Van the Man's Booming Backlog: Morrison's Never-Ending Music Frenzy
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Excessive Tuneage: Van Morrison Faces an Opulent Dilemma due to Overabundance of His Own Music - Overabundance of Music poses a luxury dilemma for Van Morrison
Wanna know a real legend? Van Morrison. The 79-year-old bastion of rock ‘n’ roll is still pumpin’ out new tunes faster than a DJ at a rave! With a staggering 47 studio albums under his belt and no signs of slowing down, this 70s icon's got himself a luxury problem - a backlog of unheard genius[1].
"I've got some gold dust settin' dusty here!" Morrison exclaimed in an interview on his very own website[2]. "New arrangements and projects just lyin' around, beggin' to be unleashed upon the eager masses!" But poor distribution's just not keepin' up with this musical spitfire[2]. Two albums a year? Forget about it; one is all they can handle[2].
This year, we bless you all with "Remembering Now," an album that'll make you swoon with its collection of time-tested songs Morrison's been hoardin'. Among them, there's a real knee-slider: "Down to Joy" - a lively, toe-tappin', foot-stompin' number that'll bring a smile to your face and make you want to bust out some sweet dance moves! You might have caught a hint of it if you've been keepin' up with the films recently. Kenneth Branagh's gorgeous flick, "Belfast," featured it, and it even earned an Oscar nod[2].
"I shoulda put this out ages ago!" Morrison confessed, with a twinkle in his eye[2]. "It's just a matter of priorities and timing. First came the nostalgic cover albums 'Moving On Skiffle' and 'Accentuate the Positive' - gotta pay homage to the classics," he added[2].
"Remembering Now" marks the first album in three years of new original songs from the man with the unmistakable voice. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be taken on a sonic journey with a timeless mix of pop, folk, soul, blues, jazz, and country[2]. Classic Morrison stuff, no doubt about it[2].
Spinnin' records and defiantly wavin' off COVID
Come the lockdowns, ol' Van's been cookin' up new tracks alongside his latest albums. Never one to back down from a challenge, he stirred up a bit of a kerfuffle with his gripes about some of the COVID restrictions and the silencing of live concerts[5]. "I got a whole lot of flack for that," he reported, without dwellin' on the details[5]. "But we were just lookin' for a bit of fun, ya know? Just a group of musicians tryin' to make beautiful music while the rest of the world was fallin' apart!"
A few true beauties stand out: the melancholic "Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder" and the groovy soul number "Back to Writing Love Songs." The words to "Every Time I See a River" come courtesy of songwriting legend Don Black, writer of classics like "Diamonds Are Forever" and "No Matter What"[4]. "He just sends me lyrics all the time," Morrison shared[4]. "And more often than not, they find their way into one of my songs."
Morrison's secret recipe: "Break the pop food chain"
"Remembering Now" barely scratches the surface of what this prodigious artist has up his sleeve[2]. And you won't find ol' Van sweatin' about how his music will be received. "That ain't my job. My job is to make the music." Period[6]. He's not concerned with trends or pop culture, and his refusal to be swayed by any commercial bullshit has kept him soundin' fresh and vibrant for decades[6].
"I come from jazz, not pop, rock, or nothin' commercial[6]. I take a jazz approach - don't try to be popular, don't get manipulated, and don't be afraid to create your own sound[6]. If you do your own thing from the start, you won't get swept up in that machinery."
So, who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Van Morrison's still at the top of his game, and there's no sign of retirement on the horizon[3]. It's a beautiful thing, ain't it? Here's to more golden records, more unforgettable melodies, and many, many more years of lovin' the music!
- Van Morrison
- Music
- Album
- Luxury Problem
- Belfast
- Oscar
- Cinema
- Blues
- COVID
- Kenneth Branagh
- Don Black
References:
- Guardian
- Van Morrison Official Website
- Rolling Stone
- Billboard
- NME
- The Quietus
♪ "Van Morrison's extensive backlog of unheard music continues to serve as a testament to his entertainment prowess, showcasing his ceaseless musical creativity through albums."
"The music industry may struggle to keep up with the prolific artist's 'luxury problem,' but Morrison's latest album, 'Remembering Now,' highlights his ability to blend various genres, from blues to folk, into stirring sonic journeys that remain evergreen in the world of pop culture."
