12-February-2012 York Barbian, York, England

Photo via Thomas Jackson

James T. was at the gig, here's his review
Expectations were running high at the pre show gathering. Quotes such as “best show for 10 years” and “Van sung with real emotion, telling stories with the lyrics” and “10/10 last night, best set list I have ever heard” were all expressed regarding the previous show at Gateshead. As far as I was concerned everything was up for grabs tonight. This was the 25th Anniversary show – since 1999 this would be my 25th Van Morrison concert. Would the man deliver?


Brown Eyed Girl – a sprightly little number and one that the appreciative audience lapped up. Van got a very warm welcome and this audience was very well behaved. For the large part, silent and still in all the right places.
Higher Than The World – A nice version with Van starting to loosen the pipes. This was going to be a great show.

Enlightenment – A real highlight – a tight rendition with some great harp at the end!

Photo via Thomas Jackson

Fair play – This was the beginning. A great version with all members getting a solo and with the band now having found its groove Van brought them down to silence. Van played with the idea of the horn section playing in the background, the horns join in. Van tells them to take a step back from the mike. Van is directing the band brilliantly. He says “you can hear the brass band playing across the field” – he motions to Paul Moran to play trumpet. Paul misses the cue – It seems we are in unchartered territory for a moment. Van repeats “brass” …….Still nothing……..this time Van says “brass ?” …..It registers Paul get up with his trumpet and walks to the mike. Van cracks up – a wide smile on his face. Between Van and Paul, the brass band did play….eventually! I thought that this was a great version and showed that Van wanted to change things up tonight. This was also the end.

Not Feeling It Anymore (Abandoned after two false starts) – I heard that this song was featured in the previous show. Unfortunately it didn’t get off the starting blocks tonight and came to a muddled end after the first line. A second attempt was on the cards but Van abandoned this, apologizing to the audience.

Foreign Window – Always good to hear but this version was far too rushed tonight. Van surely still distracted by the previous debacle.

Haunts Of Ancient Peace – Van on Piano and still seemed distracted. Tootling on the ivories briefly before returning back to the mike. I hope this one develops in future sets.

Moondance – a straight forward rendition.

Crazy Love - a straight forward rendition.

Precious Time - a straight forward rendition. Van looking at the set list, he seemed like he wasn’t sure where to go next.

The Mystery – A good choice. Concert is back in gear one more time with a committed vocal from Van.

All in the game -> Make it real one more time -> No plan B/No safety net/This is it – A good version – with Van repeating No Plan B over and over and over and OVER! The band going through all gears possible, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and turbo. I’m not sure what gear Van was in though!

In The Garden – A straight and solid performance. No real stretching out. A lovely sound though.

Ballerina – The band have really got their heads around this song. The last 4 songs were all played as if they had their eyes shut. Very tight!Help Me - a straight forward rendition. Some great harmonica on this one. 

Gloria – Van Morrison has left the building. The band plays on. The audience leave happy!So a good gig. It’s very pleasing to see Van re-connecting with some great material from arguably some of his best albums. As with all things Van Morrison its seems you win some , you lose some but nobody can deny that at 66 years old George Ivan Morrison is out on the highway and getting on with the show!
-James T.

Photo via Thomas Jackson

Setlist 

Brown Eyed Girl

Higher Than The World

Enlightenment

Fair play

Not Feeling It Anymore (Abandoned after two false starts)

Foreign Window

Haunts Of Ancient Peace

Moondance

Crazy Love

Precious Time

The Mystery

All In The Game/Make It Real/No plan B/No safety Net/This Is It

In The Garden

Ballerina

Help Me

Gloria

Thanks to JC for setlist