Sunday afternoon and another grey and gloomy day. At the moment I am listening to Van Morrison, It’s
Too Late To Stop Now. It is the 3 CD + DVD set that came out a few years
ago. I’m not going to tell you about the whole package now, but this is what I
said about the original album many years ago……….
It’s Too Late To Stop Now was
the 3rd Van album I bought after The World Of Them and Astral Weeks
back in the mists of time in 1974 when I
lived In Summerhill near Wrexham, North Wales. I was sharing a little house
called 'Trem-y-war' (it was a Welsh name) with my brother and a friend Dave. I
was 22 years of age. I bought the album in a record shop just around the corner
from the bus station In Wrexham. Over the years it has come to be one of my
favourite albums. To me, It’s Too Late To Stop Now is the greatest live
album ever made. It was recorded at three different concerts, at The Troubadour
in Los Angeles, The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and The Rainbow in London.
the London concert was broadcast live on BBC2 TV and on Radio 2 simultaneously.
Also, I don’t think there is any overdubbing, the product is exactly as heard
in concert.
The album begins with Ain't Nothing You Can Do which
was originally recorded by Bobby Bland. I had never heard of Bobby Bland
to tell you the truth but that is one of the great things about Van in that he
points you towards music you wouldn't otherwise have heard of. Then it is Warm
Love followed by Into The Mystic, two of my favourite Van songs. The
band on this album is the best band that Van ever had in his career The
Caledonia Soul Orchestra. They all deserve a mention, David Hayes
Bass, Terry Adams Cello, Bill Atwood Trumpet, Nancy Ellis
Viola, Tom Halpin Violin, Tim Kovatch Violin, Jeff Labes
Organ/Piano/Arranger/Keyboards, John Platania Guitar, Nathan Rubin
Strings Violin, Jack Schroer, Piano/Arranger/Saxophone, David Shaw,
Clarinet/Percussion.
The next song I Believe To My Soul is a Ray Charles classic,
Van’s version of it is so good he often performs it to this day. I've Been
Working is a Van original from the Street Choir album. The Caledonia Soul
Orchestra were named after an outtake from that album. Help Me is a Sonny
Boy Williamson song that Van obviously loves because it has been a mainstay
of his repertoire to this very day. Wild Children is one of the best
songs from Hard Nose The Highway. It is a top flight version, as is Domino.
I Just Wanna Make Love To You is a first rate song written by Willie
Dixon. UK people will probably be more familiar with this song sung by Etta
James which was her only UK hit. The next song Bring It On Home To Me
is a Van classic that was originally a hit for the great Sam Cooke. It was also
an early hit for The Animals. I remember when Van sang this song in
Torquay one time it received a standing ovation from some of the audience.
St Dominic's Preview is
next, a peerless Van song. Take Your Hand Out Of My Pocket is
another Sonny Boy Williamson song but not really one of my favourites but Listen
To The Lion on this album is my favourite Van song of all time. It is a magnificent
performance displaying the full range of Vans vocal pyrotechnics. Here Comes
The Night is next. Then it’s Van’s classic song Gloria. The album
ends with great versions of Caravan and Cyprus Avenue. I have
enjoyed listening to these songs again on this rainy Sunday afternoon.
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