His career spans over half a century, he has songs you’ve heard so many times you’re probably sick of them by now, and he’s one of the top three most famous Welshmen of all time. All of that might be true about Van Morrison, but you probably still aren’t aware of his massive influence, talent, and catalogue of music. Now that he’s 69 and a knight, you have your chance to catch a fragment of rock and roll history at The Fox in Oakland this fall.

Even the most casual music fan knows Van the Man’s hits: “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Caravan”, “Into The Mystic” are all radio and wedding party staples that none of us will ever escape. The more intense of us acknowledge his sparkly pantsuit and amazing set in the middle of concert movie classic The Last Waltz as a feather in his already-funky hat. He may be nearly a septuagenarian, but he still commands the stage. Morrison’s expert control of his voice and phrasing will be the star of his setlist. He’s not some aging performer who comes out, bangs the hits, and waves to the audience for a few bucks. Instead, he treats the audience to reworks of old favorites while popping in a few hymns, some old standards, and off-the-beaten-path deep cuts for a more holistically-sound sonic experience.

For an artist who can veer between the experimental “Astral Weeks” to the pure pop of “Jackie Wilson Said”, it’s no surprise that his live set remains as electric and eclectic as it ever was. In some ways, Morrison is a model of how nostalgia should work for all of us: Instead of a direct retread of fond memories and success stories of the past, he deconstructs, and builds back from there for an entirely new memory. Bring your dad to this one and he’ll love you forever.

Van Morrison at the Fox Theater

January 16, 2016

7:30 PM

Tickets $89.50