Van Morrison: ‘Singing is My Breath’ – Unveiling the Passion Behind His Latest Album!

As the title of his iconic 1973 live album boldly proclaimed, “It’s too late to stop now” perfectly encapsulates the essence of **Van Morrison**. At 79 years of age, this **Northern Irish music legend** has continued to enthrall audiences worldwide, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of **jazz**, **blues**, **soul**, and **rock ‘n’ roll**.

“Singing is like breathing to me,” he shares, encapsulating his lifelong commitment to music, profoundly tied to his identity.

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Reflecting on his remarkable journey that began during the late fifties in skiffle bands, Morrison reveals, “I don’t have ambitions; I’m just doing what I need to do. I have this gift, I developed it, and I’m taking it further.”

Next month, he’s poised to grace the stage in **Los Angeles** for a tribute concert honoring his late friend, **Robbie Robertson** of The Band, who passed away last year. Morrison’s insights invariably draw from his experiences with those who shaped his career.

“Someone once asked Robbie about me,” he recalls. “He said, ‘Do you want him to stop breathing?’ And he was right… I don’t!”

Van Morrison: A Word with a Legend

After years of anticipation, I finally had the chance to engage with Sir **George Ivan Morrison**, one of the greatest singers of our time, known for being a less-than-easy interviewee. However, as soon as I heard that familiar Northern Irish accent greet me with “Hello, is this Simon?”, I found him not just approachable, but also refreshingly candid.

Exploring New Arrangements and Duets

We are celebrating the release of **New Arrangements And Duets**, which Morrison describes as the beginning of many deep dives into his extensive **music archives**. This comes after an electrifying output of 11 albums over the past nine years—a true testament to his relentless creative drive.

Morrison reminisces about his collaboration with Robbie Robertson, whose **farewell concert in 1976** featured music legends like **Bob Dylan**, **Muddy Waters**, and **Joni Mitchell**, captured in Martin Scorsese’s iconic film, **The Last Waltz**.

“I am basically a jazz singer. No matter what genre I’m working in, I’m always improvising,” he states.

Van Morrison

As the conversation flows, Morrison deeply contemplates the significance of his bond with Robertson. “He was a friend for a long time; I always relied on him, whether in work or my personal life. Whenever I faced challenges, I would call Robbie for advice.”

Delving into his latest project, **New Arrangements And Duets** showcases a robust array of jazz-infused interpretations recorded during big band sessions in 2014. Featuring collaborations with notable singers like **Willie Nelson**, **Kurt Elling**, **Curtis Stigers**, and **Joss Stone**, the album opens with the bold “Ain’t Gonna Moan No More” where Morrison and Elling engage in an energetic scat sing-off.

“Jazz is the dominant force across 15 reinterpretations,” he emphasizes, revealing his perspective of jazz as a forward-thinking genre. He reflects on Louis Armstrong’s philosophy—*“I never sing a song the same way twice.”* Morrison absorbs this awe-inspiring outlook on music, shaping his distinct improvisational style.

Reinterpreting Classics: Morrison’s Artistic Evolution

Among the noteworthy arrangements is “I’ll Be Your Lover, Too,” first appearing on his 1970 album **His Band And The Street Choir**. Initially hesitant about reinterpreting a song he wrote decades ago, Morrison found inspiration in the fresh approach of the arrangement, illustrating that music is always evolving for him. “When I first heard the title, I said, ‘I don’t really want to sing that song,’ but the new version resonated with me,” he explains.

“How can a 79-year-old guy sing about something he wrote when he was 20?” he questions, clearly finding humor in the conundrum.

Van Morrison

Touches of nostalgia blend intricately with Morrison’s artistry, where certain classics still feel significant, while others don’t fit his present context. “Into The Mystic” remains a staple, yet he acknowledges, “Some songs simply don’t resonate for me anymore.”

While he holds “Brown-Eyed Girl” in fondness as a fan favorite, Morrison humorously remarks, “It’s basically a teenage song. I can’t relate to it much now, you know.”

Evolving Through Spiritual Connections

Delving into his spiritual songs, such as “Into The Mystic” and “In The Garden,” Morrison expresses their constant relevance in his life. “They’re always relevant to me,” he asserts passionately.

Two tracks from his **1990 album Enlightenment**, “Avalon Of The Heart” and “So Quiet In Here,” also percolate with his spiritual essence. These jazzy interpretations showcase his perspective of unfinished songs, continuously evolving through time.

“Dylan Thomas once talked about revisiting and rewriting his poetry. It’s an intriguing concept,” he shares before acknowledging he often alters lyrics while performing live, updating his classics for relevance.

A Nostalgic Journey Through Music

In the enlightening conversation, Morrison fondly reflects on his father’s influence as well as how his own journey began in the vibrant musical landscape of the Fifties. It’s clear that songs like “Choppin’ Wood” resonate with personal nostalgia, bringing forth memories of his father’s job down at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in **Belfast**.

“My father was a part of the jazz community when it wasn’t particularly popular. His love for **New Orleans jazz** and **Chicago blues** inspired my lifelong obsession,” he recounts, tracing his roots back to when music was woven deeply into the fabric of his family life.

As Morrison embarks on this next phase of his career, **New Arrangements And Duets** serves as both a harvest of his past and a bridge to future endeavors. “There’s a backlog of old material, as well as new, yet to be released,” he reveals, hinting at exciting possibilities ahead.

To borrow a phrase from his timeless music, Van Morrison remains an ever-resilient “Full Force Gale,” an eternal artist navigating through the waves of his storied legacy.

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VAN MORRISON

New Arrangements And Duets

★★★★★