23-Oct-10 Glasgow Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Scotland
Van's performance was very impressive. He was in the centre of a group of exceptional musicians who played quietly for the most part. The effect was entrancing as Van sang beautifully and effortlessly controlled the proceedings.
Band: No band introductions, but no Richie Buckley, no David Hayes
Two short points of note:
In The Garden was performed with the stage bathed in violet light for the duration of the song. This evoked thoughts of his "father and his mother' as well as the No Guru album sleeve. After singing the "father and the son and the holy ghost" once, he changed it to "holy guardian angel" which he repeated many times towards the end of the song.
Secondly, in over thirty years of attendance at Van's Scottish shows this was the first I have experienced with any empty seats. In fact entire rows in the more expensive sections remained unused. It was clearly a reaction to the ticket prices which were double what had been charged for his last visit.
Regards (and thanks for all your great work)
Band: No band introductions, but no Richie Buckley, no David Hayes
Two short points of note:
In The Garden was performed with the stage bathed in violet light for the duration of the song. This evoked thoughts of his "father and his mother' as well as the No Guru album sleeve. After singing the "father and the son and the holy ghost" once, he changed it to "holy guardian angel" which he repeated many times towards the end of the song.
Secondly, in over thirty years of attendance at Van's Scottish shows this was the first I have experienced with any empty seats. In fact entire rows in the more expensive sections remained unused. It was clearly a reaction to the ticket prices which were double what had been charged for his last visit.
Regards (and thanks for all your great work)
-Stephen McGinn
Thank you, Stephen. Stephen is a long time Van fan and created of the Van Morrison Newsletter over 20 years ago.
Setlist
Baby Please Don't Go/Here Comes The Night
Brown Eyed Girl
Fair Play
Little Village
Playhouse
Keep It Simple
Rough God Goes Riding
Keep Mediocrity At Bay
It's All In The Game/You Know What They're Writing About
Moondance/My Funny Valentine
St James Infirmary
Celtic Excavation/Into The Mystic
In The Garden
Ballerina
Help Me
Gloria
Big Hand for the Band!
Chris White - Sax
Alistair White - Trombone
Jeff Lardner - Drums
Paul Moore - Bass
Paul Moran - Organ
Jay Berliner - Guitar
Big Hand for the Band!
Chris White - Sax
Alistair White - Trombone
Jeff Lardner - Drums
Paul Moore - Bass
Paul Moran - Organ
Jay Berliner - Guitar
6 comments:
Thanks for the report, Stephen, and nice to see your name.
Glad to hear that Van continues to light up In the Garden from within.
He had abandoned the song for far too long.
I long ago stopped trying to figure out how Van makes the music new and different in every gig.
Interesting point Stephen. I've seen every Van show in Glasgow since 1998, bar the Barrowlands one in 2000. However, a seat for the front stalls last night would have cost £82.50 including booking, which is way over the odds imo. Even a seat in the gods would have set you back £49.50, & having sat there before in the Armadillo before I wouldn't do so again. I passed on attending this gig on account of the prices, & I know other local fans who did too. Reality check required Mr. Morrison & his people.
i was also at the gig and i have seen him in Glasgow a few times before and i have to add i am a huge fan of Van however there seemed to be quite a few technical difficulties to say the least far too many long instrumenal moments and not enough actual performing of the songs so much so that i have to say the musicians were fantastic and i would defo pay the same amount again to see them however think next time van decides to visit i will stay at home quite a disappointment to say the least as was the general view of several other Van fans that i spoke to on the way out sorry to be critical but feel it had to be said
I have to agree with Linda, I paid for one of the expensive seats and felt a quite a bit short changed, I got the feeling Saturday night was a rehersal for Sunday at the Albert Hall. Van was in great voice and the band were brilliant, but the balance was not right. Shame.
I have been attending Van Morrison concerts since I was 15 years old making this a 30 year following and whilst his music is worth the effort to go see him, his lack of interaction or even modest engagement with his audience who have paid a fair price for tickets shows a disrespect for to his fans who have loyally supported him all these years - not so much as a hello or good evening - leaves you feeling somewhat let down - is it shyness or arrogance? either way makes me think it's time to give up the concerts with Van.
I felt very disappointed in the Concert. Van Morrison did not interact with the audience, he went from one song to another never speaking or introducing his band. The Concert started promtly at eight and we were out promtly an hour and a half later. Lots of people were complaining that it was a very strange atmosphere especially for a Glasgow Concert. Regards the cost of the tickets I felt they were expensive and certainly the Concert he put on was not value for money.
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