Time to go? - Moody Blues Sheffield City Hall

I CAN’T believe there are many more fervent Moodies fans than me.

I’ve followed them man and boy since the days of Denny Laine.

But even I’m now wondering whether it is time for them to Go Now.

What irks me most is that they haven’t produced a studio album of new material for a decade.

Concert performances are a re-hash of their back catalogue, good as far as it goes, but how I long for something new.

Just on the market is Timeless Flight — a “definitive career-spanning” box set comprising 17 discs, 120-page booklet plus other bits and pieces.

All very nice, but most fans will already have got most of the material in their collections and, at around £180, it’s not cheap.

And to be honest it’s surely a bit of a rip-off.

The surviving trio of Justin Hayward, John Lodge and Graeme Edge are augmented by a second drummer, keyboards and two female musicians these days.

And there was a full house of followers at the City Hall who revelled in their programme.

But my partner thought the sound was not as good as it might be and she complained that the vocals were often lost.

Good point because, let’s face it, Justin and the lads are getting on (he’s 66 and Graeme is 72) and things ain’t quite what they used to be.

No doubt they can continue touring for a few years yet if they want to and the devotees will continue to worship.

They will include yours truly although I am sad to say I think they’re past their best but still entertaining.