Van Morrison at Ottawa CityFolk 9/18/15

[Ed S]

I've spent much of the last 10 years listening to a wide variety of music outside of Jazz -  blues, Canadian rock, some bluegrass, zydeco, Irish/Celtic music among others.  I've become a big fan of the Dead, Widespread Panic, Derek Trucks.  Just saw Widespread Panic for the first time over Labor Day in fact.  Great show. 

One of the "old timers" I've become a big fan of during this time frame is Van Morrison.  He was making a pretty rare North American appearance in Ottawa this past weekend.  It's probably the first and last time since I started seriously listening to him that he was reasonably close enough for me to go - so I did.

Well worth the drive.  Started off with Celtic Swing, Close enough for jazz and Moondance - which was done brilliantly.  All three of the opening songs were great, in fact.  He played sax and harmonica throughout the show.  He also did great renditions of Wild Night, Jackie Wilson Said, Days Like This, Domino, Real Real gone and a bunch of other more obscure songs.  Last song was an outstanding version of Gloria. 

I like that he played stuff from throughout his career and that he did not just stick to the "hits". His voice was in fine shape and the band was great.  He started playing - with no introduction - about 10 minutes early.  The songs were played one immediately after another with barely enough time for the audience to applaud and there was no speaking of any type between the songs.  Performance wise - my understanding is that there are nights when you get good Van and nights when you get not so good Van.   This past Friday, Van was excellent.

[medjuck]

Wow!  Sounds great.   I've seen Van about 5 times  over the last 45 years  (I may also have seen Them opening for The Yardbirds in the summer of '65) but this sounds as good if not better than any concert of his  I've  attended.  

Edited September 22, 2015 by medjuck

[A Lark Ascending]

You've got to give it to Morrison, he must love performing beneath that gruff exterior. Incredibly hard working. The slightly younger Richard Thompson is another who just keeps on going. They can't need the money at this stage. 

[duaneiac]

Van Morrison, on a good night, is probably the best performer on earth right now.  I've seen him a few times and have never witnessed one of his"bad" nights that one hears about.  He is a versatile performer, able to handle rock, blues, jazz, country, folk music and handle them all with his personal style.  The way he reinterprets his own body of work is just as impressive as the way Bob Dylan keeps reworking his classics.  And Van Morrison definitely "works" during a concert.  There are no backup dancers or costume changes or fabulous light shows.  All the energy and drama emanates from him and on his best nights, it can be a soul enriching experience.  Sounds like you caught him on a very good night!

 

[medjuck]

I've been told that he only plays sax when he was feeling good.