23-Nov-07 Norwich Concert Review

Norwich Evening News:
Norwich Theatre Royal

He might be a man of few words between songs but it mattered not a jot for the sell-out crowd at the new-look Theatre Royal who turned out to be entertained by one of the most influential musicians of the modern era.

Van Morrison, or “Van the Man” as he has been dubbed, might cut a fairly dreary figure on stage - dressed in grey, a stern look on his face partially hidden by his trademark tinted glasses and trilby hat - but his love-laced lyrics added an extra sheen to the gleaming auditorium which has just undergone a £10m facelift.

With more than 45 years and more than 30 albums under his belt he knows exactly how to work the crowd and get them joining in with some of his most memorable works - notably Brown Eyed Girl and Moondance. Many of the songs released as part of his latest album, The Best of Van Morrison Volume Three, were included in last night's mesmeric 100-minute celebration.

The set proved thirsty work for Van the Man who, backed ably by an impressive band, had to keep his well-worked vocal cords moistened with a constant flow of water-filled cups.

He might not have hung around at the end - leaving his band to take the rapturous acclaim of the audience - but the man in grey did not disappoint on the first of a two-night stint in the city. People with tickets for tonight's performance are in for a treat.
-PETER WALSH

Here is Dail's review:

Where do I begin...Friday concert was a real treat, the highlights for me was St James, Vanlose Stairway, Not Feeling It Anymore, Reminds Me of You and The Healing Has Begun.

We were giving 100 minutes of brilliant performance from Van and the Band..
The Concert started off really slowly....and you kinda think here we go again...but then maybe 30 minutes into the concert, Van did a great St James with some very good playing from Crawford Bell... who has improved so much from when he first joined the band.

Vanlose Stairway was excellent....I was just spellbound on every detail.
Not Feeling it Anymore...Van was singing softly and more slower arrangement singing almost to a whisper but then brought back up to full volume.....Nice!

Reminds Me of You...sung so much compassion, Van hanging on to every word...such a beautiful song.
And towards the end of the show....okay let's have Gloria and BEG...because you know you are going to hear this.....but then Van pick up his guitar ... and started playing The Healing Has Begun...
just... brilliant... brilliant... a quick look at my watch...and we were in the 90 minutes zone!!!

Van left the stage.... with Ned saying saying Mr Vaaaaaan Morrison....show over but he came back
to do BEG...now I have never like this song......but I guess it makes the audience happy..and it has growing on me.

Just a great show....I was little disappointed that Van did not get a standing ovation....
-Regards Dail


Setlist:
This Love Of Mine
Magic Time
Stop Drinking
Too Many Myths
It Once Was My Life
Tupelo Honey > Why Must I Always Explain?
Playhouse
What Makes The Irish Heart Beat
Moondance
Saint James Infirmary
Have I Told You Lately [Las Vegas version]
All Work And No Play
Reminds Me Of You
I’m Not Feeling It Anymore
Precious Time
Vanlose Stairway
And The Healing Has Begun
Brown Eyed Girl

Big hand for the band!
Paul Moran, Crawford Bell, Katie Kissoon, Karen Hamill, Ned Edwards, Tony Fitzgibbon, Sarah Jory, Paul Moore, Neal Wilkinson, John Platania, Bobby Ruggerio