Summer Pops review: Van Morrison, Aintree Pavilion

Jul 13 2007 by Mike Chapple, Liverpool Daily Post

Van Morrison, performing at the Liverpool Summer Pops _320

THOSE who went to Van’s last gig in the city, the second of a two-night double header at the Phil to celebrate last year’s Irish Festival, were privy to a rare treat.

The frown, which can strip paint from 50 yards, broke into a smile and he declared in Belfast brogue: "Thank you, Liverpool. We’ve had a ball!"

He must like it here as the Irish Rover always seems to find a slot to play the Celtic capital of England on a never-ending tour to rival that of another old troubadour, Bob Dylan.

Certainly, there is always a tumultuous welcome for him in Liverpool, and last night’s Pops eruption was no exception, although an earlier start time meant many inadvertently missed the support slot of seductive melancholia by former China Crisis vocalist, Kirkby’s Gary Daly.

That early start may have led some cynics to believe Van and his nine-piece backing band were looking for the take-the-money-and run sharp exit to John Lennon airport.

Not a bit of it.

This was a measured, joyous, gorgeous, life-affirming performance that showed a mellow man happy with the team gathered around him.

Although his work spans all forms of the contemporary genre, Van circa 2007 appears to be a languid creature at home with a slant towards country and with pedal steel guitar and fiddle holding sway.

It led to some truly brilliant excursions into his greatest hits.

A slow rocking Bright Side Of The Road with banjo lead was exquisite, a feline slow swing with Have I Told You Lately That I Love You was a stroke of genius, and a blue grass version of Into The Mystic jaw droppingly outrageous.

Morrison is a master musician finally comfortable as one of the great magicians capable of working his past material, some peerless, into any shape he wants to.

Go catch his spell while you can, we may never see his like again.