Set within the picturesque confines of Hampton Court, Van Morrison treated the expectant crowd to a virtuoso performance, effortlessly easing through a set of 19 tracks from his extensive back catalogue.
After a quiet start the set exploded into life with a cover of the jazz standard St James Infirmary, accompanied by his band comprising of drums, bass, guitar, backing singer and a keyboardist / trumpeter.
Classics included Brown Eyed Girl, Whenever God Shines His Light On Me, Did Ye Get Healed, Baby Please Don’t Go and a sensational version of Moondance with Van enjoying himself throughout, directing his ensemble with a swift raised arm and whispering messages into attentive ears.
He brought the set to a close with a storming version of Gloria, exiting the stage mid-song to leave the rest of the band to finish the concert and take the much deserved applause.
Despite turning 70 his voice sounded that of a man half his age, proving he still has this incredible gift and is able to continue to thrill audiences with his timeless songbook, a joy.
The set list:
Celtic Swing (from Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, 1983)
Close Enough for Jazz (from Too Long in Exile, 1993)
Goin’ Home (from The Skiffle Sessions: Live in Belfast 1998, 2000)
Magic Time (from Magic Time, 2005)
Did Ye Get Healed? (from Poetic Champions Compose, 1987)
St. James Infirmary (from What’s Wrong With This Picture?, 2003)
Wavelength (from Wavelength, 1978)
Wild Night (from Tupelo Honey, 1971)
Carrying a Torch (from Hymns to the Silence, 1991)
Whenever God Shines His Light (from Avalon Sunset, 1989)
I Believe to My Soul (from It’s Too Late to Stop Now, 1974)
Enlightenment (from Enlightenment, 1990)
Medley:
* In the Afternoon (from Days Like This, 1995)
* Ancient Highway (from Days Like This, 1995)
* Burn Baby Burn (Ash cover)
* Raincheck (from Days Like This, 1995)
Medley:
* Baby, Please Don’t Go (Them single, 1964)
* Parchman Farm (Bukka White cover)
* Don’t Start Crying Now (Them single, 1964)
Moondance (from Moondance, 1970)
Brown Eyed Girl (from Blowin’ Your Mind, 1967)
It’s Too Late (from It’s Too Late to Stop Now, 1974)
Help Me (from It’s Too Late to Stop Now, 1974)
Gloria (from The Angry Them, 1965)
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