Morrison Proves He’s Stuck in the Present

During what the enigmatic Irishman himself termed “an eclectic set,” veteran singer-songwriter Van Morrison offered a handful of classics, a lot of current material and a few favorites of his own Friday at the Universal Amphitheatre. The two-hour performance served as a not-so-subtle reminder that Morrison is one pop legend who’s not that interested in reliving his past glories.

Wearing a black suit, sunglasses and a fedora, Morrison was surprisingly relaxed, considering his famous struggles with stage fright. Eight musicians clustered around him in a tight group, positioned front-and-center on stage rather than spread across it, the better to be controlled by their musically meticulous leader.

Indeed, Morrison became so absorbed in conducting the band’s expansive, blues- and soul-driven jams that he often stood with his back to the crowd, puffing a cigarette and gesturing sharply. He waxed alternately fiery and playful on harmonica, but his singing proved more mercurial.

Fans might have wished to hear more of the ecstatic vocal scatting for which he is revered. He often used the band to fill space instead, although his singing became more effusive as the show progressed. Yet his tepid treatment of such classics as “Gloria,” the 1965 single by his former band Them, somewhat undercut the pleasure of hearing them.

It wasn’t strictly a matter of familiarity breeding contempt, however, since he burned through Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Help Me,” a longtime Morrison concert staple. But he proved most engaged with selections from his current album, “Back on Top,” and other recent songs, perhaps because their battered-yet-upbeat seeker’s vibe reflected his desire to focus on the present and not dwell on history.