Van Morrison, Gibson Amphitheatre, Los Angeles, 21st-Feb-2007 7:30 pm
review and photos by Jim Steinfeldt
Van Morrison was unusually playful with the audience. While singing one of his own songs he broke into a Louis Armstong impression.
Morrison sang his hits “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Domino,” “Moondance,” “Gloria” and “Wild Night” with clarity and elegance. His version of Sam Cooke’s You Send Me was a bit mumbled but cool. His 11 piece band was excellent especially the steel guitar player. Also of interest was Morrison’s alto sax solos.
Van Morrison is influenced by James Brown, Ray Charles and others from the 1950’s 60s era when Country and R&B began to meld together. Other songs sung this night included: Help Me, St. James Infirmary, Playhouse and Bright Side of the Road.
Morrison’s daughter Shauna opened the show with a wonderful cover of “Into the Mystic.”
These LA shows were actually very special because Morrison is not on tour. Rather he did the local show because they tied in nicely to his of Van Morrison at the Movies CD (compilation of his songs that have been in movies) and his being in town to receive a U.S.-Ireland award.
The lighting helped set the mood and helped make the huge amphitheatre feel like a large club. In all, the show ran an hour and a half.
Morrison is very particular about photos and prohibited any cameras expect for the press which could not shoot right in front of the pit as usual and was limited to only 2 songs. JS
photos ©2007 Jim Steinfeldt