I don’t know about you, but I think Van Morrison’s 1980 show at Montreux is the high watermark of his live performances. Possibly of everyone’s live performances. Unfortunately, it’s not on Spotify, but seek it out on YouTube. You won’t be disappointed.
But it got me thinking: what are the best Van live tracks that have been legitimately released? This little comp is a bit heavy on the upbeat stompers, and I’ve left off the covers, because I don’t really like them. But is there anything else that you’d add?
What surprises me is how consistently good he is. The 1984 and 1994 live albums are arguably as top notch as the more celebrated It’s Too Late to Stop Now, just different. So let’s get involved with some live Van this afternoon. It’s incredibly good stuff.
Still think his storming rendition of “Cypress Avenue” that closes the original It’s Too Late to Stop Now live album is hard to beat.
Also really like the live “Rave On John Donne/Rave On Part Two” on Live At the Grand Opera House Belfast.
Both tunes seem to encapsulate what Van was about at the time. Not mad keen on much of his output, studio or live, after Poetic Champions Compose, mind. The recent live compendium on Later did nothing to alter this view.
B side of Cry for Home single is a live rendition of Summertime in England. Essential!
I love both Rave On and Summertime in England
Is the Montreux gig also the bootleg “if you don’t like it you can go fuck yourself” which was a comment he made to an audience member.
Rather good show as I recall.
Pretty sure that was the 1974 Montreux show – officially released on a double DVD with the 1980 Montreux show a few years back.
Immortalized on the soundboard boot I Can’t Go On But I’ll Go On, Van’s 1984 Montreux show was another corker.
Lucky enough to see him at the Dominion around that time. The March 82 or 83 – gig I was at remains one of the top three or four concerts I’ve ever seen
Here’s the track listing for the boot from Montreux 84
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/unauth/van-morrison/i-cant-go-on_but-ill-go-on-montreux-jazz-festival-july-11-1984/
Straying a bit off the main path, (this the way of the Afterword) here are a few more excellent Van boots
https://www.musicthisday.com/lists/concerts/10-iconic-van-morrison-concerts-on-bootleg-youtube