Van Morrison - It's Too Late To Stop Now: Live (2CD)
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Free Music Notes for It's Too Late To Stop Now: Live (2CD)
Free Music Review: Best live album of all time by any artist? Probably
Hit: 5 Stars
Van Morrison's "It's Too Late to Stop Now" released in 1974 is a double CD showcasing the best moments distilled from three live performances on Van's 1973 world tour: at The Troubadour in LA, the Santa Monica Civic and the great and much-missed Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London (which, alas, is no more). Many make a convincing case that this is the greatest live-performance album of all time, by any artist.
Van has always been a multi-talented writer, producer and arranger and this tour featured his "Caledonia Soul Orchestra" with string and brass sections complementing the rock music instrumental backing line-up to highlight every mood change during the gig: brass for the full-on rock/soul numbers, strings to fill out the more atmospheric pieces, and the whole held together by Van's unique, powerful and insistent vocal. The result by any logic shouldn't even work, but Van's extraordinary genius for synthesising different styles into his own trademark sound makes for a one-off, an all-time great. Even if you're not a committed Van Morrison fan, listen and you'll understand why he inspires such respect and has such a loyal fan base. From the explosive opener "When you got a heartache, ain't nothin' you can do" you'll just be overtaken by the irresistible urge to jump to your feet and dance - even if you're driving, which can be a problem!
I saw this line-up live at the very first Knebworth One-Day Festival on a hot summer Saturday in 1974 (I was very young and it was my first ever outdoor concert), and have never forgotten Van belting out those powerful, soulful vocals into the summer afternoon sunshine backed by a band so tight, so seamlessly unified yet infinitely flexible and responsive they were one beautiful organic whole, to treat the listener to a truly awesome, unforgettable experience. I mean, wow. Since that day, I have been a die-hard Van Morrison fan.
The 18 numbers performed on this album are the best of the best, performed by one of the world's great musical artists in his prime, still with the power and restlessness of youth in his soul but with enough experience and maturity to understand the complexities of sound and instrumentation mix and the discipline necessary to pull it together and make it work. The power of Van's vocal delivery and his ability for on-the-spot improvisation to go with the mood of the moment often belie the committed professionalism of execution, the attention to minor details behind the performance. It's masterful.
This album is a true classic. It's outstanding. It has soul. Whichever of the various releases over the years you listen to (I have most of them and it doesn't really matter), just listen to it. Almost nothing else you ever hear afterwards will compare. Go on, treat yourself.
Free Music Review: "Turn on your electric light!" (Caravan)
Hit: 5 Stars
It's Too Late to Stop Now is a live album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison,released in 1974. Frequently named as one of the greatest live albums of all time, it was recorded in concerts at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and at The Rainbow in London during what has often been said to be Morrison's greatest phase as a live performer.Featuring a mighty,horn and string augmented line-up of his Caledonia Soul Orchestra.This music has the authentic American Blues, Jazz and melodic Folk sound that he loved and listened to in his childhood.There is a liberal nod to the American Blues that he grew up with: Ray Charles,Sonny Boy Williamson,Willie Dixon,Sam Cooke,Muddy Waters.His versions easily matching theirs,with a Celtic passion and Celtic soul.He also does plenty of his own classics inimitably.
A perfectionist,his voice sounds like another instrument from deep in his chest.His barbaric yawp, isolating phrases and repeating them,building up riffs,his mystic tones undercut by a syncopated beat,the rich rhythm section of guitar, drums, base, saxophone and trumpet has the brassy extravagance of James Brown,with his voice doing the dancing and him leading the audience on.Hear them respond, call out in appreciation or anticipation. He turns it up, because he's got soul. Rich soul tones are sung out loud with a choppiness of delivery, structured by R&B conventions.Tight musically and reining in his explosive voice.Heartful and warm with pure joy and emotion. Brilliant music,Blues,Rock,Jazz,Soul,Folk,that goes direct to the heart.Surrounding himself with gifted musicians of great technique,frequently giving them their leads.Stand out tracks:Into the Mystic,Domino, Gloria, Cypress Avenue,often better than the album tracks themselves.See also his DVD,'Live at Montreux'if you like this.
Free Music Review: Live masterpiece
Hit: 5 Stars
This album is so great because all of Morrison's familiar gems gain something by these live performances. The band is tight, the audience appreciative and Van is firing on all cylinders. Old favourites like Into The Mystic and These Dreams Of You take on new rhythmic and vocal dimensions whilst I Believe To My Soul is a breathtaking R&B workout.
I honestly prefer this magnificent live version of Here Comes The Night with its flowing violins, although the original remains a classic too. Another stunning performance is Gloria, which I first heard in Patti Smith's version, but this one is amazingly gripping and powerful, as demonstrated by the enthusiastic reaction of the audience.
I have very few live albums and as a rule I prefer studio sounds, but this majestic album is infused with such spirit, warmth and exuberance that it ranks amongst my favourite Van Morrison albums. It is also an ideal greatest hits album of his early career.
Free Music Review: Great Expanded, Remastered Version Of Van Morrison's Classic Live Album
Hit: 5 Stars
The new expanded, remastered version of Van Morrison's classic live album IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW is absolutely wonderful. Every song on here is a stone-cold classic, and at one point, Morrison hushes the entire theater and then lets out a spontaneous exhortation of spirit. This album had been reissued before, but this is the first time anyone actually managed to capture the full scope of what the audience heard that night. This is a great live album by an artist who, in more recent years, became notorious for not giving the audience what it wants, a fact made obvious when I got spoken to by a staff person at my old program for asking a young woman who was extremely shy to begin with for a dance to Morrison's 1994 live CD A NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO. It turns out the staff member was right, because the later album turned Morrison's classics into songs that no one really recognized, but this CD shows that, in the 70s, Morrison still obviously cared about both his audience AND himself.Free Music Review: Must Hear Van!!!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
I first purchased this on vinyl about 15 yrs.ago, listened to it a few times and put it away to collect dust. Little did I realize what a gem this live recording of Van was.It was just re-released on cd ,I bought it and have not been able to stop listening to it for a month.This is definitely one of Vans best live performances.The band is one of the best bands he has ever recorded with.This is Van in his prime and no Van CD collection would be complete without it. Look for other Van re-releases 28 in all with extra tracks,also a new dvd in april.