The Caledonia Soul Orchestra

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The Caledonia Soul Orchestra was the band created by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison in 1973. The band is often considered one of the tightest performing backup groups of the 1970s. The band was named after an eighteen minute instrumental outtake on the His Band and the Street Choir album.[1]

It's Too Late to Stop Now— Van Morrison with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra—1974 live album
It's Too Late to Stop Now— Van Morrison with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra—1974 live album

In 1973 Van Morrison and the Caledonia Soul Orchestra went on a three-month tour of the United States, and Europe the result of which was the seminal live double album It's Too Late to Stop Now. The title is taken from the last line in the lyrics in one of Morrison's songs: "Into the Mystic" from the 1970 Moondance album. In live performances with The Caleldonia Soul Orchestra, he would close the concert with a dynamic, stretched out version of the Astral Weeks song, "Cyprus Avenue" and then shout out "IT'S TOO LATE TO STOP NOW!" as he quickly exited stage. The tour began with warm up shows at the Lions Share in Marin County, California and an appearance on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in April 1973 culminating with two nights at London's Rainbow Theatre in July 1973. (Voted by Q Magazine readers as one of the top live performances of all time.)[2]The tour was originated to promote the 1973 album, Hard Nose the Highway. By tour's end it featured forty songs with twelve of them covers such as Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me" and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Take Your Hands out of my Pocket". Morrison was going through a divorce at the time and the selection of material and the impassioned performances were evidence of his inner turmoil, combined with a newfound joy of performing.[3] "I would say that that tour represented the height of his confidence as a performer," band member John Platania remarked. [4]

On the live album the musical intensity of the band is on constant display, harmonizing beautifully with the leadership of Morrison (see "I Believe to my Soul", "Saint Dominic's Preview", and "Caravan"). Despite the brilliance of the group, Morrison disbanded them, saving only a few musicians for his follow up album, Veedon Fleece in 1974.

A few of the original Caledonia Soul Orchestra musicians would remain in Morrison's band over the years.

[edit] The Caledonia Soul Orchestra Lineup

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Heylin, Can You Feel the Silence?, p. 270
  2. ^ The Best Gigs Ever
  3. ^ Heylin, Can You Feel the Silence?, p. 268-270
  4. ^ Turner, Too Late to Stop Now, p.115

[edit] References

  • Heylin, Clinton (2003). Can You Feel the Silence? Van Morrison: A New Biography, Chicago Review Press ISBN 1-55652-542-7
  • Turner, Steve (1993). Too Late to Stop Now, Viking Penguin, ISBN 0-670-85147-7