VAN Morrison's show in Newport tonight is the just the latest episode in a long relationship with the city.

For years he has been associated with The Port largely through his patronage of and appearances at the Kings Hotel.

It was there he met Jerry Lee Lewis' sister Linda Gale which started a story that would have befitted Dynasty or Dallas.

Tonight's gig was added to a sell-out tour due to public demand. He's touring on the back of his latest album, What's Wrong With This Picture, which is his first for Blue Note Recordings, which sees the legendarily grumpy singer draw on the musical touchstones that have inspired him throughout the decades.

Growing up listening to his father's American blues and jazz records, Morrison went through various styles on albums like Astral Weeks, Moondance and St Dominic's Preview.

On What's Wrong's 13 songs, 11 of which are originals, Morrison bends his familiar voice around these soul, blues, folk and jazz styles. He opens the show with the title track on which he invokes a smoky jazz with singing electric guitar lines and lush strings.

Whinin' Boy Moan has a jump and jive to it while Too Many Myths slows the tempo and Morrison lets his hair down on Goldfish Bowl.

Stop Drinking is a jubilant blues-shouting showcase based on Lightnin' Hopkins' You Better Watch Yourself. It's very much an album for his fans who will throng in Newport Centre tonight. Call 01633 662666 for details.