22-May-2013
Perth Concert Hall
Perth, Scotland

Scotsman (Source)
On this experience the Van Morrison live show is akin to a religious experience – it’s lots of older people sitting in near silence having an occasionally transcendental experience.

Not that a sense of respectful awe was misplaced when it came to the deservedly revered Irish singer, but it felt strange to be in the presence of such politeness when the set contained a couple of the finest blues-rock hits.

Unashamed crowd-pleasing was the order of this show, and Morrison’s seven-piece band did an excellent job of recreating the various phases and styles of his career, from the breezy folk rock of Tupelo Honey merged with Why Must I Always Explain? to the light but skilfully performed jazz of Moondance and The Way Young Lovers Do. Throughout, his voice is a potent, rasping growl. Its enduring dynamism is used to best effect on the sublime Pagan Heart – which memorably broke down into a humming solo from Morrison before he frantically signalled for the band to kick in once more – and the humbling delicacy and precision of Into the Mystic. Curses to the person who clapped during its closing, whispered “switch off your mind” mantra and ruined a crystalline moment.

In fact, the only song which didn’t benefit from the weather-beaten, almost scat-like maturity of his voice was the pop perennial Brown Eyed Girl, although it perfectly matched the old Them numbers Baby Please Don’t Go and Gloria. The last song closed the set in epic style, our ever-taciturn host having long since left the stage following a well deserved instruction that we offer a “big hand for the band”, virtually his only words of the evening.
-DAVID POLLOCK

The Courier (Source)
Van Morrison showed just why he is still revered by captivating the audience at Perth Concert Hall.

The legendary singer may not have much interaction with his fans but he made up for it with a scintillating set as part of the Perth Festival of the Arts on Wednesday evening.

From his first song, a jazz introduction to a rousing finale of Gloria, the Belfast-born performer controlled the stage with his presence and marked a welcome return to Perth, where he last played in 2006.

His music has covered many genres from his early days as a blues and R’n’B singer in Belfast. He has recorded blues as well as pop, rock, jazz, folk, gospel, Irish folk and skiffle.

Last night, he showed what a versatile musician he was, playing mainly saxophone but also switching to keyboards and guitar as well as his trusted harmonica.

From my Retreating View, Philosopher’s Stone and Why Must I Always Explain? were standouts before Brown Eyed Girl and Have I told You Lately That I Love You made up a set to remember.
-Paul Reoch

Setlist
Celtic Swing
Only A Dream
Who Can I Turn To
Going Down To Monte Carlo
Retreat and View
Baby Please Don't Go
Pagan Heart
The Philosopher's Stone
Tupelo Honey/Why Must I Always Explain
Moondance
The Way Young Lovers Do
Into The Mystic
Brown Eyed Girl
Have I told You Lately
Whenever God Shines His Light
Gloria