Van Morrison – photo credit GlasgowLife
As the legendary Van Morrison confirms his new studio album Getintothis’ Jamie Bowman cautiously looks forward to two nights at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall.
From his roots as an RnB growler through his brief pop career to his transcendental blend of mystic soul and jazz, Van Morrison’s career has been one of the most gloriously inventive in rock history.
Now 70, the news that the Northern Irish singer songwriter is heading for two dates in the relatively intimate surroundings of the Liverpool Philharmonic will be welcomed cautiously by his many fans as will the news that Morrison is releasing his first collection of new songs in four years in September.
Why the hesitation? Well despite that awesome back catalogue, Morrison has maintained his reputation as one of the grumpiest men in music while his live appearances can often be indulgent affairs depending on which musical style and persona ‘Van the Man’ is keen to adopt at that time.
And yet with albums like Astral Weeks, Moondance, and Veedon Fleece among the magical gems from his imperial phase in the seventies, there will always be some hope that Morrison will recapture some of that enigmatic, almost spiritual, artistry which has entranced so many down the years.
With 12 of the 13 songs on Keep Singing listed as originals, who knows if these dates will be coupled with a creative rebirth but whatever happens this is a rare chance to watch one of music’s true originals.
Van Morrison plays Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall on November 8 and November 9 as part of a UK tour, full dates below:
October 30 – Bluesfest 2016, The O2, London
November 8 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
November 9 – Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
November 13 – Playhouse, Edinburgh
November 14 – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
November 28 – Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
November 29 – O2 Apollo, Manchester
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