Van Morrison on Singing and Songwriting

[@stevew5146]

It was a great interview because the interviewer is one of the best saxophone players and played with Van for years. They are totally on the same page.

[@jonnypunton8878]

What's his name?

[@nickadams8117]

Leo green?

[@lyndamcardle4123]

@@jonnypunton8878 The son of the late saxophonist and broadcaster, Benny Green. He played the tenor saxophone solo on The Healing Game among others. Leo followed his father into broadcasting by broadcasting on Radio 2.

[@lisacolbert5987]

No wonder … I’m cleaning house , feeding the dogs , listening to this - sort of in the background and thinking , “Huh , this guy is asking some great questions and even Van seems to think so…” .

[@jiblet46]

I wondered why he was being so approachable.

[@reneegagnon8886]

Van's music has helped me through hard times and has brought me peace. Thank you Van.

[@cosmonaut9942]

Astral Weeks is my favorite recording of all time. I've listened to it at least once a week since it was released at the end of '68, when I was 14 yrs old. A masterpiece IMHO. Seeing Van live is a roll of the dice 'cause he's temperamental. Most of the time he's in a good mood and does a great show. But I've seen him several times when he was in a bad mood and let the audience know that he wanted to be anywhere but there. One time I saw him and he did the entire show with his back to the audience. One other time I saw him in a small club in Cotati, California and he showed up in a cast on his leg up to his hip. He played sax that night. It was amazing seeing him in a small club.

[@jamesa6272]

cosmo naut I saw him at jones beach a few years back. I was in my 20’s. He played his set of what he wanted. Maybe played the radio played to death brown eyed girl. Finished and walked off the stage. Everyone was like um. Okay. No encore or nothing just walked off.

[@joehannan6966]

Listen to the way he does a Bob Dylan song, " Its All Over Now Baby Blue" ? I was 17yrs old & now 71 and that got me hookon Morrison. I bet you will love it??

[@saram4223]

So true...I was at a concert of his at some college in NJ and he walked off the stage because the sound crew wasnt giving him what he wanted...it killed the buzz...he came back abt 10 mins later but it took him 2-3 songs to get the audience back..throughout my younger yrs I saw him at least half dozen times..and yes, always hoped he was in a good mood

[@jameslynchiv270]

This is awesoms

[@davidoreilly3213]

it is quite incredible that there is always something new in listening to that album - it's so fresh even on the millionth play

[@suzml8106]

Singer, songwriter, and genius. 🎷

[@octagonseventynine1253]

Also an asshole. He picked on one of Dylan’s tour drummers for having “messy hair” and constantly told Bob to fire him, the drummer was a black kid with an afro. He also said disparaging remarks to his face.

[@chrisearl4440]

Check out Van Morrison’s performance on The Last Waltz . Legendary!

[@bryantlaughlin4367]

Brian Wilson, John Lennon,Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan.of all these Artists of this era,one seems to percolate to the top as pure genius.Van Morrison.I don't try to analyze,I Just Revel in the joy that he brings to the spectrum of the human condition.Even defeat becomes joyful for being expressed so well. Thank you Mr.Morrison .

[@pamelamacneil1331]

Great interview! Whenever you can get Van Morrison to talk about music, including his music, listen up.

[@thomasprice1760]

Yeah i totally agree..😁😁😁

[@r.c.3614]

There has never been anyone close to the genius & freedom of this man

[@georgeesau3943]

Dylan?

[@shanewright2772]

He seems so open and friendly here and, dare I say it, positively jolly. It seems the secret is ask the man an intelligent question and just let him talk....

[@Pwecko]

Or just wait fifty years until he mellows a bit.

[@TheSamoht67]

Or maybe it's because it's on his own channel, generally he's regarded as a prick.

[@kieransavage3835]

It’s the Belfast in him ,rough on the outside....soft as putty on the inside,but nobody’s fool.

[@lucidjuicekid]

Best Van Morrison interview I've seen. Interesting hearing him talk about the creative process.

[@robfrye4664]

Van the Man! I first learned of him when I heard 'Brown Eyed (Skinned) Girl' upon it's release in the summer of 1967, and Van's been one of my favorite go-to music fixes ever since! With a style all his own, he's never done anything mediocre, always brilliant! One of the very best at his craft, no doubt about it!

[@karimtabrizi376]

Yes indeed son

[@christopher9152]

Love hearing Van's thoughts on his creative process and approach to performing.

[@drcorastack9861]

Fantastic interview with one of the worlds greatest musical artists and creators composers musicians of all time. His music has brought such joy peace solice positivity and is so uplifting in every way raises us all up to the highest of musical culture and art any time you listen to him. He is so modest behind it all and now deserves a bit of luxury and a few nice cars! But he is best to stay healthy which he certainly did during the lockdown whatever he did it worked very well. Got to go back is one like of one of his many great songs. He certainly deserves Fair Play to You one of his fantastic songs on the underrated Veedon Fleece. One of Ireland's and Northern Ireland's greatest national treasures. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@jamesbradshaw3389]

When my Celtic cousin talks about music and his career I listen to every word, a very interesting man, he has great history and tells great stories.

[@stefanschleps8758]

Van's resumé reads like this. Singer, stoner, psychonaut, songwriter, analyst, psychologist, neurologist, neorochemical student, psychologist, counselor, mystic, philanthropist, humanitarian, friend. Deep delta-wave surfer. Thanks for sharing.

[@davegriffmusic]

He seems smiley and relaxed. Great to see. I have loved his music for so long. God bless you, Van.

[@janhensley3617]

G.O.A.T. Period. Thanks Van. Rave on 🎶💚😎

[@gracie30ish]

His music heals me.

[@gracie30ish]

@David Ortiz I have that on repeat :)

[@nicolejttmom6061]

I imagine that if I were as talented as Van the Man, I would walk around all day bragging to everyone or having my mind blown out of my ears by contemplating my greatness. But he's just a regular bloke. It always cracks me up when at the end of I'll be your lover too, he asks, "How was that?". Oh, how was that? Just an r exquisite masterpiece, eh, no biggie.

[@kieransavage3835]

Got lucky...born in Belfast,same year as Van and have been an ardent follower since his “Them” days,his first band.

[@phildebont1425]

Thank you! What a treat! Great interview Thanks to both sides! VanTheMan in Great shape!

[@kathleenm.potter1792]

HAPPY 75th Van! Born under the Sun sign Virgo the soul path is the manifestation of the continuous desire for synthesis, “perfection” and healing! THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GIFTS WITH ALL OF US!

[@stevebrindle1724]

Could not agree more. I have always written poetry and the only poems that were any good, in my opinion, were written straight off very quickly almost without thinking. Afterwards, I would edit them, correcting spelling mistakes and adding commas etc. Creativity flows without much conscious thinking!

[@charlespeterson3798]

In the late 60´s Bill Graham gave him Wednesday nights at The Fillmore, at a time that Bert Berns made it impossible for for him to work. I only heard rumors, and the truth will probably never out, but I watched Mr. Morrison develop his genius, and chops on the sax every Weds. for almost 2 years. Spare a thought for Bill Graham, the softest hearted S.O.B. that ever lived.

[@backyardadvocate9377]

I think “Spanish Steps,” Van’s saxaphone is a surprise i never expected .. circa ‘87. Give it an ear. All from the soul. No doubt.

[@MIB_63]

Very enlightening interview. I have loved his music ever since the 80s when he lived close to me in the Danish town of Vanlose.

[@michaeljames4904]

This is genuinely a great interviewer to get George Ivan to open up so honestly is quite the achievement.

[@govalu]

Please give us more interviews with Van Morrison! Thank you!!

[@alisonfayers-kerr9089]

Sing song sing song 🎶 I love it. Sounds linguistically like Chinese language. Seriously, it’s a great interview. Van Morrison has been a lifetime’s favourite of mine and his stance on Not the New Normal is worthy of a Sainthood. Where are the other musicians and celebrities standing up for the common man and for Freedom?????

[@wills.1978]

Great interview. Love to hear Van's perspective. Very interesting. Seems to me he's a genius on the stage AND off.

[@jackjohnson9449]

I saw Van at the Hollywood Bowl 12 years ago or so and he was fabulous.

[@plarkin9544]

Youre just great! Always & forever!! I play Have I Told you Lately That I Love You each day in my prayer closet. loved Brown Eyed Girl in 1967!! .....still makes me feel 16😁 Thank you Lord Bless You

[@MrMichaelcurran]

Thank you once again for just a little insight into your life and career. Bless ya!

[@riverdonoghue9992]

Brilliant interview. Such a great insight into vans artist genius.

[@mwoxo]

Really like the way Van explains the role of the subconscious or even the unconscious in the creative process and why unfettered youth can get a better shot at achieving results.

[@robinmalone3387]

Van Morrison Listened to Ledbelly, WOW, Sir Van Morrison should be a professor of Music, I would take his course for sure.

[@bettiemccall9671]

Love these interviews with Leo where Van talks about the music! So interesting !!!

[@MrSilviut]

I loved Van Morrison’s Magic Time…Oh and Poetic Champions Compose… ohh.. and Moondance…

[@jeffreyscott4564]

The best part of this entire interview was the part where Van explains the fact that in the creation of a song it comes form a place that needs no explanation. As a visual artist myself, I can totally relate to this. People ask me occasionally where my ideas form. All I can say is "In my mind" This is a fantastic interview.

[@JKlasen]

Dig it

[@SN2903]

The greatest of all time.

[@walterbeckmann825]

Van Morrison, great music and singing and also I love to hear your guitar playing and sax (wow) thank you

[@elauadeinsf]

This is truly fascinating and I love what Van says about his songs not being 'about me' - and this makes so much sense when you listen to Astral Weeks, as it seems to envelop you as if you are the designed character, not him, which by the way was something Shakespeare did in his Sonnets also.

[@CaseyJones-qp2tc]

@elauadeinsf fabulous interview, yes indeed i agree on your take/perspective of vans songwriting. the listener gets to complete the song! all of the great songwriters of our generation had the ability to that and luckily still are (Dylan, Simon, Van.) you can throw Robert Hunter (Grateful Dead lyricist) & Taupin in there as well! enough ambiguity a grey area within where the listener has the final say so on what it is about and that may change from day to day, listen to listen to for a different meaning and/or perspective!

[@carolemartinez6693]

Sir Van, THIS FAN LOVES whatever you do!Keep it coming!\

[@carolemartinez6693]

ps- I am Single

[@rayvaughan3197]

First you hear TB Sheets then you learn he wrote & constructed it at the ripe old age of .......21 .....and it's like "Damn!!!" Legend & Genius

[@bubbajohn8131]

OMG. An interviewer who actually lets the guest speak.

[@stevebrindle1724]

refreshing isnt it!

[@j.p.fitting9226]

The best series of Van interviews I've ever seen! he's actually asking engaging questions And vans into it because hes not being asked the usuall rote crap "who were your influences when you were growing up"? etc If you are a Van Morrison fan you need to read 'Here Comes The Night' the BANG records ,Burt Burns( writer ,producer of 4 mentioned same titled song)Because Burn's widow says Van drove her husband into grave haha in another interview Van says it's all about the money, let's not kid ourselves... it'd be interesting to hear more about their relationship I think there was a Grudgingly, mutual respect

[@juanarocha8629]

Love this legend! Moondance is and remains my favourite song

[@socrates1818]

He’s hysterical

[@ruiseartalcorn]

A fascinating man. Great songwriter!

[@Bojim2440]

Most amazing poet ever love this man’s music since the 80s

[@babbaruff1045]

Van gives zero f**ks and I love it 😎

[@terriejohnston8801]

Half a. Century of following @ loving THE Man. #1 fan

[@kentxx12]

Van the man the rocking roller can his soul,blues and jazz history ;)

[@petervad]

Fascinating insight. Especially loved the comments about the unconscious writing the creative parts of a song. Thanks for posting. (My only quibble is with the interviewer who needs to learn not to make statements at the guest; ask questions, don't make statements).

[@Dan_Frechette_Songwriter]

This guy is a total badass

[@christopher9152]

SOMEBODY get this man to perform in the state of Florida, anywhere. Please!

[@albertweaver4983]

I like Van Morrison he is still a very good singer for how old he is now

[@bboorideau5253]

albert weaver please , his age is completely irrelevant. This man could sing the telephone book and make it both compelling and beautiful. Sorry, I forgot that you don't know what that means-perhaps ask a convenient ancestor? Music is music. Listen to as much as you can...

[@bboorideau5253]

Ron Slater couln't agree more-there simply aren't superlatives adequate for this man!

[@kriscollettdamnitall3271]

It's cool to hear someone so successful talk about interest in old songs vs new... It must feel good to know so many of your old songs make that list of interest! I'm looking forward to the day when my set list is my own... getting there!

[@colmcasey1794]

Most of the great songwriters and singers sang other people's songs mainly because they just loved them and probably wished they had written them.Lennon and McCartney for instance.Van does the best rendition of Rodney Crowells Gain Control Again I ever heard.The list is endless.

[@wr9331]

Totalled a car flipping Astral Weeks cassette while driving. Love Van The Man forever & don't need to know why or what it means!

[@rollingvee]

First time I've ever heard him talk. Interesting.

[@absoledge]

Len Fargell he is irish

[@brianjhutto]

@Len Fargell he is Irish. He moved to San Francisco and Boston in his early twenties. There are videos where you hear the beginning of his "American" accent. Sounds like Brooklyn.

[@brianjhutto]

@Len Fargell kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZTLm5Rubbeha9k

[@jimmycampbell78]

His accent is a Northern Irish/American blend.

[@irhonda31]

Same here, and I’ve seen him perform live several times.

[@markstanton63]

It was thoughtful of them to provide fruit ..... An 'easy-peal' satsuma would have been my go-to

[@donnaslaughter3003]

I found this interview so interesting about singer/song writer's. Yes, music comes the universe! I knew this... But you don't have to know? It's a feeling you get when you close your eyes...

[@McGrogansSchool]

Hero of mine❤️☘️

[@whomever7317]

I find the conversation interesting, especially about the creative process. Though I would say that I think it's natural that people want to know what songs are 'about'. Even if we're writing fictions or acting as a type of channel, what comes out is a reflection of our inner life, even though it may be abstracted or a mosaic of ideas, experiences. We may not know what it 'means' or where it came from, or why it appears, but it's there, "it just is" and part of the mystery. And who doesn't like a good mystery? I find it natural to ask why. Curiosity is part of the path, too.

[@MichelleAhern-gr9zl]

😂 SO ON ,ITS REDICIOUS !! Big , RESPECT Van 🎉

[@MichelleAhern-gr9zl]

😂 , SO ON POINT ,ITS REDICILIOUS

[@MichelleAhern-gr9zl]

IT DIFFERS boy is he telling it,😂 They don't Call it > 'The Fleece',4 NOTHING !!!

[@MrDanee22]

Great video thanks 👍👍

[@cathalmeenagh3898]

I love how his NI accent comes through in words such as 'down..now..view..do'

[@ACMxxxx2]

Such an amazing singer songwriter. Also pretty ridiculously based lol

[@ryangettig274]

Bucking Frilliant!!:)

[@cynthiafrawley3451]

Just happy you have so many songs lol

[@janhensley3617]

Living legend

[@rodgaskins]

I definitely need a sax now ;)

[@BubblePi]

Damn this is gold

[@BubblePi]

except for the ads, theyre shite. But as Van says, it is what it is

[@williamsheyon8491]

too bad van didn't stay with them else they would've been a major supergroup.

[@RocknRollDina]

Lov Van!

[@mjw12345]

What's Van on? Off? This is the most fluent Van ever. Immense life - not sure on the Nobel for either but Ithink for Van.

[@tonycarton8054]

a good Belfast man realises the importance of music and songs ,whether you have written it or not is irrelevant .He grew up in tradition of irish folk music ………..no one knows who wrote the songs

[@naturalrestingface4909]

Van outshines the Tannoy's!

[@terjhar]

Van Morrison is totally whacked! I loved ths....

[@truthboy3936]

I wish he had have just asked him straight, how do you write yours songs? :) I.e are the based on an emotion? or an idea of something you want to say? or do you just strum a guitar/ tinker on the piano and go with the flow?

[@mikekelly1469]

Belfast boy!

[@mikekelly1469]

And we love him!!!!!!!!

[@desioye7782]

Van is actually volunteering words here.....he must be very comfortable with the interviewer... lol

[@graham1466]

bought my first Van double disc Its called 67 New York, disc 1 is sweet as disc 2 my coffee cup sits on, what was he thinking?.

[@lumberpilot]

James Taylor is described as a "singer-songwriter" but he had hits from other peoples songs. "How Sweet It Is" and "You've Got a Friend" to name two. But, I for one, never liked the term because it seemed to be used to describe a certain group of people from the early 70s. And yet, Mick Jagger is a singer-songwriter, as are so many others.

[@kymwickstein3341]

I ve seen him 10 times ..

[@joncamp9126]

People always say this, but if a new song came out and it was an undeniable catchy monster hit like the 12 he says people want, people would definitely want them. Somewhere a long the way musicians ability to write monster flagship songs diminish. Probably from being to comfortable. Who was it that said it’s hard to be the champ when your sleeping on silk sheets. The push and pull of the unknown and the hunger and not to mention the lack of the music industry being there every step of the way and forcing the songs to be as good as possible to make the most money possible. I forget which monster iconic musician said it, but the people are not wrong.

[@R1mahem1]

Wow he’s positively bubbly in this interview. The questions are smart, ask for opinion, but not too personal. He actually has facial movements that appear like a smile. I’ve always thought he was either neurodivergent or the biggest most talented prick on the planet. ⚖️

[@davidrobinson2776]

Imagine a supergroup consisting of Van, Ginger Baker, John Martyn, Jack Bruce and Miles Davis.They might have even got Phil Spector to produce their first album.

[@kennethfurlong8922]

i hope im lucky enough at this p[oint that he records some of mine its been a case of my publisher being contacted they are going for one more summers thursday

[@decencywarrior9598]

💜

[@SandrinaN]

♥️

[@ageofirony]

Fuck the analytical Van .. continue on in respect of the gift and creative spirit. Forget the damn burden of explanation. we're artists man. amen. love you and my family does too.

[@luckysurfer9097]

He starts by saying, "I've done 400 new songs and nobody cares." In the 2009 Time Magazine video interview, he says "there's no new music that is any good." I'm assuming that also means Van Morrison music.

[@misslane4106]

Somebody ate one of the apples outta the fruit bowl and Van should write a song about writing a song 🍌🍊🍇🍎🍎

[@MichaelBerg123]

Thank you Van for your amazing insight. Interviewer could have been more engaged, and less focused on the next question.

[@tubularbill]

He talks in an American accent pretty much now

[@tubularbill]

SlipKid84 - no my ears are pretty good actually. I think it’s you possibly who needs to have their ears checked.

[@seanm3226]

SlipKid84 Accent...yes. “Strong Irish accent”...absolutely not.

[@CorySpitznagel]

SlipKid84 only word he says that sounds Irish is “down”... otherwise you’d think he was American 100%

[@geraldoleary1259]

Always found strong similarities between the Northern Irish and American accents... a lot of Belfast still there in Van speech.

[@callumhaines6874]

Sounds more northern Irish than American to me

[@psychedelicjim7093]

He's a singer apparently.

[@bid84]

psychedelic jim No one asked you dickhead

[@ringpop6177]

I’m freaked I never knew Van Morrison was Irish ☘️

[@davidsykes1980]

Ringpop617 I’m freaked out. I never knew he spoke

[@ringpop6177]

That’s funny 😆

[@jasonfallon4968]

The problem is they let too many idiots interview him. This is on the button and Van can see that.

[@jimmyskyblue6057]

I thought he would have an Irish accent, he sounds American.

[@alirlandes2238]

it's a very odd sounding mix of northern irish and US accent

[@ScottyGMusic]

It's somewhat like what happened to Graham Nash's British accent, very Americanized.