Grumpy old man Van on road
If, reflecting on Van Morrison's allegedly grumpy stage demeanour, you wonder after almost 50 years of touring why he does it, he and his band's performance gave the answer.
Van Morrison
Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
If, reflecting on Van Morrison's allegedly grumpy stage demeanour, you wonder after almost 50 years of touring why he does it, he and his band's performance gave the answer.
Van The Man surrounds himself with virtuoso musicians and they all go "back to the magic time" of musical enchantment, and last night they took everyone along with them in a stunning show containing many moments of absolute brilliance.
He doesn't mess around, old Van: Bang on 8pm the band is on stage and starts to play and on he comes, already blowing blues harmonica. Bang on 9.30pm the show is over, but in between there has been pure delight.
All Work And No Play followed You Better Stop before the pace slowed and the magic time really began, especially in a stunning version of I Can't Stop Loving You featuring beautiful harmonies from the backing singers.
Exactly 90 minutes of excellence ended with us all la-la-la-ing along with Van to the second encore, Brown Eyed Girl - 40 years old and good as ever, just like Van himself.
