Coronavirus

[Flem]

Raised as a Jehovah's Witness, adopted the Church of Scientology, sang a duet with Cliff Richard (When God Shines His Light On Me) - with those troubles no wonder he has only written 5 original songs in his life.

I must admit, Van's Avalon Sunset period was something of a low in his career, and Whenever God Shines His Light was a low point within that low period. Mind you, Bob Dylan's god period wasn't exactly the hight point of his career either, was it?

[Flem]

and support your local takeaway pub/cafe/small deli, not your city centre Pret.

Which, of course, is a sentiment I'd hope many people would agree with even outside of the Covid context.

[Flem]

Van’s Astral Weeks is the work of a genius and a high-water mark in rock music. It’s the perfect day today I reckon to have a listen but then every day is

"Amen to that!"

[Flem]

Indeed. But there is only one high-water mark and he never reached it again.

Well, but Veedon Fleece was pretty damn close.

(Incidentally, not only did I hear the 'petrol pump' joke from my sister, it was her copy of Veedon Fleece that got me listening to The Man. So, she has a lot to answer for.)

[Flem]

There's too much on this forum recently that I agree with. (Well, apart from liking the Cliff and Van duet, obviously.) It's just too damn nice and polite, and it's making me nervous. Is it just a lull before the storm?

[Derby Tup]

Yes; undoubtably Flem

Veedon Fleece is a magnificent piece of work. Maybe Van’s most ‘complete’ album

[Graham Breeze]

Mind you, Bob Dylan's god period wasn't exactly the hight point of his career either, was it?

One can go too far you know...and believe me Bobby has made far worse albums than those and I don't just mean Christmas In The Heart

[Graham Breeze]

[QUOTE=Flem;666131] Well, apart from liking the Cliff and Van duet, obviously. /QUOTE]

I don't suppose they were even in the same country when the track was recorded.

Which reminds me - stretching the thought to a quintet - of when all five ex-members of the Byrds cut a track which gave the impression of a "reunion" after their history of vicious acrimony; but in fact all five members recorded their contributions seperately at different times and they were all just patched in.

Things have never been the same since good ol' boy Sam Phillips left Sun Studios.

[Dave_Mole]

Talking to a friend of mine from Belfast about Van's grumpy reputation, she says"he's always been very kind to me".
Turns out they'd played together on a number of occasions!

[Graham Breeze]

Talking to a friend of mine from Belfast about Van's grumpy reputation, she says"he's always been very kind to me".
Turns out they'd played together on a number of occasions!

He has always regarded himself as a "musician" and I would expect him to respect other musicians - if they can deliver. His ire has generally been directed towards media and business and record company people ie those who aren't artists like himself. But he himself and no other has made some calamitously stupid decisions and he has only himself to blame - not that he ever did. He used to argue all that mattered to the world was the "work" and nobody need know anything about him, but he still expected people to give him their money. Well it don't work like that man...

In recent years he has become milder but now he produces and controls his output if nobody buys his
stuff he can no longer blame everybody else for crushing his muse.

I did once have lunch with somone who knew him - but they were from Northern Ireland so may have been biased.