MOODY BLUES CONCERT ROCKS
By Eva Dunn
I had highly anticipated the summer
concert series at Ironstone Vineyards, Murphys. It is such a
magnificent venue, a visually rich environment which satiates every
pleasure from the arts to cuisine, besides being an awesome venue
to hear outstanding music from world renown performers. Its grounds
are lovely, manicured lawns that meander through seemingly casual
beautiful plantings of shrubs, trees and flowers. But the skill and
knowledge that carefully laid out the paths, stone walls, and steps
that makes Ironstone Vineyards such a wonderful place to visit lies
hidden. The background of pine trees was etched sharply against the
waning sun as nightfall came softly to the Sierra foothills. As the
sun set, the stage lights came on in hues of purple and blue and we
excitedly took our seats.
Photo main page: The
Moody Blues, photo credit Mark Owens
Staff at Ironstone
are immensely hospitable, efficient, and always so friendly, making
your evening fun and one to remember. Service is five star and you are
treated like the special guest you are. The wine is delicious, the intoxicating smell
of fresh-roasted gourmet glazed nuts, almonds and
pecans, filled the air, and the happy crowd of over
6,500 on this special evening spent the last few minutes before
show time getting comfortable. Music is especially wonderful at the
summer concerts at nightfall under starry skies, sitting in the
dark with the amazing performers spotlighted onstage, the bass of
the music filling every pore. Photo: Ken, one of many staff at Ironstone
who makes your evening out a very fun time. Here Ken is already
grooving without the music!
It had cooled down
considerably by show time, and we, the audience, wine glasses in
hand, fragrant glazed nuts in the other, applauded loudly as Dave
Mason and the Dave Mason band appeared. We relaxed in our Platinum seats, just
five rows from the stage. The bass pulsed through the concrete floor
as the band dove into the first number, Mason's familiar sound,
melodic, and plaintive. Music floated around and through us,
gathered momentum and soon the whole band was jamming ...so cool!
The blue stage lights gleamed off the instruments and two twin
screens provided great close-ups, giving everyone a clear view of
the stage. They continued to play as Dave Mason lit into "Good 2
U", and revved it up with "Don'cha Know (Only You Know and I Know).
The crowd was dancing in their seats, and many couldn't keep those
feet still, and filled the aisles. The crowd applauded wildly. By
now both my ears were plugged and I could not hear a word Tim said
to me. I had forgotten how loud live concerts were! 'Pink Lipstick'
was awesome as was 'Your Wildest Dreams'. Memories flooded in of
past good times we had while listening to Dave when we were much
younger. He was terrific, and had not lost his touch nor his magic.
Photo: Gold and Platinum seating at the
Amphitheater
Dave paused to tell us he
was an Englishman, here in the USA since 1969 and had played in
bands since he was 18yrs old, beginning with the band 'Traffic'. At just 19, he wrote 'Feelin' Alright'; this song is a
rock and roll anthem, the best known version recorded by Joe
Cocker. Here he is still enjoying music, still beating out that
great sound on his guitar, still delighting the masses. Mason still
has that strong voice, melodic, smooth, never breaking or losing
power. Dave has produced, performed and written songs as well as
being one of rock's great guitar players. How awesome that we had
the privilege of being in the audience! Dave proves that rock and
roll is an attitude, not an age. Visit
www.dave-mason.com
for much more on Dave.
Courtesy Photo
The seating had been expanded since we last attended a concert at
Ironstone in 2006, almost quadrupled, which was so nice with that
much more seating available. Lawn seating is still a popular
choice, blankets dotted the lawn as far as you could see, people
relaxing, shoes off, snacking on the great sandwiches and 
salads
sold nearby, enjoying the summer night. After this rollicking good
time, we went crazy when the Moody Blues came out. Looking
like eternally boyish surfer dudes, they came out with crazy riffs, slamm'n
crescendos, wails, and splits, gee what a jam session! I cannot
even explain what it felt like to be in that audience except to say
that this kind of music just gets inside you and moves you...so even if you don't dance, or can't
dance, boy you really, really want to! The Moody Blues were
part of the British Invasion and toured with the Beatles. The
group’s progressive rock hits also are immortalized in television
and film. The band has 14 platinum and gold discs to its credit.
“Nights in White Satin,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” and “I Know You’re
Out There Somewhere,” are a few of the big hits which we heard live
and up close!
The screen set up behind the
band displayed a psychedelic show of color and movement, zany,
crazy lines and morphing forms that matched the music, hey, we were
back in the day! The raised waving arms of the crowd looked like a
sea of anemone, a purple spotlight glided over the audience and the
effect brought back a flood of memories of past concerts. Then
swirls of cosmic orange dust played over the screens, colored
lights washed the band in ever-changing colored lights. Their music
is all about themes of love, compassion, and peace. Nights in
White Satin calmed us down and filled every pore with love. The Moody
Blues are unique and illuminate arenas around the world;
tonight they lit up the stage at Ironstone. They are not only part
of music history, but also pop culture. The group includes
guitarist/vocalist Justin Hayward, bassist/vocalist John Lodge and
drummer Graeme Edge. Their sound is a tantalizing mix of melodies
and harmonies with a depth that was awesome.
Photo: the audience up close and personal,
enjoying the night of music
The hard beat of driving rock and roll you can get lost in played
and played, the
keyboardist jammed, the drummer went crazy on
his set, and they all met at the same place, that high high note
that went on endlessly, tantalizing, mesmerizing, addictive. There
was a wide spectrum of ages represented at this concert, the baby
boomers like us, thirty something's totally enjoying themselves,
and even the younger set of twenty something's eating up the rock
and roll. We were having a raucous good time! They broke into the
famous 1967's 'Tuesday Afternoon', a real treat, a favorite of the
crowd and the oh so many females in the audience. Their two young
band members were excellent, the flutist so talented. Justin kept
smiling down at the dancing females below him who swayed and danced
to the music, no partners needed. He did a song from 1917 England,
from days past.
Photo: John Lodge, skilled
member of the Moody Blues
It was melodic,
idyllic, a hopeful sweet song, 'I know You're Out there Somewhere'. It was a familiar
sound, liltingly musical as time stood still...it is the same sound
we heard years and years ago. The Moody Blues had returned
and the crowd couldn't get enough of their music. I closed my eyes,
taking in the music, opened them and looked around at the crowd,
the starry sky. The lights playing over the distant pine trees was
awesome. A strong guitar beat with no inhibitions, started to wail
and the ladies ran up front to dance and wave, bounce and sway,
heads thrown back in their impromptu dancing. 'In Your Wildest
Dreams' played as old photos and clips of the group in
concert flashed on a screen behind them. It was awesome and we were having
a rocking good time!
The weather was perfect, a soft breeze gentled the warm
air on a dark, magical
night. Standing ovations were the order of the evening. 'I wish I
could be' by the drummer was spirited, unique, really groovy.
Moving lyrics, heart felt just made the song perfect as he sand and
played the double-neck guitar. Wish I could be in Your Arms
was beautiful too. It was a fantastic concert at the amazing
Ironstone Amphitheater. Driftwood was like a moodscape; we
were high on music. Tambourines, flute, great light show, what a
night! The flute, played by Norda Miller, was beautiful, a unique
musical accent to the Moody Blues' unique sound. The
flutist's solo was a thing of beauty, the long silver flute
glinting in the blue stage lights; when a second flutist appeared,
the duet was serene, wistful, incredibly beautiful. Berry on vocals
was hot, Gordon on drums sublime. This always has been a very cool
band, and I still love their music. Man, we were back in the 70's!
The last song 'Singers in a Rock and Roll
Band' was a perfect almost-ending. Almost ending because as perhaps
an eighth of the spectators were making their way through the
grounds to their cars, a roaring standing ovation drew the band
back to the stage for about 3 more songs! It was wonderful as we
walked through the night along the beautiful paths, listening to
this great sound of the Moody Blues. The hysterical crowd
was appeased. Check out their albums, The Best of the Moody
Blues, The Other Side of Life, On the Threshold of a Dream.
The Moody Blues have gone Multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold
with albums and singles, and have generated sold-out tours on a
consistent basis over the course of several decades, making them
one of the top-grossing album and touring bands in existence.
Again, here we were enjoying these icons at the fabulous Ironstone
Amphitheater! Moody Blues have always been there to provide
the world with live music that is engaging and awesome. As they
continue to tour in 2009, The Moody Blues can be expected to
offer that unique experience of rock & roll delivered with
commitment and a sentiment of peace.
Photo: nightfall and the stage is
spotlighted
If you haven't made it to a concert yet at Ironstone Amphitheater,
do yourself a favor and get out there. Is is the perfect summer
venue and quite a treat, a five star evening. Voted 'the best place
to see live music in Calaveras County', the Amphitheatre is a most
beautiful and intimate setting providing amazing sound quality.
While you are here, enjoy Ironstone's tasting room and gourmet deli
with wonderful items for purchase. Ironstone Amphitheatre at
Ironstone Vineyards will from time to time have shows that focus on
small groups from around the area.
The five-tier, horseshoe-shaped
amphitheatre has become a favorite amongst locals and travelers,
who come to enjoy a variety of events in the amphitheatre,
including the Ironstone Summer Concert Series, which features world
class performers in one of the most unique and beautiful settings
in the world. The Amphitheatre is also home to the annual Concours
d'Elegance car and club show and several other events throughout
the year. The summer concert series continues with Diana Krall
w/ Dave Koz & Brian Culbertson Side By Side, Sunday, August 16-
Doors 6:00 PM; Jason Mraz w/ Raphael Saadiq, Friday, August
28- Doors 7:00 PM; Chris Isaak w/ Brian Setzer & Nashvillains,
Sunday, September 6- Doors 6:00 PM; Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ Los Lonely
Boys, Friday, September 18- Doors 7:00 PM; Crosby, Stills &
Nash, Saturday, September 19- Doors 7:00 PM. Indeed, The Kautz
family has made Ironstone a destination.
Ironstone Vineyards Summer Concert
Series, 209-728-1251, 1894 Six Mile Rd., Murphys 95247.
www.ironstonevineyards.com. Travel on the new Highway 4 that
goes through Murphys, CA. Tickets can be purchased on line at
http://www.ticketmaster.com.
To charge tickets by phone, please call (800) 745-3000. Tickets
are also available at all Ticketmaster Outlets including:
Wherehouse Music, Ritmo Latino, FYE, and select Save Mart
Supermarkets. Reserved and lawn tickets are available at Black Oak
Casino. On the day of the show tickets to that show will be
available on site at the Ironstone box office. The presenting
sponsor for this year's Ironstone Summer Concert Series is Black
Oak Casino. Their other sponsors are Guaranty Bank, Ticketmaster,
Bear Valley Resort, Anheuser Bush, Pepsi and Sacramento News &
Review. For more information, call (209) 728-1251 or visit
http://www.ironstonevineyards.com
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