THERE are artists and there are legends.
On Tuesday night, the latter took the stage of Floral Pavilion in the form of Moody Blues main man Justin Hayward and swept the near sell out audience away with two hours of the most exquisitely performed, emotion fuelled music.
First up, however, was guitar impresario Mike Dawes, who's lavish techniques almost defy description.
No part of the acoustic guitar he uses throughout his all-too-short support slot is left unused, as during the breaks he banters and jokes with the crowd like some sort of laid back ringmaster.
John Mayer's Slow Dancing in a Burning Room is an absolute joy, whereas Dawes' own The Old Room - performed on a deliberately un-tuned instrument - is wonderfully mellow.
A mood-setter if ever there was one, Mike Dawes is a musician with talent oozing from his very soul and one you will be able to listen to all night long.
Justin Hayward walks on stage and immediately the warmth of appreciation washes across The Floral like the gentle embers of the sun setting outside across the Mersey estuary.
Here is a man so at ease it can't help but seep through his playing, very soon we are nodding along to some of the most iconic numbers created in twentieth century popular music.
Aided and abetted by Dawes on electric guitar and the superb Julie Ragins on keys and percussion, Hayward delivers the hits - and the anecdotes - at an astonishing rate.
Had to Fall in Love, Blue Guitar, Tuesday Afternoon (Long Afternoon), Forever Autumn, Question and the closing I Know You're Out There Somewhere would, at any other time, be the soundtrack worthy of any ticket price.
Yet when the mesmerising Nights In White Satin is so deliciously delivered, the response is seen in the immediate rising to the feet of those who witnessed it.
Magical, majestic, timeless.
Nights is just one of those songs that define a band, a singer and a period; a that never grows old.
Justin Hayward may well be 71.
You'd never know.
The fire burns bright, the songs remain priceless and the experience one that's keenly anticipated to be repeated sooner rather than later.
Rating: *****
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