26-April-2016
Wang Theatre
Boston, USA

Long time Van fan writes:
Powerful performance tonight in Boston from Van and band. Supreme confidence from Morrison, whose body language was riveting in its energy. Swaying back and forth, side to side, rearing back and wailing. Nothing was held back by anybody. Balanced set list with everything performed impeccably with a very deep groove. Audience reaction was a state of constant euphoria. The workshops ornate and brilliant. A well-earned "A" all the way. Healing power.
-Dan M.

Music-News
Irish troubadour Van Morrison, now in his sixth decade as a performer, may be 70 years old, but performed the first of two sold out shows at the Citi Performing Arts Center in Boston, MA on April 26, 2016, as if time has not passed him by the at all.

Looking very dapper in his now trademark hat, Morrison leaned more toward a jazz-ish feel at times during the night. Starting with the tour standard instrumental opener (which Morrison played saxophone on), "Celtic Swing, followed by "Close Enough for Jazz, it was clear this was going to be an eclectic Morrison event.

With a jukebox of hits in his repertoire, Morrison does not need to delve into other material, but he did a smooth take on Johnny Mercer's "That Old Black Magic" and gave a nod to the late B.B. King with a killer "Rock Me Baby".

The adoring crowd was well rewarded with a raucous "Wild Night," which led into a slight turn to his gospel side, when Morrison pulled out his late 80's track “Whenever God Shines His Light,” which was originally a duet with Cliff Richard, but was smoothly executed with tour vocalist Dana Masters.

For all his seven decades on earth, Morrison's voice has not appeared to decrease at all and sounded as robust as ever. Breaking into his most famous track "Brown Eyed Girl," which went into full swing when the crowd sang along ardently to the “Sha la la la” refrain, which led into a stellar version of his iconic "Into The Mystic."

The show ending cover of Ben E. King's “Stand By Me” was an alluring choice for the concerts coda. Obviously “Moondance” or “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?” would have made for a better closer for the Morrison faithful, but his passionate “Stand By Me” did provide a compelling end to the show.

With all the recent passing of so many classic rockers lately, it was great to see an icon in the genre as Morrison still as virile and on the top of his game.
-John Reed

Setlist (Thanks Mike S.)
Celtic Swing
Close Enough For Jazz
Magic Time
By His Grace
In the Midnight
Born to Sing w/Chris Farlowe
Old Black Magic w/ Shana Morrison
Rock Me Baby
Someone Like You
Wavelength
Sometimes we Cry
Enlightenment
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now
In the Afternoon/Ancient Highway/Burn Baby Burn/Raincheck
Wild Night
Whenever God Shines His Light
It's all In The Game/Burning Ground
Brown Eyed Girl
Into the Mystic
Stand by Me w/Chris Farlowe