19-Sep-08 Brighton Concert Review
Here's a review from Jez:
We kicked off with Domino, into Magic Time, St Dominic's Preview (stunning), Ballerina (acoustic - cut down band and Paul Moore on upright bass - excellent) and Wavelength. What a start.
While it might not have continued at that level, there wasn't a bad song all night. Excellent show. The band and the singers were on top form, although Van was paying a lot of attention to the rhythm section. He was on top form himself. Bit of banter, a few laughs and a stunning set.
My memory's lousy, but there was Keep It Simple, Entrainment (with Sarah and Katie clapping in unison), Behind The Ritual, In The Afternoon (another stunner), The Healing Has Begun, Young Lovers, Comfortably Numb, Rough God Goes Riding, Fire in the Belly, Help Me, Have I Told You Lately and Gloria, where the band and choir really enjoyed themselves.
Having first seen (most of) this ensemble in January 2007, I'm pleased Van has held them together. I said back then that I thought that, given time, they'd develop into a top notch combo (different words, same sentiment) and I'm glad to be proved right. I do miss the horns (though not as much as Marjorie does) but there's no complaints about the fullness of the sound this team generates.
Sarah Jory seems to enjoy her work more than anybody I've witnessed. She hardly stopped smiling and laughing all the way through the show, and with good reason given the terrific performances. She was a bit low in the 'mix', and her dobro has a way to go (but then I've been listening to some rather good players) but she is a genuine asset. As well as her musical adornments, she must keep everybody's spirits up.
Tony Fitzgibbon was to the fore a lot, and his fiddle playing has really improved. His mandolin playing was solid, but not flamboyant. As a fiddling mandolin player, he's no Sam Bush or Tim O'Brien yet, but his solos and general playing were excellent.
John Platania. What can you say. 'Accomplished' doesn't cover it. On 'Ballerina' he was outstanding, and in the 'Green Onions' part of 'Help Me' - close your eyes and it was Steve Cropper. Just shows what was missing for so long.... (draws a veil).
Bobby Ruggerio. Ditto. His percussion playing just filled out the sound, and his spontaneous bongo licks surprised Van more than one - to good effect.
Neil Wilkinson. Van seemed to be playing him a lot of attention, but he was clearly enjoying himself, especially on 'Gloria'. The fact that the pace kept up, but he wasn't putting the kit through the stage shows what a good touch he has.
Paul Moore. Seems to have a bottomless well of confidence. Again, on 'Help Me', he seemed to be out-ducking Dunn (and before the anoracks start I know Duck Dunn wasn't on the original Green Onions). Fantastic throughout, and seemed to be calling the shots at times.
Paul Moran. Band leader? Seemed like it a lot of the time. Keyboards and trumpet must be hard to pull off, but he managed it and brought so much to the sound. Where'd he come from? A real gem.
Katie Kissoon, Vanessa Haynes and Liam Bradley. While I thought the Crawford Bell mob had some merit, these three were a different league. The real and genuine Van Morrison sound. Liam and Katie had cameos on 'Comfortably Numb', and the rest of the show were just....There!
