21-February-2025
Whitla Hall
Belfast, Northern Ireland
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| via S, Corr |
Brendan Hynes was at gig & sends in this review
As the band took to the stage for the first of Van Morrison's three shows this weekend at the venue it was very pleasing to see that the big band format assembled for the New Arrangements and Duets album launch shows in Brighton last year was once more followed. Also noteworthy was the return after many years of Neal Wilkinson on drums and Richie Buckley on saxophone with the latter's presence proving particularly significant as the show progressed.
The show opened with lively renditions of Only A Dream and Back on Top before Van reverted briefly into skiffle territory with I Want A Roof Over My Head which was followed by a very impressive rendition of So Quiet In Here. Laughin' and Clownin' saw Van in full flight aided in no small measure by the excellent big band and backing vocalists Jolene O' Hara and Dana Masters. Down To Joy was introduced by Van as the new single and apparently it is included on his new forthcoming album. Green Rocky Road represented a further skiffle selection before Days Like This, Enlightenment and Precious Time saw a return to more regular set selections.
The sight of Van proceeding to sit at the piano often promises something special and sure enough we were treated to a superb Vanlose Stairway featuring a great Richie Buckley saxophone solo and lovely big band brass. There was understandably a huge ovation at the end of the song whereupon Van uttered the word 'Summertime" before embarking on a magical journey back through Summertime in England. This one got the full treatment as we visited the mystic church and had Van telling Mr. Lawrence that he read his book with Richie Buckley repeating Van's utterances at breakneck speed during the 'call and respond' segment before unleashing a savage piece of saxophone playing as the song reached a crescendo with the backing singers singing "Soul Is A Witness" over and over towards it's conclusion. There was unsurprisingly an audience eruption followed by a standing ovation at the end of the song.
Whenever God Shines His Light was followed by a terrific rendition of Ain't Gonna Moan No More featuring superb solos by Dave Keary on guitar, Guy Barker on trumpet, Sam Burgess on bass and John McCullough on organ. Come On In and Moondance were followed by a powerful Help Me on which the backing vocalists excelled before the encore of Gloria brought proceedings to an end but not before a quite incredible trombone solo by Trevor Mires which brought the house down.
Van was in fine voice and quite jovial throughout the show and there was a strong dynamic evident with his superb band.
-Brendan Hynes
Setlist
Only A Dream
Back On Top
I Want A Roof Over My Head
So Quiet In Here
Laughin And Clownin'
Down To Joy
Green Rocky Road
Days Like This
Enlightenment
Precious Time
Vanlose Stairway
Summertime in England
Whenever God Shines His Light
Ain't Gonna Moan No More
Come On In
Moondance
Help Me
Gloria
Set Length: 1hr 47m
Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Sam Burgess (Bass)
John McCullough (Keyboards)
Neal Wilkinson (Drums)
Dana Masters (Vocals)
Jolene O'Hara (Vocals)
Richie Buckley (Saxaphone)
Christopher White (Saxaphone)
Matt Holland (Trumpet)
Trevor Mires (Trombone)
Guy Barker (Trumpet)
