VAN MORRISON may be having a bit of the blues when it comes to his personal life, but his music continues to be upbeat, and he kept things swinging for his half of a double bill at Dublin's Point last night. There was, however, a suspicion that Van was simply there to prop up his partner in jazz for the night, the legendary but somewhat waning Ray Charles. The show was billed as a double header featuring Morrison and Charles, and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to witness two generations of r&b greats together on stage. Alas, it was little more than a two handed trip into nostalgic cabaret and somewhat self indulgent swingbeat. The music may have been smokin' - but nothing caught fire.
Surprisingly, Van Morrison chose to open the night's proceedings, starting at eight sharp, long before this reviewer had even changed into his jazzy threads. From the small part of Van's set which I caught, the man seemed to be right on form, playing it fast and loose, and keeping his band on a long leash, the better to exercise their considerable talents. Brian Kennedy's sweet voice was on hand to echo Van's gruff delivery, and it looks like the young Belfast singer has finally made his indelible mark on the Morrison sound. When Van ended his set, we felt sure that he might return to the stage later in the evening, bigger and bolder and jazzier than ever. It was not to be.
Ray Charles's first records came out on 78 r.p.m. and he has survived into the CD age: with his formidable reputation still strong. A female singer warmed up for the great man's arrival with some soulful sounds, the brass section putting plenty of beef behind her. When Charles arrived on stage he took his position behind his keyboards and settled into some late night jazz moods. Rain Or Shine You Made Me Love You, Angelina and Stranger In My Home Town were accomplished r&b ballads, and Ray delivered them with the force of an old and steady hand. When he tried to bring the tempo, up a little, however, he lost momentum, and even the addition of five sassy songbirds failed to send things soaring.
The biggest disappointment however, came at the end of Charles's set, when it became apparent that the dynamic duo of Van and Ray would not be getting together, even for a rendition of I Can't Stop Loving You, which both men have recorded. Morrison would be the first to acknowledge his musical debt to Ray Charles, and it would definitely have lifted the evening if Van The Man got the chance to pay Ray the ultimate homage by joining him on stage. Maybe next time.
