15-June-2016
Nells Jazz And Blues
 London, England
Early Show

Pamela K. sent in this review
The early show at Nell's was scheduled for a 7:00pm start and posters at the venue told us that it was being filmed. However, we should have guessed that the evening would not be straight-forward when the support act was cut short after just 3 tracks, as Van was going to come on 45 minutes early. The band, including guest trombone legend, Chris Barber, walked on stage and drummer, Mez Clough, started counting in the first song. Unfortunately, bassist Paul Moore, wasn't ready, which led to Paul Moran, stopping proceedings. This little hiccup appeared to set the tone for subsequent proceedings!

After this false start, Van opened on saxophone with Centrepiece / Corrina Corrina but there was clearly tension on stage. Mez looked nervous and Van appeared rather displeased. Next up - The New Symphony Sid - not one of my favourites but it had the redeeming feature of a duet with Van and Dana Masters. Van then trotted out professional but uninspired versions of Goin' Home, Think Twice before You Go and I Believe To My Soul, by which time our hearts were beginning to sink. Where was the spontaneous, passionate Van who thrives on the intimate atmosphere of a small jazz club, such as Nell's?

Things started to look slightly more promising with an upbeat version of Did Ye Get Healed?, followed by Saint James Infirmary, which allowed Van, Paul Moran and Chris Barber to showcase their brass skills. Then, suddenly, one of those inexplicable moments occurred which characterise a Van Morrison concert. Van started to chuckle mid-way through In The Midnight, Dave Keary shared the joke and the whole mood on stage lightened. Now the concert changed beyond all recognition. The audience started calling for requests but Van announced he was going to do "some new material" and gave us two songs, neither of which he introduced. The first song had a similarity to When The Leaves Come Falling Down, whilst the second was in the vein of Tore Down a la Rimbaud. No doubt, both will feature on his new album, apparently due for release in the Autumn, and these performances bode well.

Clearly, Van had heard my husband, Chris, calling out for Someone Like You earlier because he then told us that he had had a request and launched into a heart-felt version of it. Now he was visibly enjoying himself and once this song had finished, I took the opportunity to ask for Why Must I Always Explain? At first, Van looked surprised and responded with "You want that?" "Yes", I said, and so he popped his guitar over his shoulder and treated us to a superb version of this great song, even asking his roadie to re-tune his guitar halfway through whilst the solos from other band members were being played, so that he could join in again towards the end, in fine tune. Here was the inspired, passionate Van!

The audience and Van were now on a roll. Chris chanced his arm with another request - this time for "Thanks For The Information". Van launched straight in, enthusiastically, for a brilliant rendition of this classic, featuring excellent work from Paul Moran on trumpet and organ plus Dave Keary on guitar. This was followed by a sublime nine-minute version of In The Afternoon and, to use Brendan's expression, we put on our seat-belts to enjoy this journey down the Ancient Highway. Van was obviously enjoying Dave Keary's wonderful guitar solo and then Paul Moran's trumpet solo. He also relished the whoops and woos from the audience during the Don't You Make Me High section - chuckling through the lyrics. The song reached a magnificent crescendo -- one of those transcendental musical moments that only Van can create. What a delight!

Time was now against us, so we went straight into Gloria -- a fairly brief version but delivered with gusto. The band were all set for a lengthy jam, only to receive a signal from the roadie to cut it short, probably because the club had to turf everybody out in preparation for the evening show. Each band member still managed to contribute excellent solos, including Chris Barber, Mez Clough, who had recovered from his initial angst and was now clearly enjoying himself, and Dana, whose scatting has become a highlight of the jam. And so the show ended after 83 minutes to wild applause.

All in all, a somewhat tense beginning but, once Van started to relax and enjoy himself, there were many magical moments. The ability to see Van in this intimate venue is just such a wonderful experience. I would really recommend to any Van fan that they try to see him at least once in this venue and, hopefully, there will be many more chances to do so.

However, as we left the club, Vince, the owner, was getting an ear-bashing from some disgruntled members of the audience who had turned up at 7:00pm, only to find they had missed half the show! The moral of this story is to be sure to turn up early to any Van gig ... just in case!
-Pamela Kendix

Setlist
Centerpiece/Corrina Corrina
The New Symphony Sid
Goin' Home
Think Twice Before You Go
I Believe To My Soul
Did Ye Get Healed?/Yeh Yeh
Saint James Infirmary
In The Midnight
New Song 1
Every Time I See A River (New Song)
Someone Like You
Why Must I Always Explain?
Thanks For The Information
In The Afternoon/Ancient Highway/Burn Baby Burn/Raincheck
Gloria

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Dana Masters (Vocals)
Chris Barber (Trombone)