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Amazon.com: When R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe wrote "That's me in the spotlight / Losing my religion," he could have been singing about Van Morrison, the man who lost his three times within a decade. In the end, though, Van returned to Christ and found himself rewarded with his first British Top 20 hit. With its sparse piano hook and Cliff Richard's guest vocals, "Whenever God Shines His Light" is a misleading beginning for an album awash in the kind of sentimental orchestration that might hurt one's teeth were it not for its perpetrators' almost childlike wonder. Cynics, then, needn't concern themselves with love songs like "Have I Told You Lately" and "Orangefield"--both of which suggest that, despite his renewal of faith, Morrison's muse isn't purely metaphysical. Even better is the spoken-word reverie "Coney Island," in which a grown man can be heard extolling the virtues of potted herrings. Naturally, it's the best thing here. --Peter Paphides
Customer Reviews:
- Great cover, unimpressive album: Okay, I know I'm setting myself up to get lambasted here, but whatever. I just don't understand why this is universally revered. Some of it's nice, and it's always listenable, but it's also overwhelmingly dull.
Good news first: I like the two big hits as much as anybody. "Have I Told You Lately" is a bit on the sappy side, but it's also heavy on the melodic side, and Van sings well on it. "Whenever God Shines His Light", a duet with Cliff Richard (of the skiffle group Cliff Richard and the Shadows, best known for being abruptly knocked off the charts by the best band in the world - y'know, those four moptops from Liverpool - while they were riding high), is my favorite. Richard himself sounds a bit too much like a white guy trying to sing reggae (not tht I mind reggae, but white guys shouldn't sing it), but other than that it's a fine track with a nice piano part. I also like the organ solo on the testimonial "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God?", though it's a bit too long at five minutes; and the blues "I'd Love to Write Another Song" does display a bit of energy and a fun horn part. Now, "Another Song" and "Live in God" combined aren't as good as "Whenever God Shines His Light", but whatever.
So, now to the bad half. "Coney Island" is simply impossible to listen to. It's Van narrating about his life in Ireland in an impossibly heavy Irish accent. So heavy, in fact, it would probably be considered racist if Van weren't Irish. I mean, he sounds like the leprechaun from that cereal Lucky Charms. At least it's only two minutes long, unlike the SIX devoted to "Daring Night", a six-minute snoozefest which, despite not being an abomination like "Coney Island", is still awful because it's six minutes of boring. At least "I'm Tired Joey Boy" is only two minutes of boring. Unlike "Contacting My Angel" - its five minutes seem like five HOURS because NOTHING HAPPENS AT ALL. Pure mood can only get you so far.
Oh yeah, another problem? Van's forgotten about lyrics. I mean, they're present, but they're so inconsequential that they're not worth discussing. Or else they're repetitive, one or the other. "Orangefield" is pretty much "Then we walked in the orangefield then we talked in the orangefield then we made love in the orangefield then we ding-dong-ditched Old Man Jenkins in the orangefield then we..." okay, I made all those lyrics up, but they all end with "In the orangefield!" I am aware this happened in the orangefield! I can just look at the title and find that out. I know it's a petty thing to complain about, but it gets on my nerves, that's all. And it's got no musical merits either. "These Are the Days" is, other than "Coney Island" (and possibly "Daring Night"), my least favorite song on the album. Now, the Van of old could've pulled that one off. He would've put so much enthusiasm into it that it would actually sound like the song of boundless optimism it clearly wants to be. But it's sterilized here, so forget it. Furthermore, the ending is SO AWFUL. Van sings "These are the days", and some backup singers moan whatever comes to mind. Blerf.
Look, I'm aware that this is the sacred cow to end all sacred cows when it comes to Van's post-Into the Music career. But you want my thoughts? Pick up anything Van put out from Astral Weeks up to Veedon Fleece - my favorites are Astral Weeks, Moondance, Tupelo Honey, St. Dominic's Preview, and Veedon Fleece. Those are a LOT more satisfying than this. Van may have found God, but he lost me. - Van Morrison: I have a lot of his albums. I did not realize I bought a cassette, but it is great. He does Country Western well
- Probably his masterpiece: From a fan of the same age as Van, who's familiar with all his tunes from Moondance (and before) to the present, and a non-religious fan at that, nevertheless let me say that this is his best work -- pure Celtic soul at its most content and yet tormented. A poet through and through, and musician too, Van Morisson has caputured that moment just before innocence was lost and continues to tantalize us with what might have been, if only we believed enough.
- When Will I Ever Learn to Live...: Van has written many songs/albums which have a spiritual bent. However, "Avalon Sunset" and its bookend "Enlightenment" are 2 albums which are more overt finding him returning to the Christian faith.
I first bought Avalon Sunset for "Whenever God Shines His Light". It was a catchy tune. However, the song that grabbed me was "Have I Told You Lately". It is an unbelievably romantic song - either to a person you love or to God. And like many people have already said, it sucks that people only know Rod Stewart's version. The real, the best, and the original version is here!
Why only 4 stars? Some songs like "Orangefield" and "I'd Love to Write Another Song" annoy me. Maybe over some more time, these songs will grow on me.
One song that has become a favorite of mine is "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God". This song really irritated me at first listen, but as time has passed, I appreciate more and more the song's incredible soulfulness and melody. (The organ solo which comes after the bridge makes the song) Lyrically, this song speaks to the genuine appreciation of God in everything. However, Van is not so naive to think "Oh, just appreciate God and that's it".
To Van, it's more than that. He sees that despite the brilliance of God and for what God has provided, he has a hard time understanding what that really means to him. However, in the bridge, Van sings:
Whatever it takes to fulfill his mission
That is the way we must go
But you've got to do it your own way
Tear down the old, bring up the new
Van knows that life is a process which breaks down what we used to be, and to build up what we are to be - that this is all in God's plan.
"When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God" embodies much of what makes Avalon Sunset go. Despite the difficulty in understanding and knowing God, Van continues to seek and to know - because based on what glimpses of God that he's experienced, he is humbled and in awe. - marvelous piece of art: I really enjoyed that album, which actually introduced me into Van Morrison's world. His music is truly redemptive, haunting and captures your heart and mind. `'I'm Tired Joey Boy'', `'When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God'', `'Orangefield'' and `'These Are the Days'' are my favorite, not to mention the all time classic `'Have I Told You Lately''. Great lyrics, bonded with awesome music, examples of a great craftsman's work, who's not done yet to the telling of his story. We shall keep following him in his spiritual quest. Enjoy!
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