Review: Van Morrison – Remembering Now
Van Morrison – Remembering Now
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital / Label: Piccadilly Records – Exile Productions
Release: 2025
Text: Andy Trachsel
The grumpy old man of the soulful blues has made a new album called ‘Remembering Now.’ He maybe a little angry-like on stage, but in the studio his aura gives a enjoyable vibe to his fellow musicians. They are Richard Dunn on Hammond, Stuart Mcllroy on piano, Dave Keary and Paul O’Reilly on guitar, Colin Griffin on drums and Pete Hurley on bass.
With this album he reproduces his well-known songwriting and sound we all remember. He surely brings it in the now with his new songs.
Down To Joy couldn’t be a better opening track. Listen to the slide, organ, horns and the voice of Van and the smooth background vocals of Crawford Bell and Dana Masters. If It Wasn’t For Ray is a tribute to brother Ray Charles. Van was inspired by his rhythm and blues, country, soul and rock and roll. A swinging up tempo song with a pumping Hammond and horn chops.
Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder is a reference to an album he made long time ago I guess. He didn’t loose his typical sound from the seventies, floating on organ waves and telling stories. Love, Lover and Beloved is a nostalgic soft soul song which could be written in the sixties including the violins and Van’s saxophone.
Cutting Corners is an Irish song with acoustic guitar and violin. And Van’s saxophone puts the cherry on the cake! Back To Writing Love Songs is quite mediocre song compared to his Have I told You Lately love song. Sorry Van, don’t hit me! The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours and Once In A Lifetime Feelings are so much better!
Stomping Ground is a laid back reflection on the place where he once lived. The town, the fields and into the mystic. Memories And Visions floats on violins and background vocals while Van looks back on life. When The Rains Came keeps the pace slow. A typical Van Morrison song with a spiritual layer. The next song Colourblind continues this vibe. The title song Remembering Now says it all and tells the story of the Belfast boy. Van sings ‘this is who I am’, ‘strumming my guitar’ and that’s it.
The final song Stretching Out has the vibe of Marvin Gaye and is really stretching out in eternity. The spiritual voyage of life never ends. The soul of Van Morrison travels on and on and we can only remembering now while listenig to his extensive catalogue. His new album is a fine new branch on his tree of life!
Tracks:
01. Down To Joy
02. If It Wasn’t For Ray
03. Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder
04. Love, Lover And Beloved
05. Cutting Corners
06. Back To Writing Love Songs
07. The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours
08. Once In A Lifetime Feelings
09. Stomping Ground
10. Memories And Visions
11. When The Rains Came
12. Colourblind
13. Remembering Now
14. Stretching Out
Website: https://www.vanmorrison.com/