The Van-ish Inquisition
- 17 Jul 07, 10:18 AM
Van Morrison is on the cover of the new magazine. As you know, the chap doesn΅―t do a lot of press, so it΅―s always interesting to hear the latest. Before even starting, you assume that he΅―ll be talking about his fave old records, his impatience with celebrity stuff and there will be some mention of his masterpiece, ΅®Astral Weeks΅―. These are the unspoken guidelines. It΅―s also a fair bet that the article will be accompanied by some approved, press shots (he likes to control his media dealings) of Van looking tetchy and uncomfortable.
And sure enough, he obliges. We find him in conversation with Barry McIlheney, a Belfast guy who once worked for Melody Maker and Smash Hits. Baz knows his music and by Van standards, it΅―s an affable meeting. Morrison gets to rave about Ray Charles, Mose Allison and Bobby Bland. He bellyaches about his business misfortunes in the Sixties and muses on the songwriting process. Apparently, it can be annoying to have these ideas running though your head. ΅°Sometimes you just want it to f*** off and go away.΅±
We learn that he doesn΅―t own an iPod, and that the Hyndford Street of his youth was awash with musical talent. And he defends his habit of writing lyrics about fame: ΅°Well, because I am famous and this is my experience, and f*** you΅±.
If there was ever any doubt, now you know. He is the Father Jack Hackett of rock and roll.
Stu Bailie presents The Late show on Radio Ulster, every Friday from 10pm until midnight. See his playlist here.
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Was very disappointed in this interview and thought it trawled the same old ground...Van seems impressed that Dylan "still has something to say" but despite the dizzy heights of his past glories that he'd surely like to reach again, he's been on auto-pilot supper club jazz/blues mode since the early 90's and that's a mighty long time. Can't imagine that any interviewer will ever have the nerve to tell him that though - I know I wouldn't!
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Think Charlie is being a tad unfair there, not re. the interview which is what it is, but re. Van being on "auto-pilot supper club mode since the early 90s". I saw him play live just hours after I'd interviewed him, and he was magnificent, an absolute pro at the top of his game. I sometimes think it's our expectations of him that have changed, rather than the man himself. Sure, he may be no longer the mystical seer of his early days, but he can still sing "like no other white man", as Greil Marcus famously put it, lead a band in expert fashion, and call on a vast catalogue of classics with which to pepper his 90-minute set. And I'd still rather go and see him play live than just about any other act on God's earth. As for the interview process, that's a whole other story altogether . . .
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This Wednesday night on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ1 NI, there's another chance to see 'So Hard To Beat' a history of rock and pop from these parts, presented by yours truly. Part one is my favourite, with some exclusive quotes from Van, loads of punk rock, cracking stories from Henry McCullough and more.
That's 10.40pm followed a week later by the concluding episode. It's been a long, strange, and heartening trip.
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Great programme on Saturday morning about the Punk movement here. Some great music and brought back memories of music venues long gone! More please! Radio does this sort of programme so well! Only thing didn't agree that dance-halls were divided! I remember going all over Belfast to dance with all sorts of people! From The Astor to the Orpheus!
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"He is the Father Jack Hackett of rock and roll."
Long John Baldrey ¨C he'd be Father Dougal McGuire?
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Check out the mini-site for the punk documentary, Year Zero here: /northernireland/radioulster/yearzero/
Why oh why was there no mention of the incredible Acme Music??
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