Van Morrison releases his new album ‘Remembering Now’. It represents his first collection of original music since 2022 and follows the acclaimed covers albums ‘Moving On Skiffle’ and ‘Accentuate The Positive’. The album’s launch is accompanied by the long-awaited single ‘Down To Joy’, which receives its first official release after featuring in Kenneth Branagh’s Oscar and BAFTA winning film ‘Belfast’. LISTEN HERE.
MOJO (****) declared it “might be Morrison’s best album since 1991, Hymns To The Silence”, Record Collector (****) concluded “he’s at his best, with great tunes and that lilting, softly rocking soulful sound…Stupendous stuff”, and RNR (****) said it’s “in the tradition of his greatest work”.
From the radiant opener, ‘Down to Joy’, to the joyously resilient ‘Haven’t Lost My Sense of Wonder’, Van Morrison’s voice, guitar and saxophone continue to mesmerise and he is surrounded, as always, by a tremendous band – Richard Dunn(Hammond organ), Stuart McIlroy (piano), Dave Keary (guitar), Pete Hurley (bass) and Colin Griffin (drums and percussion), Alan ‘Sticky’ Wicket (percussion).
Beyond his key band members, ‘Remembering Now’ features an array of accomplished collaborators. The strings were arranged and directed by Fiachra Trench (Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello), whose association with Van Morrison goes back to ‘Avalon Sunset’ in 1989. Those strings were performed by the Fews Ensemble, led by Joanne Quigley. Other contributions come from Michael Beckwith, the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Centre, the renowned lyricist Don Black ; and the acclaimed folk artist Seth Lakeman.
Order ‘Remembering Now’ HERE. Available on black double-vinyl, orange double-vinyl, CD, cassette and digital formats.
Van Morrison’s upcoming tour schedule runs as below. His summer plans culminate with two special sold-out 80th birthday celebration concerts at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.
JUNE
23rd – Belfast, Europa Hotel (SOLD OUT)
24th – Belfast, Europa Hotel (SOLD OUT)
26th – Dublin, Malahide Castle (special guest to Neil Young)
JULY
1st – Groningen, Stadspark (special guest to Neil Young)
11th – London, BST Hyde Park (special guest to Neil Young)
AUGUST
30th – Belfast, Waterfront Hall (SOLD OUT)
31st – Belfast, Waterfront Hall (SOLD OUT)
SEPTEMBER
14th September – Belfast, Waterfront Hall
‘Remembering Now’ tracklist
1. Down To Joy
2. If It Wasn’t For Ray
3. Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder
4. Love, Lover and Beloved
5. Cutting Corners
6. Back To Writing Love Songs
7. The Only Love I Ever Need Is Yours
8. Once In A Lifetime Feelings
9. Stomping Ground
10. Memories And Visions
11. When The Rains Came
12. Colourblind
13. Remembering Now
14. Stretching Out
