16-April-2012 Culloden Hotel, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Detroit man Mike Seltzer shares his experience of coming back to Belfast for yet another Van Morrison show.
Incredibly our first visit to Ireland was just this past February. Our second now in April. The bond and the impetus was our shared love for local legend and international musical sensation, Mr Van Morrison.
Having the privilege to travel freely worldwide and sharing a passion for his genius, my wife and I had the great pleasure of experiencing Van's long awaited Belfast return early this year. While over enjoying the richness of this beautiful and welcoming fabled location, two more very special gigs were announced at the storied Culloden Estate, and thus we decided a return visit was in order. We have never felt so "at home" so far away from home (in the suburbs of our hometown of Detroit Michigan in a small historic village called Franklin, where our 1840 historic home stands).
Last night, night two in this spectacular setting on the lush grounds of Culloden, Van and his crack band of immensely talented musicians took to the stage following a lovely warm up from proud daughter Shana Morrison. The night(s) were filled with gems from Van's rich catalogue and in a most intimate setting for a lucky 300 fans...The performances were simply stunning and though we've been to more than one hundred Van gigs all over the world, these two were simply remarkable in small ways that defy explanation.
Van, it seems to most, has a voice that has actually aged like fine wine and added even more depth and range - a truly amazing feat given his vast talent and amazing catalogue. These two special nights featured gems from that catalogue and as Van never plays the same set, nor the same versions of even his most treasured classics-- it's truly a musical joy and experience to watch as he conducts and totally spontaneous set list to a well rehearsed band that moves on his cues in directions not even he sees coming.
So the nights were filled with chestnuts from albums of yesterday - Higher Than The World, lush In the Garden, soaring All in the Game/No Plan B/No Safety Net/This is IT!, boundless Ballerina, classics reborn in Brown Eyed Girl, Days Like This, Wavelength, Not Feelin It Anymore, Moondance, a rousing rollicking Gloria and a band stretch of brilliance - lush solos for all, lovely duets with stunning Shana Morrison - the lucky few that were in attendance witnessed brilliance as Van swept from sax to keyboards to guitar to harp to vocal heights reaching to his core and showcasing what is simply the reason we have followed and traipsed the globe to see him...
There is simply nothing like Van Morrison live, uncut, unedited spontaneous and mystically transcending - Ten stars! Or more Our visits to East Belfast to spend time in the world Van grew up in; Hyndford Street, Cypress Avenue, Orangefield and even as far as Coney Island... to the celebration of the Titanic 100th and the beautiful new museum, to travels throughout the region.... all once again reinforcing the warmth of this wonderful Irish community. And thus we are planning yet another return in the fall. Ireland, and East Belfast beckons further exploration and Lori and Michael Seltzer must come back!
-Mike Seltzer
Having the privilege to travel freely worldwide and sharing a passion for his genius, my wife and I had the great pleasure of experiencing Van's long awaited Belfast return early this year. While over enjoying the richness of this beautiful and welcoming fabled location, two more very special gigs were announced at the storied Culloden Estate, and thus we decided a return visit was in order. We have never felt so "at home" so far away from home (in the suburbs of our hometown of Detroit Michigan in a small historic village called Franklin, where our 1840 historic home stands).
Last night, night two in this spectacular setting on the lush grounds of Culloden, Van and his crack band of immensely talented musicians took to the stage following a lovely warm up from proud daughter Shana Morrison. The night(s) were filled with gems from Van's rich catalogue and in a most intimate setting for a lucky 300 fans...The performances were simply stunning and though we've been to more than one hundred Van gigs all over the world, these two were simply remarkable in small ways that defy explanation.
Van, it seems to most, has a voice that has actually aged like fine wine and added even more depth and range - a truly amazing feat given his vast talent and amazing catalogue. These two special nights featured gems from that catalogue and as Van never plays the same set, nor the same versions of even his most treasured classics-- it's truly a musical joy and experience to watch as he conducts and totally spontaneous set list to a well rehearsed band that moves on his cues in directions not even he sees coming.
So the nights were filled with chestnuts from albums of yesterday - Higher Than The World, lush In the Garden, soaring All in the Game/No Plan B/No Safety Net/This is IT!, boundless Ballerina, classics reborn in Brown Eyed Girl, Days Like This, Wavelength, Not Feelin It Anymore, Moondance, a rousing rollicking Gloria and a band stretch of brilliance - lush solos for all, lovely duets with stunning Shana Morrison - the lucky few that were in attendance witnessed brilliance as Van swept from sax to keyboards to guitar to harp to vocal heights reaching to his core and showcasing what is simply the reason we have followed and traipsed the globe to see him...
There is simply nothing like Van Morrison live, uncut, unedited spontaneous and mystically transcending - Ten stars! Or more Our visits to East Belfast to spend time in the world Van grew up in; Hyndford Street, Cypress Avenue, Orangefield and even as far as Coney Island... to the celebration of the Titanic 100th and the beautiful new museum, to travels throughout the region.... all once again reinforcing the warmth of this wonderful Irish community. And thus we are planning yet another return in the fall. Ireland, and East Belfast beckons further exploration and Lori and Michael Seltzer must come back!
Setlist
Brown Eyed Girl
Higher Than The World
Enlightment
Days Like This
Wavelengh
All In TheGame/No Safety Net/No Plan B
Not Feeling It Anymore
In The Garden
Haunts Of Ancient Peace (Van on piano)
That's Entraintment
Ballerina
Tupelo Honey/Why Must I Always Explain
Old Black Magic(w/Shana Morrison)
Gloria
