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Time Traveller Orchestrating a Moody Blues show
By John Benson
The Moody Blues may have started out 50 years ago but it wasn’t until the group’s 1969 masterpiece “Days of Future Passed” that the rock act hit its stride.
The groundbreaking effort, which included hits “Tuesday Afternoon” and “Nights In White Satin,” not only ushered in the notion of concept albums but also introduced a classical symphonic element into the rock motif.
Someone who was blown away by the English group was Akron native Jeff Costick.
“The orchestration is beautiful,” said Costick, calling from his Rubber City area home. “The album was released as a concept album that took you through a journey of every man’s whole day. It’s just one of the few groups that did concept albums. Pink Floyd, of course, did and you listen to a Moody Blues album, “Days of Future Passed,” and it just moves you.”
Little did Costick, a touring and session musician in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, know at the time he would eventually help form Moody Blues tribute act Time Traveller, which has booked a Saturday show at Packard Music Hall in Warren, accompanied by the Chagrin Falls Studio Orchestra.
“We have a working agreement with the Moody Blues to do the orchestra show,” said Costick. “I do know members of the Moody Blues. They have no problem with it. In fact, they’re kind of glad to see us out there. They’re supportive of us.”
Also supportive, apparently, is the current crop of classic rock bands still touring. Over the years, Time Traveller has opened for many national acts. That list includes Asia, Kansas, Poco, Blue Oyster Cult, Pure Prairie League, Little River Band, Creedence Clearwater Revisited (Revival) and Starship.
As for the Packard Music Hall show, Time Traveller will be playing Moody Blues hits “Tuesday Afternoon,” “Nights In White Satin,” “I Know You’re Out There,” “Wildest Dreams,” “Isn’t Life Strange,” “The Voice,” “Story In Your Eyes” and “Gemini Dream.”
The cover band — or tribute act, as Costick prefers — has booked roughly a dozen dates this year in Ohio, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
It should be noted that the actual Moody Blues played in Akron last month. Costick said it was the first time he missed the band’s local show in more than 30 years. As far as why folks who perhaps took in the real band should make the trek out to Warren to see Time Traveller, the keyboardist put on his salesman hat.
“Because the Moody Blues aren’t presently touring with the orchestra,” Costick said. “They’re just doing the rock show. So this gives audiences a chance to hear an orchestra play the music. We basically do what they did for the Red Rocks tour.
“The symphony orchestra adds so much to the music. Plus, what it does too is introduces a lot of people to symphonic music that normally wouldn’t go see an orchestra.”
When asked how long Time Traveller will continue to tour, Costick said, laughing, “Good question. We’re all getting old but as long as there’s still an audience we’ll be out there.”