prelude) 
 21) The Sun Set   22) Twilight (Prelude)   23) Twilight Time   24) Late Lament   25) Nights In White Satin   26) The Night (Finale)
 
Encore
27) Question   28) Ride My See-Saw
 

Moody Blues perform one for the ages

Images of the early Moody Blues flashed behind the 2015 version
of  the Moodies performing at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles
on May 5, 2015. Photo: Robert Kinsler

Deftly balancing nostalgia and a contemporary concert experience, the Moody Blues’ inspired performance at the Greek Theatre on May 5 was both a trip down Memory Lane and a chance to hear a fantastic group of seven players share their unique blend of psychedelic, folk and art rock in a perfect setting.

With no opening band, the Moody Blues (featuring singer-guitarist Justin Hayward, singer-bassist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge) were able to deliver a two-part 18-song set that featured all but one of the group's big hits (the exception being "Go Now") as well as some deep album cuts of interest to hardcore fans.

Opening with a spirited version of their early ’80s hit “Gemini Dream,” the selection was the first of many to feature Hayward’s melodic and precise style of lead guitar. “The Voice” followed, with Hayward's still-potent vocals and the group's shining harmonies engulfing the open air theater.

Having joined that rare group of rock acts still thriving after 50 years together, the Moody Blues’ ability to shift gears from its ELO-ish ’80s material back to psychedelic rock carved out in the ’60s and art rock from the ’70s material was relatively easy because of the talents of the talented musicians on stage.

Norda Mullen was particularly effective in helping bring the ambitious and wide-ranging material to life, using her virtuoso talents on flute along with her acoustic guitar play and strong soprano to enhance the songs. On the rarely heard “You and Me” (off the band's 1972 disc “Seventh Sojourn”), Mullen’s skillful work on acoustic guitar mirrored Hayward’s intensity on his electric instrument as the folk rock song built in intensity to a dramatic finish.

The near-capacity crowd was tuned into the band’s concert from the beginning, but seemed to really get into the spirit of the special night when the band performed “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” near the end of the first half of the show, many remaining on their feet for the psychedelic rocker “The Story in Your Eyes.”

The Moody Blues lost no momentum when they returned from an intermission to perform another hour of original music. The uplifting “Your Wildest Dreams,” introspective British-styled folk piece “Isn't Life Strange,” ardent “Tuesday Afternoon” and straight-up rocker “I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)” were among the highlights of the fast-moving second act.

Justin Hayward performing "Nights in White Satin" at
the Greek Theatre on May 5. Photo: Robert Kinsler

“Nights in White Satin” remains a powerful piece of symphonic rock, with Hayward’s mighty voice and sterling work on his 12-string guitar a key part of the song’s magic. The song was reworked where Edge came down from behind his kit to recite the iconic "Late Lament" poem he wrote that closes out the 1967 studio recording to begin the piece, before Hayward comes in with his 12-string guitar to launch the compelling song itself he wrote when he was only 19. After the masterwork, the band received a long and enthusiastic standing ovation, with the Moodies obviously moved by the audience continuing to clap for a minute or so.

Justin Hayward, left, and John Lodge on May 5.
Photo: Robert Kinsler

As strong as the Moody Blues were at performing the symphonic rock that yielded their most iconic song, the band wasn't afraid to rock. “Steppin' in a Slide Zone” (played early in the set) and the night-ending “Ride My See-Saw” could have pleased the masses at Coachella with their fiery mix of British blues-rock, powerful rhythms and the one-two punch provided by Lodge and Hayward on bass and guitar. Even a rousing version of their 1969 song “Gypsy (Of a Strange and Distant Time)” had a contemporary edge with its propulsive beat positioned around its progressive rock foundation.

A night of classic and timeless rock to be sure.