Van Morrison Album by Album

that's not even van on the cover? lol

 

It might actually be Van, but the photographs ended up as stock photos, too.

I don't have the CD single of Back On Top, but I found a picture of it...

 

trees look the same, it was a recent book at the time.....I guess an homage? or van was too lazy to do a photo shoot lol

 

Remember hearing Precious Time on the radio at the time and thinking during my Vanless years that I had made the right call not buying his stuff during this period. Then when I finally got the album years later, realising how wrong I was. As is often the case with Van, some of his singles choices don't represent the associated albums complexity and beauty. This album is fabulous and he literally was Back on Top.

 

I haven't heard this in years. It didn't leave a strong impression but I thought "High Summer" was a keeper and still listen to it.

 

agree, I think when van tried to write a hit single, it comes off a little workmanlike. especially this album, some barely heard gems

 

Yet another album which grew on me over time. As usual not a bad song in sight and loads of crackers. In The Midnight, Precious Time, Philosopher’s Stone all fantastic but the standout masterpiece for me is When The Leaves Come Falling Down. Poignant and tender, layers of meaning, a masterpiece to a love dedicated to the end of time. Absolutely beautiful.

 

It didn't do much for me, but James Hunter in Rolling Stone singled it out as the best track too:

"'When the Leaves Come Falling Down' is a masterpiece, a memory of weather and Paris wherein Morrison's voice lightly colors a melody as his band conjures a background of symphonic impressionism...one Monet [amidst] nine Norman Rockwells."

Back on Top

 

A nice album. The playing of Bobby Irwin and Geraint Watkins are highlights for me.

 

it achieved some more notice when HOF QB Ken Stabler requested it to be played during his last moments before passing....along with sweet home alabama

 

I remember the Monet comment. It is a standout track for me. Probably sits close to my Van top 20.

 

its 1998 what does the world need more of....Skiffle Albums!

Van is here to provide! The Skiffle Sessions – Live in Belfast 1998

1. "It Takes a Worried Man" – 3:40
2. "Lost John" – 3:33
3. "Goin' Home" (Antonín Dvořák) – 3:08
4. "Good Morning Blues" (Lead Belly, John Lomax) – 2:52
5. "Outskirts of Town" (Andy Razaf, Fats Waller) – 4:20
6. "Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O" – 1:51
7. "Alabamy Bound" (Buddy DeSylva, Bud Green, Ray Henderson) – 2:22
8. "Midnight Special" – 2:53
9. "Dead or Alive" (Woody Guthrie) – 2:33
10. "Frankie and Johnny" – 4:31
11. "Goodnight Irene" (Lead Belly, Lomax) – 2:46
12. "Railroad Bill" – 1:57
13. "Muleskinner Blues" (Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughn) – 3:06
14. "The Ballad of Jesse James" – 3:07
15. "I Wanna Go Home" – 3:46

I don't think ive ever heard this... listening now. .I like it....

 

Also never bothered to listen.

 

I think I have listened just once. Maybe some positive comments on here will make me revisit the album.

 

He was also listening to Odyssey's "If you're looking for a way out" when writing "Queen of the slipstream". The fadeouts of both songs are identical.
Both songs are in my top 20 of all time.

 

On Avalon Sunset....Thought I would comment, wondering if anyone else felt that track 3 may be out of place... I have substituted the bonus track "when the saints go marching in" from the reissue into my playlist at track 3 spot and removed "write another song" (or move it to end as a bonus track)... I think it works great that way! Love all the tracks on this album, but do feel "write another song" seems out of place or out of the mood of the rest...

 

Really love Three Cords And The Truth, which was last one if I’m correct. He’s the one artist where I prefer his older voice now. Anyone else feel that way?

 

I certainly prefer his voice from ITM onwards through the 80s and 90s.