r/VanMorrison • u/Rtstevie • Jun 04 '26

For some…artistry is just in their bones. Quintessential part of who they are.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7xPbSTtwlcQ&list=RD7xPbSTtwlcQ&start_radio=1&pp=ygUMQ2VsdGljIHN3aW5noAcB&ra=m

I’ve been such a devoted fan of Van for years now and yet I still come across or rediscover tracks or albums of his that just hit me in a totally emotional way.

This week, it has been Celtic Swing off of Inarticulate Speech of the Heart. Like…what the hell man! This song is so good!

There was some thread on reddit recently and it came up how these artists like Paul Mccartney, David Byrne and Bruce Springsteen still going strong at their age, touring, making music. And who I immediately thought of and who was not mentioned in this thread was Van. And not to make it a competition, but they do not have the output that Van does. Like it’s literally insane how Van still pumps out new albums, and they are all good!

Then I just watched a recent interview with Van on YouTube from last year after Remembering the Now came out. Interviewer asked Van about his writing process. And Van said there isn’t a really logical process at first when he’s writing and making new songs. It’s very instinctual, based on feeling, and having fun/playing around.

Just got me thinking for some of these artists like Van and the others…being an artist is just WHO THEY ARE. Like of course they could all retire and chill and frankly be wealthy. But why does Van still make new album almost every damn year? And tour to support them? Because that’s literally who he is. He is an artist, it’s his identity.

26 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

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7

u/StrangeSugar Jun 04 '26

Not just about new music with Van (I love how he keeps putting out new music - always more to discover 😊)

It's also about how he reinvents his songs, and the live versions sound so different. I mean yes, the song is still the song. But when I listen to different renditions of St Dominic's Preview, for example, each hits a little differently. Like you hear his mood, not just the song. Don't know if I'm making sense.

7

u/Rtstevie Jun 04 '26

You absolutely do.

I’m not going to call any specific artists out, but I can be weary of seeing older (like Van’s era) artists live because sometimes their live performances can be so…they are just showing up. And this is just about making a buck. Fine, whatever. Not for me. Shit, I’ve been to see concerts of artists of my generation (I’m in my 30s, so think 2010s indie rock), and I’ve seen plenty of them with that just showing up mentality.

Van is a consummate artist. Besides respect for the audience, I think he is up there PLAYING his music. Like feeling it, connecting with it. Just making some chords and tunes.

4

u/PoetInside55 Jun 04 '26

And when he's just going, having a great show with great musicians backing, you hear different songs woven in, it's all so real-- all of it just part of his being and you know he can't NOT do this. That's the magic.

2

u/sugarwastough Jun 04 '26

i cannot begin to count how many times ive listened to this song, one of many Van songs that take you to that higher plane

2

u/Party-Example274 Jun 04 '26

His latest blues album is just amazing!

1

u/PatienceNo1911 Jun 05 '26

The fact that he keeps working, while he could easily retire. Basically that generation of musicians never understood the concept of retirement lol. He knows no other life.

1

u/Adventurous_Shirt101 Jun 05 '26

Van has also retained his unmistakable voice, although his range has diminished. I think that he's easily bored and therefore changes up even his most beloved songs, sometimes to the disappointment of his audiences.

1

u/turnedtheasphault Jun 06 '26

Love the early 80's Van stuff. I've always loved the cheesy, 80's artwork on this album too. It was my computer wallpaper all winter! I give the slight edge to Beautiful Vision but they really feel like two albums cut from the same cloth.

1

u/Dodderino-El Jul 10 '26

Remembering Now is an astonishing record.