Moody Magic started for me when i met Teresa Stout on the flight to Reno. next, as we walked up to the counter for the Casino Express shuttle, two ladies offered us their unused trip tix at cut price. we were on our way!
my roommate, Christie Young from Las Vegas, had just checked in to the Blue Jay Lodge when i arrived. after i had a walk up to Raley's, and a bit of rest, we dressed for the concert. once the sun went down the temperature dived. it was definitely nice to be able to take the car over to Caesar's instead of walking this time.
we went on up to the fan gathering, bearing chips and Christie's pix from Vegas. after we had met up there with a bunch of other Lost-Chords, Annie scored an appearance by Tracy Graham, the red-headed buv. she came along and talked with everyone and autographed a dozen or so of her solo cd.
the concert was sold out. my seat was on the extreme right; first riser; at the rail. next to me was Susan Chin. beyond Susan were 2-3 red-horned cows, and that set the (unfortunate) tone for the show. it was late and had been a tough road day. the J's were not connecting (with each other or with us), and during TOSOL the only theatre were the devils waving to each other (another herd of them were in front of Ray) and distracting everybody. Justin stepped back and rubbed his forehead a couple of times. he seemed exhausted.
Saturday i took a relaxing cruise on the Motor Ship Dixie II across the lake. easy to see from the glass bottom viewer how the blue of Lake Tahoe is turning green from algae and pollution. the sun was warm enough to sit on deck holding my book ;) and enjoying the scenery paddle-wheeling by.
after a hot shower and cup of coffee, i trekked over to join a throng
of people waiting for Santa. we stood there as the thermometer plummeted
for an hour and a half! the last of the area high school bands to play
was a little jazz ensemble, and they were really quite good.
i had the lyric "You know that
Santa's on his way, he's bringing lots of toys and goodies in his sleigh,"
in my head.
Ray and Graeme were first out of the carriage, wearing jaunty elf caps. John and Santa brought up the rear. "Paparrazzi" is right! so many flash bulbs were going off that the dusk turned back to day. the president of Caesar's and his lovely wife were supposed to be part of the festivity, but i never saw them. when the crowd responded to who are we here to see? "The Moody Blues" i thought that was great.
i shot off 18 exposures faster than the flash could recharge, but i was using 1000 asa and a million other flashes were going off at any one time! The Moodies helped Santa throw a switch to light Caesar's gigantic electric Christmas Tree. i got a couple great expressions on John's face, lit by the exploding fireworks behind me. quickly then the dignitaries disappeared inside the casino.
Saturday Night's Show
Thanks to a steely resolve and some good luck, we are seated next to the stage in front of Ray. this is the closest i have ever been! the sound is terrific: we can hear the stage speakers, and even the guys when they are not near their mics.
i hear someone counting the start of "Talking Out Of Turn", who was that? i ask. Rita turns around and tells me it was Ray. he was no where near a microphone and facing the other way. i am amazed that his voice is so resonant. i am even more amazed to witness the true measure of how much work Ray is doing on all of the songs.
Jus is really into his performance, and smiling more than Friday. the crowd goes nuts the minute "The Story In Your Eyes" starts. i pray that John won't screw around at his side of the stage so long that he doesn't make the dino shuffle. he makes it, Ray is right behind him, and i am falling under the table with all three of them leaning out over me no more than two feet away!!!!
John says something to Justin and they are laughing their heads off. i snap away with my tiny point-and-shoot camera, the band completely filling up its view finder. i think i forget to breathe. as they turn to go back to their places Lisa and i try to haul ourselves up off the floor. Debbie and Rita are laughing at us, too. "we need Graeme's oxygen down here," they observe.
Lisa remarks: "I'm not a virgin, any more." to me and we both collapse with the giggles. i expect it will remain the high point of my time as a fan of the Moody Blues. i remember it and start laughing out loud at the most unpredictable moments.
Ray teases John on "Talking Out Of Turn" and John is faking Ray's vocals
on "Legend Of A Mind". on the last "OM" of "Legend", Ray doesn't sing out!
John is caught at the mic with his mouth open.
they step behind Jus and laugh at each other.
the drummers have an inexhaustible supply of sticks, and they fly every which way. one lands on the stage in front of Ray, causing him to duck. we look at it lying there for the rest of the show. two bouquet's of flowers are thrown from the audience and land next to the drum stick. at the end Ray collects his tribute and the stick is still there. when Graeme comes down to take his bows, he picks up the stick, walks past three tables of fans gesturing "me, me" and hands it to Margie Sweet!
Lisa is leaving Tahoe next day, and we say goodbye outside Cafe Roma, united in having had this fantastic concert experience together. Lisa tells me that she saw John walk by there moments later. all together a most memorable night. *sigh*
The Last Night in Heaven
Carol & Bill Ashman threw a terrific fan gathering Sunday morning/afternoon. Shawn & Marian(his mom), Susan, Karen, Annie, Rita, Debbie, Barb N, Wendy, Erin, Bob & Marsha, jen, Shelley & Bob, Paul Palath, Christie, bb, Charlene, Wendy & Will, and Margie all came by!
their room at Lakeland Village was swell: view of the lake, gas fire place, slider onto the balcony where we could stand and watch the snow falling. after they fed and laved us so well they couldn't get us to leave!
that last concert in Tahoe was one of the greatest i have ever seen. musically, of course the band were right on. but all the members seemed to be having a great time! it gets to be more and more fun to watch the buv's, Gordon, and Paul as well as the original Singers. Gordon is a kick! Paul looks around alot with the sweetest smile on his face. and of course now Tracy is a friend of mine ;)
once John walked forward to the end of my table, held the guitar up to shield his eyes from the spot light, and was staring right at me! it must have been the pretty white sweater ;) Justin was putting himself out like crazy: he must have made eye contact with absolutely everyone in the first two tiers! but when See Saw ended he split off the stage so fast ...
John mentioned that we had had "Sun, snow, and Santa Claus this weekend!" it was a great bit when they came back out for the encore: Graeme wore his jaunty elf cap, and Bias wore a Santa coat and white beard. he played a few bars of Jingle Bells!
