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More Van Morrison
Concert Review by Sherri Turner Stone as
posted to the Van-L list Fall 2001
God could not have made a better day for an outdoor concert. After meeting at an old-time pub in Dublin, our group of Van listers boarded a double-decker bus designated specifically for transporting concert goers to Marlay Park. We had all been worried that rain would ruin our day, but the sun was out and the air was warm.
It was a long walk from the bus to the concert grounds, and I was furious when security demanded that I hand over the rechargeable battery for my digital camera. I secretly vowed that the American Embassy would get a heated visit from me if my battery wasn't ready and waiting for me after the concert. This was going to be my first time to see The Man, and I had spent a ton of money making the trip to Ireland to do it. I decided nothing— I mean NOTHING—was going to destroy my excitement.
John Mayall opened for Van, and the blues were good. I noticed a man with binoculars up behind the supports and speakers to the left of the stage. It didn't take long to figure out that security was avidly searching for recording devices and cameras. Was this a condition of Van's contract? Knowing Van, we felt it probably was, and I wondered what would happen to anyone who might be caught. Suddenly I didn't feel so bad about not having my camera battery.
Van's band started about 15 minutes late, and Ned Edwards sang the first song, "Cadillac Baby." By this time, I had positioned myself near the front of the retaining fence that was about 15 feet from the edge of the stage. By "retaining," I mean that the fence was meant to retain the audience from getting to The Man. I have to laugh when I think of women storming the stage and jumping up there to be near him, especially when I think of undergarments flying through the air. I think he was quite the handsome Irishman in his younger days, so I like to believe that he had his share of moments as a sex symbol.
Finally, it was time for Van to come out, and when he did, the crowd cheered. With a voice strong and clear, he went directly into an enthusiastic rendition of "Mule Skinner Blues." He was wearing his famous sparkling suit and seemed to be in a good mood. I was surprised at how full of energy he seemed to be, perhaps because of the beautiful weather and the view of mountains rising up in the distance beyond the audience. After all, he was back in Ireland, and it was a beautiful, beautiful day. Michelle Rocca was present stage-right with what appeared to be her children. Throughout the concert, she danced around merrily to Van's music with a little girl of about 10.
"Back On Top" was next with Van, of course, playing a mean harmonica. Near the end of the song, he really threw himself into the harmonica and ended with a strong "Back on the top again!" More cheers from the audience.
Matt Holland had a nice, muted trumpet solo on "In the Afternoon," followed by Lee Goodall on sax. Ned Edwards handled backing vocals. Van moved right into "Ancient Highway," and then into "Don't You Get Me High" followed by "Raincheck." I held my breath, as it seemed he was going into that trance we all love so much, but then someone yelled and the audience started clapping. Van immediately cut the band off and went into "Cleaning Windows" as I cursed under my breath! An outdoor concert is clearly not the best environment for Van and his music.
The highlight of "Cleaning Windows" was a quick little "yodel lady-hoo" Van threw in around the middle. I noticed some of the audience had started singing along. Okay, I thought, that's cool. Van kind of seemed to like that audience interaction with the more upbeat songs.
Every three or four
songs, he would drink from what looked like a glass of water, then raise his hat
(with back to the audience), and quickly wipe the sweat from his bald head with
a towel. His "water boy" came out a couple of times through the show
to make sure he had plenty of water and anything else he might need.
Van did mucho scat singing through "Bright Side of the Road" and seemed to be having fun. I really think he was on the verge of letting it rip during this concert, outdoors or not. That great country air was getting him high on life…or maybe that water wasn't water after all.
"Froggie Went A Courtin'" began with only Van and his acoustic guitar and was then picked up by Ned with an electric guitar solo as it moved into "Outskirts of Town." Richard Dunne gave a great performance on organ that led into a sax solo by Marty Winning. Van ended the medley with a very bluesy "Long Distance Call" during which he again played harmonica. And, I might add, he plays one hell of a harmonica.
Next came "And the Healing Has Begun," which lasted an incredible 8:51 minutes! Again, I think Van would have played even longer on this one if the audience hadn't cut him off. He played a marvelous acoustic guitar, but Ned Edwards should really give up the violin. I swear he must have taken lessons from Jack Benny! The sax also needed some work on this one. Lee Goodall, however, did a noble job on the flute, and Van found his chance to throw in a little more scat. Again, I want to add how wonderful Van is with that guitar. I would pay a small fortune and travel halfway around the world (Wait…haven't I already done that?) to attend a solo acoustic concert. Incredible!
Van did a strong "Jackie Wilson Said," but the band could have done a bit better with the backing vocals. You have to give Matt and Marty credit for really seeming to enjoy performing. They often clap and sing along when they're not playing.
"That's Life" was interesting with Van throwing in an attention-getting whistle and a James Brown squeal or two. Matt highlighted the song with another short solo, and the band gave some enthusiastic "yeahs" at the end. Van then moved into "When You're Smiling," and threw some humor in with a chorus of "When you're drinking…." I later learned at other concerts that that is the norm for this song.
The audience joined happily in with "Brown-Eyed Girl," and I could tell this was also the norm. Again, Van seemed to like the interaction, and Matt and Marty even encouraged the audience to participate by clapping real big and singing along.
The Irish seem to love "Days Like This," which was next in the set list, and I'm guessing that Van had record sales of that album in Ireland. I think someone mentioned in an earlier review on the Van-L list that they believed "Days Like This" would one day become another classic Irish folk song. From what I've witnessed while being in Ireland, I would have to agree, but I also have to wonder how much of it has to do with Van's affiliation with Michelle Rocca. After all, their relationship was pretty public and still fairly new when that album was released, not to mention her being pictured with him on the album cover. Everyone loves Miss Ireland.
Van got happily lost in his medley of "All in the Game," "You Know What They're Writing About," and "Make It Real One More Time." It lasted a wonderful 8:25 minutes and was followed by an ordinary "Precious Time."
His "Northern Muse" sounded forced, as if he was getting tired, but it got better as he took it on into "No Prima Donna" and picked up the harmonica again. He moaned the words "no prima donna" through the harmonica a couple of times. Then he asked for a "big hand for the band," then made his way off the stage. Ned shouted "big hand for the man" several times, cueing the crowd to yell and applaud in an effort to bring him back out again.
He did return for one encore, which included "Irish Heartbeat" and "Gloria." Lee did a fine job on tin whistle for "Heartbeat," but Van sounded extremely tired by this time. He pulled together all the energy he could muster and gave a great 5:37-minute ending performance of "Gloria" to which the audience sang along one last time.
The entire concert lasted one hour and 32 minutes. By the end of the show, the sun had set and the crowd went happily home (or to the nearest pub). I, on the other hand, was ready to do battle with security to retrieve my camera battery. They must have known I'd cause three kinds of hell if I never saw my battery again because it was instantly produced the moment I walked up.
Would I go to another Van Morrison show? You bet! Five more within the next four weeks.
NOTE: The following poem was written in fun after: 1) British news reported that Van's drivers license was suspended after receiving one too many speeding tickets in Bath, and 2) Linda Gail Lewis announced to the public that she had had an affair with Van. In a later lawsuit, Ms. Lewis was forced to retract all previous statements concerning an affair with Van Morrison.
VAN I AM
By Sherri "Suess" Stone
I am Van, Van I am;
I am known as Van the Man;
I think I can, I know I can
Write music like nobody can.
I travel far, I travel near;
I'll blow my horn most anywhere;
I only try to avoid one place,
And that would be the United States.
I have a great car, not a van
Because I am the music man;
I drive it fast to get a rush,
But now I have to take the bus.
I read a lot about poets and God
And have no interest in workin' my bod;
Smokin' and drinkin,' that's my game
Cause I'm Van the Man (did I mention my name?)
Did you say you'd like an
interview?
How 'bout my fist 'til you're black and blue?
And I'll hire a hit man if you don't swear
There'll be no mention of silk underwear.
No talk of Satan; I'll deny
it;
No cults, no rituals, nothing elicit;
It's only a job, not meant to be serious,
So leave me alone and mind your own business.
By the way, did I mention my
name is Van?
I do not like green eggs and ham,
Or losers and swindlers on the Internet,
But I love making music, man, you bet!
Or do I?