An interview with Van Morrison
June 4, 2025 9:18 PM Subscribe
Van Morrison In Conversation with Dylan Jones, June 2025 My first ever Metafilter post was Some interviews with Van Morrison (previously, previously, previously). This is just a single interview, but it's wonderful, sympathetic, in-depth, and with a non-grumpy Van!
Covers his forthcoming album, his early influences, how he got started, the "band" Them, Astral Weeks, mismanagement, how he writes, where inspiration comes from, and much more.
Covers his forthcoming album, his early influences, how he got started, the "band" Them, Astral Weeks, mismanagement, how he writes, where inspiration comes from, and much more.
a few minutes in and he sounds in good form. Zero grumpiness. Genuinely interested in talking about his music which, in my experience, is a rarity. Looking forward to the rest of it.
And the new album sounds pretty solid as well.
Thanks for the post.
posted by philip-random at 10:17 PM on June 4 [2 favorites]
And the new album sounds pretty solid as well.
Thanks for the post.
posted by philip-random at 10:17 PM on June 4 [2 favorites]
Van Morrison burned every ounce of interest I have in him with his COVID-denial bullshit. I'm going to wait until he's dead to see what's worth salvaging.
posted by Playdoughnails at 10:29 PM on June 4 [40 favorites]
posted by Playdoughnails at 10:29 PM on June 4 [40 favorites]
Very true Playdoughnails, though I would argue that if it wasn’t for Mister Morrison’s descent into antivax lunacy, would we have ever gotten a song as terrible and hilarious as Why Are You On Facebook? His finest work since You Say France and I Whistle.
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 11:15 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 11:15 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]
Really looking forward to spending time with this - but also, thanks for all the excellent previously links!
Fascinating to learn he has a new album coming out.
I've been meaning to Listen To An Album for months now - just sit down and actually listen - and haven't been able to pick the right one. Astral Weeks might be just the ticket.
Thank you for this, maupuia!
posted by kristi at 11:36 PM on June 4 [3 favorites]
Fascinating to learn he has a new album coming out.
I've been meaning to Listen To An Album for months now - just sit down and actually listen - and haven't been able to pick the right one. Astral Weeks might be just the ticket.
Thank you for this, maupuia!
posted by kristi at 11:36 PM on June 4 [3 favorites]
If there is one album to just sit down and listen to - over and over again - it's Astral Weeks!
posted by maupuia at 3:44 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
posted by maupuia at 3:44 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
Saw a joke that was like, isn’t it crazy that the happiest music ever was made by the world’s biggest grumpiest asshole. Like if Nietzsche turned out to be a jolly good time
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:24 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
posted by MisantropicPainforest at 4:24 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
"Pro-fascist antivaxxer who wrote memorable songs can be charming when he makes an effort." Not the greatest headline but hopefully more to the point.
Having been an essential part of my formative music listening years doesn't win him a pass. I will not be sad when he finally shuts up.
posted by at by at 4:34 AM on June 5 [14 favorites]
Having been an essential part of my formative music listening years doesn't win him a pass. I will not be sad when he finally shuts up.
posted by at by at 4:34 AM on June 5 [14 favorites]
Metafilter: the world’s biggest grumpiest asshole.
posted by swift at 4:48 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
posted by swift at 4:48 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
He'll never touch the artistic heights of ringworm again.
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 5:43 AM on June 5 [4 favorites]
posted by Larry David Syndrome at 5:43 AM on June 5 [4 favorites]
Van Morrison burned every ounce of interest I have in him with his COVID-denial bullshit.Leave for the COVID denialism, stay gone for the textbook antisemitism!
posted by pxe2000 at 8:23 AM on June 5 [4 favorites]
Is he still dressing like a midget gangster?
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 9:58 AM on June 5 [1 favorite]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 9:58 AM on June 5 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon: "Is he still dressing like a midget gangster?"
Hey just a heads up that using the term 'midget' is considered offensive, so we advise people to use 'little people' instead.
Yes, that may not have the same bite in conversation, but that's the point.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 10:15 AM on June 5 [3 favorites]
Hey just a heads up that using the term 'midget' is considered offensive, so we advise people to use 'little people' instead.
Yes, that may not have the same bite in conversation, but that's the point.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 10:15 AM on June 5 [3 favorites]
Is he still making records with Eric Clapton?
Maybe they can do a tribute to Enoch Powell together.
posted by SystematicAbuse at 11:14 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
Maybe they can do a tribute to Enoch Powell together.
posted by SystematicAbuse at 11:14 AM on June 5 [2 favorites]
So noted. It was from a rather funny comedy bit.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 12:20 PM on June 5
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 12:20 PM on June 5
One of the things I love about Metafilter are the drive-by dunks people make about posts where they haven't read the article or watched the video. It never gets old.
posted by maupuia at 1:22 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
posted by maupuia at 1:22 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
> One of the things I love about Metafilter are the drive-by dunks people make about posts where they haven't read the article or watched the video. It never gets old.
And why does somebody I loathe deserve my attention? There are many artists I would rather pay my precious time to who do not use their platforms to advocate for issues that directly threaten me and my family.
I've already said that Morrison was an essential part of my early years as an active music listener. I would rather he be dead to me now than set aside his toxicity for the sake of my nostalgia.
posted by at by at 1:50 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
And why does somebody I loathe deserve my attention? There are many artists I would rather pay my precious time to who do not use their platforms to advocate for issues that directly threaten me and my family.
I've already said that Morrison was an essential part of my early years as an active music listener. I would rather he be dead to me now than set aside his toxicity for the sake of my nostalgia.
posted by at by at 1:50 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
And why does somebody I loathe deserve my attention?
Don't watch the video. Ignore the post. It's not hard.
posted by maupuia at 1:54 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
Don't watch the video. Ignore the post. It's not hard.
posted by maupuia at 1:54 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
maupuia: because we wish mefites would consider these facts? I think it is reasonable for mefites to complain about the subject of a post, at least in a "giving context" way. It is more serious than "i don't like his music".
posted by Vegiemon at 2:34 PM on June 5
posted by Vegiemon at 2:34 PM on June 5
I’m as guilty of this as anyone, but yeah I agree “ignore post and move on” is a good rule of thumb when your instinct is to come in and talk about how you don’t like the subject of the post.
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:34 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
posted by caviar2d2 at 3:34 PM on June 5 [2 favorites]
« Older Clever cockies not only open bins, they can use... | If this sounds a bit wonky, well, it is Newer »
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 9:31 PM on June 4 [1 favorite]