Avalon Sunset - Van Morrison

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	great listening
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Van Morrison was born in 1945 George Ivan Morrison. In the early 60s he began his singing career. In 1966 he was the lead singer in a band called Them,
He left them after a couple of years and began his solo career as a singer songwriter. His music is a rock rhythm and blues some jazz, with Celtic influence.

Avalon sunset was produced in 1989 and the words of the songs show his religious beliefs.This music is restful and peaceful with its spiritual overtones a little melancholy.
I am an atheist, do not believe in god, however find this music good and listen to it occasionally.

In the first track Whenever god shines his light Van Morrison sings and is backed by sir Cliff Richards. Van has a growley, gravely voice and it contrasts with cliffs sweeter voice. This is an upbeat song with a gospel feel to it. I sit here listening to it tapping my fingers in time on the keyboard. This song has a feel good factor.

Whenever god shines his light on me
open up my eyes so I can see
when I look up in the darkest night then I know everything is gonna be alright.

The next song Contacting my angel.
A slow song the guitar playing is good This song is a gentle one that reflects on the inner soul.

I met a presence on the mountain side
and he looked so radiant
he was the youth of eternal summers
like a sweet bird of youth in my soul.

Id love to write another song is next. A short catchy tune very simple

Id love to write another song but nothing seems to come
Id love to write another song to carry me along
make some money, pay the bills keep me busy too
Id love to write another love song

Next a love song, Have I ever told you lately? A beautiful song I am sure you will have heard. This song is beautiful, sung to piano with string accompaniment. This song is sung seriously. Have I told you lately that I love you is not as it first seems a song to a lover but it is a song praising god.
Oh the morning sun in all its glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
And you fill my life with laughterYou can make it better
Ease my troubles thats what you do
Theres a love thats divine
And its yours and its mine
Like the sun at the end of the day

The next song is Coney island no not the one in New York it is about an area in Ireland. Van sings of his memories here.

Coming down from Downpatrick
Stopping off at St. johns point
Out all day bird watching
And the craic was good
Stopped off at Strangford lough
Early in the morning
Drove through Shrigley taking pictures
And on to Killyleagh
Stopped off for sunday papers at the
Lecale district, just before Coney island.

Next is, Im tired Joey boy a quiet lament, where Van wishes for a simpler slower life.

This life is so simple when
One is at home
And Im never complaining
When there's work to be done
Oh Im tired Joey boy of the makings of men
I would like to be cheerful again

When will I ever learn to live in god, is a song simply praising god. About how god gives us everything.
This song would be suitable for a religious event. A song about the wonder of the world. I shall try and remember this for a school assembly one day.

When will I ever learn to live in god?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
when will I ever learn.

Next track Orange field van went to Orangefield school Belfast, this song is a song where Van recalls his youth how the sun shone all the time (it always does in our memories)

Daring night this song is a bit more up tempo than the other songs and has a slight gospel feel to it. Has spiritual references in it to Shiva the lord of the dance and Sopia the god of wisdom for pagans and Gnostics

In the daring night when all the stars are Shining bright Baby squeeze me dont leave me
in the daring night
Capture it all oh with the lord of the dance
Oh with the lord of the dance in the daring night
With the lord of the dance and the great goddess Of the eternal wisdom Standing by the light of the moon in the daring night

Track ten the last, These are the days,
a beautiful slow song about the end of the summer. How we should treasure and savour, enjoy them hold them forever. I am thinking about my treasured summer memories the warmth of the sun on my skin, the happy days spent playing on my village green as a child the days blackberry picking with my family. This song is making me feel a little sad as it brings memories of my mother who died only a few weeks ago. I guess this song is saying enjoy today, they will be our memories.

These are the days now that we must savour
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart.

The record finishes and although I feel slightly saddened by the memories that last song evokes this album is generally a cheerful feel good album with calm relaxing song.
If you wish to ignore the Christian content you can and just enjoy the gentle music the sounds of emotion and joy that is in Vans voice as he sings.
As Well as sir Cliff other notable musicians accompany Van on this album they are Arty McGlynn (guitar); Neil Drinkwater (accordion, piano, synthesizer); Stan Sultzman (alto saxophone); Alan Barnes (baritone saxophone); Henry Lowther (trumpet); Cliff Hardie (trombone); Georgie Fame (Hammond organ); Clive Culberson, Steve Pearce (bass); Roy Jones, Dave Early (drums, pern); Katie cussio Kissoon, Carol Kenyon (background vocals).

Thanks for reading this I enjoyed listening to this Album I shall find some more Van Morrison to listen to now.