17-March-2013
Europa Hotel 
Belfast, Northern Ireland

This was the second night of Van’s St. Patrick’s weekend stint in the Europa and, as on the previous night, Shana Morrison opened with a short set. This time, however, she did all Irish songs given the day that was in it and was accompanied acoustically by Paul Moore on bass and Dave Keary on guitar with Chris White joining them on tin whistle for the last number, The Blacksmith which really livened up the audience before the main event.

 

Bang on 9.00 pm Van hit the stage playing saxophone on Celtic Swing before doing a cover of I Get a Kick Out of You during which he gave a little kick(not of Caravan proportions unfortunately). Making Whoopee and Open the Door to Your Heart followed before Van informed us he was going to change things around a bit.What followed was (to my ears anyway) The Showstopper of the two concerts-a magnificent version of Thanks for the Information on which Van’s vocals were brilliant,  aided by Dave Keary’s terrific chunky guitar sound and the brass section coming in and out to supplement the sound beautifully. A young lady at the table who was seeing Van for the first time turned to me when the song had finished and ecstatically exclaimed that it was unbelievable. It was indeed! A fine duet between Van and Shana on Sometimes we Cry was followed by a country cover, Things have Gone to Pieces. Van then moved to piano to deliver a long version of Going Down to Monte Carlo. This song is developing well during the live performances and becoming a bit of a crowd favourite. Next up was another high point- a long version of All in the Game during which Van shared his affection for journalists and the Fleet Street Press in particular with us(very moving) before doing a monologue on famous people perceived to be grumpy who in reality are not and others who escape such perceptions but who probably are. Covers of I Can’t Stop Loving You and That Old Black Magic(both with Shana) were followed by the greatest hits numbers Moondance and Brown Eyed Girl. Then it was time for the blues as Van and the band ripped through Baby Please Don’t Go and Help Me (at the end of which Van exited the stage but continued to sing on in the wings for another couple of minutes as the band played on frantically, not sure whether he was coming or going). It was terrific! I was surprised that Van hadn’t included Star of the County Down (given the day that was in it) but when he returned for the encore he put things right and played it followed by an explosive Gloria with the band getting to express themselves with extended solos. The crowd had by now abandoned their tables and surged to the front of the stage to join in. Van asked for “a big hand for the band”and then he was gone after 1 hour 45 minutes of exhilarating music.

 

I wish St.Patrick’s Day could be like this all the time!