Morrison commanded the concert hall stage on the jazz and soul highway - a truly jazz inspired Celtic soul and all the way from Belfast city!
Morrison
grew up with his Dad's record collection, the largest in Northern Ireland, (acquired during his time in Detroit
in the 50s), and he learned from the likes of - Ray Charles, Lead Belly and Solomon Burke - of whom Morrison said, "If it weren't for guys like Ray and
Solomon, I wouldn't be where I am today. Those guys were the inspiration that
got me going. If it wasn't for that kind of music, I couldn't do what I'm doing
now."
The records exposed Morrison to
many genres – the blues of Muddy Waters; the gospel of Mahalia Jackson; the
jazz of Charlie Parker; the folk of Woody Guthrie; and the country music of
Hank Williams.
When you have listened to an artist over many years it is quite strange to hear and see them live. There was that high level of eager anticipation in the concert hall air to see and hear one of our musical legends.
He was in
good voice and the sound mixing and band sounded just right. His set included sultry
trumpet and sax solos. Morrison orchestrates his band, who framed him, with Strong arm
conducting movements. He performed his soul-filled songs Please
Don’t Go, Parchman, Don’t Stop, Moondance, Magic Time and a poignant
Sometimes We Cry. He also sang a lovely cover of a
Ray Charles song, I Can't Stop Loving
You.
His band were tight and highly impressive while I did at times wish his guitarist on his right might have turned more to the audience as I enjoy seeing the musicians play too. There was no chat between his songs, then again Morrison's songs speak quite clearly for themselves.
His band were tight and highly impressive while I did at times wish his guitarist on his right might have turned more to the audience as I enjoy seeing the musicians play too. There was no chat between his songs, then again Morrison's songs speak quite clearly for themselves.
Van's music is smoking, sexy, smooth toned, sultry and also gravelly – he has a powerhouse voice and uses it to great effect like his saxophone.
de-de-da-de-da; lonely, lonely,
lonely flying, sighing; you know, you know; do-wop, do-wop,
Summer breeze in the garden, within
the silence,
His musical narrative on tracks can be lengthy and spontaneous, even rambling, following his different influences - from Celtic tradition, jazz, blues, gospel and country music.
I was happy he finished his set with his - Into The Mystic and Ballerina - after
which he slipped off as he continued to sing to the side of the stage….and once
again he was gone gone gone as quietly as he had arrived...... while the
powerhouse of his musical voice lingered long after.....
He was well supported by gospel singers the McCrary Sisters.
Morrison has received six Grammys
and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of
Fame. He continues to record and tour, producing albums and live performances
that sell well and are generally warmly received. In 2008 he performed Astral
Weeks live for the first time since 1968.
