12-January-2015
Island Arts Centre
 Lisburn, Northern Ireland

Brendan sent in this report on gig
Van Morrison’s Monday night road show pulled into Lisburn tonight for the latest instalment in this small venue with a capacity of around 400. As the band lined up the noteworthy features were the return of Paul Moore on bass and the continued absence of the brass section.

After opening with Celtic Swing, Van led us Higher Than The World which was quite uplifting. Magic Time featured nice piano from Paul Moran before the first big belter of the evening which involved a fine rendition of I Just Want To Make Love To You merging with Hoochie Coochie Man and briefly Pagan Heart. Baby Please Don’t Go/Parchman Farm led into another medley which left the band with barely time to breathe as Van powered on at break neck speed. Slowing things down at last Van delivered a nice rendition of a rarity in Song of Home. Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child got another welcome airing and featured Dana Masters prominently on vocals and Paul Moran on organ. While this was really good it didn't quite match some of the recent versions played. One of the best versions I have heard of Open The Door To Your Heart followed with really nice jazz guitar from Dave Keary. A magnificent I Believe To My Soul followed during which Dana contributed hugely on vocals while Paul Moran was exceptional on trumpet. It struck me that he is as proficient on trumpet as he is on piano and organ and that is saying something.

Think Twice Before You Go saw the band let rip again before Van delivered a terrific vocal performance on That’s Life. Just as the band started into Enlightenment there were two bouts of major feedback from an offending amp which forced them to stop. When one of the stage crew charged on stage we all prayed to his holy guardian angel that he would find the source of the problem quickly (which he did) as Van’s demeanour was not exactly one of his more jovial ones tonight. When the song re-started we were treated to really nice guitar and organ solos which enhanced the song’s delivery considerably. Whenever God Shines His Light and Sometimes We Cry featured strong vocal contributions from Dana after which Moondance was delivered and it was notable for a nifty duet at the end between Van on sax and Paul Moran on trumpet. Who Can I Turn To was a vehicle to display Van’s continued vocal prowess which he certainly did. In The Midnight was a nice arrangement but even Dave Keary’s high pitched vocal contribution failed to elicit a smile from Van on this occasion. Days Like This was followed by Van’s sole interaction with the audience as he announced “and now for something completely different” which led to a nice instrumental opening to Centrepiece. Brown Eyed Girl served only to remind us the show was coming to a close and it was followed by the final number which was Help Me this version saw Van take the sound way way down so low that at one stage he turned to Dana and Bobby Ruggiero who were sharing background vocals to say “no microphones”. Van then shuffled off stage barely whispering his vocals before his final shout of “BIG HAND FOR THE BAND”saw him disappear into the night. He did not return for an encore which was no real surprise on the night.

I would describe this performance as workmanlike with plenty of really good music and Van in fine voice. It was however devoid of those really special moments that make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck where Van totally immerses himself in the moment and there was no interaction between Van and the audience or indeed his band which didn't help the overall atmosphere which was fairly reserved.
-Brendan Hynes

Setlist
Celtic Swing
Higher Than The World
Magic Time
I Just Want To Make Love To You/Hoochie Coochie Man/My Pagan Heart
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Stop Drinking That Wine/My Babe
Song Of Home
Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
Open The Door (To Your Heart)
I Believe To My Soul
Think Twice Before You Go
That's Life
Enlightenment
Whenever God Shines His Light
Sometimes We Cry
Moondance
Who Can I Turn To
In The Midnight
Days Like This
Centrepiece
Brown Eyed Girl
Help Me

Big Hand for The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards)
Bobby Ruggiero (Drums)
Dana Masters (Vocals)