Some venues are perfectly suited to certain artists. Queen revelled in stadiums across the world. the Sex Pistols never sounded better than in a sweaty club. Van Morrison is born for the stage of the Royal Albert Hall or the midlands equivalent, Symphony Hall.
From the moment Van Morrison stepped onto the stage, backed by his 8-strong backing band, it was clear that he meant business. Morrison has a history of limited interaction with his audience, preferring instead to rely on his music to do the talking for him. He does make the odd quip and show of appreciation for his audience and in honesty that is all that is required. Those in attendance are here to hear the master’s singing voice and, at 79 years young, it is still in very fine fettle.
When you have over 60 years of material you are in the rightfully privileged position of being able to call on hundreds of tracks for which to fill your set list. Lesser mortals would not be able resist the urge to “give the crowd what they want” however Van has cultivated a more discerning following that greets each track with reverence whether it is the classic “Have I Told You Lately” or the 1982 single “Cleaning Windows” that failed to chart, it matters not to the devotees and even casual Morrison fans.
The vast majority of artists of his vintage would rely heavily on “the classics” and perhaps that is fair enough but Van is made of sterner stuff and has a back catalogue that stands up to any other singer-songwriter in history. He is right there, shoulder to shoulder with Bob Dylan.
So tonight sees no “Moondance, no “Bright Side Of The Road”, no “Brown Eyed Girl”, no “Wonderful Remark” and add another 100 or so classics that this man has been responsible for over the last six decades that are not illuminated in his presence tonight.
In truth it does not matter. It is WHAT he gives us that is the important thing and you will hard pressed to find anyone walking out of Birmingham’s lush Symphony Hall whinging about not hearing the greatest hits!!
There is plenty of great jazz blues on display this evening. The swinging “ Back On Top” and upbeat shuffle of “Broken Record” sets a tempo that the night barely falls below.
There is time for melancholic majesty through the aforementioned “Have I Told You Lately” which sounds as fresh as when it was first born. From “Ain’t Gonna Moan No More” to the modern “Down To Joy” it is a masterclass in effortless cool and substance with style.
There are room for stonewall classics in the set as “Wild Night” and “Days Like This” prove. He ends his set with the genius and the song that launched a thousand bands “Gloria” and then disappears into the Midlands night blowin’ on his harmonica as he goes.
