Van Morrison and his 10 piece, country honk band 'doe- si- doe'd' into New York fresh from stints stateside at the venerable Fairgrounds in New Orleans on Friday (as a National Headliner for this year's JazzFest) and a unique, once off show Saturday night at the Chastain Amphitheater outside Atlanta, Georgia.
Van had already toured Europe and the States last year highlighting his newest album Pay the Devil and this evening 's fans were quite familiar with most, if not all of his songs on tonight's setlist. Not that Van gave much heed to whether his fans get a greatest hits show, nevertheless, to truly enjoy Mr. Morrison live one must sit back and be open to whatever the muse will deliver on that particular evening. Tonight Van was very good indeed, good enough to justify selling out the Theater at $175 per ticket.
His shows invariably last 90 minutes, but tonight he played an hour and forty five, making light of the situation by claiming in the middle of the show he was grateful we fans could stay out this late on a Sunday night. Twenty plus song show is alot by Van Morrison's standards, usually one could set their watch to his concerts - but New York City is a favorite venue for Van and this evening it showed. He opened the concert with "Talk is Cheap" a bluesy, rhythmic number from his album Down the Road. He then segued into a heartfelt "I'm Not Feeling It Anymore", a bouncy, horn driven song given a new look and feel live, borrowed from his emotional, double album Hymns to the Silence.
Van plays the sax, guitar and harmonica liberally throughout his shows, but tonight he also played the piano, something I have rarely, if ever, seen this quixotic performer do during a performance. He is a rare musical genius, who also had a lot of notable fans in the audience, one being Vincent Pastore - Sal 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero from The Sopranos. Those at this evening's show know this, because Van played "The Philosopher's Stone" at his backstage guests' special request! A long beautiful song, included on his Back on Top collection released in 1999.
Article comments
1 - jeff kessler
I agree--great show. One downside I saw was the group of backup singers. Van is unique and one of the more soulful singers ever. The backup singers, while technically fine, were simply not a good accompaniment for Van. I thought I was watching "The Return of the Ray Conniff Singers"--vocalists without a hint of soul!
BTW, there were a few "cheap" seats in the back at a mere $90. Usurious!
2 - d alper
Jeff-Thanks for the comments, Van shines with his back up singers. You might recognize Katie Kissoon, she accompanies him alot (but not on this night) and gets a killer solo on Crazy Love! She also has toured and played with Pink Floyd. In a way, Van fancies himself an acolyte of Ray Charles maybe we should refer to his back ups as the 'Van Lettes'? $90 for rafter seats seems even crazier than regularly priced seats but then again, I'd rather 'Pay the Devil' than not see him at all!
3 - Double A
Van is the man
4 - mike
what song was it that had the lyrics "drinking wine in the alley" & "making time in the alley"?
5 - d alper
Is this it? Van has covered this tune?
Hank Williams Iii - Wine Spodeeodee Lyrics
Well down in New Orleans where everything's fine
All them cats is sippin' that wine
Drinkin' that mess is sure delight
Soon to be fightin' and fussin' all night
Drinkin' wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
Pass that bottle to me
Wine, wine, wine
(Blackberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Raspberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Huckleberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Wild Cherry)
Wine, wine, wine
Pass that bottle to me
Drinkin' that mess is sure delight
Soon to be fightin' and fussin' all night
Knockin' out windows, kickin' down doors
Drinkin' a half-gallon and askin' for more
Drinkin' wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
Pass that bottle to me
Wine, wine, wine
(Blackberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Raspberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Huckleberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Wild Cherry)
Wine, wine, wine
Pass that bottle to me
Well down in New Orleans where everything's fine
All them cats is sippin' that wine
Drinkin' that mess is sure delight
Soon to be fightin' and fussin' all night
Drinkin' wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
(drinkin' wine)
wine spodee-o, drinkin' wine
Pass that bottle to me
Wine, wine, wine
(Blackberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Raspberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Huckleberry)
Wine, wine, wine
(Wild Cherry)
Wine, wine, wine
Pass that bottle to me
6 - R Wilson
The song in question would be "Behind the Ritual."