Entertainment Tonight? Fabulous, just Fabulous

Some things are hard to describe. Beauty is one of them. And believe me, there is something beautiful about music. It is eclectic, so mysterious and melancholy, exciting and intense, moody and soulful. Beauty showed up on the stage of Austin City Limits tonight. This show airs on most PBS-TV stations nationwide at different times. Not talking about a good looking woman, not a chorus line of dancing legs, or even the new two piece swim suits of the Miss Universe contest! Mr. Van Morrison and company showed up to stir the imagination and soul of the audience. Thank God for surround sound, subwoofers and TV.

Geogre Ivan Morrison was born in Belfast, Ireland. His 61 years have led him down a path rare in this world. Talent abounds and it was present and accounted for at this Austin City Limits appearance. To be given such a gift and still share it at his 'youthful' age is inspiring. Van always seems surrounded by other people of max ability and this hour was filled with many harmonies, solos, jams, and smiles. Seems there's a lot of standing ovations for closing tunes, but Van got one for Wild Night, the opening song!

The music ran from country refrains to blues to old rock standards. Somewhere around the 4th or 5th tune Van asked for requests from the audience saying they didn't have a planned set. How many times have you seen someone do that!?!? Again another standing ovation. Gosh this just got better as the music progressed. Literally, there were people dancing in the aisles. The intense wails and resonance of his distinct voice blended with ultimate harmonies from voice and instruments is still sending chills to the marrow.

When performing St. James Infirmary Van started the tune with a alto sax solo which he nailed. Man oh man this was something. His sax playing was spot on and then he did a moving rendition of the Ray Charles classic I Can't Stop Loving You. The night ended with an awesome version of Brown Eyed Girl which segued into Gloria, the rock anthem of the 60s. Austin City Limits just gets better with age. Awesome I say, the epitome of TV broadcasting.

Van Morrison was one of my first musical heroes. His melodies constantly fill the beach house along with Buffett, Stones, Hendrix, Clapton, Pink Floyd, Phil Perry, David Sanborn, King Crimson, Mindi Abair, Mr. Zevon, Lyle, Ray Charles, the Temps, Celtic Woman, Steely Dan, Tom Waits, Mozart, Stevie Ray, Grieg and many, many more sounds that abound. Music is a wonderful entity and one of humankind's greatest pleasures. Here's the link at PBS. Hey boys n girls, friends n lovers, ladies n gents, if you live locally it will be aired again tomorrow night (Sunday) on PBS at 11:00PM. See ya at the concert...

"Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence."
-Robert Fripp