13-Oct-07 New York City Concert Review

Once again, Dan shares his thoughts on the 2nd NYC gig:

"Welcome to the breakfast show."

Van already had the crowd's full attention when he offered that welcome
last night right before he launched into In the Midnight, the third song
of his scintillating 19 song set.

He then mumbled something that I believe involved lack of sleep before
getting on with the show, which provided further proof that his
improvisatory genius continues to burst out of him like a geyser.
Morrison subbed out 8 songs from the Friday set, if you count the full-
blown "throw the motherfucker down" version of Burning Ground that flowed
from In The Afternoon, seamlessly merging two intensely emotional
declarations of love, at one point repeating the phrase "diamonds in the
night" with a trancelike beauty.

The entire concert was like a musical tasting course at a 4-star
restaurant, each song surprising the listener in delightful ways.
In the midst of Stranded, Van and the band were floating dreamily like
clouds above that "tiny, tiny" desert island when Morrison shouted "Wake
Up!" and the song and the band exploded into life again.
There Stands The Glass featured 5, count 'em, 5, rimshots tonight.
When Morrison re-entered I Can't Stop Loving You after the chorus sang its
verse, it almost elevated people out of their chairs.
One Irish Rover was balladry at its best.

Help Me blew the roof off the joint.
Moans, screams, wails. The old man ain't tired anymore, he just wants to
lie down.

This was a show to gorge on.
Last of the NYC trilogy tonight.
Maybe Van will even pick up the guitar.

Setlist:
Did Ye Get Healed/Yeh Yeh (CB on trumpet)
Magic Time
I Don't Worry About A Thing (CB on trumpet)
In The Midnight
Chopping Wood
Have I Told You Lately
There Stands The Glass
Playhouse
Stranded (CB on trumpet)
Moondance (CB on trumpet)
I Can't Stop Loving You
It Once Was My Life
In The Afternoon/Ancient Highway/Raincheck/Burning Ground
Precious Time
One Irish Rover (great violin solo)
St. James Infirmary (CB on trumpet)
Bright Side of the Road (SJ on banjo, CB on acoustic guitar)
Help Me
Gloria/Who Do You Love

Great job by Van's band!:
John Allair
Crawford Bell
Katie Kissoon
Karen Hamill
Ned Edwards
Tony Fitzgibbon
Sarah Jory
Paul Moore
John Platania
Bobby Ruggiero
Neal Wilkinson

Thanks to Art for the great photo!