August 4 2000 Moodies Concert
at the Tropicana in AC
by Paul

Hi!
My name is Paul but I go by the nickname Hawkeye because I am one of two Pauls at work. It saves aggravation !! LOL.
Anyway, I only play rhythm and bass guitar, that is why I would NEVER put myself even CLOSE to the same caliber as Justin! He is far and above where I am!!
My opinion on the August 4th concert at the Tropicana? Let's just say that I wish that the Moody Blues had recorded that one for distribution and sale !!! While both Red Rocks & Royal Albert Hall were good..... I think the one at the Tropicana was MUCH better !!!! I guess because I was there in person (for my first concert in several years), and there were some GREAT versions of both old and new songs (I thought the live versions of "English Sunset", "Haunted", "Words You Say", "Strange Times", & "Nothing Changes" were better than I heard on the "Strange Times" CD). I LOVED it when Graeme came down from the drum riser and said "We're going to do a "RAP" song for you......Moody Blues style". I almost fell out of my seat laughing!!!!!!! And, last, but certainly not least, I was finally getting to see (only for the second time.....finances prevented other trips) THE GREATEST ROCK BAND IN RECORDING HISTORY !!!!! My only regrets are that I didn't get to meet any of them, my wife forgot her camera, and I didn't have the guts to act on the notion of trying to get a personal message to their room.Not that they would have accepted it, of course, but at least I could have tried!!!!
A musician's point of view...Thanks for the compliment: Graeme hasn't lost a beat, Ray was awesome both vocally and instrumentally, John....well, what CAN I say...
John will ALWAYS be fantastic, both musically and in his outgoing personality, and Justin.... Justin is the guitarists' guitarist ! He is what EVERY rock guitarist should hope to become! I know that I sure do! Even now. I still practice when I can. Mostly trying to learn more Moodies songs. I have learned other music, but now I think I am going to concentrate all my musical efforts to learning ONLY Moody Blues music and forming a band in that vein.
I have been out of the concert scene for quite a while for one reason or another. But I think that,after seeing the Moodies live, I will get back into it. But, again, ONLY for Moody Blues concerts !!!!!! Why waste my time on other bands?
They are THE BEST !!!!
     Best wishes & Keep Rockin' Moodies style !!!!!!
     Hawkeye

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