Live review: Van Morrison, The Sage Gateshead
VAN MORRISON ... delivered the goods at The Sage.
THE artist variously known as Van the Man and the Belfast Cowboy played a blinder for a sold-out house at The Sage.
Backed by a superlative eight-piece band, Van Morrison trawled through his massive back catalogue in a highly focused performance, featuring several musical highlights.
Opening with his evergreen jukebox standard, Brown Eyed Girl, the king of Celtic soul delivered the goods throughout the evening.
Swapping between saxophone, harmonica and even keyboards for Haunts of Ancient Peace, Morrison kept his faultless band in check with a series of jerky hand signals, pointed fingers and bellowed stage instructions.
But while Morrison is not noted for his easy-going personality, there was little evidence of musical aggro.
Instead, he created spine-tingling magic with what, for me, was the concert highlight- namely, a brilliant All in the Game.
The old pop standard segued into a chant about “no plan B, no safety net,” Morrison building up the phrase into a kind of religious mantra.
While he can be inconsistent, such moments prove why Morrison has retained a loyal following for more than 40 years.
A highly moving version of In the Garden was the other concert standout, Morrison’s voice ranging from a blues shout to a whisper.
The gig ended in traditional style with the timeless classic Gloria - “G-L-O-R-I-A” - the Belfast Cowboy leaving the stage to a deserved standing ovation.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Newcastle target Barnetta to quit Bayer Leverkusen
- Transfer Rumours update May 22: Sunderland, Newcastle United, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR.
- Amalfitano flies into Toon to seal Newcastle deal
- Teacher died hours after hospital sent her home
- Cats ready to Hammer out McCartney deal
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for South Shields
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.