New Van Morrison Tour

By Mike Farragher

ACCORDING to the Live Daily website, Van Morrison will take a break from his current European schedule to play several upcoming shows here in the States in support his most recent disc, the dung kickin’ country gem known as Pay the Devil.

Morrison will kick off his short round of U.S. dates August 5 in Philadelphia, following that up with three additional eastern dates that include Jones Beach on Long Island on August 7 and the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia on August 6, according to Ticketmaster.

After another round of overseas touring, Morrison will return in September for three more shows on the West Coast, beginning with a September 12 appearance in Berkeley, California. The September dates will include Morrison’s slot at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, Texas.

No self respecting Van fan or country fan, for that matter should be without the fantastic Pay the Devil. It includes 12 covers of country classics, including Hank Williams’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Things Have Gone to Pieces,” originally performed by George Jones. The set also features three original compositions.

In other Van news, the 58-year-old singer has also released a live DVD containing five songs from the new album shot during his performance earlier this year at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

The DVD will be packaged with new pressings of “Pay the Devil.” A preview video from the disc is available for viewing at Morrison’s website.