A very belated review of the Moodys' concert

We have been horribly remiss in not posting on the results of the Moody Blues concert in Tulsa twelve evenings ago. Almost immediately afterward the Oklahomilist was called to work a "special project" that ended last Friday, leaving little time and almost no extra energy.

Simply, it was incredible. So much better than the 1987 concert we attended. The Brady Theatre is a better venue, for one, but since that concert 20 years ago, the Moodies have learned a few things about recreating their lush, studio sound onstage. After seeing them the other night, we re-watched their 1990s DVD at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, and realized that they have improved on their live chops since then. The Tulsa event was very close to equaling the quality of their marvelous Hall of Fame DVD at London's Royal Albert Hall.

The capacity crowd responded warmly to Justin, John and Graeme and their talented group of backing musicians who displayed a virtuosity not often seen on stage these days. Especially standout was Norda, a lovely musician-singer who plays flute, guitar, harmonica and, of course, killer tambourine. (Sadly I have forgotten her last name. Were I much younger and single, I could see making it my life's ambition to seek her out. Alas.) I do not wish to slight the other singer who recently joined the tour. The same for the other musicians. Great bunch.

It was good to see Graeme so animated and spot-on with his drumming. It looks like he's stepped his game up a notch. John was in fine voice and as ever the showman. Justin was Justin: no superlative is quite enough. He remains the Oklahomilist's favorite musician-songwriter of all time.

We ran into several friends at the concert, and all of us were laughing at the widespread demographic - everything from aging hippies in their late 60s (who knew they'd live so long?) to people more in the middle years, and then young stalwarts like our two sons and their entourage. We were happy to hear them tell us that it was the best concert they had ever seen.

No surprise to us.

The set list we posted was correct except that the Moodies added "Lean on Me" from the Keys to the Kingdom album (1991).

1. Lovely to See You
2. Tuesday Afternoon
3. Lean on Me (Tonight)
4. Never Comes the Day
5. Slide Zone
6. The Voice
7. One More Time to Live
8. I Know You're Out There Somewhere
9. Story In Your Eyes
10. Wildest Dreams
11. Isn't Life Strange
12. The Other Side of Life
13. December Snow
14. Higher and Higher
15. Are You Sitting Comfortably
16. Singer in a Rock and Roll Band
17. Nights in White Satin
18. Question
19. Ride My See-Saw (The Encore)

We could be picky and complain that there were a number of tunes that should have been played for a complete representative sample of Moody Blues discography ("English Sunset" comes most quickly to mind), but the truth of the matter is that a great representative sample was presented, and some of us would never be completely satisfied unless the band stayed several days and played everything. That's not very realistic, but it's a great dream.

So thanks, guys, for dropping by our little corner of the world. It was lovely to see you again, indeed!