Van’s marvelous night for a livestream will be a first
The legendary Van Morrison is set to break new ground even after many hitfilled decades in the music business.
The singer-songwriter behind Moondance and Have I Told You Lately is to mark the release of a new double album with his first-ever virtual performance.
Van the Man’s eagerly anticipated new double-album Latest Record Project: Volume 1 comes out on Friday May 7. He will stage a livestream event from the renowned Real World Studios in Wiltshire the day after.
The May 8 virtual gig will see him debut some brand new songs alongside a selection of classic tracks.
The 28-track Latest Record Project: Volume 1 album spans everything from the saxophone-led R&B gem Jealousy to the joyful country-tinged A Few Bars Early via the spirited Them-style garage rock of the self-explanatory Stop Bitching, Do Something.
It is the result of our enforced period of isolation. Unable to tour, Morrison remained busy with constant songwriting, starting ideas on piano, guitar or saxophone.
While it touches upon the romantic sentiment and late-night warmth that people love Van Morrison for, the overriding theme is a straight-talking commentary on contemporary life.
It’s a stance that informs Dead Beat Saturday Night as it addresses lockdown life in matter-of-fact style – “No life, no gigs, no choice, no voice.”
While Morrison’s views on social media are summed up on Why Are You On Facebook?.
Van Morrison said: “I’m getting away from the perceived same songs, same albums all the time.
“This guy’s done 500 songs, maybe more, so hello? Why do you keep promoting the same ten? I’m trying to get out of the box.”
The album, his 42nd studio set, has been previewed by the lead single Only A
Song that demonstrates his distinctive flair for timeless blues, R&B, jazz and soul remains as singular as ever.
The song has already been named Record of the Week at Radio 2, where it was added straight to the playlist, with further airplay coming at Jazz FM.
Anticipation for a new album from the multiple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist has continued to mount.
His fans appetite has been further whetted by the release of an animated video for Only A Song.
It deploys simple yet stylish abstract animations to represent various elements of the song.
The resulting video reflects snippets of lyrics – “In the wintry snow, when the penguins march along and go home” – elements of the instrumentation and the scenic imagery it evokes.
The album has been further previewed with the release of its title track.
Both Only A Song and the recent track Latest Record Project will be provided as instant downloads to fans who pre-order the album.
Latest Record Project: Volume 1 will be released on double-CD, deluxe-CD, triple-vinyl and digital formats.
Fans can also tune into a live performance on Saturday May 8 at 8pm BST with tickets are available via nugs. net site.
The event is a partnership with nugs.net, the leading music platform for live concert streams and recordings, hosting live streams and professionally recorded archive concerts from iconic artists.
Visit www.vanmorrison.com to order the album being billed as “his most dynamic and contemporary album in years.
“Latest Record Project: Volume 1 is a 28-track delve into his ongoing love of blues, R&B, jazz and soul.”