Reviews (page 5 of 7)
This band is tight and the production value is solid for a 70s live album. I’m just not familiar enough with Van Morrison.
Van has always been a twat - however he may have become a mumbling ballsack as he got older, here he shows how brilliant he was. Songs get stretched out like a pair of old trousers. Soulful vocals, brilliant musicians and a crowd that's ready for a great show. One of the greatest live albums of all time. Best Tracks: Into The Mystic; Bring It On Home To Me; St Dominic's Preview
kuullostaa kivalta live hommat aina jee
Fantastic collection and performance of great, soulful, bluesy songs
Not a van fan
Fuck me sideways, a live double album from a musician I'm usually happy to ignore, and will happily return to ignoring very soon.
Great live stuff from the period before he gotten eaten by his own massive ego.
Eh. It's a good live album, but it feels too soft rock, too Dave Matthews, too Counting Crows. That's definitely not fair in historical context, but I did not enjoy this album.
Åbneren var fin. Men længden er nok en gang en bjørnetjeneste.. Halvanden times live performance, og jeg fik ikke lyst til at deltage.
Ikke decideret dårligt. Men alt alt alt for langt. Særligt når det mere eller mindre forskellige variationer af samme sang i halvanden time.
Great live album. But I’m still wondering why certain live albums made the list and most did not. ??? 3.95
3.5
Excellent but occasionally a little loungey, too bad this guy got brain worms
Just a very mid live album
Was not expecting blues & soul vibes, still a bit too overproduced for me, and theres something odd about hearing a big audience for this type of music
Live albums are in rare occasions really good or prefered over studio albums in my book. With all these Covers this album didnt felt necessary on this list. Van Morrison is not a bad artist at all but this live album bored me and felt dragging to the end. (1.5/5.0)
Not a big fan of live stuff but this was very good, tight performances and great choice of songs. Bit long even for a double but still worth listening to Like how he did threw some classic soul covers into the setlist as well
Pretty good live album. Covers are played well and the horns are a great addition to many of his songs. 3.5/5 Probably will listen again
Great soulful live album. But probably not something I’ll return to, which means three stars rather than four.
Live album, yuck! Jazzy, orchestra is cool. Lot of that kinda soul yelling stuff. Kinda starts to all sound the same tho tbh. Obviously it's good music, just feel like there's way more interesting stuff out there now, but maybe that's a bad take idk. *clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap*
Fine, but a live double album is usually going to be a chore to get through and this was no exception.
Long, but great production for a live album. Some of the songs sounded better than the album version. Maybe not necessary on this list but not bad. Light 4.
This is a really good live album. Great versions of some of his biggest hits delivered with lots of soul. Too bad he’s such a jerk.
I really enjoyed this album but it shouldn't be on the list. Van Morrison is a great singer and proves it here, but these aren't different enough from the studio recordings for my to justify a space on this list.
Van the man - I was raised on VM and I listen to him often.
'And it's ever present everywhere / And it's ever present everywhere.' So sings Van the Man on 'Warm Love,' one of the essentials from Hard Nose. When belted on this live recording it yet obtains new significance: 'ever present' is precisely how I'd describe this album. Morrison, tho always in some sort of flow state or rambling and scatting mindfulness, is particularly 'in the moment' here. While you'd want any live experience to be about the occasion, many live records do not manage to capture that here-and-now quality, but this one does brilliantly. Not only does Van sing w/ a 'it's too late to stop now' sensibility, but the backing musicians (e.g., the trumpet on 'I Believe to My Soul') achieve a verve not even Van attains in the studio.
## In-Depth Review: *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* by Van Morrison Van Morrison’s *It’s Too Late to Stop Now*, released in 1974, is widely considered one of the greatest live albums in rock history. Capturing Morrison and his Caledonia Soul Orchestra at their creative and performative peak, the album stands as a testament to the power of live performance, the emotional depth of Morrison’s songwriting, and his unique approach to musical authenticity. This review examines the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, concluding with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Morrison’s lyrics, both in his original compositions and his interpretations of covers, are marked by a blend of poetic mysticism and direct emotional expression. The live context amplifies the immediacy and vulnerability of his words. Songs like “Into the Mystic” and “Cyprus Avenue” showcase Morrison’s ability to evoke nostalgia, longing, and transcendence through evocative imagery and elliptical storytelling. The performance of “Cyprus Avenue,” in particular, is often cited for its emotional intensity and the way Morrison’s voice becomes a vessel for both personal memory and universal yearning[2][6]. His vocal delivery often transcends the literal meaning of the lyrics. Morrison employs vocal techniques such as stuttering, scatting, and stretching syllables, turning words into pure sound and feeling[2][4]. This approach blurs the line between language and music, making the lyrics feel both deeply personal and open to interpretation. --- ## **Music** Musically, *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* is a masterclass in live arrangement and ensemble performance. The album features an 11-piece band, the Caledonia Soul Orchestra, which includes a full string section—a rarity for live rock albums at the time[3][7]. The arrangements are lush yet dynamic, moving fluidly between genres: R&B, soul, jazz, blues, and rock. Key tracks like “Domino,” “Caravan,” and “I’ve Been Working” are driven by tight, energetic rhythms, punchy horns, and intricate interplay between band members. The band’s responsiveness to Morrison’s cues—his stops, starts, and spontaneous vocal outbursts—creates a sense of tension and release that is palpable throughout the album[4][6]. The extended versions of “Caravan” and “Cyprus Avenue,” which close the album, are particularly notable for their dramatic build-ups and cathartic climaxes, showcasing both the band’s virtuosity and Morrison’s charismatic leadership[7]. --- ## **Production** The production of *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* is defined by its commitment to authenticity. Unlike many live albums of the era, Morrison insisted on no studio overdubs or post-production fixes. What you hear is exactly what happened on stage—mistakes and all[3][7]. This approach lends the album a raw, unfiltered quality that enhances its emotional impact. The sound quality is exceptional for a live recording from the early 1970s. The mix is spacious and immersive, with a “three-dimensionality” that allows listeners to feel as if they are present at the performances[5]. The vocals are front and center, capturing every nuance of Morrison’s delivery, while the instruments are balanced to create a sense of depth and immediacy. --- ## **Themes** *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* is thematically rich, exploring ideas of nostalgia, spiritual longing, and the redemptive power of music. Many of the songs reflect Morrison’s fascination with memory and place—“Cyprus Avenue” and “Into the Mystic” evoke a sense of yearning for lost innocence and transcendence[1][2]. The inclusion of covers such as “I Just Want to Make Love to You” and “Bring It On Home to Me” situates Morrison within a broader tradition of soul and R&B, highlighting his reverence for musical history and his ability to reinterpret familiar material with fresh emotional depth[5]. The album also grapples with the tension between control and surrender. Morrison’s performances are meticulously crafted yet feel spontaneous, as if he is channeling something beyond conscious intention. This dynamic is particularly evident in the way he interacts with the band and audience, creating moments of communal ecstasy and introspection[2][6]. --- ## **Influence** Since its release, *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* has been hailed as a benchmark for live albums. Initially, it did not achieve major commercial success, peaking at No. 53 on the Billboard charts, but critical acclaim and its enduring reputation have elevated it to classic status[7][8]. The album has influenced countless artists in the realms of rock, soul, and singer-songwriter traditions, setting a standard for live performance authenticity and emotional intensity. Its refusal to rely on studio trickery or overdubs has inspired a generation of performers to prioritize live musicianship and honesty over technical perfection. The album’s blend of genres and its sophisticated arrangements have also contributed to the evolution of live concert recordings, demonstrating that live albums can be as artistically significant as studio efforts[7]. --- ## **Pros and Cons** | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Unmatched vocal and emotional intensity from Morrison[2][4] | Some may find the lack of studio polish exposes minor performance flaws[3][7] | | Rich, dynamic arrangements by the Caledonia Soul Orchestra[3][6] | The album’s length and extended jams may test the patience of casual listeners | | Exceptional sound quality and immersive production for a live album[5] | Initial commercial reception was lukewarm, possibly due to its ambitious scope[7] | | No overdubs—pure, authentic live performance[3][7] | Absence of certain fan favorites (e.g., “Moondance” omitted due to a minor mistake)[3][7] | | Captures Morrison at his creative peak, blending genres seamlessly[4][7] | Some critics argue that the spontaneity is partly constructed, with regularized ad-libs[6] | | Setlist balances Morrison originals with transformative covers[5] | Some listeners may prefer the conciseness of studio versions over live improvisation | --- ## **Conclusion** *It’s Too Late to Stop Now* endures as a landmark in live music, capturing Van Morrison and his band at a moment of extraordinary creative synergy. Its strengths lie in the raw emotional power of Morrison’s vocals, the richness of the arrangements, and the integrity of its production. The album’s thematic depth and genre-blending approach have made it a touchstone for artists and fans alike. While its uncompromising approach to live recording may reveal occasional imperfections, these are far outweighed by the album’s sense of immediacy and authenticity. For listeners seeking a vivid portrait of an artist at the height of his powers—and a blueprint for what live albums can achieve—*It’s Too Late to Stop Now* remains essential listening.
Not bad at all. I just find a double live album a difficult way to jump into an artist's legacy. I'm certainly familiar with Van Morrison, but I don't think I have ever heard anything beyond his hits. 3/5 Album 40/1001
It's live, it's WAY too long, it's fairly dull, and a sizable chunk of the songs are covers. Pass.
I'm never too sure about live albums but this really slapped and I'm shocked how into it I got
Great live album, horns sound excellent
Great album! I'd probably give it 5-stars if it was a little shorter; I feel like they could have cut a few songs to make this absolutely outstanding. That said, Caravan and Cyprus Avenue are both phenomenal and these renditions alone are making me consider giving an it extra star! Favourite tracks: Ain't Nothing You Can't Do, Into the Mystic, I've Been Working, Domino, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Bring It On Home to Me, Caravan, Cyprus Avenue
If you're a big Van Morrison fan this is probably the holy grail of live albums. An hour and a half of perfectly played and well recorded live music from Van Morrison. He's got a lot of soul and emotion in his delivery and the band is tight but for me I don't really go out of my way to ever listen to Van Morrison, and an hour and a half of it was just too much. Not bad though
Why do white men like this, it's just really boring
За той період який, я пишу про "видатні" альбоми, я дійсно встиг полюбити блюзові, джазові та соулові живі записи. І цей альбом Van Morrison не став виключенням. У цей період Morrison був на піку своїх емоцій, адже знов почав активно виступати. Саме з цих натхнених виступів і був зібраний цей альбом. Його особливість, як, між іншим, і інших видатних блюзових живих записів - це неповторне відчуття передачі "сирої енергії" та чутливості яку передає нам виконавець, що підкреслюється раптовими імпровізаціями, та реакцією залу на них. У випадку ж Morrison, який виступав разом з гуртом Caledonia Soul Orchestra, це ще і неперевершена робота музикантів, що були максимально "чисто" та детально записані. Гурт звучить неймовірно зібрано й зосереджено, гітара малює "м’які обриси", а ось духові вже малюють деталі, та напевно є тут головним елементом, що утворює атмосферу. Вражає також і динаміка, завдяки якій, ми за лічені секунди отримуємо переходи від R&B та джазу до фолку та госпелу, і при цьому - жанри не витісняють один одного, а навпаки, намагаються співіснувати наскільки це можливо. Ну і ще раз, мабуть, похвалю "деталізацію" запису - немає жодної, навіть маленької деталі, яка б намагалася від тебе втекти. Усе звучить гостро, чітко й водночас ефемерно, наче транс, з якого не хочеться виходити. Та і взагалі, без такого шикарного музичного супроводу, Van Morrison, ні в якому разі, не зміг би нам подарувати такі "блискавичні" та "яскраві" імпровізації.
Fantastic album. Van the Man! It’s always too late!
Love everything Van Morrison
Was very enjoyable to listen to. Not my style of rock
Lemppari: Help Me Vähiten lemppari: Saint Doninic’s Preview
Haven't listened to everything completely yet but so far I like it!
A great old album. Personally I've taken a shine to "A Night In San Francisco" over this one as I think it contains more energy and musicianship, but Van has always been able to put together a band, and a show.
A solid live album, even if live albums aren't generally my thing.
Live registraties zijn niet mijn ding. Dat gezegd hebbende, is dit een prima album. Maar verder ook niet heel bijzonder. **
I'm curious...
The crowd sounds rapturous. I am merely pleased. This is very well recorded and the band is tight, and Mr. Van is giving it all on vocals. But it leaves me a little cold. I've heard explosive live albums, and this isn't one of them.
5/10…Singer-Songwriter
Why is he singing with a Carribbean accent lol I can't lie though, this had me tapping my foot at times. Turns out some of this was recorded a few streets away from me, neat.
If I ever host a fancy evening dinner party this is exactly the sort of thing that would go on
Another live album?! FFS! I literally just reviewed a live Deep Purple album. I like a bit of Van the Man, but I just can’t do live albums. Gets a bit boring after a while too. Arrangements and quality are mostly good and it’s way too long. As I’ve said a thousand times, give me a compilation of studio recordings. Listenable, so it gets a 3. Only just though.
The energy is high in this live album, the production and the performance is top notch. For me the the material is what lets it down. For me Van Morrison's best songs begin and end with Astral Weeks and Moondance both of which don't seem to be very well represented here. 3 stars
This is so good. The band is amazing. Van is amazing. The production is a amazing. Well deserving of its 93 minute runtime.
An album that asks the question “Do you want to hear an angry Irishman sing soul?” And I thought the answer was yes, but I was mistaken.
it's never too late, van
Meh
This was alright. I found it too long, but most of the songs were good. I only know a few Van Morrison songs, and I don't think this was a very good introduction to the rest of his repertoire.
Great tunes, but the crowd's louder than my morning alarm. Not a fan of live albums, but if you are, enjoy the chaos!
solid live album. I didn't need 2 discs though
little bit too long but god damn van morrison goes hard here, so insanely energetic and fun
It's just okay
Cool, nothing crazy
Will 1973/74's live album It's Too Late to Stop Now be what rehabilitates Van Morrison in my mind? It's March 2025 and it looks like he's playing a pair of shows in Scotland at the end of this month. At minimum, we can safely confirm he was not referring to his musical career when titling this album. But should he have stopped? The record is surprisingly good. It has some edge and bite — it's a good amount of tight. If I had only this and Moondance to go on I might even say nice things about him and his music. Ultimately, it's too long, too much Van Morrison music for me to wholly endorse. But suffice it to say, I think he answered the question.
Buff, otro directo, con la manía que les tengo y que ya he comentado por aquí. Empieza bien y el sonido es bastante bueno. Lo esperable, una recopilación de un momento de la carrera de un grupo o cantante. Hoy en día no me atraen nada los discos en directo. No me parece justo darle una mala puntuación, pero serían más 2 estrellas que 3.
Baš dosta dobar album, fino mi je sjeo! Jedino mi je malo predug, ali pošto je bar bilo ugodno za slušati, preživjela sam 😁 Finih 4/5, 7/10.
Into the mystic…. No contest
as somebody who loves live albums, and a Van Morrison fan, I thought this album was just ok. was expecting a lot more from something on this list.
As far as I've understood, Van Morrisson is not a charming man. This performance however!
It's quite jaunty and assured. It's very long, but it played nicely enough in the background.
This was dope. 4.5
So, in principle, nothing, the songs are cheerful and at first they are listened to with a bang... But the album is too long, you get tired of it, so it's only 6.5 out of 10. And yes, I didn't hear anything outstanding.
Rating: 5/10 Meh.
Time and place to listen to him. Enjoyable.
Van may be an ahole as a person but he's a treasure as a song writer and musician.
Too lame to give a fuck
Yay Van!! 5
It's too late now for me to listen to you.
I love Van the Man but I’m not sure a Live album adds anything to my listening experience. I’m happy to listen to Astral Weeks and Moondance but a live rendition doesn’t do that much for me to be honest. Some of the deliveries were a bit flabby but it was fine. Maybe you had to be there.
I liked some of the parts where Morrison wasn't singing.
I LOVE Astral Weeks and really enjoy Moondance. This album simply made me mad. Is one star too harsh? Yes. The performances were fine. Had I gone to this show I would have had a fun time of it and been excited to watch him play my favorites. But for years, this album has been in various best albums lists, and I truly don't get it. This album is pointless. The studio versions are way better. And on this list, it's taking up a slot that could easily go to 50 different albums.
I don’t think this one is worthy of the list. I don’t find the live versions that compelling and we’ve already heard Van’s bangers.
Not terrible
Why is there a double live album by Van Morrison??!! I mean he had produced some good songs here and there and an odd good record but live? Really? Did I really have to go through that snooze fest of mediocre performance with songs from a b-list artist? Unoriginal flat and unnecessary
I bet it would be a cool story to tell about how you were there, back in the day. I just wish it was more entertaining today.
This has nothing to do with me
Man idk, not bad!
Still dont love van m but this was a nice album and i feel like hes the kinda guy i’d enjoy more in greatest hits fashion than album fashion so it makes sense
70’s rock
Fun 70’s Van Morrison
started enjoyable but boy did it get on my nerves after the first few songs...
I was prepared not to like this, but this was a throughly pleasant listen.
I like some of Van Morrison's music, but a live double-album?! The band is great throughout. Morrison is an excellent singer and that also comes through. The first half was not bad. However at about Saint Dominic's Preview I hit the wall hard, I had reached my limit of blue-eyed-Celtic-folk-blues-whatever. After that it was quite a slog to get to the end. How did people at the concerts stay awake? I'm sure Van Morrison fans will love this album. It was at least 40 minutes too long for me.
This guy puts on a great live show, and gets a great band together, and this album is a great example of that. Whatever your opinions, if you're in the mood for this, then Van Morrison is the one to serve it.
I'm not normally a big fan of most live albums, but this one was pretty good.
I love Van Morrison but not this album. It's okay but, for me, not worth adding to my library.
Morrison is a generational talent, no doubt. But this is a surprisingly low-energy set.
I love Van Morrison anyway, but the live band with him steals the show here. Strings and brass are beautifully performed to some of his best works.
#520. This is the kind of guy I'd expect to be playing in the back of a bar somewhere. It's not too bad, but I probably won't be paying too much attention to it while he's playing though. 3/5: fine
I expected not to like this but enjoyed it more than I thought. The band is tight as hell and the horns, strings and piano all get their turns to shine. Van's singing also sounds great. There's a nice variety between the songs as well, from jazzy ballads to more rocking songs. I can see why this is held up as a great live album, it was a very pleasant surprise for me
Hate a live album, unless it's exceptional. This was boring.
Van the man! Normally a 1.5 hour live album would get a big eye roll from me but this was fantastic
There's are way too many live albums on this list. There are maybe 5 live albums in the history of popular music that should be on this list. That's not to say that live albums aren't good, but top 1000 good?
I like live albums, especially if they're done well and the songs are as good or better than the original studio versions. I hadn't heard this album before and though I'm familiar with a lot of Van's work, this was a pleasant way to listen to songs from throughout his career up until then. He brings new life and energy to most of the songs and generally it's a solid collection. He does a respectable job with the covers, but it runs a bit longer than it needs to be. I listened to this while doing other things, so I wasn't super focused on the music and it was a great soundtrack to my day. I'm not sure this would be the ideal "sit down and listen intensely" record, I may get a little drowsy after a while, but overall it was fine.
First of all way too long at over 90 mins. Secondly, this is a live album which I usually don't really care about. 2/5.
A great live double album. I really enjoyed this as Van Morrison has such a unique style of singing. Timeless songs.
i'm not sure if i'm even listening to the correct version but gotta love the hits!
Easy listening, but it does nothing special for me.
Favorite Track: I’ve Been Working
Makes for a great concert by Van Morrison…if I wanted to experience a Van Morrison concert.
Van Morrison is a classic artist! The problem is his best songs are a scattering of songs across numerous albums, so I thought that a live album would be great. I am a little disappointed honestly. Some of his songs-Including my favorite Into the Mystic—sounded very late-stage quaalude Elvis. Domino was good, and listening to the Them classic Gloria was fun, especially when he was the originating artist (though the James Brown “Good Gawd” was a bit of an homage/stretch). Favorite track was the very jazzy I’ve Been Working, which had great sax work! Overall, this wasn’t English rap, but I think I would rather listen to his studio albums.
Random thoughts: * Damn! Hearing Van live is so awesome. I wish I had heard him live in person many years ago. I don't think it would be the same today. * Hard to listen to Van and not think about his shitty politics today. However, you have to separate the art from the artist. I still listen to R Kelly and Michale Jackson. I'm going to judge the art by itself. * The first three tracks had me hooked! * I started to lose steam in there a few times but from Here Comes the Night all the way to the end was some great work captured for posterity's sake. * I'd never heard Cyprus Avenue before but Van really brought it for the closer! * I'll be choosing this one again instead of Moondance or his greatest hits the next time I'm in the mood for some Van Morrison.
Großartig!
This one of those rare stellar live albums. Van Morrison may be an asshole but back then he could really put together a tight live band. No overdubs or select tracks. Just hit record and sell the album. That’s how bands should do live albums.
I just love the covers on this album—Van does an excellent job bringing the energy. However, the album feels a bit uneven, especially when compared to Van Morrison’s classic tracks like Into the Mystic.
I’d rather listen to the studio versions of these songs. I don’t connect with the live experience of these. And that’s a rare thing, often the live versions bring something exciting to the songs but I don’t get that here.
Maybe not my favorite versions of some of these songs, but the whole record had good energy to it. The last two tracks were a bit self indulgent and I wish i had skipped them.
It's good. Morrison has a unique voice and it's displayed well here. I don't love the length, and, honestly, I preferred all of the studio albums over this live album. It's probably a 3.5 but I'll round down so that I can separate it from the albums I liked more.
This will be a short review, as it might as well be a copy-paste of a lot of other live albums. This was fine, but I don’t really get the point of this album as it doesn’t really seem to give anything more than a studio album. It wasn’t bad or hard to listen to. In fact, I’d say I enjoyed it overall. But it’s probably better to just listen to the studio recorded tracks.
Cool.
Never dissapoints!!!
So like it's just a super long Live Van Morrison album? Lame 3/10
Van at his vocal prime. Band was tight too.
Have to say, was not expecting it to be enjoyable...
Really captured the live experience of enjoying the music and really looking forward for it being over
Bit long but good vibes
I really enjoyed this - would listen again.
Van Morrison - It’s Too Late to Stop Now Album Review There’s a fine line between capturing an artist in their raw, untamed glory and just throwing an entire concert at the listener with zero restraint. It’s Too Late to Stop Now stomps right over that line and keeps on going for what feels like an eternity. There’s no doubt Van Morrison’s band is on fire here—the brass section, in particular, is the real star of the show, blasting through the arrangements with energy and precision that keeps things lively even when Morrison himself starts to wear thin. But let’s be honest: this album is way too long. It’s the musical equivalent of being cornered by a guy in a pub who won’t stop telling you about the time he really got into transcendental meditation. A tight, single-disc live album could have been a triumph; instead, we get a bloated, self-indulgent sprawl that feels like a test of endurance. And then there’s Van. His voice, as always, is unique, but in this setting, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet of his most extra tendencies. He sounds like he’s permanently halfway through eating a sandwich but still trying to belt out a soulful tune, gulping down syllables in between swigs of whatever keeps him going. Sure, it works for a few songs—his wild, impassioned delivery has always been his trademark—but over nearly two hours of growling, wailing, and borderline incomprehensible muttering, it becomes a lot. Tracks like Caravan and Domino bring undeniable energy, but so many others just meander, stretching out well beyond their welcome like an encore that nobody actually asked for. As a document of Van Morrison’s stage presence, it’s thorough—painfully so. There’s a great one-album live record hiding in here, but instead, we get a bloated, self-indulgent marathon that feels more like a challenge than an experience. By the end, you’re less in awe of Morrison’s talent and more just relieved it’s finally over.
6.5/10
Amazing Van. A category of music all of his own
J'ai découvert Van Morrison grâce aux 1001 albums avec l'album Moondance, que j'avais déjà apprécié. J'ai retrouvé dans ce live quelques titres de cet album, et d'autres que je connaissais de Them. Je ne suis pas fervente amatrice de live, mais force est d'admettre que Van Morrison gâte son public ! Le menu est généreux : orchestrations variées, interactions avec le public, reprises de qualités, son impeccable. A réécouter !
4 - enjoyed
Listenable
Good vibe
Obligatory 3 star for a live album that I refuse to listen too. Live albums and studio albums should always be treated as wholly separate things.
Two childhood friends of mine are living in my childhood neighborhood with mattresses for houses. We are in trouble for having pills. Soon I'm being hunted by this guy who is supposed to be my girlfriend's ex husband and his mother neither of whom I recognize. It's starting to fade but they used basically toy robots to chase me down but I tricked them. I end up in an apartment where I've been in contact with another friend who's always been kind of a bully. He was after. Land deeds that were recipes named for songs and could be sliced like cake
Aika tyyppilevy, toki tähän aikaan (74) sietää ollakin. Kaikki on niin puhdasta, että tulee ”ollaan duunissa” -vaikutelma, vähän kliininen. Mut tunnetta on.
Soitto on melkein niin toimivaa kuin live-LP:llä voi olla, mutta onko tässä mitään, mitä en mieluummin kuuntelisi muaalta (joko Morrisonin tai alkuperäisen artistin levyttämänä)? Ehkä ei: Moondancen biisit kiirehtivät, eivätkä muut saavuta välttämättömyyttä. 2+
Soulful vocals and intense live energy
Great blues rock album
Wonderful performer, terrible human.
Admittedly don't love a two disc set. Too long! :P But love some Van.
This is the 26th album I’m rating. I think I’ve heard that name before but I know nothing about Van Morrison. Hopefully this is great. Also, I’m pretty sure this is rock based off of vibes. Ain’t Nothin’ You Can Do - Adding to my Playlist. Good thing this is actually good. I was worried this was going to be another shitty live double album like Space Ritual. Warm Love - Adding to my Playlist. This is fantastic a double album this good could definitely enter my top 15. Into the Mystic - Adding to my Playlist. This is really really good. These Dreams of You - Adding to my Playlist. Very safe song. I Believe to my Soul - Adding to my Playlist. Feels like Ray Charles. I’ve Been Working - Adding to my Playlist. Slave breeding. Help Me - Adding to my Playlist. Sounds like Sonny Boy Williamson the II. Wild Children - Adding to my Playlist. Live double albums are either incredible or terrible. This is incredible. Domino - Adding to my Playlist. I don’t even know what to say anymore these songs are great. I Just Want to Make Love to You - Adding to my Playlist. This is from 1954? Bring It On Home to Me - Adding to my Playlist. These songs are just great. Saint Dominic’s Preview - Adding to my Playlist. This albums feel weirdly familiar. Take Your Hand Out of my Pocket - Adding to my Playlist. Saxophone makes everything better. Listen to the Lion - Adding to my Playlist. This is pretty long and pretty good. Hear Comes the Night - Adding to my Playlist. Pretty cool. Gloria - Adding to my Playlist. This is probably the worst song. Caravan - Adding to my Playlist. I hate long songs but this is good enough to overcome my hatred. Cyprus Avenue - Adding to my Playlist. Live albums always have long songs and I hate it. All in all I liked 18/18 songs. I went into this with low expectations due to my previous experience with Space Ritual but this was fantastic. At 92 minutes I believe this is the longest album I listened to and it is one of the best. It is going into my top 20.
I like a bit of Van Morrison. Emphasis on the BIT! 90 minutes is too much! And a live album too! The very best a live album can do is be slightly worse than a mediocre studio album
Would loved to have seen Van around this time. Just equality stuff. These days it seems like you have to deal with a terrible voice and that fact that he’s a crotchety old man with questionable opinions. Simpsons: No
What a slog. The music was alright, a few moments I enjoyed but mostly just fine. Far too long though.
Van Morrison is an okay singer, but this live album which aren't my favourite. It's so long that by the end, it felt tedious to get through.
Pretty decent for a live album
Not my type
I dislike van morrison and found this overly long and shouty. The bluesy band were good but he's still a pig.
Awesome album and while I'm not a HUGE fan of Van Morrison, his live performance and crazy soul/blues is captured amazingly well in this album, which I have never heard in full before. Incredible musical performance and he leaves it all on stage. Loved him covering some songs which I have never heard before either. Just a great album and perfect representation of what he was all about.
So this was amazing. First off, I LOVEEEE live music. Secondly, anytime I hear Van Morrison, I get taken back to when I was a kid spending summer days/nights at my uncles in Indiana. The radio was always playing Van Morrison, so this takes me back to when everything was simpler. Mix that with my love for live music… not to mention him covering Sam Cooke (one of my favorite singers of all time)… all I can say is, I’m all for it!
Great live album. Crisp vocals, great blues and soul elements throughout, Van Morrison has always been great and nothing like a 1:30 live performance to show it.
Today's entry in "separating the art from the artist" was a real delight. I love Van Morrison's music, and this is a great live version of a bunch of tracks. I will likely return to this, even if it didn't deliver on my sky-high expectations heading into it.
It's a live album. Not one that seems to be exceptional in any particular way, though the band plays well. But I'm not sure why I needed to listen to it. It was long, kinda boring.
Great hits, solid recording. Wouldn’t pick it solely to listen to again.
I like Christgau’s take on this oft-praised album: “Songs that…were just lame in the first place have more force and tightness here than in their studio versions.” Ouch. And still…
Yet another live album, but I found myself enjoying It's Too Late to Stop Now. It helped I already enjoy Van Morrison's work. Morrison brings a calming and joyful energy to his studio albums. The energy he brought to this concert is no less joyful but also energetic and fun. His live rendition of "Gloria" is so lively and has a bit of a call-and-response with the audience--way better than his original recording with Them. The studio version of "Domino" is downright boring compared to the live version! But his voice can still be just as tender and evocative compared to the studio albums, which may be most obvious on "Into the Mystic" or "These Dreams Of You." Sometimes I feel the inclusion of live albums on this list are another version of greatest hits, which seems to miss the point. Not only is the energy different but the arrangement too. The string instruments in "Caravan" are beautiful, bring a different vibe, and give me life. That's another song Morrison improved with this live recording. Perhaps the best compliment I could give to a live album is that I'd love to see Van Morrison live. He's fifty years older now, but I'd have a grand time if he was only half as good as on the recording.
I really enjoyed listening to Van Morrison's "Moondance" as part of this project, so I was excited to see this pop up. I was less excited when I realized it was a double live album. That said, this album is actually really quite stellar for a live album. Van Morrison has great vocals on this album and his backing band sounds fantastic. The production for this album is really good, too; I wouldn't have guessed this to be from the 70s. It is also worth mentioning that SO many of the songs on this album were written by Morrison; I'm not sure how often his name gets mentioned as a great songwriter, but this album which compiles so much of his work from across his career really shows that fact off. I still question why so many live albums, and in this instance, why THIS live album is included on this project, but nonetheless, I did enjoy it, and I owe this project for my recently found appreciation for Van Morrison.
Another one I enjoyed a lot more than I thought I was going to.
Entirely pleasant.
This was a nice lice album, but I’m pretty mid on van morrison
Not it for me
Amazing live record. Van at his greatest. Production is superb s is the selection of songs. A MUST listen!
It's a multi-part live album. No thank you.
Unnecessary and way too long. Even gentle songs like Into the Mystic get butchered by Morrison's live shout-singing and chirping staccato delivery. This was a real chore to get through.
Liked ir
Excuse me, but this album is a no for me. Not that the songs are bad, on the contrary. The biggest problem here is Van Morrison's vocal performance in trying to convey some emotion to the songs. It's embarrassing for all the white men who sing jazz, like Tony Bennett (who, by the way, Morrison could have taken some lessons from). If it were an instrumental album, it would be better.
Nie porwało mnie. Nie mój typ muzyki. Byłem zdziwiony, że to gość z Irlandii Północnej. Dla mnie to wszystko brzmiało bardzo amerykańsko, taki słabszy Bruce Springsteen trochę. Wszystko jest po prostu poprawne jak dla mnie. Nie mój styl muzyczny, choć poziom produkcji fantastyczny, często faktycznie aż trudno uwierzyć, że to wykonania na żywo. Ale to taki album, który przejdzie przeze mnie niezauważony raczej. Plus wszystko powyżej 60min powinno być absolutnie przewybitne, żeby utrzymać mój poziom zainteresowania tak długo.
4,5/5 but I'm giving 5 because spotify played live version which I couldn't believe
Beige
A double live album from one of the most mid artists in history huh? Why not? With the amount of misses I’ve received lately, why should this be any surprise? I won’t dog on Mr. Van or his white people-appeasing music. But I listened to part 1 of this album, and the band is tight, songs are totally fine. I won’t remember a single part of this tomorrow. Maybe I’ll get to part 2 before I submit this review, but that’s asking a whole lot.
It’s never too late, Van, even after you’ve eclipsed the hour mark, even as you approach 90 minutes…you can stop…any…time now…..
My first live Moorison experience. To be honest, I am a Van Fan, but this side of his music catalog doesn't really do it for me. I fucking love Astral Weeks to death, but he didn't play much of it here. One song that really stood out was Listen to the Lion which reminded me of that album. What made astral weeks so great was how understated it was and the intricate jazz arrangements behind his mystical voice. Some of that is lost in this recording and his bigger production songs which I don't appreciate as much from him. Its why I wouldn't consider Brown Eyed Girl one of his better works... Good listen but dragged on at times - 4/10
7/10
actually buddy you could stop anytime now. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
If you cut out all the filler songs, and also fired Van Morrison and hired Wilson Pickett in his place, this might be a decent album.
Not really a big fan of live albums, and this wasn't any different.
i'm not the hugest van morrison fan (music and the person) but there is a handful of his stuff that i like, particularly the sort of horn-based blue eyed soul that he got into in the early 70s. there is a decent amount of that here - i particularly enjoyed the versions of 'domino' and 'caravan' here. the rest of the songs i could kind of take or leave, it wasn't bad but it wasn't really my taste or interested me particularly. the musicianship here is pretty great, especially the horns. but yeah, decent, but not totally my bag.
Nice bluesy album. Not my favourite album of his, but not bad
Great live album. Great sound. Fantastic energy. This one and the 3 other volumes 1001 album worthy: Yes - 18/32
Super!
i can appreciate the technical skill going into this, there's just nothing else for me personally to draw from it
I guess Van Morrison wrote other songs
Hell yeah. Just good vibes
Super super awesome. He murdereddd
The recording of this live album is some of the best I’ve ever heard, and this album is prob pretty old. Yeah 1974 wow. Anyways, unfortunately gets a little boring as we get deeper into the album. Lost my attention rip.
Bloated Overall nicht schlecht
Meh at its finest
Quite enjoyed it
Really good for a live album. A little ling but very strong overall.
Previously rated: Moondance (4/5) Astral Weeks (2/5) ********************* Thankfully not much crossover with the boring (imho) Astral Weeks. Too bad no Moondance or Brown Eyed Girl. What is here is nice for the most part. The band is great, he sounds good with that distinctive voice. Some of the longer tracks dragged a little. I didn’t like the repeated “inside of me” that sounded like “sodomy” over and over. I will add it to the list to listen to again.
That voice, that’s why his supposedly marvelous songs aren’t on the radio. It’s like a dog whistle.
Sounds like he’s doing his best American soul/jazz singer impression but not as good. Preferred the rockier songs over the jazzy ones. Not bad but not good.
very good live album, enjoyed the sound and the band instruments.
I guess I like van morrison
I didn’t care much for the tracks where he pretended to be the white Muddy Watters. But overall a decent listen.
I often wonder about spending more money on a concert ticket than it would take to buy the band’s entire repertoire; Van the Man’s album shows us why. Each song is taken in a perfectly new direction, creating a new experience. His understanding of jazz makes his blues truly unique. The first record and the last couple of songs are masterpieces. And no overdubbing!!
When a 90 minute double album is this easy to listen to 2 times through, I guess that makes the rating pretty clear. While Van Morrison is great live, it's the accompaniment of the Soul Orchestra that puts this over the top for me.
I like Van, but typically can only handle so much at a time. This was pretty good, though. 3.5* rounded up.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Was it just the spotify link or this one really is a live album, where the live versions do not seem that great?
Too much of a good thing
1.5
This is my favorite kind of live music - it's well done, the songs are still very similar to the versions you already know & love, with a bit of riffing on the themes.
Very repetitive and extremely long. But it has its moments.
Despite being objectively way too long, I didn't really mind this album. Very produced-sounding for a live album. Especially considering it was recorded in 1974.
This is Van Morrison we are listening to. Great album especially with the live atmosphere. I'm a big fan of his music.
I don't dislike Van Morrison, but I am not really a fan either. This is a good music bed tonput on and just zone out to when you are working.
Super talented guy and unique voice though I'm generally not a fan of live albums, I thought this was engineered quite well. Outside of this this was solid though I detected at least one cover (I Believe to My Soul) which always cheapens the album. 7/10
2.74
2.5, a bit long but some bangers!
first listen it's a great album mixed great
I pushed play on this expecting to hate it. So maybe because I had the lowest of expectations, especially because I haven’t really enjoyed most of the live albums on this list, this was a pleasant surprise! I really liked it! It’s not revolutionary. But maybe because it’s mostly a straight ahead record without a lot of crowd work it worked. Good recording. 4/5
El loco canta bárbaro y algunos temas medio jazzeros o más acelerados son buenos, pero me parece realmente aburrido. Me hace acordar a Elton John.
It was ok
Really enjoyed this. Van the Man live!
This is very good on its own terms and one can listen to Van all day and so likes the prompt here. Honestly one thinks grumpy, expansive studio Van is more than man than frontman Van is. There are other of his albums one would prefer to have on this list. Say The Healing Game or personal fave Enlightenment. The band is almost too tight and polished as it distracts a bit from the vocals, and Van seems to be painting a bit by numbers, bouncing along to the playing, rather than these deep expansive articulations and growling passions that one gets off the studio work. So, great with asterisk one supposes.
I don’t expressly dislike this album or van Morrison on musical talent. He’s clearly a very talented musician and a great performer. His whole schtick really strikes me as profiting off of a music genre and culture that he is very much not a part of. The way he emulates the singing voice of someone that he very clearly isn’t rubs me the wrong way. Further than that, I just didn’t enjoy listening to this record and it genuinely felt like a chore to slog through it. Not a fan. 1*
Is it really too late to stop now? There are so many points where Van Morrison could’ve stopped. Unfortunately he took none of them. That Sam Cooke cover was criminal. Ugh. 3/10
Another album of live music. Still not a fan. And this time I can't even really say I'd like it all that much if it were the recorded songs. These songs just don't interest me. Many of them are repetitive. None of them are terrible, just nothing worth listening to again. On top of that, this is a double album, over an hour and a half long. That drops this from a 2 to a 1. Best song: Saint Dominic's Preview
It's live, it's a double album which covers some of thd highlights of his career. I must admit I was skipping through some tracks. Decent
It's not too late to stop. You could have stopped at a single album and it would have been a better release. One for those who went to the concert? Some great tracks on here but in general they're not as good as the studio versions
Not my thing, but its fine.
It is absolutely remarkable how similar his studio and live voices are as somebody with such a unique singing voice
Love me some Van Morrison.
I was going to give this a more critical review but it’s too late to…
Better than your average live album. Sounds like it was a good performance. As an album on this list though, I thought it lacked. Lots of slow jamming and Van Morrison's performances didn't vary much across the songs so it just felt like a shitload of the same thing for 90 minutes.
demasiado largo
I really don't get the need for live albums on this list. That said, the production on this one is good. Too bad it's pretty boring. 3/5
So long…
It's Too Late to Stop Now is a 1974 live double album by Van Morrison, originally released in 1974. I'm typically not a huge fan of Van Morrison. I usually gravitate to his jazzier stuff and I'm not very familiar with his mid-70s work. I found myself really grooving to this. It's way more funky than I expected, and Van does funk pretty damn well. His voice still sounds like that drunk guy in the back of the pub but it just works with these tracks. The backing band is super tight and have a ton of presence. Specifically the bass player. His lines are just so groovy. The production is so good too. It sounds like it was recorded at a fairly intimate venue. Probably going to revisit some Van Morrison records now.
Man I bet this was great to go to. Listening was a joyous experience. Not sure if it should even be repeated - I don’t wish to find the flaws.
Great blues rock and distinguished vocals. The musical performance is sultry and groovy. Has some upbeat tunes and also some more low-key, vibe-out kind of tunes. What a great show this must have been to be a part of.
OK, let's get one thing straight from the start: for a live album recorded in the mid-seventies, the sound of this double-LP is just INCREDIBLE, actually twice better than most of the studio versions of those songs. You can hear the tiniest details and flourishes here, from each guitar lick, each piano embellishments, each brass blast, and each layering of that wonderful string section. And minus one specific moment (more on that later), the performance is absolutely pitch-perfect. If only for this, I can see why Van Morrison die-hard fans would want to include *It's Too Late To Stop Now (vol 1)* in this list. The tracklist is a huge selling point as well. It mostly draws from key studio albums *Moondance*, *Saint Dominic's Preview* and *His Band And The Street Choirs*, plus two pivotal Them staple songs (including a version of the legendary "Gloria" exploring some surprising *funky* territories), not to mention a handful of rhythm'n blues covers dear to VM's heart. To be honest, I think I would have enjoyed the album more if the covers had been left on the cutting room's floor. Van Morrison can be a wonderful performer, but his music is already a little too derivative and "by the book" on a harmonic level sometimes--especially through the man's very similar vocal lines from one track to the next--and those covers only enhance that minor flaw... Worse, more often than not, they are not the punchier cuts here anyway, and they take away some much needed energy before you reach the stellar last leg of this record (more on that later as well). The length of vinyl records and VM's personal tastes required to add those tracks that I consider as "filler", I imagine. And since it was impossible to sum up the project in one single LP, this is the choice that was made here. Makes sense on a subjective level, I guess. It's just that my own subjectivity would have favored a different choice. 'Vol 1' is added to the title, by the way... Under that light, I'm pretty sure other selections of terrific live performances of omitted songs in VM's repertoire could have been added instead. But that boat has sailed a long time ago now... Another point of contention: a couple of songs for the much maligned *Hardnose The Highway* could have been left aside as well, especially the very hackneyed "Warm Love", where, inexplicably, Van Morrison's vocal performance is even *worse* than on the studio version. It's like he's chopping wood instead of singing. Very 'forced' and awkward. Normally, one single bad moment for an album this length shouldn't really influence my overall appreciation of it... But since it's the second track we're talking about here (and the first Van Morrison original song to appear), that dud *does* take its toll, I would lie if I didn't say so. The rest is wonderful, fortunately. I could take so many examples of the many memorable moments in this record, but I'm just gonna mention a couple of them found at the end of the fourth side, like the meditative conclusion of "Listen To The Lion", which keeps you on your toes until the very last second, or the fantastic rendition of *Moondance*'s "Caravan", which builds up to a terrific finish. And when the record ends its long run with a very adventurous version of *Astral Weeks*'s "Cyprus Avenue", it really feels like you've made an incredible journey into Van Morrison's universe. A little like Thin Lizzy's *Live And Dangerous*, this album could serve as a kind of "best of", even if essential tracks are missing from it ("Brown-Eyed Girl", "Jackie Wilson Said"...). And yet it's still one cohesive thing. The best of both worlds, really. So I will surely add this record to my own list, right? Well... It might come off as a surprise after what I've just said, but I'm not so sure I will. First there are the little flaws I have spotted up there, adding to the album's perceived length. And then, there's that nagging doubt in my mind that using a slot for this live album sort of wastes an opportunity to praise other artists. As stellar as the sound and most of the performances are on *It's Too Late To Stop Now*, it feels like welcoming it in my list already including *Astral Weeks*, *Moondance*, and also probably *Saint Dominic's Preview*, is overkill to an extent. Yes, the renditions of the important songs from these albums are probably all better than their studio counterparts. Yet do we need to use an extra slot for the *same songs*? Besides, one specific moment in this album perfectly encapsulates another sort of hesitation I have here. It's towards the end of "Caravan"... At that point, just as the rest of the band jams hard, the string section surges and performs one of the most beautiful orchestral arrangements in a record already filled to the brim with the latter. Van Morrison harmonizes with the strings for a few seconds. This truly feels like music heaven at this point. The whole is gorgeous, cinematic, evocative, what have you... But then, out of the blue, and *as the orchestral arrangements are not over yet*, the Irish singer introduces the names of each string player, before then naming everyone else in the band. And I have to say, my heart broke a little when I suddenly heard that. I was truly entranced before, I didn't care I was listening to a live version and I just wanted to immerse in the music. But Van Morrison ruined that a little for me. Of course, if you were there in the audience that night, it makes total sense that every player's name should be mentioned just as the show nearly reaches its end. But it's just not how I envision the experience of listening to albums at home. I don't need to be reminded that someone is playing. I need the playing to take me to another world. And under that light, I'm not so sure I need this record in my list. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I had the opportunity to listen to it, and I will probably listen to it again in the future. But even if it were the greatest live record of all time (some say it is), it feels like it's not the most convenient and natural entry point into Van Morrison's body of work. It's "too much" in a way. And I'm not only talking about the album's length here. Because in some other sense, it's also "not enough". Without the context given by the studio albums, it's sort of hard to understand why those live performances are so important for Van Morrison's fans. So, let's say that as of now, I'd rather err on the side of caution, and wait to see if really I feel the urge to return to this live album one day. After all, it's never too late to open your heart to a pivotal artist such as Van Morrison. You just need a little time sometimes, that's all. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4. 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 8.5) Number of albums left to review: 12 (plus the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past versions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions) Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 425 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 254 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 313
2/5
As I reach the end of this challenge I ask myself, did there really need to be a live Van Morrison album? No there didn't. It's fine but really didn't need to exist.
Un bon album live sans plus. 5.5/10
A rootin and a tootin bluesy good time, this album is, fortunately peppered with so many feel-good Van Morrison moments as well. Tracks like "Listen to the Lion" to name one, really hits in that crunchy grassroots blues roock comfort-music range that Van Morrison kills it at so much.
I'm a little surprised by the number of negative and outright harsh reviews. Maybe there is something I'm not tapped into. It's probably the scientology connection. He seems like a weirdo for sure, but this performance is a total jam.
I believe it was Shakespeare who once said "van BORRISON,,!!!!! bitch"
I couldn't finish it. Just didn't like it.
We dont need anymore Van Morrison albums
Great example of a live album being better than the studio!
Please stop now...
Live albums should not be included on this list. Double live albums should ABSOLUTELY not be on this list. At least it’s over and there are only two Van Morisson albums left on the list. Didn’t mind tracks 4, 5, 10 and 15.
Didn't actually listen to all of this but I really enjoyed it!
Right up my alley
Much better than I thought it would be, there are few more layers
Another one of "why are live albums on here". I don't think this really adds anything to anyone anywhere, unless you know and love the studio versions of these tracks already. It doesn't make me want to listen to him anymore than I did previously. 2.5*
Another live album! But with cuts taken from 3 shows (in 3 different theatres) across 3 months, which is sort of cheating. He's somehow at the top of his game and still deathly dull - a tricky feat to pull off!
It's not a great recording. His voice is not in great form. There's a load of cover versions. Other than that ...
To my own shock and maybe even horror, I think I’m a fan of Van Morrison?!?! That sounds like such a weird Boomer opinion, especially because I normally like my music fast and abrasive, but there’s just something so appealing about his vibe. His music is approachable, tight, and groovy, and this really put me in a positive mood as I listened to it. That said, It’s Too Late to Stop Now was born with marks against it. For one, it’s a live album. Now, outside of just being alive for 31ish years, I’ve never gone out of my way to listen to Van Morrison, so while I recognized some songs, most of the originals here are new to me. And yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, for most of these songs, I’d rather just listen to the studio version? Which, frankly, is the issue with a live album for me. Live albums are for super fans or for reinvention, and every “Classic Live Album” I can think of/on this list is 100% the former, it seems. (Except maybe Kiss Alive, but that’s because they sucked as studio musicians.) It’s Too Late does add some fun, interesting elements, and I can tell which songs are expanding on the studio version, plus the covers are good covers. For a live album, it’s pretty damn good. But it’s still a live album at the end of the day, and it definitely isn’t reinventing anything in Van Morrison’s back catalog. For two, it’s a double album. I’ve gotten lucky with the double albums on this list so far, but even the good ones are an exhausting listen. I think It’s Too Late keeps the good vibes going despite its length, and I could see this being an even easier listen on vinyl. Side A and Side D in particular are very consistent, and I would probably just stick to those sides if I was listening to it on a record player. But as a full experience….I’m sure it was a lot more fun if you attended the concert in person, let’s just say that. Combined, It’s Too Late is clearly a “yes, but” record. It feels supplemental, like an asterisked footnote to highlight the huge amount of superstar material Van Morrison put out in the late ‘60s through mid-70s. It’s a victory lap, it’s a good listen, it’s fun. It’s not an intro, it’s not a pinnacle, it’s not essential. It’s a live album, and a double album. But hey, it makes me want to check out the rest of his discography, so that’s kinda still a win, right?
Good live album from Van Morrison. Enjoyed it.
why is this on the list?
Ich erkenne nicht die angebliche Klasse.
Pretty decent live album
This album hit SO GOOD for me yesterday.
Not a big fan of Morrison.. but it was a good listen. I love live albums, but this was a lil difficult for me to get through and into.
cool jazzy-blues live album when Van wasn't grumpy !
This is a tough one for me, because I used to love Van Morrison, then I kind of got over it, and then I cashew to learn more (distasteful stuff) about him as a person so I just let him fall away into history. Listening to a full double album was probably too much just like he is a probably too much. Can't deny he had talent.
First listen. Pretty good.
Great, Great, Great live album. Vinyl must have!
Not a great fan, but boy does he sound great live. Public Service Announcement: Patti Smith's version of Gloria is far superior to Van Morrisons'.
Van at his peak.
My fondest memories with my dad is driving down the California coast singing Van Morrison. **chefs kiss**
It has amazing lyrics and I enjoy the freedom it uses with instruments of choice.
Klasse Album, das man gut auf einem langen Lauf hören kann.
A really good album, I liked Ain't Nothing You Can Do and I Just Want To Make Love To You the most.
Live double album, wow. It may be too late for Van Morrison to stop now, but I can and I will.
No, Van, it's never too late to stop. Like when we've already had a couple studio albums, and then get thrown a live album with songs we've already heard. We don't need this shit. Favorite tracks: Wild Children, Saint Dominic's Preview. Album art: Aging rockstar standing on stage, looking weary. That's how I felt seeing this was a live album. 2/5
The best stuff on here is like Credence doing astral weeks covers. Those songs are great, but the live performance doesn't bring much to them. The majority of it sounds like Van Morrison doing Credence covers though, and it's god awful. The choogle levels are through the roof. I'm curious what the case for including this one is - some live albums are definitive releases either from bands that weren't great in the studio or where live improvisation is central to the music (grateful dead, Allman brothers, lots of jazz), or canonical recordings that're essentially high energy greatest hits collections from singles artists that capture their live talent and charisma in a unique way (James Brown, Al Green), or breakout commercial hits (cheap trick, Peter Frampton) but this is just worse versions of songs that at best show he could sing well.
Wild Children and Listen To The Lion are lovely. Domino and Gloria are bangers. He has a good live band and he brings the right energy!
Po pire! trop long tho.
Good overall, they are near 4
This is nice, and after reading how they did no adjustments in post I respect it more. But it isn't the kind of music I want to listen to live.
Incredible presence, unstoppable energy
Not really a fan
This was recorded live? Great sound quality. Bluesy & relaxing music, but need to be in a mood to listen to it for more than a few songs.
01) Ain't Nothin' You Can Do - 8,0 02) Warm Love - 7,0 03) Into The Mystic - 8,0 04) These Dreams Of You - 7,0 05) I Believe to My Soul - 6,5 06) I've Been Working - 6,5 07) Help Me - 6,5 08) Wild Children - 6,5 09) Domino - 6,5 10) I Just Want to Make Love to You - 7,0 11) Bring It On Home to Me - 6,5 12) Saint Dominic's Preview - 7,0 13) Take Your Hand Out of My Pocket - 6,5 14) Listen to the Lion - 6,0 15) Here Comes The Night - 6,5 16) Gloria - 8,0 17) Caravan - 6,5 18) Cyprus Avenue - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,81 (68/100) Current ranking: 227/313
Not for me
incredible vocals for a live album so old, i like van morrison a lot so it managed to fend off being rated lower, still waaaay too long.
Everything about it is fine but I’m not sitting through 90 minutes of it.
When I saw this was a double album, my hopes weren’t particularly high. Luckily, I liked this a whole lot. Big fan of the jazz and blues vibe of this and it kept me engaged for over 90 minutes, which is not easy to do.
4 maybe 5
7/10
Su voz no me mata, de seguro fue increíble verlo live, pero en este formato está meh. Se siente demasiado largo.
Is it really too late to stop, Van? (I know that was obvious.) It's the third album from Van Morrison I've got from the list, and I increasingly feel it deserves 3 stars. It's not bad at all, and it's pretty enjoyable sometimes, but it's always the same.
Fun listen
This is a very unfair 1, but it is november 7 2024, what I need is some good wallowing music, and this is doing so poorly at getting the job done that i’m furious with it
I'm not usually one for live albums, but when done well they can be great. The band is tight, and the energy is way better than on the album versions of some of these songs. It's a bit long, but it's a great performance.
I didn't think I disliked Van Morrison, but that was really annoying to be honest, needless to say unworthy of this list. Listen to the Lion was grinding my gears. Also, come on man, a fucking live album without Brown Eyed Girl or Moondance, what's the point?
Didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. Meaning I was ready to reject this like a bad donor organ, prepared to turn it off after song one. It's certainly a vibe, the Van Morrison vibe I can get with. Most everything else about the guy, who he is, a lot of the music he makes, it ain't for me.
Average
I like van! not at all as toolish as i thought. 4
holy carp it is long but it is a jam session the whole way through. best song is caravan in my opinion
Doesn't seem available on Spotify. But must be at least a 4
This is too much of a good thing. I like his voice, the arrangements, the energy. But it doesn't really ramp up to anything. It feels like it stays at this one level the whole time.
The way this is talked about, I was ready to be K.O.'d by a sizzling live performance. What I got, as ever with Van Morrison, was just fine. Socks remain unblowed. I'm starting to think the hype around Van Morrison is a conspiracy, because I really, really don't get it.
if you played this album for me and then told me it was Van Morrison i wouldn’t believe you. brown eyed girl van morrison???? he’s cool?!?!? never woulda guessed
I used to like Van Morrison. I liked Them, and his early stuff. Moondance is an absolute classic. Brown Eyed Girl is great. But after a few superlative albums he seemed to go to seed, and just stop trying. Like on this album. Some great songs, and a really good band. But VM just detracts from that. He mumbles. I couldn't listen to Here Comes the Night again. He murders it. Can't even get the tune right. So a grudging 2.
I had always heard a lot of positive comments about this album and I can't say they were wrong. I don't know if I would consider it one of the best live albums of all-time, mostly because it's hard to do a 2-CD live album and not have areas drag at points. Side 2 can drag a bit for me in the middle with the longer songs, but overall this is really good. I have had issues with live albums being in this book because I felt most of the material was already present and the live album did not add much more than duplicate really good versions of the songs. That's not necessarily the case here, as many of these songs are covers and/or are in different versions than the studio version. I enjoyed this album, even if I can't give it 5 stars.
The first half of this album I was not really there for the view that this is an exceptional live album with version of his songs that are significantly superior to the studio versions. Also, not there so much for R and B Van (ie Ray Charles) with the plethora of covers scattered through the first half. However it picks up significantly with the stunning take on St Domics Preview and from there on in the hype is justified.