Van Morrison’s classic live record
It’s been 40 years since Van Morrison released the live album ‘It’s too late to Stop Now’. Having seen East Belfast fans queue up from early morning to get tickets to witness their idol play an intimate show in the soon to close Orangefield High School I procured a copy of the album to see what all the fuss was about.
Like, love or loath Morrison’s music it’s clear from the outset that this album is something special. Recorded over three concerts including nights at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and at The Rainbow in London the open rawness and superb production almost takes your breath away and as clichéd as it sounds, almost makes you feel like you are in the same room. Many have described this as one of the best live albums ever which is heady praise and elevates it to the same status as legendary albums such as ‘Live at Leeds’ by The Who, ‘Live at the Budokan’ by Cheap Trick and ‘Rust Never Sleeps’ by Neil Young. However, what sets this album aside is the perfection of Morrison himself.
On all of the aforementioned albums you’ll pick up on a bum note here or there, but not on this album. Every note is flawless and hits the mark, the eleven piece The Caledonia Soul Orchestra is tight and they know their leader’s every musical whim and follow him to perfection; indeed history records it as a fact that Morrison dropped ‘Moondance’ from the album because of one wrong note. It is even more astounding when you discover that these recordings were made at the beginning of a tour, a period when most bands are still gelling on stage and finding their way.
The set list is full of classics from a time when Morrison was at his creative peak. ‘Caravan’, ‘Into the Mystic’, ‘Domino’, ‘Gloria’ all leap out as highlights, but covers such as ‘Help Me’ and ‘I Believe in my Soul’ show how Morrison still enjoys mixing up blues and soul while still developing his own style.
Renowned for the having minimal interaction with his audience a highlight here is in the show stopping 10 minute version of ‘Cyprus Avenue’ With Morrison in full James Brown mode teasing the audience out of the song with false endings. One gig goer shouts “turn it on” to which Morrison quickly replies “it is turned on”; a performer at ease on stage and on top of his game.
There’s no doubt that Morrison peaked around this time as songwriter and performer, but having listened to this album I can see why legions of devotees still follow him. There was an energy and magic around his earlier albums that is infectious. I personally regard ‘Moondance’ as favourite and enjoy the early recordings with Them. I remember reading an interview with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson a few years back when he was promoting a new album and when asked about competition in the market against the new album Anderson merely said that the biggest competition any Tull album faces is from their back catalogue. I believe this also applies to Morrison after the run of creativity which culminated with these recordings.
Van Morrison takes us back near Hyndford Street
Recently it seems Morrison has started enjoying performing live again and seems to be constantly on tour. Last time I saw him he didn’t quite have the passion, or the energy of forty years ago, but then who does? One thing he did do though was put on a musically perfect show for the faithful who had come out to see him and while a performer still goes out and does that then anyone who goes to their shows will be well rewarded.
Van Morrison plays three shows in Orangefield High School this August as part of the East Side Arts Festival. Full ticket details can be found here.
Exclusive photos from East Belfast Arts Festival 2012 by Gerry McNally.