12-December-2017
Wizink Center
Madrid, Spain

Maryann sent in this review
Van Morrison can do everything. He does it right, and extremely well. If Versatile (name of his new album, only released a short while after Roll With The Punches) means capacity, or adaptation or fickle genius, these terms are inadequate to describe the sound spectacle it offered in WiZink (Madrid) the night of the 12th of December. At 72 years, the voice of this living legend was in full form, rising from its historical height to choose between songs from the "Days before Rock and Roll" (Baby Please Don ́t Go) or Astral Weeks (The Way Young lovers Do) , reinvent Moondance for the umpteenth time (with the six musicians accompanying him sporting his virtuosity) or carry on with Georgie Fame, shoulder to shoulder, like two musical drunkards looking for balance to build a Danish pyramid called Vanlose Stairway, a tour on the musical currents of the twentieth century that only a handful of artists can navigate. An elegant and otherwise non-communicative Van Morrison (said "thank you" only twice) began by hugging the sax, mining it for delirious scats (Wait a Minute Baby, Symphony Sid, How Long Has This been Going On and Moondance). When it seemed that soft jazz was going to be prevailing mode, Paul Moran’s piano discovers the Blues (How Far from God); The master of ceremonies releases the keys and blows the trumpet to phrase Magic Time with Van on the sax again. Baby Please Don ́t Go bursts like a brilliant moment, splicing the classic Parchman Farm, Don ́t Start Crying Now and Got My Mojo Working. It is a versatile turn, glittering with the Blues with hooks to Midnight Train and the pioneers of the Delta. It vibrates with emotion the audience entranced (more than five thousand souls inhabit the room, with excellent, rare sound). They all agree that there's no one in the entire solar system that utters the word "Louisiana" as that Irishman. The harmonica launches flares and, with the mojo working, straight to the head, like a good "shot of Rhythm and Blues", words that engender ecstasy. Tears continue to run down faces when Ride on Josephine is put under the spotlights with Georgie Fame showing what he can do. Moran moves, giving the Hammond to Fame, and Van points to the keys for Going to Chicago and Vanlose Stairway, two exquisite pieces, reaching and plummeting heights, preying on emotions and old demons: Killroy was Here, Railway Carriage Charm, the eternal youth that returns, that stays, that beats, that burns. Old scores are settled in this musical movement with Fame advising Van "You are learning to play, go,” something no one in his right mind would do. The Way Young Lovers Do (Carlos Boyero's favorite, most likely the audience’s too) kept the energy high which accelerated with Automobile Blues, when, at last, it is possible to see Van throwing blues chords. It was, as Henry Miller might say, an orgasm with six strings. Broken Record leads to Days Like This and Have I Told You Lately, enthusiastically welcomed by the Brotherhood (Paul Moore, bass; Teena Lyle, vibraphone; Paul Moran, male orchestra; Dave Keary, guitar; Clough, to the drumsticks, and Dana Masters, vocals). But the mystic moment of truth, when the voice that rips the veil that leads to Caledonia appeared, was In the Afternoon. The best of Van Morrison, the avid reader of Kerouac, the soul that turns music into healing, then opens the way to the wonders of the cosmos that builds inside his fucking genius. Flow of consciousness, improvisation, torrent of poetry that springs from the night and gets into the liberating loop: "If you believe, if you believe, if you believe.". Yes. If you believe, if you really believe, if you believe, anything is possible. Van is free and liberates. Van is not versatile. Van is liquid and soaks the edges, recesses and folds of the ungraspable animal complexity within each of us. This musician shows that he knows the rhythm of the Stars and rides on their light. It is the Irish cowboy who cools dreams with rain, with whiskey, with water...The Party’s Over, worth the redundancy. Then Brown Eyed Girl, of course, and back to heaven with In The Garden. To feel the Glory does not need to sound the same. "The streets are always wet with rain After a summer shower when I saw you standing...”

-Maryann

Solo-Rock (Source)
We were lucky enough to enjoy two musicians who add more than one hundred years of experience on stage and more than sixty albums released between the two plus a couple of dozen songs that will surely be in the subconscious of many without even knowing that they are the authors.

Two luxury concerts, the first Georgie Fame , as not accompanied by a Hammond keyboard, with that peculiar sound that many of us love. Forming trio his two sons, Tristan on guitar and James on drums. Forty-five minutes of Blues and Rythm and Blues with own and other subjects. After starting with Green Onions , they gave way to two themes of Tristan two blues, one slower and one electric, to make way I've got a woman of Ray Charles and Funny How Time Slips Away by Willie Nelson , and continue with one of his great successes Yeah Yeah , which gave so much performance to Matt Bianco.

A tribute to Jimmy Hendrix with Red House and another Ray theme in a seen and not seen give forty-five minutes of concert that knew little, without many paraphernalia of lights or movements on stage, clean sound, very good and throwing I miss many topics that have made Georgie great.

Then, also with British punctuality, Van Morrison and you have to say And his band , because the truth is that they deserve a mention apart, they got a perfect sound, yes, in the Palace of Sports of a lifetime, they have shown that it is It is possible that seven musicians (six plus Georgie) play at the same time and each and every one of them is heard in perfect conditions.

The repertoire lasted an hour and a half, during the concert everything works like a clock of perfect machinery, releasing the songs without rest, hardly gives time to applaud. After an entrance to warm fingers and voice came Symphony Sid and How far from God and then one of the big ones, Moondance . Then they linked Baby please do not go with Go my mojo working, two blues classics and it's that blues was the night.

We were able to see a very bluesy concert, that blues adapted to the Morrison style that has made him triumph, accompanying him with that plaintive voice, full of character and that like a whining goes undermining little by little and taking you to a state of nostalgia that breaks beat of saxophone or harmonica.

As expected, two stage mates so many years had to leave their mark together and there appeared Georgie Fame to play Going to Chicago and Vanlose Stairway , the latter with Van at the piano and Georgie at Hammond, back to back.

Broken Record, Days Like This , Sometimes We Cry , In the Afternoon, Brown Eyed Girl or In the Garden were other ones that sounded, so each one makes his list of the missing favorites, enough to give another whole concert.

Sober, elegant, giving play on some issues and well synchronized with music, lights accompanied at all times the cast of musicians who could prove themselves, without being overshadowed on stage by Van Morrison, in the latter, In the garden you it served so that they would expand a little, and demonstrate collectively and individually that although they played with Perico the one of the Palotes they were going to give a concert.

So to the question of How was Van Morrison? The answer is very good, ten, a concert full of blues, soul, soul, professionalism, feeling and technically perfect. Like the one on his head, Chapeau.
-Chema Perez

Setlist (Thanks Jose)
Wait A Minute Baby
Symphony Sid
Moondance
How Far From God
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/
Got My Mojo Working
Ride On Josephine
Going To Chicago w/Georgie Fame
Vanlose stairway w/Georgie Fame
The Way Young Lovers Do
Automobile Blues
Broken Record
Days Like This
Have I told You Lately
Sometimes We Cry
In The Afternoon
The Party's Over
Brown Eyed Girl
In The Garden

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

05-December-2017
Euroa Hotel 
Belfast, Northern Ireland

via Pablo G.

Setlist (Thanks Sean A.)
Wait A Minute Baby
Symphony Sid
Moondance
How Far From God
Magic Time
Baby Please/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Cryin' Now
Got My Mojo Working"
I Can Tell
Vanlose Stairway
The Way Young Lovers Do
Ol' Black Magic
Warm Love
Days Like This
Broken Record
Sometimes We Cry
Have I Told you Lately
In The Afternoon
The Party's Over
Help Me
Brown Eyed Girl

04-December-2017
Euroa Hotel 
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Irish News (source)

Van Morrison

Europa Hotel

Monday December 4

UNDER a bright December moon a mix of local and international Van fans arrive at the Europa Hotel. Line Of Duty actor Adrian Dunbar appears in front of the mic and suggests that we imagine ourselves in a San Fransisco cafe as he reads aloud the Belfast Cowboy’s lyrics in the style of a 1950s beat-poet.

The Fermanagh man has a fine timbre for the likes of On Hyndford Street.

Seeing Morrison in this location makes sense for those of us who have travelled far. Around the corner some have visited the former site of the Maritime Hotel where the living legend that is Van Morrison was born while performing with Them.

Undoubtedly the values he learned in those fledgling years about possessing some brio and work ethic remain. His 38th long-player Versatile was released just days ago, his third in just over a year.

The late-period image seems just as iconic as those early days when he walks on stage in a purple hat, shades and pinstripe suit. The starry lights backdrop is perfect for an atmospheric Moondance while Cleaning Windows captures the carefree days of a young working-class man living life in this city.

He sits down at the piano for fan favourite Vanlose Stairway while bathed in green light. It’s tracks such as these that the more serious Van aficionados are drawn to but those in the audience wishing to hear more popular hits such as Whenever God Shines His Light and Have I Told You Lately are equally charmed.

A highlight is when Shana Morrison joins her dad for a version of That Old Black Magic. The voices of father and daughter blending together create a magic all of its own and the chemistry of the band is tangible throughout as guitarist Dave Keary creates some sweet tones on his red Gibson 335.

Days Like This feels like an appropriate song in light of the Brexit chaos which unfolded earlier.

When Morrison returns to those heady days with Them for Baby Please Don’t Go it's like a shot of punk-fused adrenaline. He finishes with what else but Brown Eyed Girl and fans float out of the venue and on to the very streets Morrison has immortalised forever in song.
-Richard Purden

Setlist (Thanks Sean A.)
Wait A Minute Baby
Symphony Sid
Moondance
How Far From God
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying
Got My Mojo Workin'
Ride On Josephine
Vanlose Stairway
Cleaning Windows
Old Black Magic
A Foggy Day
Broken Record
Days Like This
Have I Told You Lately
Sometimes We Cry
Whenever God Shines His Light
In The Afternoon
Brown Eyed Girl

25-November-2017
Plymouth Pavilions 
Plymouth, England

Thanks Brendan for documenting your journey with the readers!
The ninth and final show of Van Morrison's UK mainland tour took place tonight in Plymouth and after the decidedly lacklustre performance in Torquay the previous evening I hoped for a much better performance and was not to be disappointed.After the by now regular opening three numbers of Wait A Minute Baby, Moondance and Warm Love Van really got the crowd going with a lively rendition of How Far From God from the Roll With The Punches album which featured several good band solos.Magic Time highlighted the skills of Paul Moran on trumpet before the Baby Please Don't Go routine which tonight included a full length Got My Mojo Working which featured fine guitar and organ solos from Dave Keary and Paul Moran respectively.Ride On Josephine from the current album got another airing and Van seemed to really enjoy it. The intro to Vanlose Stairway saw Van turn sideways from the piano to have a little chuckle at Teena Lyle's obviously unexpected contribution on recorder before delivering another fine rendition.This was immediately followed by a wonderful The Way Young Lovers Do featuring Teena extensively on vibraphone. Van once more paid tribute to the late Jon Hendricks with Sack O'Woe which featured Paul Moran extensively on trumpet. Van really enjoyed this and repeatedly swayed over and back as guitar and vibraphone solos were delivered and while it is not a particular favourite of mine it was a really good version. Symphony Sid required vocalist Dana Masters to keep her wits about her as Van purposely repeatedly broke from his singing leaving Dana to fill the gaps. A wonderful and most welcome Tore Down A La Rimbaud was performed with great passion by Van and served as a further reminder of the wealth of real high quality material available but so often sadly excluded from Van's set lists while much lesser material is performed at virtually every show. Have I Told You Lately showed Dana's vocals to good effect as indeed did a really strong Carrying A Torch which followed. Automobile Blues saw Van play electric guitar once more while his new favourite song Broken Record did not,in fact, result in any broken record tonight as he rather disappointingly for those of us keeping count only managed to repeat the song title 24 times in the concluding part thus leaving the current record intact for now. Brown Eyed Girl and Days Like This were not very exciting for me but were followed by a particularly good version of Jackie Wilson Said before Help Me and the usual encore of Gloria brought proceedings to a close.

Van was in good spirits throughout with some jovial interaction with band members nearly approaching a party type atmosphere, perhaps in recognition that the tour had finally reached its conclusion.
-Brendan Hynes

Set List
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance
Warm Love
How Far From God
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Got My Mojo Working
Ride on Josephine
Vanlose Stairway
The Way Young Lovers Do
Sack O'Woe
Symphony Sid
Tore Down A La Rimbaud
Have I Told You Lately
Carrying A Torch
Automobile Blues
Broken Record
Brown Eyed Girl
Days Like This
Jackie Wilson Said
Help Me
Gloria

Set Time 1h 41m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

24-November-2017
Princess Theatre 
Torquay, England

Brendan checks in from Torquay
From the outset, and despite being seated in the front row, this concert was blighted for me by the modern malaise of the concert attendees who feel entitled to talk and laugh loudly whenever they choose throughout the entire concert.It started almost immediately with two men seated right behind me who blissfully ignored my many requests to be quiet and after about twenty minutes two women arrived with drinks in hand into the front row and proceeded to continue their bar discussion almost directly in front of Van and they also most vociferously refused to accede to requests to show some consideration and be quiet during the songs. Afterwards one of the male members of the noisy brigade triumphantly stated that he had flown in from the USA for the show ( which strikes me as a long way to come for a chat and a few laughs) while one of the females told me that I should stay at home with my headphones on if I expect to listen to music without people talking as that is what going to concerts involves! Sadly that is the actual reality facing real music lovers attending concerts these days.

Obviously it is impossible to enjoy a concert under such circumstances but for the record Van started once more with Wait A Minute Baby, Moondance (without Look Beyond The Hill tonight) and Warm Love which unfortunately for me featured tuneless vocals from the two male offenders seated behind me and left me hoping that Van would choose really obscure material tonight which they might not be familiar with. Back On Top and Magic Time were followed by Days Like This which Van didn't appear to be expecting nor did some band members as the start was somewhat chaotic. The Baby Please Don't Go medley was followed by I Can Tell after which we had the now regular sight of Van moving behind the piano for another fine rendition of Vanlose Stairway followed once more by another beautiful performance of Someone Like You.These two songs were far and away the highlights of the concert for me.

Van then said he was going to do a tribute for Jon Hendricks (jazz singer) who passed away in the last couple of days and did Sack of Woe. Symphony Sid was notable for Dana Masters vocals to supplement Van's and was followed by the dreaded Bye Bye Blackbird.Somehow I doubt that very many attendees of Van concerts are hoping to hear this song instead of Van's own quality material and even his best vocal efforts can't do much with the song. The fast version of Have I Told You Lately was succeeded by Van introducing Broken Record off the forthcoming album before Bright Side of The Road saw Van give his Louis Armstrong impression a good airing. Automobile Blues featured a great organ solo by Paul Moran before the lights went down low for In The Afternoon. This was a dramatically shortened version and made way for Brown Eyed Girl yet again to finish the show. When the intro to In The Garden saw Van return for an encore it lifted my spirits but as with In The Afternoon it was a rushed short version.These two songs may make the set list look more impressive but when performed in such a manner they might as well not be included at all as Van wasn't putting his best efforts into them by any means. After another exit Van returned once more for Gloria to finish the show.

After the real highs of more recent shows (particularly the superb Liverpool show) this show was disappointing for me by comparison.
-Brendan Hynes

Set List
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance
Warm Love
Back On Top
Magic Time
Days Like This
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start' Crying Now/Custard Pie
I Can Tell
Vanlose Stairway
Someone Like You
Sack of Woe
Symphony Sid
Bye Bye Blackbird
Have I Told You Lately
Broken Record
Bright Side of the Road
Automobile Blues
In The Afternoon
Brown Eyed Girl
In The Garden
Gloria

Set Time 1h 39m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

21-November-2017
Colston Hall 
Bristol, England

Brendan sent in this review:
Van Morrison commenced the concert once more with Wait Minute Baby, Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill and a really good version of Warm Love before again playing Back On Top which was pretty strong. Magic Time saw Van show his dexterity as he had his head thrown back singing forcefully but still managed to signal simultaneously to his sound engineer with his left hand to turn up the sound. The Baby Please Don't Go etc. medley was followed by Ride On Josephine which Van enjoyed so much that he uttered his "one more time" instruction to the band. Van then moved behind the piano and thanked the audience members who immediately acknowledged the opening notes of Vanlose Stairway which was brilliant once more and got a richly deserved ovation at its conclusion. When Someone Like You immediately followed we were in dreamland for another beautiful rendition during which Dana Masters' major vocal contribution rightly received a big ovation. At this point Van told the band there was a change of plan as he barked Symphony Syd which featured Dana once more on vocals and a nice Dave Keary guitar solo prompted simply by Van glancing back over his shoulder at him. The fast version of Have I Told You Lately was followed by Days Like This which saw a long time and dedicated Van fan (whose identity is not being released at this time for legal reasons) attempt to record some footage only to receive an unmerciful shove in the back from a man in the row behind him. Who needs security? After that distraction it was time to settle down for a trip down the ancient highway as Van delivered an exceptional In The Afternoon with Dana's vocals particularly strong and crystal clear tonight. The stage was shrouded in darkness for the concluding part of the song but lit up each time Dana And Teena Lyle sang "sitting pretty" back to Van. A bit of choreography no less at a Van concert. When Van strapped on the guitar he performed Automobile Blues and Why Must I Always Explain as at the Cardiff show the night before.Van then announced a song from his forthcoming album which he mistakenly said comes out on 1st September rather than December which turned out to be what appears to be Van's favourite track in the form of the self penned Broken Record. By my count Van said "broken record" 28 times in the concluding part of the song which may be a record in itself worthy of possible inclusion in the Guinness Book of Records. A wonderful version of Did Ye Get Healed followed and featured lovely backing vocals from Dana and Teena. St. James Infirmary got a relatively rare outing and Van's vocals were really strong on this. Brown Eyed Girl brought the show to a close but with Van returning for Gloria during which drummer Mez Clough had a spotlight shone on him for his drum solo during the finale.

This was another really impressive show by Van and the band which received a huge ovation at the conclusion.
-Brendan Hynes

Set List
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill
Warm Love
Back On Top
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Custard Pie
Ride On Josephine
Vanlose Stairway
Someone Like You
Symphony Syd
Have I Told You Lately
Days Like This
In The Afternoon
Automobile Blues
Why Must I Always Explain
Broken Record
Did Ye Get Healed
St.James Infirmary
Brown Eyed Girl
Gloria

Set Time 1h 43m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

20-November-2017
St. Davids Hall 
Cardiff, Wales

Brendan sends in this review:
The sixth show on Van Morrison's UK tour commenced once more with Wait A Minute Baby, Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill and Warm Love before another fine rendition of Magic Time. The slow arrangement of Back On Top was an indication that Van was going to shake things up again tonight and so it proved.The Baby Please Don't Go etc.medley featured I'm Movin' On on this occasion and was followed by Bo Diddley's I Can Tell featuring Van playing maracas and a lovely guitar solo by Dave Keary. When Van made his way to the piano magic ensued with another great Vanlose Stairway which included great organ by Paul Moran.This was unsurprisingly ecstatically received but before the excitement had abated Van launched straight into Someone Like You on which Dana Masters excelled on vocals along with Van of course.This was poetry in motion and the sheer beauty of its delivery ensured there were probably very few dry eyes in the hall. Marvellous! Before we got too carried away Van announced a song from his new album to be released on December 1st which turned put to be Bye Bye Blackbird.While Van put his heart and soul into it and sang it well there was only so much he could do with the raw material at his disposal. Next Van announced a new arrangement of Have I Told You Lately but it was the fast one he has been playing quite a while. Teena Lyle was very exuberant during this rendition and literally jumped in the air at one point such was her excitement (maybe it will become her party piece).Broken Record from the Versatile album got another airing and again featured several good band solos.Van clearly really enjoys singing this and he sang the repetitive punch line towards the end over and over with great gusto.Whenever God was a high tempo rendition with Paul Moore doing a really good bass solo.Jackie Wilson Said increased the tempo before Van slowed things right down for an excellent In The Afternoon. Van strapped on his guitar for Automobile Blues which saw Paul Moran excell once more on organ following which Van left on his guitar for a really good Why Must I Always Explain, although Van's trademark guitar contribution at the end was shorter than I would have liked.Help me indicated that we were in the finishing straight and sure enough Van departed before returning to perform Brown Eyed Girl.When Van departed once more it seemed that was the end but we then had the welcome sight of Van signaling to the band to cut it short as he returned for a second encore of Gloria.Van has recently started to encourage some crowd participation when performing this and tonight was no exception.The usual band showcase followed Van's departure with Dave Keary's extended guitar solo winning out tonight. Teena Lyle and Mez Clough on percussion and drums respectively had another rather amusing joust with Teena armed with a whistle tonight in an apparent attempt to gain a competitive edge.

This was another impressive performance by Van and his musicians which went down a treat with the audience who were virtually all on their feet towards the end.
-Brendan Hynes

Setlist
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill
Warm Love
Magic Time
Back On Top
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/ Don't Start Crying Now/I'm Movin' On
I Can Tell
Vanlose Stairway
Someone Like You
Bye Bye Blackbird
Have I Told You Lately (fast version)
Broken Record
Whenever God Shines His Light
Jackie Wilson Said
In The Afternoon
Automobile Blues
Why Must I Always Explain
Help Me
Brown Eyed Girl
Gloria

Set Time 1h 40m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

14-November-2017
Philharmonic Hall 
Liverpool, England

Brendan reports from Beatle Town
The fifth leg of Van Morrison's UK tour took him to this impressive concert hall where Van replicated the opening three songs from recent shows but there was to be nothing predictable about this performance. A committed Too Much Trouble was followed by Magic Time which featured really good solos from Dave Keary on electric guitar and Paul Moran on trumpet.The Baby Please Don't Go medley included Move On Down The Line for a bit of variety and was followed once more by Here Comes The Night. At this point we had one of my favourite sights at a Van concert as Van made his way to the piano which usually results in quality material being bestowed on the audience and sure enough tonight was no exception as Van delivered a powerful Vanlose Stairway. The band were particularly animated as if a surge of additional energy had passed through them with Paul Moran bopping up and down at his keyboards before delivering a blistering organ solo. Dana Masters contributed massively on backing vocals to complement Van's as he reminded us over and over that "Kilroy Was Here". The standing ovation at the conclusion from several in the audience was richly deserved. Did Ye Get Healed was a joy to hear once more and featured really nice guitar and trumpet solos before Van implored his backing singers to "sing it with me" and then finish with some nice saxophone. Days Like This slowed the pace somewhat before another visit to Little Village which was rapturously received. Van then reached into his treasure trove once more to deliver a stunning The Way Young Lovers Do on which Teena Lyle excelled on xylophone. Carrying A Torch featured the combined vocal powers of Van and Dana to great effect in a stunning version before Have I Told You Lately saw Dana to the forefront once more. Broken Record on this occasion provided a platform for several impressive band solos before we were treated to an extended In The Afternoon which featured a loud scream from an excited female member of the audience just as Van took us down the ancient highway. Brown Eyed Girl indicated that the end was nigh but not before we heard the wonderful piano strains which represent the entry point to In The Garden which was beautiful and featured a fantastic acoustic guitar solo by Dave Keary before Van called on the assistance of the Holy Guardian Angel over and over again. Van departed at this point before returning for Gloria which saw the band engage in the usual extended jam session to close which included an unbelievably good organ solo by Paul Moran.

This was a superb concert and probably the best I have seen by Van in 2017.
-Brendan Hynes

Setlist
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill
Warm Love
Too Much Trouble
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/ParchmanFarm/Don't Start Crying Now/Move On Down The Line
Here Comes The Night
Vanlose Stairway
Did Ye Get Healed
Days Like This
Little Village
The Way Young Lovers Do
Carrying A Torch
Have I Told You Lately (fast version)
Broken Record
In The Afternoon
Brown Eyed Girl
In The Garden
Gloria

Set Time 1h 40m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

13-November-2017
Symphony Hall 
Birmingham, England

Here's Brendan's review of gig:
Van Morrison began the show once more with a jaunty number called Wait A Minute Baby before moving briskly through Moondance which again included an excerpt from Look Beyond The Hill. Warm Love was very strong once more and was followed by Too Much Trouble.Magic Time featured a fine trumpet solo from Paul Moran before the Baby Please Don't Go medley and Here Comes The Night provided some 1960s nostalgia. Little Village made another welcome appearance and featured a nice trumpet solo from Paul Moran and Teena Lyle on xylophone. Days Like This was followed by the immediately recognisable intro to Did Ye Get Healed which featured Van on saxophone and Paul Moran yet again with a great trumpet solo. This was really good. Sometimes We Cry and Carrying A Torch were powerfully delivered by Van aided in no small part by Dana Masters on shared and backing vocals. The welcome Enlightenment was next up followed by Whenever God Shines His Light which featured several band solos. I Can't Stop Loving You featured Dave Keary on steel guitar and Dana once more on vocals.As Van debated which song to play next with the band, dedicated Van fan Chris seated in the front row shouted for Northern Muse to which Van readily agreed and he moved to sit at the piano. This was quite beautiful and when Van remained at the piano I was expecting another special moment which duly followed with a sublime Vanlose Stairway which saw Van fully in the zone hopping up and down from his seat at the piano before concluding with the phrase "Kilroy Was Here" over and over as Dana's lovely vocal ran simultaneously in the background. These two songs are the type of material I always hope to hear at a Van concert and they were quite simply magnificent. When Van returned to centre stage he embarked on a rip roaring Got My Mojo Working with the band at full throttle and Van doing a quite amusing mumbling/stuttering sound each time he came to say Mojo. Broken Record from the forthcoming album got another outing before the closing Brown Eyed Girl at which point Van departed before returning for Gloria. The band as usual showcased their talents and, in the absence of the early departed Dana, Paul Moore took the opportunity to do an extended funky bass solo which was rapturously received before Teena Lyle on percussion and Mez Clough on drums had another shoot out between them before the latter's extended drum solo brought proceedings to a close.

This was a top performance from Van who was fully engaged throughout and raided his vast musical vault to unearth some real gems for the highly appreciative audience.
-Brendan Hynes

Set Time 1h 41m

Setlist
Wait A Minute Baby
Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill
Warm Love
Too Much Trouble
Magic Time
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Custard Pie
Here Comes The Night
Litttle Village
Days Like This
Did Ye Get Healed
Sometimes We Cry
Carrying A Torch
Enlightenment
Whenever God Shines His Light
I Can't Stop Loving You
Northern Muse (Solid Ground)
Vanlose Stairway
I Got My Mojo Working
Broken Record
Brown Eyed Girl
Gloria

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

12-November-2017
Hammersmith Apollo 
London, England

via Matthew J.

Brendan sent in his thoughts on gig:
Van Morrison commenced the third date of his UK tour with a jazzy song called Wait a Minute Baby followed by Moondance which finished with an excerpt from Look Beyond The Hill. Warm Love was a welcome inclusion in the set once more but for some reason the female backing vocals were less audible than usual which took somewhat from the song’s delivery. The ever lively I Can Tell was followed by Van’s comment that it was the obligatory song from the new album before introducing A Foggy Day as being from the next one. He then announced Valley of Tears as a tribute to the late Fats Domino after which he kept the tempo up with the fast version of Have I Told You Lately before slowing things down for a really good version of Magic Time. It was obvious not for the first time that Van particularly enjoys playing this song and he seemed really engrossed in it.

The Baby Please Don’t Go medley raised the tempo once more and was followed immediately by Here Comes The Night. Sometimes We Cry was particularly strong and Dana Masters got a well deserved ovation for her vocal contribution. Bright Side Of The Road featured a really good trumpet solo by Paul Moran while Van produced some nice harmonica but no Louis Armstrong impression this time. Days Like This and Wild Night followed in quick succession and were followed by the slow blues of Automobile Blues which featured really nice guitar and organ solos from Dave Keary and Paul Moran respectively. When the opening bars of All In the Game emerged we sat back waiting for a transcendental moment but were to be sadly disappointed as Van cut the song ridiculously short apparently to make room for yet another song from the forthcoming album.This was Broken Record which does nothing for me and I think I can fairly safely predict it will never feature in any meaningful compilations of Van’s best work. In The Afternoon raised the quality considerably and was good while it lasted but it was also cut short to make way for a mediocre cover from the forthcoming album called The Party’s Over.

The concert had really lost its way at this stage but as Van and the band contemplated which song to play next there was a particularly vociferous and most welcome audience request for And The Healing Has Begun which Van immediately acceded to with a comment that no one could say they don’t do the old stuff. What followed was a breathtaking extended rendition as Van took us down the back streets once more while the entire band contributed handsomely in the song’s delivery with brilliant playing and individual solos before Van exited the stage still singing. When one hears such magnificence in concert it makes it extremely difficult to understand why Van so often leaves such brilliant material out of his concert sets and, as happened tonight, instead plays cover versions of songs many of which are mediocre at best and few of which can come anywhere near approaching the quality of his own inspired songwriting of which there are innumerable examples. Almost half the set tonight consisted of cover versions and it is doubtful that very many in the audience given the choice would have a preference for such material over Van’s own work. The concert finished once more with an extended Gloria featuring all the band members but with Dana Masters on vocals and Mez Clough on drums getting particular recognition.

-Brendan Hynes

Setlist

Wait A Minute Baby 

Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill

Warm Love

I Can Tell

A Foggy Day 

Valley of Tears (Fats Domino tribute)

Have I Told You Lately (swing version)

Magic Time

Baby Please Don’t Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Custard Pie

Here Comes The Night

Sometimes We Cry

Bright Side of the Road

Days Like This

Wild Night

Automobile Blues

It’s All in the Game

Broken Record

In The Afternoon/Ancient Highway/Raincheck

The Party’s Over

And the Healing Has Begun

Gloria

Set Time 1h 43m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)

07-November-2017
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
 Glasgow, Scotland

Brendan sent in his thoughts on Glasgow gig:
As the 8.00pm bell rang Van Morrison emerged on cue from his corner (not quite bobbing and weaving) for Round 2 of his UK tour to promote his Roll With The Punches album. The previous night's show was akin to a summer festival greatest hits show and this followed the same pattern unfortunately with Have I Told You Lately and Bright Side Of The Road also added to the mix this time. The latter saw Van do his Louis Armstrong impression and also produce a fine harmonica solo. A jazzy Too Much Trouble In My Life got an airing while Enlightenment and Carrying A Torch were welcome interventions between the 'hits' as was Warm Love which was beautifully delivered once more. In the Afternoon was again reprised brilliantly before Help Me saw Van depart the stage only to return for Brown Eyed Girl which would have been a very flat and most disappointing end to the show but Van mercifully brought the song to its conclusion and remained on stage to deliver a stunning In The Garden as he invoked the help of his Holy Guardian Angel over and over again. When Van had departed the band played on brilliantly for several minutes with Paul Moran delivering a terrific piano solo and Mez Clough on drums and Teena Lyle on bongos having a little duel between them.
-Brendan Hynes

The Scottish Sun
Irish crooner Van Morrison treats crowd to some Magic Times with Glasgow gig
The singer, 72, put in a show-stopping performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall last night.

VAN Morrison has still got it.

The 72-year-old singer had an amazing performance last night in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as he sang through an eclectic mix of hits from across his decades-long career.

He started off his swinging performance with Moondance – a little quiet to begin with but his stage presence as commanding as ever.

His voice took a while to get into it, but by the time he was hitting fan favourites like Look Beyond The Hill, Magic Times and Days Like This he was singing like a champion.

The crowd lapped up every ounce of energy from the singer, who was sharply dressed like an old bluesman in pinstriped suit, trilby hat and sunglasses.

Van the Man didn’t have a lot to say last night – other than to thank punters and his six-piece band for their stunning performance – his music did all his talking for him.

His band – packed onto the stage at the Royal Concert Hall – watched him intensely as he prowled around the stage, often switching up the set list when the feeling took him – I Can Tell was pre-faced with a notion from Van and a nod from a band.

Most played switched between instruments, and Van himself played multiple.

The first two, his harmonica and his sax, were played magnificently – Have I Told You Lately and Precious Time had swooping saxophone solos which punters couldn’t get enough of.

But his third instrument – his voice – was far and away the best.

Each song slid flawlessly into the next, the band and Van only pausing for short breaks before belting out his next number.

Bright Side of the Road was a highlight, fans screamed the lyrics back to the singer, grooving in their seats as Van belted out the chorus.

While the hits may not have sounded the same way as they did back in his heyday, the jazzed-up tracks with their brighter sounds and fuller instrumental did not disappoint.

The blues feel comes from his 37th album Roll With The Punches – and he has already begun planning his 38th.

Van the Man didn’t put up much of fight when it came to the encore, pausing at the side of the stage until fans called out “One more song”.

He put a swing on Brown Eyed Girl before sliding into his final song of the night In The Garden.

A glorious performance from the singer – and far and away one of the best concerts Glasgow Royal Concert has seen.

All that’s left to say is: Keep rolling with the punches Van.
-Rachel Macpherson

Setlist
Moondance/Look Beyond The Hill
Warm Love
I Can Tell
Too Much Trouble In My Life
Magic Time
Bright Side Of The Road
Baby Please Don't Go/Parchman Farm/Don't Start Crying Now/Custard Pie
Here Comes The Night
Whenever God Shines His Light
Days Like This
Precious Time
Sometimes We Cry
Have I Told You Lately (fast version)
Carrying A Torch
Enlightenment
Wild Night
In The Afternoon
Help Me
Brown Eyed Girl
In The Garden

Set Time 1h 34m

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Paul Moore (Bass)
Paul Moran (Keyboards/Trumpet)
Mez Clough (Drums)
Teena Lyle (Percussion, Vocals)
Dana Masters (Vocals)