Justin Hayward – Spirits...Live
Eagle Rock Entertainment
www.eaglerockent.com

Rating: C+

Justin Hayward is famous for his work in the band The Moody Blues.  In the five decades he’s been a Moody, Justin has only toured as a solo artist twice, most recently in 2013 in support of his solo effort titled Spirits of the Western Sky.  Seeing as Justin’s solo treks are a rare occurrence, Eagle Rock Entertainment thought it would be a good idea to record the event, so they road-tripped to the Buckhead Theater in Atlanta, Georgia and did just that.  It also happened to be the final night of the tour... will magic ensue?

Blu-Ray looks and sounds great on this effort, and the performances of each band member are all up to par.  As with most solo tours, however, the track list is a mixture of Justin's original work, heavy on his new release, with a few Moody classics thrown in for good measure.  The concert is pretty much an acoustic event and the lack of a drummer, it must be mentioned, is a piece that is missed on many of the arrangements. 

At the end of the day, it is a unique and intimate performance.  The songs are well done, however the concert plods along slowly. A trot or two here and there would have been appreciated.  It is not so much boring or dull, as it is simply ‘mellow’.  Suffice it to say, if you're a huge Hayward or Moody fan, then you will lap this up.  If not, you will pass it by. 

By Jeb Wright