Memorable Mondays: Van Morrison

Ah, we are returning to Ireland. A place of color and artistic influence, along with some battles and generational traumas. This has created a good amount of well-known artists. Another of these is the great Van Morrison. He has been dubbed Sir Ivan Van Morrison of the OBE. Few can brag their career spanning seven decades, along with 18 albums hitting the top 40 in the US since his beginning. So where did this even come from?

Van Morrison was born 1945 in Bloomfield, Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is the only child of his father, a shipyard electrician. His mother has sang and done tap dancing in her youth. They were working class Protestants descended from Ulster Scots. His father had an extensive record collection, which introduced Morrison to a great deal of his influences. Most of these artists were soul and blues. His first album he purchased was by Sonny Terry. 

At age 11, his father bought him a guitar. He taught himself to play chords through the book "The Carter Family Style". In 1957, Morrison formed his first band. It was a skiffle group known as the Sputniks. They were named after Sputnik 1. By 1958 the band was playing at local cinemas, with Morrison taking the lead. He made some other shortlived groups in this time as well, such as Midnight Special.  

Morrison heard Jimmy Giuffre playing saxophone on "The Train and The River" and talked his father into buying a saxophone next. Morrison learned to play tenor sax and music reading from George Cassidy. This led to him joining more bands. Deanie Sands and the Javelins had him as a guitarist and shared vocalist. 

He went on to attend Orangefield Boys Secondary School, leaving in July of 1960 with no qualifications. He was expected to get a regular job, and after a few short apprenticeship positions, he became a window cleaner. At this point, he continued playing with the Monarchs part time. By 17, he toured Europe with them. They recorded a single under the name "Georgie and the Monarchs". This recording was Morrison's first, released in 1963. The group disbanded upon returning to Belfast the same year. 

Morrison actually broke onto the mainstream through a band first. The band was formed in 1964 as Morrison responded to an advert for musicians to play at a new R&B club. It was formed out of previous companions from other groups, and the name inspired by the horror movie Them. Them's performances attracted attention for their ad libbed work. It was the place some of Morrison's earliest work was heard. They struggled to recapture their greatness in the studio, and struggled with a consistent line up. "Gloria" became a bit of a rock standard after release, covered by many other rock greats like Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, and Patti Smith. 

Royalty disputes and loss of work visas plagued the band returning home, and caused Them to split up. Morrison concentrated on writing his first set of songs that would appear on Astral Works, while the remaining band member reformed in 1967 and relocated to America.

The producer of Them, Bert Berns, persuaded Morrison to reutnr to New York to record solo for his fresh label Bang Records. Morrison signed a contract that he did not fully study, and spent a 2 day session recording 8 songs in 1967. These were released as the album "Blowin Your Mind!" without his consultation. He discovered the release when a friend mentioned buying a copy. Morrison was disappointed since he had a different concept of it. This release includes Morrison's signature song, "Brown Eyed Girl", with airplay making it the current most popular song from the 1960s. It was even inducted into the grammy hall of fame. Sadly, when Berns passed away, a contact dispute led him to be unable to perform or record in the New York area. Ilene felt Morrison had caused her husband the stress that led to his untimely death due to a heart condition. He had to regain his professional footing and started recording with Warner Bros. Records later. They bought out his contract for $20,000, and he was required to submit 36 original songs within a year. Morrison recorded these in one session, with an out of tune guitar and lyrical topics like ringworm and sandwiches. These revenge songs were taken but scrapped, and did not see an official release until the 2017 compilation "The Authorized Bang Collection". 

His first release with Warner Bros. Records was Astral Weeks, an album he actually got to create the full vision for. When it released in 1968, it received an indifferent response, but became extremely successful. To this day, it is considered his best work and one of the greatest albums ever released. Morrison says he quite liked the album, but felt it was slightly rushed. Due to previous issues, he was broke, and desperate to get back out there. The album is very beloved by the artistic community to this day. Sometimes Morrison feels overwhelmed with being known mostly for it. 

His next release, Moondance, released in 1970 had a lighter tone. He left behind the jazzy folk of Astral Works for a more R&B and rock sound, which he would expand on throughout his career. This album established Morrison as popular with the general public, not just artists. He moved with his wife to Catskills, near Woodstock, and got inspired by Dylan. He tried to make a record more "accessible" and let some of the artistry go, as one has to live. He self-produced the album since he knew what he wanted. It was met with positive reviews and has been perceived as an aid to the expansion of the soft rock genre.

Morrison chose at this point to begin releasing at a faster rate. 1970 led to a second release, His band the Street Choir, which had a more relaxed sound than Moondance. The album was comprised of reworked outtakes from Moondance and Astral Works. It was well received but critics noted that the lyricism was simpler. Morrison looks poorly upon the album as he felt he had lost control of the release of it. 

1971 led to his next release, Tupelo Honey. The album went in a more country-soul direction, and said he originally was planning it to be entirely country. The album leaned into the concept of domestic bliss. He had to obtain a mostly new backing band due to his relocation to California. Critics deemed it a good release, but not as expansive as his other releases. Morrison himself views it negatively, and felt it was not fresh. 

After feeling disappointed in his previous two works, he released Saint Dominic's Preview in 1972. He strayed from his more accessible style back into the meditative of Astral Works. It was Morrison's highest charting release for a long time, reaching number 15. It would not be overtaken until 2008. Critics received it well, feeling his last releases led to a better body of work. Morrison viewed the album positively, although he was quite finicky during the recording sessions. Many band members were changed or fired during the process of release.

Morrison would experience a negative release with Hard Nose Highway in 1973. Morrison gained complete control over production and wanted to attempt a concept. It is, however, seen as a regression. The critics were disappointed in the lack of lyrical depth and musical unevenness. It is perceived as his vaguest and weakest point in his 70s output.

His next release, Veedon Fleece, released in 1974. He recorded the album shortly after his divorce and it was inspired by his first return to Ireland since moving to the States for a music career. On release, it too was poorly received but has received a more positive outlook in revisits. It, similar to Astral Works, is more beloved by other artists. It is seen as his "forgotten masterpiece" by even him, who seemed to quickly disown it after release. He took a hiatus after this album.

The next album did not come until 1977. A Period of Transition was met with poor reviews and disappointment after such a wait and having efforts with The Band. Morrison looked at this period as a struggle of all the expectations on his next release and intense writers block. 

Wavelength provided a fuller transition. Released in 1978, Morrison shifted toward a more pop/rock sound. The album was inspired by periods of Morrison's life from his early showband stage to his work now. The album was critically taken mixed, as some felt it was a failed pop move and an attempt at the American dream. 

His last release of the 70s came in 1979 with Into the Music. It was an album that took a return to his more contemplative sound, and also had religious influence. He was somewhat inspired by his mother's belief. Reviewers gave it a much more positive response, some feeling it was his best work since Astral Works, others feeling it was truly personal. 

The theme of spirituality which began with Into the Music would carry into his next era of releases, along with him returning to his more contemplative music. The first, "Common One", came in 1980. It leaned more into free jazz rather than the R&B Morrison was more known for. The critical response was very mixed, as some appreciated the depth of the musicality but struggled with the lyrics. The work was considered "inaccessible" and Morrison felt perhaps he was too ambitious. 

He continued a shift into jazz and Celtic Folk with "Beautiful Vision", released in 1982. He moved closer to Irish music as he felt it was important to know the music of where you come from. On release it was felt warmly, but sees a more mixed response in modern revisits. Morrison promoted the album through several series of concerts that renewed an enjoyment of performing. 

1983 brought Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, which was his last album with Warner Bros. Records. It was more instrumental than previous releases and had a strong celtic coloring. He was experimenting with more meditative music. Around this time also began a controversy surrounding Morrison and Scientology. 

In 1985 he released A Sense of Wonder, which went into Celtic Soul. Original pressings had to be recalled because W.B. Yeats estate wanted "Crazy Jane on God" to be removed. They only wanted his poetry set to classical music. The album received mixed feedback. It was considered a rebirth to his work. 

Frustrated with remarks about his "creeds", he titled his next release "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher". It was received with positive reviews, viewed as his most involved since Astral Works. It was the best received of his 80s work, but in modern revisits, is seen a bit of a cranky album. 

Morrison's next release in 1987, Poetic Champions Compose, was met with mixed reviews. He originally was intending a fully jazz instrumental album but decided against it. The album remained mellow and contemplative in spite of this shift, and it was seen as mood music. 

The 1988 release Irish Heartbeat was comprised mostly of traditional Irish folk song and some reworked tracks to a more Celtic beat. It was seen to critics as a bit of a reset after his strange 80s output, that often came off as bland imitations of his former self. 

He closed the 80s with Avalon Sunset, a resounding success after his struggling output. It was perceived as a sort of "superior" New Age music. It was well received and became one of his most commercially successful albums. It was seen as a record void of pain and celebrating nature and love.

The 90s led to a greater commercial reception to his work, but a decline in his critical reception. In 1990 came the Best of Van Morrison, which he chose the songs for. He expanded his live performances, which led to a live double album. Enlightenment was also released in 1990, to a soft response. In 1991 came Hymns to the Silence, his first double album released. Many critics felt this was a long release, but his best of the 90s. 

1993 brought the release of Too Long in Exile, a release inspired by urban blues and soul jazz. It was his highest charting at the time since Wavelength. It was met with mixed critical reviews, although Morrison himself felt the fans would enjoy it. In 1995, Days Like This was released. It includes two duets with his daughter, Shana Morrison. Many critics found it a return to form, while others lamented only a fan would enjoy the release. His next album released the same year, "How Long Has This Been Going On", became his first fully jazz release, in the bebop style. It includes Georgie Fame on Hammond organ.

He continued his stroll into jazz with Tell Me Something: The Songs of Mose Allison. Released 1996, it was an album of live takes and topped the jazz charts. The Healing Game came next in 1997, turning to blues and pop sensibilities against after two jazz releases. The album is inspired by Belfast street singing, and takes many pieces of literature. It was met with mixed feedback by critics. His last release of the 90s, Back on Top, came in 1999. It became his highest charting release in the US since Wavelength, although the critics were not as big of a fan of this bluesy release.

If you thought the modern world would stop Van Morrison, think again! He formed Exile Productions LTD., which allowed him full artistic control. He released a duet album "You Win Again" with Linda Gail Lewis in 2000. The tour led to a controvery which landed them in court, but ended with the case being settled and Lewis retracting her statements. Down the Road, released in 2002, brought a country twist to his style. It was inspired by the Blues he grew up listening to. 2003 brought What's Wrong With This Picture? It was nominated for a Grammy. Magic Time released in 2005 to mixeed response, although many enjoyed The Lion This Time. He released a country cover album "Pay the Devil". The early 2000s closed with Morrison's highest charting release to date, Keep It Simple. 

He took a break before returning with Born to Sing: No Plan B in 2012. It was enjoyed by critics who were impressed with his commentary on the world and also the jazzy tones of the release. In 2015 he released a duet album reworking old tracks in his catalog. He continued success with his 2016 release Keep Me Singing. Rolling with the Punches in 2017 returned to a more thorough blues sound which was respected by critics. Morrison embraced a walk into swing with his other 2017 release Versatile, a good term for his career. This led to his return to jazz with You're Driving Me Crazy, released 2018. Another jazz release in 2018 came as "The Prophet Speaks". It had mixed reviews. The 2010s closed with 2019s release of Three Chords and the Truth, returning once more to blues. 

The 2020s saw Morrison barred in some controversy over his feelings on COVID-19 lockdowns. He actually wrote songs in protest of locking down. He also has been writing songs like "Why Are You on Facebook?". Defintely resettling into some of his cranky sensibilities. Nevertheless, a currently 45 album spanning career is nothing to scoff at. This man has dabbled in many genres, many roots, and taken them all on well. Take a listen and decide for yourself what you think of this enigmatic character.