Van Morrison
Remembering Now

Let’s be clear right away: if you’ve never liked Sir Van Morrison, this new work certainly won’t change your mind. But if you were baffled by The Man’s latest studio albums and longed for the good old days, now things are different. Luckily, “Singers and songs are not one and the same, they must be separated,” as Van Morrison himself once said. Thank goodness for that, because, honestly, Van has spouted quite a lot of bullshit in recent years. Not only that, but he also decided to put his controversies into music. Ok, Morrison has always been a grumpy, irritable character, but the pandemic made him lose it—not in a crazy way, but in a rather stupid way. He poured this anger into lyrics like “Why Are You Still On Facebook” or “They Own The Media,” perfect for fueling the stupidity of those who made headlines as “conspiracy theorists.” There were, and still are, so many things to write protest songs about—poverty, hunger, injustice, racism, violence, austerity—but, as we said, that’s not what Van is doing here.

Fortunately, something has changed and, to be generous, perhaps this change is the result of that act of self-analysis carried out with his controversial album “What’s It Gonna Take of 2022.” Having hit rock bottom and purged himself with two cover albums—a brilliant homage to the genre that anticipated the advent of Rock’n’roll (“Moving On Skiffle”) and last year's archival collection—on June 13, 2025, “Remembering Now” finally hits the record market. At last, those who admired the integrity of an old bluesman and the tenacity of a true poet got what they wanted: Van looking back with indulgent nostalgia.

The new direction, or perhaps the re-direction, is clear from the very first track, “Down To Joy,” a vibrant R&B/soul number already known for being used in Kenneth Branagh’s film “Belfast.” It’s great to hear Van happy again! Then he pays tribute to one of his musical heroes, Ray Charles, with “If It Wasn’t For Ray”—a good song, though not an unforgettable one. Much better are the moments when the influence of The Genius is felt but, above all, when Van’s good old self shines through, as in “Haven’t Lost My Sense Of Wonder,” a track where keyboards and organ dazzle and which will win over anyone who appreciates his more spiritual side. But thank God, love is always and constantly present—“Back To Writing Love Songs”—and it’s about time! “The Only Love I Ever Needed Is Yours” is a string-laden ballad that goes straight to the heart, “Once In A Lifetime Feeling” is another fabulous love song with a delightful interplay between the choir and Van’s voice. The record continues this way—through the ever-present influence of “Brother Ray,” audible throughout the album, especially in the use of backing vocalists reminiscent of Charles and his Raylettes—going back and forth between more memorable moments and others that are easily forgotten; after all, it’s no small feat to fill 63 minutes with solid tracks. But watch out—the best is yet to come. If the first half possesses a carefree intimacy that’s hard to resist, the album truly opens up with “Once In A Lifetime Feelings,” about Van driving to Monte Carlo, surprised by his own romantic optimism, followed by the sweetly aching “Stomping Ground,” where the singer gives in to vanished memories of Belfast and “to the sound of the six bells of the Church of Ireland.” And…the best is yet to come! It’s here, in the majestic finale, especially the mantra-like title track and the epic, rhapsodic closer “Stretching Out,” that you’ll get chills.

This album tells its story with the relaxed groove of Hammond and saxophone and with the heightened state of consciousness that has defined Morrison’s best work. But let’s not get carried away: the recent output of the legendary Northern Irish singer has been so poor that someone wrote that with “Remembering Now” he’s made a new “Moondance”! Clearly, that’s not the case, it can’t be! But at 80, his distinctive voice remains as powerful and remarkably emotional as ever. He may not have made a perfect album, but this is certainly a great record of contemplation, to be listened to late at night—preferably while sipping a good Irish Whiskey, just like the great @Confaloni would!