I think that, having been in the music business since 1958, released almost 50 studio albums, 7 live albums, along numerous compilation albums, Sir George Ivan ‘Van’ Morrison knows how to make music. Yet, despite attempts to make collaboration albums and songs with many greats, including the Chieftains, Cliff Richard, Lonnie Donnegan and Mick Hucknall, he has always stuck to several safe genres. Be it skiffle, Irish folk rock or blues he has controlled his output so that, even if the range is far from likely to cross musical borders and set the world on fire with the energy, he has always ensured that he delivered quality and beautiful music. He has been prolific but he has never rushed anything just to deliver ‘product’ or meet some record company deadline. Remembering Now is no exception to this rule.
Album opener, Down to Joy, is a song in style and content that Van the Man has done before and it is what he does best. His smoky adenoidal voice that is like a blues prayer. Despite having never been there it made me think of what a night in Louisiana is like if you are in love. Hot, sweaty but perfect. I’m assuming from the lyrics If it Wasn’t for Ray he is paying tribute to Ray Charles. Richard Dunn’s Hammond organ comes to the fore to keep this song swingin’. A fitting tribute to a fellow musical great. Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder sounds like a sequel to his original 1984 song Sense of Wonder song, from the album of the same name. A reflective musing on a rocky path and how he still got through it all, maintains the marvel of existence and how he will continue making his own way through life. Never has philosophy been presented in such a lovely way. If only Wittgenstein had learnt to sing or play the guitar.
The lyrics for Love, Lover and Beloved are by Reverend Michael Beckwith, a spiritual preacher who had written several new age self-help books, so this song is as much about religious love than most love between humans. This works with Van at the helm but I was left wondering what it would have sounded like if Aretha Franklin had given it a full gospel rendition. Cutting Corners is a lament about a lost love and holding in the feelings, while putting on a brave face. One to resonate with those that have been there, done that and lost the t-shirt in the divorce. Plus, some moody sax playing from the Van himself, the man of many talents. Back to writing Love Song makes me think of those novels by lazy authors who sit with their laptop and write their stories based on the central character battling writers block. This approach doesn’t always work and this song is probably the weakest and laziest song on the album. A pleasant enough tune, and better than most you’d find in the current top pop charts, but it is still cruising without a rudder and goes nowhere. On the other hand The Only Love I Need is Your Love is a pure and beautiful song that makes me hope that someone truly loves me with the emotion that this song captures.
I know people who have met Van and very few seem to have a nice word for him. Maybe in public he acts differently to his private personality but Once in a Lifetime Feelings shows that he has love and passion in his soul and he knows how to show it to the public in his own special way. The shortest track on the album so that it delivers a lot is a relatively short time. A smooth song to sooth the soul. Stomping Ground, another languid and nostalgic wish to be somewhere else in his past. He has done this sort of song many times before, with songs such as Coney Island and Irish Heartbeat he knows how to paint the picture so that you can visualize the scenes from the past that he yearns for. Bucolic depictions of green fields and a long lost happy childhood. Memories and Visions, another aural painting of the past and growing old with someone. Perhaps regrets, lost opportunities and failures but accepting equilibrium, peace and finding happiness in the present, taking happy memories along with them. Van certainly knows how to capture a moment and feeling.
A story about walking a loved one home in the rain. As much a metaphor about the trials and tribulations of life than a time with wet girlfriend, but When the Rain Comes is a beautiful song that starts off softly until Van cranks up the power, like a wave of emotion, rising and falling as it takes you on the musical journey. All added to by some subtle violin playing provided by Seth Lakeman. Colourblind – a tale about moving on from the blues, sung in a blues style, possibly. The lyrics are all over the place and I think I’d need to listen to this song quite a few times before I discover the true meaning, if there is one. Remembering Now is a lament about Van’s beloved Belfast. I am not sure if he is wearing rose tinted glasses but, in his memories it is nothing but bliss. A past that made him what he is now. When compared to the dexterity of modern keyboards and synths, the Hammond organ can often sound dated but here is sounds perfectly placed. Concluding the album we have a smooth song about resting on a sunny day, in the cool shade. Stretching Out wouldn’t have been out of place on his Avalon Sunset or Enlightenment albums and I am sure that if I had been there I’d have had a cold glass of beer in my hand as I let the day pass me by.
Admittedly, as the title of the album suggests, this album is full of reminisces about a past, a veritable art gallery of songs describing a former world. Vignettes that time might have altered so that they were more magical than they really were. Confessions that I am sure a psychiatrist might have a field day asking questions of Van about his past and what he feels that he has lost along the way, but the theme and content makes for a beautiful album that is well worth a listen. If you are new to the works of Van Morrison it could be seen a gentle introduction before you start discovering some true gems in his back catalogue. For those that already know, and love his music, you will not be surprised by this record. Nothing new in style or challenging but it is Van and, after all, what else would you want from him? Perhaps not his finest but far from being his worst. And, on a side note, despite having a massive collection of his albums, looking at his discography, I am reminded that I still need more to satisfy my completist nature, but until then I can enjoy this and many more of his albums.
TRACK LISTING
01. Down To Joy (3:38)
02. If It Wasn’t For Ray (3:17)
03. Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder (5:28)
04. Love, Lover And Beloved (5:14)
05. Cutting Corners (3:06)
06. Back To Writing Love Songs (3:57)
07. The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours (2:36)
08. Once In A Lifetime Feelings (4:38)
09. Stomping Ground (5:15)
10. Memories Of Visions (6:49)
11. When The Rains Came (6:23)
12. Colourblind (3:31)
13. Remembering Now (5:20)
14. Stretching Out (8:55)
Total Time – 68:07
MUSICIANS
Van Morrison – Vocals, Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Saxophone
Crawford Bell – Background Vocals
Dana Masters – Background Vocals
Colin Griffin – Drums, Percussion, Background Vocals
Richard Dunn – Hammond Organ, Background Vocals
Pete Hurley – Bass
Stuart McIlroy – Piano
Dave Keary – Acoustic, Electric Guitar & Lap Steel Guitars, Bouzouki, Background Vocals
Paul O’Reilly – Saxophone
Mike Barkley – Trumpet, Saxophone
Kelly Smiley – Vocals & Background Vocals
Jolene O’Hara – Background Vocals
Alan “Sticky” Wicket – Percussion
John McCullough – Piano & Hammond Organ
Nicky Scott – Bass
Eamon Ferris – Drums
Seth Lakeman – Violin
Pete Wallace – Background Vocals
Joanne Quigley – Bandleader
Fews Ensemble – Strings
Chantelle Duncan – Background Vocals
Teena Lyle – Background Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Exile/Virgin
Country of Origin: UK/USA
Date of Release: 13th June 2025
LINKS
Van Morrison – Website | Facebook | YouTube | X | Instagram
