Music

Van Morrison

Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow

Stuart Morrison

four stars

A SOLD-out crowd for the first of this year’s Summer Nights at the Bandstand gigs. Little wonder, as the artist entertaining them for ninety minutes or so was none other than, as the introduction had it, Sir Van Morrison.

Sporting his customary suit, hat and shades, Sir Van let his excellent band set up a luscious, jazzy groove, before ambling on, sax at the ready, for a truly relaxed reading of Moondance. The jazz vibe continued with The Way Young Lovers Do, from Astral Weeks, with some gorgeous interplay between flugelhorn and saxophone, before the acoustic bass was abandoned and the distinctive, choppy, Hammond organ riff announced, By His Grace. That set the tone for most of the show. It was like a smooth, warm blanket being wrapped around Kelvingrove. The band were faultless, Morrison himself was in great form and gave every indication of thoroughly enjoying himself. Not only was the voice in fine fettle, but his guitar, harmonica and especially, sax work was terrific. He even spoke on at least five occasions, even if it was only to say ‘thank you’.

The crowd finally got up to dance with a medley of Baby Please Don’t Go, Don’t Start Crying Now and Here Comes the Night and stayed up for Whenever God Shines his Light, Jackie Wilson Said, Real Real Gone and of course, Brown Eyed Girl. Morrison finished by revisiting the start of his career with The Them’s hit Gloria, Sir Van departing half way through it, leaving the band to jam themselves to a standstill for almost ten minutes. The outstanding musicianship notwithstanding, it was a curiously protracted, Van Morrison-free end to proceedings.