It's always nice to tick a performer off my 'must see musicians' list and tonight I've got a pretty big name to mark a line through - Van Morrison aka Van the Man ('VTM').
I have absolutely no idea what to expect tonight. I've heard infamous stories about VTM being a temperamental stage dweller who pays little or no attention to his audience and regularly chastises members of his band for no apparent reason - yes, I have been warned!
Tonight's show forms part of Bluesfest and as a result I am not expecting a greatest hits set. It's a bonus that my favourite VTM songs lean heavily towards his blues tendencies.
VTM appears on stage promptly at the stated start time of 8.30pm. He is clad is his trademark black suit, black hat and dark glasses (how he can see anything is beyond me as the stage lights are down low already!).
Some of the highlights were:
* The first song is one of my all time VTM favourites - Them's Baby Please Don't Go. I love the down and dirty feeling to this tune be I am always reminded of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam inviting people to 'boogaloo until we puke'. VTM mentions at the end of the song that when it was released they probably sold about 10 copies - I assume this is a noted dig at the fact that he never received any royalties from his work with Them.
* You Know What They're Writing About Lyrics sees VTM's first foray in the sax. He is, of course, known as a formidable guitar player but obviously has musical skills well above and beyond the 6 stringed instrument. It's good to see that VTM is still engaging with an instrument onstage rather than simply providing vocals (and stern directions to his band!).
* 'No Safety net, No Plan B' is VTM's new mantra. It's a great tune which echoes thoughts which perhaps should belong to a much younger man. Perhaps VTM is just touching on Leonard Cohen's invitation of "I'm old, I'm broke - follow me".
* There was only one real divo (as opposed to diva) act of the night during I'm Not Feeling It Anymore where mid-song VTM barks directions at one of his band to charge instruments and his sound. It's not something I have seen before but given warnings previously noted, it is not particularly unexpected. VTM comments with some cheek at the end of this song that 'Paul Macartney says you can't buy love and he should know'.
* I'm a relatively young member of the audience (yay!) and by and large the crowd is very respectful - well until some dufus yells out an ill-timed request for Brown-Eyed Girl. Ahh dude it's Bluesfest - get a grip!
* VTM's voice is strong and easily matches the band's verve. I personally think that is pretty impressive for a 66 year old, and seeing him on sax and harmonica at various points throughout the night (although always of short duration) indicates to me that VTM has a few more years in him yet!!
* The last song of the set is another Them classic - Gloria. It seems to me that this is played more to appease the audience than for any enjoyment that VTM is getting out of it. After his vocals are finished VTM leaves the stage unceremoniously well before the band finishes.
It is a decent set and I'm glad that I've made he effort to see VTM in the flesh. It hasn't however melted my face off or otherwise moved me to rave about his stage presence, but it is another musical 'wanted' poster that I can take off my wall.
