Several years ago, I developed a Live Music bucket list of musicians I still had not seen (“A Bucket List You Can fulfill”- July 30, 2016). While I have chipped away at the list, three artists remained from my original wish list. Van Morrison was right up there. When I heard of his involvement in Willie Nelson’s, ‘Outlaw Music Festival,’ I saw this as my best chance to get to hear Van. But once I shared the news with others, I heard numerous tales about the modern day Van Morrison. There were stories about his moodiness with audiences, sketchy performances and a voice that’s seen better days. Perhaps you have heard similar stories about his recent performances. I am here to say that rumors of his demise are premature!

Van Morrison was part of the 2018 Outlaw Music Festival for two weekends this September. I found myself in the audience at the Pavilion at Montagne Mountain in Scranton Pennsylvania on Friday, September 14th with fellow Charlestonian, Steven Morse. We witnessed a 21 song, 90 minute performance of his classic songs, rare and unusual cover tunes and some B sides of his hits. I am here to say that on this night, at least, Van Morrison gave his audience something to smile about. His voice was strong and soulful and his band deftly brought his music to life. We were happy to hear the Van that I grew up with, from the early days of, “Them,” through his stellar solo career. In addition to his singing, I was quite impressed with his performance on the saxophone and the harmonica. He kept up with his stellar band as they presented a tour de force of his musical career. Check out the Moondance video from this show on YouTube (Van Morrison, “Moondance”, live in Scranton, Pa. Montage Mountain, Sept. 14 2018). Van didn’t offer any between-song-banter but he put his heart into his performance and it can be plainly recognized and heard in his voice. Among the songs he presented were, “Wild Night,” “Here Comes the Night,” “Days like This,” “Moondance,” “Have I Told You Lately,” “Bright Side of the Road,” “Jackie Wilson Said,” and “Brown Eyed Girl,” the set closer. His covers included, “How Far from God,” (Sister Rosetta Sharpe, R&R Hof F 2018), Ray Charles’, “I Believe to My Soul,” Bo Diddley’s, “I Can Tell,” Woody Guthrie’s, “Dead or Alive,” Don Gibson’s, “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and John Lee Hooker’s, “Think Twice Before You Go.” For the complete lists of songs, venture over to setlistfm.com and search Van Morrison Montage Mountain, Pennsylvania. As one can imagine, I heartily endorse seeing Van the Man while you can. Morrison doesn’t do full America tours, just a few selected dates here and there. Move mountains if you must for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Here’s how it unfolded for me. Many months ago, friends began to put the wheels in motion for our 45th high school reunion from a school in Brooklyn, NY. They secured a venue and set the date as September 15th, in NY. I committed to go which also allowed me to spend some time with my ninety-year-old mother. At her stage in life, I try to visit her every few months.
Not long after making plans for the reunion trip, I read in Relix magazine about leg one and two of the 2018 Outlaw Music Festival. The festival is now in its third year and offers a revolving group of musicians, many capable of headlining their own tour. I realized that Van was going to perform about three hours away from where I would be the night before the reunion. I decided to buy two seats for the show and work on finding a traveling partner. I reached out to four high school friends in an effort to have a companion for this adventure. After being rejected for numerous reasons, I remained undeterred. One night I was explaining my situation to fellow ushers before a performance at the Charleston Music Hall (SC). One of those in attendance, Steven Morse, said that he was going to be nearby that weekend for a wedding in New Jersey. It was also his birthday on the same day as the show. With the blessings of his lady, he agreed to join me for this once in a lifetime experience. We left from our location in NJ and traveled three hours in Friday afternoon traffic to reach our destination in Scranton. Once we arrived and downed an adult beverage, it was time to enter the amphitheater. Luckily, we caught a full 90 minute show from the Tedseschi-Trucks band. This powerful gathering of musicians included a three piece horn section, three back-up singers, two drummers, bass, keyboards and both hosts, Derrick Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. They gave an inspired performance as the warm up to the Van Morrison performance. After Van left the stage it was time for us to begin our trip back to where were staying in NJ. All was good as we already had tickets for the Sunday night Outlaw Music Festival performance in Holmdel, NJ. The lineup that night included Greensky Bluegrass, Jacob Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Sturgill Simpson, the Tedeschi-Trucks band and Willie Nelson and friends. That’s a story for another day.

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