VAN MORRISON - Tupelo Honey | FIRST TIME COUPLE REACTION |

[@obliograce3551]

Thanks for playing this. It's Tupelo Mississippi guys. When honey bees make honey the honey is sometimes named from the region the honey comes from. This is because the flowers the bees are taking pollen from vary from region to region, giving honey unique characteristics. Honey sold in large stores these days is largely homogenized, blended. This is about raw, natural honey from a certain region. Which of course is also the way he feels about his girl, raw, sweet, and unblended. Beautiful and sweet just as she is, and a real find and a treat for him to have found.

[@bengilbert7655]

The honey is produced in south Georgia and north Florida from the white tupelo trees that grow in the swamps there. It only blooms for about 10 days every year so tupelo honey is pretty rare and expensive. The beekeepers bring the bees in clean hives to the blooming trees so it doesn't get mixed with any other honey. Tupelo Mississippi is named after a different kind of tupelo tree.

[@obliograce3551]

@@bengilbert7655 Fair enough. I got the town and the flower mixed up. Still naming the honey for where it came from was the point anyway of it being a specific type of very special honey, as he was singing about the girl he was loving in the song. My ancestors also came from North Florida/South GA although I was raised up in Virginia so I missed a direct connection to the specifics of the honey.

[@seanmcmichael2551]

​@@obliograce3551 Fair comments, and we all learn. I have loved this song since the 70s and always just assumed the honey was from around the city of Tupelo. Your point stands though, about the monofloral source of nectar and pollen for these bees. And this source leads to very high fructose content in their honey. The song absolutely oozes this sentiment.

[@glenndespres5317]

This song and Into the Mystic are my two faves from Van. Top tier.

[@brianb6024]

Beautiful song about a beautiful lady named America. The "she" in Van's song is in fact America. Tea being thrown overboard is a direct reference to the Boston tea party. The "men in granite" are the Great American men whose faces appear on Mount Rushmore. Our "road to freedom" is the struggle to attain that unique kind of freedom that is only found in America . Such a great metaphor, to compare this American Freedom with a type of honey that is equally unique in its sweetness and its origin, only being found and produced in two regions in America. Van Morrison remains one of the greatest artists to ever come out of Ireland

[@michaelp.7893]

This song is both a sweet love ballad to Van's wife and a heartfelt expression of his appreciation of freedom. A+

[@DW-gc2dc]

This predates No Woman No Cry by several years. Yes, a beautiful song!

[@davidbordonaro1631]

danced to this with my late wife at our wedding . Halloween day would have been 26 yrs . still brings a smile along with a tear

[@Rob-eo5ql]

Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Next year, he would’ve turned 90 years old. Crazy.

[@clifton8929]

I've seen Van live several times. It's an exceptional experience. Thank you for all your hard work. Tupelo honey is one of the rarest honey in the world. For centuries, it was an under-the-radar delicacy eaten only in some regions of Georgia and Florida, where the white Ogeechee tupelo tree blooms. It's the best, sweetest honey there is. Thanks for the hard work.

[@drdavid1963]

The musicianship here is just incredible. Maybe not technical virtuosity but the feel of the band. It's the halcyon days of the '70s when they played live in the studio. And this must be one of the best vocal performances ever recorded.

[@allanbriggs9007]

His several live versions of this song are far superior to the studio version - often the case with Van songs

[@drdavid1963]

@@allanbriggs9007 - Yes, maybe, but the studio version captures the live performance, it is not manipulated or layered or constructed. It has swing.

[@allanbriggs9007]

@@drdavid1963 I agree with you. I just think the Ellis sax solo is just brilliant. I love all versions - just a matter of taste I suppose. I am a great fan of live music and I think Van's live concerts are really good. He always has great bands and backing vocalists. He is not known as a great communicator with his audiences but that doesn't worry me - I go to concerts to listen to the music.

[@hog7203]

Having Ronnie Montrose playing on your album is almost cheating 😆

[@isaacvanwart-i2v]

Some more beautiful music for you: -Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac “Albatross.” -Richard and Linda Thompson “The Dimming of the Day.” -This Mortal Coil “Song of the Siren.” -McGarrigle Sisters “(Talk to Me) of Mendocino.” -Derek & the Dominoes “Thorn Tree In the Garden.”

[@wpollock1]

"Jackie Wilson Said"....one of my favorites by Van the Man. No reactors have done it......highly recommended!

[@tkallen7068]

Consider these lyrics: "men with insight, men in granite". The men he is talking about are the men carved into the granite of Mount Rushmore: Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. These men, arguably, did more for the cause of freedom (another key element in the lyric) than anyone else in the history of mankind. The "she" Morrison refers to is "freedom" which is, indeed, sweeter than Tupelo honey.

[@isaacvanwart-i2v]

“And it Stoned Me,” “Come Here My Love,” and ANYTHING off the first three LPs. Later: “Have I Told You Lately,” and one of my favorites, though seldom mentioned by anyone, “On Hyndford Street.” Good Lord, thank you for giving your creation the blessing we know as Van Morrison.

[@tommathews3964]

Knew my girlfriend of the time was about to buy a stereo for her birthday, I bought her her first album…”Tupelo Honey”. Sweet memories indeed!

[@leannlaplante3643]

Tupelo Honey is some of the best honey in the world. It doesn't crystallize.

[@FrançoisGuèdenet]

Van has a vast library of great music.

[@1957PLATO]

The legend, Van, born.to sing.

[@andreaschmall5560]

Van Morrison's "Wavelength" is a later but a great song. Also "Into the Mystic" and "Moondance."

[@ThistleAndSea]

Love his music! Thanks for sharing this one!

[@mdh814]

One of my favorite songs since the album first came out!

[@guitarman8462]

Van Morrison used to be in a band called " THEM " before going solo.

[@RGRG3232]

So many great songs from Van. Love his 1974 album Veedon Fleece. He also has a live album from 1994 (in San Francisco) I love which is a great set. Was a 2-disc CD set back then. I don't think it has been reissued in any format since then though. It needs to be made available again especially on vinyl. He was ON that night.

[@OliverPeabody]

That 1994 live album is incredible. I think it’s called A Night in San Francisco. It has a few extended songs that really cook.

[@martinellis7156]

"Astral Weeks" and "Veedon Fleece" will always be forever in my heart and mind - pure musical genius defining a time in my life when the world was full of hope.

[@MrRandyv]

You should listen, to where he got his start; as the front man with the British Invasion band “ Them”. I would recommend “Here Comes the Night or “ Gloria “.

[@brianboye8025]

The guitar and sax merge together, entwined.

[@cindy2252]

I love this song and Van Morrison. There are Tupelo Trees in the US. You used to only be able to buy it in the South but since the internet, you can buy it online. Tupelo honey trees are primarily found in the Apalachicola River Basin of Northwest Florida and the Altamaha River Basin of Georgia. It's the best honey and it doesn't crystalize!❤

[@NicknLex]

I’ll have to hunt for some online based on all of the comments about it!! 🍯 Thank you! ☺️ 💖

[@guitarman8462]

Van Morrison also plays sax & 🎸

[@pfestebanestebanruiz4325]

You must check the live version at the Montreux festival in 1980

[@allanbriggs9007]

Absolutely. Far superior to the studio version.

[@MadrigalDream]

One of The Greatest Songs EVER put to Tape. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@richarddobson815]

I've never been a super huge Van Morrison fan, but his music has floated in and out of my music listening life since 1965 when Them had their first hit records. His early solo classics Astral Weeks and Moondance were always being played at school and at parties and on jukeboxes. It was so good to sit back and listen to this again, after a long time I must say. Thanks Greybeard, another great pick!

[@fenderchamp8241]

The guitarist? Ronnie Montrose. The next year, he made the scorching Montrose album with Sammy Hagar, Denny Carmassi on drums also Bill Church on bass who was on this album.

[@Jules-um4yy]

Love this beautiful nostalgic song 🍃🍂Everything just slows down and feels chill...The background vocals are spot on. Thanks Greybeard for this nice request and Nick and Lex for this great reaction!🧡🧡

[@Ericmeredith3209]

Nice request bud! Really enjoyed this! Always loved his voice! Very sweet song! Love to all here!❤

[@paulprendergast3184]

Tupelo, Mississippi, birthplace of Elvis

[@scottanderson8420]

A wonderful song and request. A very meaningful song for lots of us old timers. I did a marathon a while back called Angels and I featured this song As a cover done by Cassandra Wilson. She is an amazing jazz singer, but of course there’s nothing like the real thing which is the original by Van Morrison. I didn’t wanna put the original song in the Marathon because I knew this song had to be reacted to by both Nick and Lex. Alexia is an angel in the first decree.😇

[@charlesbracelen8031]

I've seen Cassandra sing Tupelo Honey, a sublime experience. Bought a ticket for the next night, and got Hatvest Moon, equally wonderful

[@melissadambro8873]

I’m a big fan of you two! I’m as sweet as Tupelo honey, because that is where I was born (in Mississippi) and I’m also Sweet Melissa from the Allman Brothers. 😊

[@stevegirardmedia2255]

Yeah, it's pronounced, Toop-ah-low... accent on the first syllable. Van has always been amazing. I saw him about 30 years ago in DC... he always has a phenomenal band. Oh, also saw him on a virtual concert from N.Ireland 3 years ago, and he was still absolutely amazing. Piano, guitar, sax... and one of the most soulful voices ever!

[@Markrealguy51]

Van is just good listening music…thanks for the play

[@ziggylarkdust]

You're My woman is probably my favorite song of his next to well there's really too many to even choose but probably The Way Young Lovers Do. Van's easily one of the most underrated artist in history. So many hits even his early stuff with Them is great.

[@TheodorFuchs-b8n]

Seen Van Morrison, B.B. King and James Brown life in Dublin. Godfather of Soul. Life concert in Dublin in 1998

[@matthewlaird5235]

What you are hearing that feels like No Woman no Cry, is a chord progression that is the most catchy of all time…. It’s Pasctel’s cannon in D

[@eileendobbs8009]

I think this is my favorite Van Morrison song. It's pronounced Toop a low Honey.

[@penelopehornswaggle102]

I love Van and this song is my favorite by him. TUPELO is a city in Mississippi and a tree.

[@tonywtyt]

Van Morrixon is a class act : )

[@hog7203]

It's got four chords in it. It's similar to the chord progression in The Weight by The Band. Never noticed the No Woman No Cry comparison but you're right. This is my favorite Van Morrison album. It's one of my favorite albums by any artist. He has another album that I really love called Too Long In Exile. It's not as well known as his earlier stuff, which is a shame, cause it's great from start to finish. He does a great version of Gloria on it featuring John Lee Hooker.

[@jmpmusva]

WSHE in West Palm Beach Florida, used this "she's alright" part of the song for bumpers to and from commercials. So I've heard part of the song every day...for years.

[@ThomasAndersson-rl7ij]

No one`s like Van Morrison. Have listen a lot lately to albums from 1990s and onward. Never get tired of them. Thanks for this reaction.

[@jameswiglesworth5004]

His best albums are late sixties to early eighties, slight repetition creeps into later albums.

[@garylewis9113]

Amazed this was never requested before...Leave it to Greybeard to rectify that!

[@theplanetruth]

Just listened to a VM double live album yesterday. Love Tupelo Honey.

[@supasoulproductions]

Actually 'No Woman No Cry' came out later in 1974. Both are wonderful songs. There is an additional verse that did not make the single version of this song. 'There's a rose pressed in a bible, that she reads out on her balcony. She's sweet in slumber, but I've got her number for the turning of the century.'

[@mapegatkinson92]

Moondance and Into the Mystic are the best ones ever.

[@brentwilson5771]

Love Van the Man, checkout the Caravan preformance from the Last Waltz with The Band!

[@craigfahle1754]

This song predates "No woman, No Cry" by a few years. Both great songs...bit this came first.

[@danieltruyts-ke4gi]

If I'm not mistaken this song is featured in the 1997 drama movie Ulee's Gold with Peter Fonda. A numerous amount of Van Morrison songs are used in many films. There's a cd called "Van Morrison at the movies" - this cd doesn't even contain all of his "movie songs".

[@delorangeade]

A rare song where everything about it is great.

[@BOOMNERD51]

Love this! ❤ Couple of factoids: "Due to the short bloom period of the Tupelo trees, beekeepers ensure that the bees only feed on these blossoms, resulting in honey that's almost entirely from" sorry couldn't get rest of this sentence from Google Tupelo, Mississippi is Elvis Presley's birthplace, incidentally. Love your reactions and Leonard Cohen "Suzanne" inspired date! ❤

[@stephencaruso760]

It's Too pe low accent on too..Greybeard is back in the saddle! My band used to do Moondance in our gigs..

[@serza2267]

Este irlandés es genial tiene una trayectoria inmensa, tengo varios discos. Bellísima canción gracias chicos saludos desde Argentina !!!

[@DavidHenley-x6c]

Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis birthplace❤

[@jondhuse1549]

I think the lyric bit "men in granite' refer to the four presidents memorialized at Mt. Rushmore in the US.

[@andrewwright9378]

I love the idea that she could sweeten a cup of tea made from “all the tea in China” or counteract the saltiness of seven oceans. That’s one sweet lady.

[@bmac1205]

Woo!

[@gemurr1]

Van the Man

[@JeffreyCantelope]

Random thought: Tupelo honey has a buttery flavor with notes of floral, cinnamon, and juicy fruit. Some say it tastes like cotton candy or rosewater.

[@bmac1205]

There's some other great tracks off of that album. Tupelo Honey is a special type of honey.

[@Gashouse69]

If you haven't already, Green Mansions would be a good next Van song to check out. So many great ones.

[@dorothyfischer2649]

Pronounced Too-pa-low. Fantastic honey 🍯 ❤

[@dorothyfischer2649]

I know you'd enjoy Into the Mystic. It's my #1 Van creation. Legendary. Thanks for the love, really enjoy you both.

[@EgbertWilliams]

My favorite line: "Knights in armor bent on chivalry." It's that "bent." He celebrates the intention, rather than the accomplishment. Hearts are made of intentions, not accomplishments. But the road to hell is lined with good intentions. I don't believe that. Weak or false ones maybe. Not truly good ones.

[@Nicksterino]

Tupelo is a town in Mississippi.

[@allanbriggs9007]

The live version of this is superior to the studio version. It has Pee wee Ellis on sax. One of the great sax solos.

[@sselt]

Tupelo Gum is a pretty common tree in the southeastern USA. It actually occurs locally in Mexican mountains. By the way, Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo Mississippi and considered it to be his hometown.

[@naomiturtle4404]

Listen to Madame George on astral weeks

[@itsdandamage]

honey from the city of Tupelo Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Pressley

[@DavidRold-pt3ng]

The great Ronnie Montrose on guitar.

[@allenhall8493]

THIS IS FOR THE LADY- REACT TO JOHN DENVERS SONG- "FOR YOU"

[@MartinLindnerDigital]

i do not know about wether the so g adresses his wife too, but "she" is freedom" in the first place (see "men in granite", tea party). someone explained this on another YT channel, and i believe it is the true meaning encoded in the text.

[@rayflynn7942]

Tupelo mississipi was the birth place of Elvis whether it's famous for honey I'm not sure 😊

[@betsyduane3461]

Why such low quality video?

[@NicknLex]

That was the link we were sent from the person who requested it.

[@ursgeiser6570]

I sometimes have a lot of trouble with your hasty(?) comparisons, which in my opinion are very far-fetched here. The first peak of VM's great career was in the 60s. This song is from 1971. You can research No Woman No Cry yourself, but it was clear to me that NWNC had a very strange origin story until it was first recorded and released in 1974. Although I mostly listened to completely different music as a teenager, I recognized the greatness of VM, who from the mid-80s onwards climbed further musical peaks with his albums (Common One, Beautiful Visions, ...)✌.

[@NicknLex]

its the same chord progression. That's it. Something that reminded us of this song. We are not taking anything away from Van here...

[@jasonrichardson1208]

I love this album! If you really want to hear a torch-lighter, check out YOU'RE MY WOMAN from this same album...it's fantastic.