Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward was rock solid and flawless with his sold-out performance August 10 at The Concert Hall at the New York Society for Ethical Culture in New York City . This was the first time this Port Chester journalist has been to the small 800-seat theater and not one seat in the house was obstructed; even where I was sitting in the balcony.
His new album, “Spirits of the Western Sky” is a very personal album for Hayward about love and relationships. It has received rave reviews with his fans. Hayward never fails to deliver a stellar performance with beautiful songs from his new album, “In Your Blue Eyes,” "The Eastern Sun" “The Western Sky” “In the Beginning” to Moodies classics, “Question” “Nights in White Satin” “New Horizons” and the modified bluegrass version of “It’s Cold Outside of Your Heart.” He left out, “Lazy Afternoon” which is one of my favorite songs from the album.
The three musicians joining him on stage were the amazing finger style guitarist, Mike Dawes who opened the show, Alan Hewitt on keyboards-vocals and Julie Ragins also on keyboards-vocals. Dawes amazes audience with his incredible musical talent. He can make the guitar talk! I’ve never witnessed anyone that plays the guitar that way. It inspires anyone who wants pick up the guitar again;, even myself who took lessons for 10 years but gave it up! The trio compliment Justin and blend really well with him on stage. He is currently wrapping up his current tour, with a date at Ridgefield Playhouse, two dates at The Birchmere in Alexandria, VA., Sellersville PA, and the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta, GA. He played Tarrytown Music Hall on August 9. Let’s hope he returns to the Northeast with his follow-up solo album and tour.
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Justin is a man who truly loves his guitars, his adoring fans and his work. He is young at heart, entertaining and a master of his craft. He was very chatty and affable with the audience and spoke about the songs and what inspired him to write them and record the album, a bit about his brother who passed away years ago and about their heroes who they believed were somewhere out there in the western sky where they lived at the time in the west country of England. That’s what inspired the title of the album. All of his songs from “Spirits” are from the heart and it shows when he plays live. In my opinion, he seems more relaxed and outgoing and not as tense as he is playing with The Moody Blues. This won’t be the last we will see of this talented troubadour.
