Van Morrison has 1000 albums and I could take or leave 980 of them. But there are some truly great ones and a handful that are indispensable. His recent onslaught, 12 albums in 8 years, many of them two record sets, were uneven at best. Some were downright wacky. Still, I love what I love by the man, which is why I am always curious about what's next.
"Remembering Now" is out today and the buzz is worthy, with one review calling it his best since 1991's "Hymns To The Silence," which happens to be one of my favorites. I wasn't expecting much and maybe that's the trick. "Remembering Now" knocked me out.
But what makes a great Van Morrison album these days? Aside from records with a specific theme, like those made with The Chieftains, or those where he takes on one style of music like "Pay The Devil," Van's records don't veer too far off course. The music is always very Van, with a hint of jazz and a touch of soul. As long as he's not spewing garbage set to music, like some of "Latest Record Project Vol.1," even his mediocre records are not totally unworthy.
So why is "Remembering Now" so good? I wish I had a scientific answer, but I don't, other than, it pushed all the right buttons. His singing is great. The arrangements are often stunning. Nothing made me reach for the "next" button. This record played beautifully from top to bottom.
There's a lyric in 'Back To Writing Love Songs" that I alternately hear as "I'm back to writing love songs, they get played at the end of the day" or "I get paid at the end of the day." Either lyric could explain why "Remembering Now" is so accessible.
Who the hell knows? I just know I loved the whole damn thing.
I'm glad you posted on Van today - I've never spent much time with him. Over the years, about the only music of his I've heard were the numerous songs of his that were in movie soundtracks, and most of those went in one ear and out the other. When I was younger, his music just didn't fit in with my playlist.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm old, gray, and cranky, I might enjoy him a little bit more.
Randy
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Sal, nice to settle in with this knucklehead again.
ReplyDeleteboy, does he sound good. you'd think this was from decades ago. beautiful arrangement, indeed.
ReplyDeleteI have seen some of the buzz about this and my curiosity is piqued. Glad to hear you are enjoying it so much. I really liked Down to Joy, the first single. Looking forward to checking out the rest.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider myself a Van Morrison fan but I do have a number of his tracks in my library that I enjoy listening to. I ;intend to "Remembering Now" this morning, based on your recommendation, and I have to say I enjoyed it immensely. Now, if I was a bit more woke, I would boycott his album because of his anti-vax rants and his right wing bullshit, but I'm not and so I ordered the album. I've listened to a number of his albums in the past and always came away liking a couple of the songs but being underwhelmed by most. The only time I consistently liked a collection of his tunes was when I watched the movie "Belfast". Unfortunately that soundtrack has never been released and I've resorted to creating a playlist with the songs from the movie. My beef with him usually had to do with lack of melodies to a lot of his songs, He's written some beautiful melodies but a lot of time he sing-talks through many of his tracks. At least that's what it sounds like to me. Anyway, dislike the man, liked the album,
ReplyDeleteNice to hear especially after a tough week (musically speaking)
ReplyDeleteHis voice remains amazing...and who knew he had a take on "Silly Love Songs"
ReplyDeleteI kind of put a pause on Van over the past few years due to his vax stance. But I guess if Sal is raving about this new release, I'll give it a test drive
ReplyDeleteWhat's going on in this world on a daily basis makes Van's vax stance seem like nothing more than a cranky old man rant. I have not forgotten about him, or Clapton or anyone who stands by this administration and preaches falsehoods. But I just can't help what the music does to me.
DeleteWOW!…A TOTAL KNOCK-OUT!
ReplyDeleteI've to endure a few more of his before I can get to this for the blog (plug plug), but I will say it picks up where Enlightenment (and parts of Hymns To The Silence) left off.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar impression after my first listen to the album yesterday. The first 7 songs are solid, but something shifts at track 8 and continues to the end that makes me want to hear it all again. And that was just listening on my phone. Can’t wait to check it out at home on my stereo system.
ReplyDelete- Paul in DK
A couple of tracks have been available for some time, so Ive been looking forward to the full thing dropping. A cold day here in 'straya, so sit by the fire and digest a bit of Van with a glass of red.
ReplyDeleteI had totally given up on Van after years of loving him (and many more years of giving him a try and the benefit of the doubt he didn't deserve). And then along comes THIS. I believe this is what's known as a "return to form" and it's long overdue. What an unexpected delight. Thanks for bringing this to my attention because otherwise I'm sure I'd have just ignored it and passed it off as probably just another disappointment.
ReplyDeleteI've bought all of Van's albums (on CD) up through Three Chords & the Truth, even though some are uneven. When he released his Covidiot Music Project album, I passed. I know he's released others and had I spotted them in the used/bargain bins at any of my local shops (or found them dirt cheap on eBay), I likely would've bought them just to fill in the catalog. I may need to pay a normal price for the new one as it sounds good thus far. Thanks for the recommendation, Sal.
ReplyDeleteReally glad you posted this. For years, I referred to Van as my favorite artist, until Dylan ascended to that spot. But Van's still top 2 or 3. And so, I WANT to love everything he releases... but haven't even bothered with any recent release (other than the 2023 release 'Moving On Skiffle' which I thought was actually fantastic) - so I am very glad to see not just a positive review here, but one that places it high in his releases from '91 onwards.
ReplyDeleteI shall be getting it then!
I’m in complete agreement with you Sal as I’ve been awaiting some new inspired music from him since 2016s Keep Me Singing! I think that is truly his last very good record! I’m on board with the majority here that pretty much tuned him out during his stupid Covid phase where his releases seemed downright embarrassing and foolish! Having followed this guys career pretty closely since Astral Weeks time I truly wondered whether he had it in him to make another inspired album! I’m happy to say I think at this late stage in his life he has!! Van has always been an enigma re what makes him tick ( other than the obvious musical influences)! I long ago made peace with the fact that so many of humanity’s greatest artists were and are ass holes in many ways! I can love the tale not the teller! I think DH Lawrence once said that about something! Considering the past couple of sad days of mourning Sly and Brian it’s good to have something to lift you up!!
ReplyDeleteOk, well I'm excited but happily not too excited since the last 70 albums put a damper on my enthusiasm. Looking forward to checking it out once I'm done with my Beach Boys binge.
ReplyDeleteI was a little hesitant, considering some of the weirdness he's released recently, but I played it all the way through, and I'm very happy to agree- "This record played beautifully from top to bottom."
ReplyDelete