I have been to a lot of Van Morrison concerts over the last
40 years, but this is the first time I have ever seen him three times in a
week. Only four days after returning from Torquay I was back on the train to
Bristol. It was a beautiful October day. From the train window between
Bradford On Avon and Bath the countryside seemed to be turning golden around
the edges and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. This put me in a good mood for
the night ahead. Before long I arrived in the bustling sea-faring city of
Bristol. As I was early I walked to the harbourside via Queen Square which
seemed particularly Van-like with all the autumn leaves falling one by one.
I had some food in a pub on the
waterfront and as I was still early I had a look in the Arnolfini Gallery. In
the bookshop I bought some postcards and a book by Patti Smith, then had a look
around the other side of the harbour. I had arranged to meet a Bristolian friend
of mine outside the Hippodrome at 4.00. While I was waiting for him to arrive I
spotted Van’s singer Dana hurrying by. “Hello Dana”, I said but she
just kept walking. I expect she was in a rush to get to the sound check. Anyway,
my mate turned up and we repaired to The Hatchet Inn which is Bristol’s oldest
pub and has been there since 1606.
We had a bit of
a chat for a while. Walking back afterwards I spotted Fumiko by the stage door and while we
were talking Van came out and was driven away. Sound check was obviously over. We
passed the time taking photos by the large posters at the entrance of the
theatre. Then my friend headed off and at
6.00 we met Nell from Australia who was with her friend Jan also from Canberra.
We went in the Drawbridge pub where we were soon joined by the French man from
Denmark Michel Yves ‘Burning Ground’ Balin and John from Bristol. It was great
to catch up with them again after a year since the last Bristol concert. It was
also nice to meet Gavin for the first time as well. There were two female fans from
Cardiff there as well, but I can’t remember their names now, sorry. Finally, Brendan
from Dublin arrived. It’s always good to see Brendan.
 |
| Me, Van, Fumiko. |
It was time to go next door and take our seats for
the show. It was the usual band of Teena, Dana, Mez, Paul Moore, Dave, Paul
Moran. This is the setlist that I wrote down. I hope I have got it right. Let’s Get Lost, All Saints Day, How Far From
God, Magic Time, Have I Told You Lately? Baby Please Don’t Go / Don’t Start
Crying Now / Got My Mojo Working, I Can Tell (You Don’t Love Me No More)
Moondance, Steal My Heart Away, Symphony Sid, Broken Record, I Believe To My
Soul, Wild Night, Days Like This, Cleaning Windows / Be Bop A Lula, All In The
Game / You Know What They’re Writing About / No Plan B/ No Safety Net/ This Is
It ! , Think Twice Before You Go, The Party’s Over, Help Me, Jackie Wilson
Says, Brown Eyed Girl, Gloria.
 |
| Michel Yves, 2 unknown fans, Fumiko, John, Jan, Me. |
The outstanding highlight of the show for me was the
extended All In The Game in which Van made it real one more time. It was fabulous.
I also really enjoyed the Ray Charles song I Believe To My Soul. Van really
loves performing Magic Time as well. I think he likes to show off his saxophone
skills. Paul on trumpet and Teena also made great contributions last night. Van
played some great sax on Days Like This. Cleaning Windows I also enjoyed, especially
with it being the day after the anniversary of Jack Kerouac’s death. Apart from that I thought it was quite an average Van show. Looking at the faces of the vast majority of the audience as they left the theatre you could tell that most people thought it was brilliant so I probably don't know what I'm talking about. We all met
up again afterwards, but I had to make a sharp exit to catch my train. Nell
helped me hail a taxi and I was soon back at Temple Meads station. On the
platform I met a friend from Trowbridge who thought the whole show was great.
It makes me think that maybe I have been at too many shows. I might be getting jaded. Next time I see Van
will be in December when he is a guest with the Pretty Things which will be a change. Anyway, it was a very enjoyable evening down by Bristol meeting up with Van fan buddies and a big
hand for the band.
THE END.
