Talk:Van Morrison

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I'm not sure how to include this in a encyclopia fashion way, but Morrison reportedly has "Launched an attack" on the music industry and the Internet. I could not find for certain the original source for the quotes, but different sources seem to be taking it from contactmusic.com. The stuff he is quoted for is interesting and I think it should be included. I'm just beggining to understand Wikipedia, so I wasn't sure about putting all the information on the article page.

Here are the links to the two stories

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/van%20morrison%20slams%20internet_28_02_2006

http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/van%20morrison%20slams%20commercial%20music%20industry_01_03_2006

I changed a word. It said "alcohol-aided depression," I changed to "alchol-induced". --Wp1782 08:09, 4 February 2006 (UTC)


How can you have an article about a musician and not even mention what instrument he plays?

Was resolved.
I noticed that the info has been deleted sometime along the way, so I am going to re-add it. Akamad 05:38, September 4, 2005 (UTC)

This article remains kind of thin, especially from 1977 on — unfortunately I don't know that work well enough to contribute. And I don't think the article really captures what makes Van so special ... the Astral Weeks article actually does a better job of that, I hope readers find it. Wasted Time R 03:48, 5 Jun 2005 (UTC)

The phrase "Many consider his performance of "Caravan" to be the climax of The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese's 1978 film of The Band's farewell concert." sounds odd. It either is the climax (ie in popular parlance, the end) or it isn't. I would suggest "high point".--Attila the Pooh 11:38, 15 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Done and done - Akamad 04:49, Jun 16, 2005 (UTC)

But do many consider that ? Or is just many Van Morrison fans who think that ? -- Beardo 15:56, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

That's a valid point. I might try to look for some reviews of it. - Akamad 01:20, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

I changed the line after reading some reviews. Some state it as a highlight, but not enough to warrant the previous statement. - Akamad 02:10, 12 March 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] Irish/Northern Irish

He isn't an Irish singer, he is Northern Irish. They are different countries. It is like calling a Scottish singer an English singer.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by 88.110.223.243 (talk • contribs).

"I'm Irish and a British subject."[1]

"I'm Irish, American and British. I don't think I'm any one of those things. I think I'm Irish. I think I'm American. I think I'm British."[2]

Van frequently describes himself as "Irish", so while it seems to offend you, it apparently doesn't offend him. Camillus (talk) 03:41, 19 February 2006 (UTC)

Northern Ireland is not a country, nor is it a province: it is a region within the UK. Van Morrison often refers to himself as Irish. I have reverted back to Irish as Van has described himself as Irish. Iolar

Irish can refer to anyone from the island of Ireland, not just those from the country (Republic of) Ireland. -- Beardo 15:50, 11 March 2006 (UTC)

I've just placed his place of residence into the intro as I think that is important and the fact that his partner is Michelle Rocca and they have a child together. Also, I have corrected the reference to Them as a British band - citation: http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:vx1ibk596akc

The catagories "British Musician" and "British Songwriter" have been added. Is this correct?BuffaloBob 00:09, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

I think it is, technically. Though he also considers himself "Irish". One can be a Scot and British, Welsh and British, English and British and those from Northern Ireland (who agree) can refer to themselves as Irish and British. Stephenjh 01:36, 20 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Scientologist?

According to the Guardian, he is [3] yet there's no mention of it in the article? --Hn 13:04, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

I added a reference to it on the article. He mentions it on an interview: http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/~hayward/van/reviews/1985newage.html. - Akamad 13:30, 25 March 2006 (UTC)


This is absurd, Van Morrison was not formally affiliated with Scientology, but like William S. Burroughs had a passing interest in Dianetics. Van Morrison is formerly a member of the Church of Ireland.

The two cited references prove nothing. The Guardian ref says that he said he was in an interview in the 80s (presumably the interview cited in in the second ref). In the interview itself, van gives the idea short-shrift, just something that he was interested in at the time. Hubbard was "credited" on his 1985 album. Big deal. Van is a very ecletic, complex individual. You could easily say he was a Buddhist, a Jehovah Witness, an existentialist etc. etc. The idea that these refs "prove" that he is a Scientoligist is just tosh. Camillus (talk) 22:36, 22 April 2006 (UTC)
The line I added to the article was: "Despite stating that he is a Christian, he was linked to Scientology, after he gave a special thanks to L. Ron Hubbard on his 1986 album, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart." WIth this reference given: [4]. I certainly believe this is a fair statement to make, but perhaps you don't, any comments on how to improve it? - Akamad 00:31, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
Well let's see: your ref gives this one sentence where Scientology is mentioned, in passing : Morrison has stated that he is a Christian, but he admits his involvement in Scientology, transcendental meditation, and assorted New Age practices.. First, it's unacceptable, as - where does Van "admit his involvement with Scientology"? Perhaps the interview in 1985, where he gives it short-shrift? This is just an example of a writer putting words in Van's mouth. Van hates to be categorised, and can even be quite mischevious about it, throwing gullible interviewers off on wild goose-chases. If it's got to be mentioned at all, I would suggest something like : "Morrison is a complex individual, who has cited many eclectic influences on his life and music. He gave a special thanks to L. Ron Hubbard on his 1986 album..., although he has never been formally associated with Scientology or any other Church." Something like that. Anything more is just pure speculation. Camillus (talk) 09:22, 23 April 2006 (UTC)
I incorporated your text on to the article. - Akamad 10:30, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Church of Ireland

In a 1989 Q Magazine interview conducted by Spike Milligan, Van Morrison responds to a question about his religious affiliation with "Well theoretically I'm Church Of Ireland". http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/~hayward/van/reviews/1989august.html

It is however interesting, that no matter what evidence of Van's Anglican roots are put forth, there will always be doubters and hecklers.

"Growing up in a Church of Ireland (often wrongly described as Protestant) family ..." This seems odd. I don't know anyone in Northern Ireland who wouldn't describe the Anglican church as Protestant. Can someone explain?

The Church Of Ireland is part of the Anglican communion - strictly speaking Anglicanism is not a Protestant church but a reformed Catholic church. Basically Anglicans accept apostlic succession (the church and it's history is the source of the religion) - true Protestantism is a revealed faith - each member comes to God individually. Of course historically Anglicanism has become seen as a protestant faith but some members are much closer to the Catholic church than Calvin.

[edit] Guitar? ==

I'm curious, what kind of electric guitar is played during the first few bars in 'Wild Night' and 'Gloria'? (PS- excuse me if I haven't quite gotten the hang of editing Wikipedia)

[edit] Nothing like starting out an entry with some racism.

"No white man sings like him."

If the observation that "no black man sings like him" were placed in an article on opera singer Paul Robeson, the howls of "racism" would be loud indeed.

The observation that somehow Morrison is elevated to a realm where whites, inherently limited due to their race, are unable to climb is explicitly racist and has no place here.

I am sick of the casual anti-White racism epidemic on Wikipedia. BulldogPete 10:22, 27 July 2006 (UTC)

I don't think it's a racist comment. But if you feel it is, feel free to remove the line. - Akamad 21:04, 27 July 2006 (UTC)
I'm not going to take it upon myself to remove it, but I think "Bulldog" arguably has a point. 24.6.66.193 00:04, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

How is the term "No white man sings like him." racist? I don't understand. It's a bold statement that could be open to many interpretations, but refers to no other 'race', nor makes any comparison with any other 'race'. I don't read any racism here. Stephenjh 19:44, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Janet Planet

As far as I can tell (from Johnny Rogan's biography) that Janet Planet was never a musician, but rather an actress.

Steve D.

[edit] Wavelength

You say Wavelength was not well received by critics. I recall it being named one of the top 10 rock albums of the year by Time Magazine. I think they said something like "More Morrison magic"

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