In my student days when I had the time to languish in the bath for half the afternoon, I used to play the whole album on repeat while enjoying the soak. I must do that again soon.
What a great piece you've given us... always loved Van the Man...my all favorite song is All Over Now Baby Blue...from Them. Van, 18 I think. Can't remember when but Van did the entire album at Berkeley Creek Theater...then came back out and did nearly another hour...not just like greatest hits but deep into his work. He was in great form... friendly even. (I once saw him in L.A. and some fool kept yelling out songs he wanted to hear...Van asked us not to... when it happened again he moved to the rear of the stage...no lights on him, lay on his back on the grand piano... he stayed there for quite a while.)
Duffy and I don't agree musically on everything I'm afraid. He hates the 80s for example which I don't but I like beating him over the head with 80s music...
Duffy thinking: "The Cure's 'Close to Me” started replaying in my head. It would really be a much better song if they cut the saxophone." He goes on to gripe that most pop songs would be better without the saxophone, citing Bruce Springsteen as the prime offender, with Live At The Harlem Square Club as a rare exception.
Wonderful little piece, especially as I saw Astral Weeks at the Beacon in 2009, had a N. Irish mother and was steeped in Yeats at Trinity. Thanks!
Thanks for this. Putting on now
In my student days when I had the time to languish in the bath for half the afternoon, I used to play the whole album on repeat while enjoying the soak. I must do that again soon.
Lovely piece captured the legend!
It’s a weaker! Great piece too, cheers.
Like all geniuses, Morrison does not play to the crowd, but rather teaches the crowd what to love and appreciate.
What a great piece you've given us... always loved Van the Man...my all favorite song is All Over Now Baby Blue...from Them. Van, 18 I think. Can't remember when but Van did the entire album at Berkeley Creek Theater...then came back out and did nearly another hour...not just like greatest hits but deep into his work. He was in great form... friendly even. (I once saw him in L.A. and some fool kept yelling out songs he wanted to hear...Van asked us not to... when it happened again he moved to the rear of the stage...no lights on him, lay on his back on the grand piano... he stayed there for quite a while.)
Does Duffy like Van? I love how opinionated Duffy is... particularly about music. Are those opinions yours too?
Duffy and I don't agree musically on everything I'm afraid. He hates the 80s for example which I don't but I like beating him over the head with 80s music...
I thought he liked The Cure...but unsure...Ive read all of Duffy twice and stated my third time through. And it Duffy keeps me coming back
I have read all your work (enjoying Your Substack too) but not The Chain..
Duffy thinking: "The Cure's 'Close to Me” started replaying in my head. It would really be a much better song if they cut the saxophone." He goes on to gripe that most pop songs would be better without the saxophone, citing Bruce Springsteen as the prime offender, with Live At The Harlem Square Club as a rare exception.
And it still retains all that authenticity and creative genius that made it so special when it first came out, even for us in the Antipodes