15-April-2025
Mandela Hall
Belfast, Norther Ireland

Brendan Hynes was at gig & sends in his thoughts
This special show titled 'The Blues Project' and featuring special guests Paul Jones and Chris Farlowe promised a night of jazz and blues and that is exactly what was delivered. Chris Farlowe got proceedings off to a stomping start with a lively rendition of the Ray Charles classic Unchain My Heart on which the band excelled. Chris followed this with an acapella version of a Lee Roy Parnell song called The Rock which was certainly something different. Van Morrison then took to the stage and performed Broken Record which was notable for Van uttering the song title 29 times as the song concluded thereby equalling the previous record (which therefore actually remains unbroken!). Going Down to Bangor proceeded impressively at breakneck speed as Van armed himself with his bucket and spade for the journey! Baby Please Don't Go/ Streamline Train upped the tempo again before the Centrepiece jazz standard which followed. Laughin' And Clownin' was a particular highlight featuring great guitar, saxophone and trumpet solos by Dave Keary, Chris White and Matt Holland respectively.

When Van made his way to the piano I sensed something special would ensue and sure enough he delivered a superb version of the Ray Charles song What Would I Do which Van of course covered on his Sense of Wonder album.The version performed tonight was enhanced by some wonderful harmonica playing by Paul Jones who entered from the wings of the stage about half way through the song and his playing encouraged Van to issue his infamous "one more time" invite! The backing vocals of Dana Masters and Jolene O' Hara, which were excellent throughout the show, were particularly haunting on this song as they complemented Van's own vocals beautifully. This song and other notable covers such as All In The Game exemplify the particular ability that Van has to put his own particular stamp on a song so that it surpasses the original version and sounds like one of his own compositions!

Paul Jones performed a solo version of Work Song before being joined by Sam Burgess on bass to perform a song called Sonny Boy Williamson which Paul informed us he had recorded back in the 1960s with the late great bassist Jack Bruce of Cream fame as a tribute after the death of blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson.

Van was joined by Chris Farlowe for a very strong version of Stormy Monday which was merged with Take Your Hand Out Of My Pocket and which featured some great guitar playing by Dave Keary including the replication of the police siren sound made famous by John Plitania of the Caledonia Soul Orchestra during the It's Too Late To Stop Now shows. There were great saxophone and trumpet solos performed as well in the song's delivery. Ain't Gonna Moan No More was very strong once again and featured some fine extended saxophone playing by Van towards the song's conclusion.Rock Me Baby which followed once more featured the brass section prominently aided in no small measure by Paul Jones on harmonica.

Van introduced Fame as a song he had recorded with Paul Jones before going on to say that Paul had played the part of a rock singer in a film many years ago. When Paul clarified that the part was that of a pop singer Van as quick as a flash jokingly asked him if he had to practice to play the part!! This song was very well performed and another highlight of the show.
Help Me indicated that the end was nigh and featured Paul Jones once more on vocals and harmonica before being followed by lively versions of Think Twice Before You Go and Worried Man Blues/ This Loving Light Of Mine which brought the main set to a close.

Van did return for Gloria which was a somewhat surprising song choice given the nature of the particular show and it as usual saw the band play extended solos before Jolene O 'Hara impressively showcased her vast vocal range as the song concluded.

Van was in great voice throughout the show and seemed to really enjoy the collaboration with his two musical guests enormously. 
-Brendan Hynes

Setlist
Unchain My Heart (Sung by Chris Farlowe)
The Rock (Sung by Chris Farlowe)
Broken Record
Going Down To Bangor

Baby Please Don't Go/Streamline Train
Centerpiece
Laughin' & Clownin'
What Would I Do
Work Song (Sung by Paul Jones)
Sonny Boy Williamson (Sung by Paul Jones)
Stormy Monday/Take your Hand Out of My Pocket (w/Chris Farlowe)
Ain't Gonna Moan No More
Rock Me Baby (w/Chris Farlowe (vocals & Paul Jones (harmonica))
Fame (w/Paul Jones)
Help Me (w/Paul Jones (vocals & harmonica))
Think Twice Before You Go
Worried Man Blues/This Little Light of Mine (w/Chris Farlowe & Paul Jones)
Gloria (w/Chris Farlowe (vocals & Paul Jones (harmonica))

Set Length I h 45m.

Big Hand For The Band!
Dave Keary (Guitar)
Sam Burgess(Bass)
John McCullough (Keyboards)
Neal Wilkinson (Drums)
Dana Masters (Vocals)
Jolene O'Hara (Vocals)
Alan 'Sticky' Wicket (Percussion)
Christopher White (Saxaphone)
Matt Holland (Trumpet)