31-August-2023
Shubert Theatre
Boston, USA
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Mike Fishman review Bost 2023, night 1
Not what I was expecting but I knew the recent set lists so I was not surprised. The crowd attempted Happy Birthday twice but either Van didn’t hear it or chose to ignore it and the band, ever at The Maestro’s command, were unlikely to improvise the best wishes themselves. With John Allair, David Hayes and John Platania present, one could not be faulted for hoping for a few classics from the days of old but Van was in skiffle mode/mood and the only greatly stretched-out song came during a powerful Green Rocky Road into Northern Muse. But Van Morrison, even in a four-minute song, can do something interesting; take the dynamics way down then up, sing into the harmonica, throw in a yodel, or just hum and moan. And no one can hum and moan like Van Morrison (the title track to his latest release Beyond Words being a fine example). So, little treasures and sudden large moments were to be found Thursday night. Enough to be reminded to be grateful for. Shana opened with an upbeat set that included an evocative And It Stoned Me.
Friday. The power, the power. And, conversely, peace, peace, peace. I get that someone seeing Van with visions of their vinyl records or partying times uplifted by one of his hits could be disappointed in the song selection. But Van has always been about exploring various genres and styles of music even as his own improvisational manner of singing remained constant. For those who can follow the river however it winds and curves, there are stunning moments in unexpected ways and a very personal yet also universal alchemy can occur if you can, as Van often suggests, let yourself go. When Van bears down hard on a line or word or expands unexpected flourishes, a song that was about one specific thing becomes about a much larger and deeper thing. How are you living your life? Are you aware of the moment, even as it passes by like water? As the eloquent Dan Murray has put it, it is not WHAT Van sings but HOW he sings. It all came together in an Into The Mystic that moved into the meditative territory Van has explored so uniquely, repeating the word “peace” from a yell to a whisper, even as he had to quiet the audience on the path. Earlier, Gypsy Davy had a touch of the pastoral reminiscent of one of Van’s master works, Veedon Fleece, which has an anniversary next year; how amazing it would be if Van were to re-visit that masterpiece as he did with Astral Weeks.
-Michael Fishman
Setlist
Streamline Train
Sail Away Ladies
Yonder Comes a Sucker
Wish I Was An Apple On A Tree
Travellin' Blues
Streamlined Cannonball
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
This Lovin' Light of Mine
In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)
Take This Hammer
Green Green Rocky Road
Worried Man Blues
John Platania (Guitar)
David Hayes (Bass)
John Allair (Keyboards)
Alan 'Sticky' Wicket (Percussion)
Robert Ruggeiro (Drums)
Jeff Taylor (Sax, Guitar, Vocals, Clarinet)
Omega Rae Brooks (Vocals)
Lucia Evans (Vocals)
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