Whenever God Shines His Light (featuring Cliff Richard) became his first ever Top 20 single in the UK, can you believe that! Have I Told You Lately was not a hit for Van but Rod Stewart had a Top 5 hit with it both sides of the Atlantic in 1993. What's really interesting about this song is that it has generally been regarded as one of the great love ballads (and I'm pretty sure that's how Rod Stewart interpreted it) and the lyrics, with careful inspection, clearly show that it is a love song but a love song to God (who pops up here and there on this album).
There's always been a hint of spirituality about Van Morrison's work but on this album it is an overriding theme.
Georgie Fame appears on the album and this begun a collaboration that lasted for many albums throughout the nineties.
The album was recorded over a two day period (they had rehearsed the songs only two days prior to going to the studio) and guitarist Arty McGlynn has said they were not sure if it was a demo for an album or an actual album they had recorded!
My favourite track off the album is the one that closes it, These Are The Days. I've put the lyrics and singled out the song down at the bottom of the page. It has, I think, some of the most beautiful lyrics that Morrison has ever written.
Avalon Sunset - Van Morrison
Mercury
Produced by Van Morrison
Released 5th June 1989
UK Charts #13
US Charts # 91
Personnel
Van Morrison - vocal, guitar
Alan Barnes - baritone saxophone
Clive Culbertson - bass
Neil Drinkwater - accordion, piano, synthesizer
Dave Early - drums, percussion
Cliff Hardie - trombone
Roy Jones - drums, percussion
Carol Kenyon - backing vocals
Katie Kissoon - backing vocals
Henry Lowther - trumpet
Arty McGlynn - guitar
Stan Sulzmann - alto saxophone
Steve Pearce - bass guitar
Cliff Richard - vocal on "Whenever God Shines His Light"
Georgie Fame - Hammond organ
Van Morrison - vocal, guitar
Alan Barnes - baritone saxophone
Clive Culbertson - bass
Neil Drinkwater - accordion, piano, synthesizer
Dave Early - drums, percussion
Cliff Hardie - trombone
Roy Jones - drums, percussion
Carol Kenyon - backing vocals
Katie Kissoon - backing vocals
Henry Lowther - trumpet
Arty McGlynn - guitar
Stan Sulzmann - alto saxophone
Steve Pearce - bass guitar
Cliff Richard - vocal on "Whenever God Shines His Light"
Georgie Fame - Hammond organ
These Are The Days
These Are The Days
by Van Morrison
Oh your smiling face, your gracious presence
The fires of spring are kindling bright
Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory
Crying freedom in the night
These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one magician
Turned the water into wine
These are the days of the endless dancing and the
Long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing
When I'm holding you oh, so tight
These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician
Turned the water into wine
These are the days now that we must savor
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart.
The fires of spring are kindling bright
Oh the radiant heart and the song of glory
Crying freedom in the night
These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one magician
Turned the water into wine
These are the days of the endless dancing and the
Long walks on the summer night
These are the days of the true romancing
When I'm holding you oh, so tight
These are the days by the sparkling river
His timely grace and our treasured find
This is the love of the one great magician
Turned the water into wine
These are the days now that we must savor
And we must enjoy as we can
These are the days that will last forever
You've got to hold them in your heart.
Let The Day Begin...Let The Day Start!
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