It’s not really accurate to say that Van Morrison went through a religious phase. That would imply that he had a non-religious phase. He was born into Northern Irish Protestant Anglicanism, had some childhood exposure to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, later on flirted with both Scientology and Rosicrucianism, explored Zen Buddhism, and nowadays simply describes himself as a Christian mystic (a la Kerouac). Accounting for the curiosity, he once explained, “I got interested in studying the religious thing because it was never shoved down my throat, whereas most of the people I grew up with or went to school with, it was really imposed on them.”

Not surprisingly, his music has always reflected this religious fixation, this spiritual restlessness, veering here and there, often on the same record. And it means he’s produced more than his fair share of straight gospel, one of the most successful examples, imho, being “Full Force Gale” off of 1979’s Into The Music (he and Dylan could have done a package tour!). Here he is performing the song with a superb backing band in Germany in 1982. Anyone else think his resemblance to Chris Hitchens is uncanny? It’s hard not to respect the leather members-only outfit:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENwPooHrwgE&w=600]

There’s a lot more where that came from. But just for good measure, here’s Van in all his purple leisure-suited glory bringing the house down at The Last Waltz. The high kicks are Elvis-worthy:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44wDwMQVqCc&w=600]

COMMENTS

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11 responses to “Van The Man Was Lifted Up Again”

1. Paul Zahl says:

   05/12/2011 at 9:36 am

   But what is “Caravan” about?
   I don’t understand what “Caravan” is about.

   Reply
   • DZ says:

     05/12/2011 at 9:54 am

     it’s clearly about the need to turn on our electric lights. and turn UP our radios.

     Reply
2. Paul Zahl says:

   05/12/2011 at 10:16 am

   OK, I understand about the song now. Lights and radios.
   Does anyone by any chance remember a song by Squeeze, I think it was something like “Pulling oysters from out of a shell”? Was there something about a caravan in that? I seem to remember.
   It was so long ago.
   Anyway, I think this conversation would do better to explore the fascinating link between Van Morrison and Northern Irish Anglicanism.

   Reply
3. Ken says:

   05/12/2011 at 1:01 pm

   I sure wish Bob and Van had toured together back then. They’ve done so since. Van had a lot of those same folks in his band in ‘79, including the beauteous Katie Kissoon, and Bob covered “It’s All in the Game” in ‘81, I’ll bet after hearing Van’s cover on Into the Music. You’ve probably heard them together on “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.”

   Paul, it was “pulling mussels from a shell.” The last lines are
   “About the boy he’s gone away
   Down to next door’s caravan”

   Van’s “Caravan” always conjures beautiful images of community. I’m guessing he must have seen gypsies as he was growing up. I do know they still exist in Ireland and are called “travelers.”

   Reply
4. Spencer Leffel says:

   05/12/2011 at 2:45 pm

   You guys are wordsmiths of the highest order, so naturally you are very concerned with the lyrics. But as a jazzhead, let me recommend listening to “Caravan” purely for the music. Listen to Van’s voice, the sound, the rhythmic phrasing, and of course the passion. Listen to The Band nailing it. From this perspective, Van’s singing “It’s got soul” pretty much sums it up.

   Reply
   • John Zahl says:

     05/12/2011 at 6:51 pm

     Hi Spencer! Great to see you on here!

     Reply
5. Paul Zahl says:

   05/12/2011 at 4:05 pm

   Spencer,
   that is such a great comment.
   I just did what you suggested, and listened to the vinyl and then “The Last Waltz” versions.
   His rendition is emotionally perfect!
   (Like a good sermon — complete involvement. He’s lifting the feel from his inmost self.)
   Is maybe “Caravan” a kind of last word on this great singer’s gift?

   Reply
6. Stephen Greene says:

   05/12/2011 at 4:11 pm

   Great stuff, DZ! And that performance of “Caravan” is awesome; a very different feel than the version from Moondance that I’m used to hearing. Thanks!

   Reply
7. DZ says:

   05/12/2011 at 5:13 pm

   For more Band with Van, “4% Pantomime” off The Band’s Cahoots record is a keeper.

   Reply
8. Ken says:

   05/12/2011 at 5:27 pm

   For more Band with Van, “4% Pantomime” off The Band’s Cahoots record is a keeper.

   I especially love “Tura Lura Lura,” left out of the movie, but of course on The Last Waltz record (and You Tube).

   Reply
9. david babikow says:

   05/14/2011 at 8:50 pm

   Thank you Spencer for your comment – “purely for the music”. I do often google for lyrics but the power and drive and rhythm is what gets me and this rendition is simply great!

   As one whose hearing is not what it use to be your comment was special to this music lover.

   Reply