12-Oct-07 New York City Concert Review
Dan was at las night's Van show in NYC, first of three, and here's his review:
As is apparent from the setlist, the highlights inevitably were the
resurrected "Vanlose Stairway," with Morrison enunciating in that glorious
way of his about expanding the gita, and sending a picture, through
Krishna, and the epic unfolding beauty of "In the Afternoon" rolling into
a sublime extended "Raincheck," with all kinds of improvisation in
between, including several "No prima donnas" flowing over and around the
mouthpiece of the sax Van still had clenched between his teeth, to the
passionate praise of the "Golden Autumn Day" that illuminated New York
City this afternoon after the rain clouds whirled off to the northeast.
The rest of the gig was of a piece with Van's recent set lists.
But as always, many of the songs took on different hues and vocal
ornamentation, such as Van clucking his tongue against the roof of his
mouth during Early in the Morning, or leaving the stage at the end of Help
Me softly blowing on the harp until he disappeared into the wings.
Morrison was rearing back and often working very hard tonight.
It was a good gig that had some sublime moments and also its fair share of
businesslike ones, "Moondance," for example. The set list would benefit
from a serious shakeup.
The band provided solid musical support, with John Platania hopefully
getting a little more work Saturday and Sunday.
The 77-year-old Bobby Blue Bland was up against a 7 o'clock start on a
Friday night in upper Manhattan, so few were in their seats when he slowly
took the stage supported by an associate. Most people were still traipsing
into the theater and talking during his short set.
Not a lot of respect apparent there, but the rudeness did not appear to be
deliberate. There is still a delicious sweet soul core at the heart of
Bland's voice, although that snorting, snoggling vocal effect can be
somewhat baffling.
Setlist:
Boogie Woogie Country Girl (Ned and the band)
Did Ye Get Healed/Yeh Yeh
Magic Time
Have I Told You Lately
In the Midnight
Talk Is Cheap
Early In the Morning
Moondance
I Can't Stop Loving You
Playhouse
Vanlose Stairway
Precious Time
In the Afternoon/Ancient Highway/Joe Turner Sings/Raincheck
Stop Drinking
Stranded
Help Me
Gloria
Brown Eyed Girl
Big hand for the band!
John Allair
Crawford Bell
Katie Kissoon
Karen Hamill
Ned Edwards
Tony Fitzgibbon
Sarah Jory
Paul Moore
John Platania
Bobby Ruggiero
Neal Wilkinson
3 comments:
Are you going tonight too? I vowed I wouldn't go with the orchestra seating costing upwards of $250, but sent the hubby off in my stead :) Heard he's 14 rows off the stage. Looking forward to at least hearing what the set list was, if I can't actually be there.
Kilroy was back... For me, the highlight of the show what the quick break he took in the middle of Gloria to stomp out the first verse and chorus of Who Do You Love?. I watched The Last Waltz earlier in the week and I immediately noticed the striking similarity of Van's delivery of the chorus and the delivery of Dr John from way way way back then. Also notable was Van the Man emulating "Lamb the Man" with the frequent bleating he pulled off to compliment the tongue clicking and other vocal tricks he usually pulls off. This was my first show since 96. Prior to then I has seen him at least once each time he came to NYC - dating back to The Capitol Theatre in Passaic NJ back in the early 80's.
I arrived and was seated before Bobby "Blue" Bland took the stage. Most people around me were talking, quite loudly, and I found it rude. His voice was smooth as ever, very discernable. However, the snorting was quite obvious; I was embarressed for him.
I have been to quite a few shows over the years. I saw Van at Jazzfest this year. As big a fan as I am, I actually had to get up half way through Celtic New Year, and go to another stage. I don't know if it was the size of the venue, the acoustics, but nothing was working.
Ah, but this show at the Palace Theater will be one to remember, (like the Dylan 30th Anniversary show in '92).
Van was definitely "on" tonight. The Band, Van and the audience, there was a definite 'vibe. Great set list- old stuff, some obscure and some favorites, all served on a new platter. Now if they release a copy of this performance on CD......
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