Van Morrison Makes His New Album
"Days Like This" A Family Affair

The following news release - heavily larded (not unexpectedly) with the usual marketing bumpf - was sent out by Mercury/Polydor Records Canada on June 8, 1995

Van Morrison has been a busy fellow since his last solo album. After 1993's Too Long In Exile, Van the Man has granted more than the usual share of interviews, released a two-CD live album recorded in San Francisco, became the subject of a stellar tribute album (No Prima Donna), and received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his songwriting talents at the prestigious Ivor Novello Awards in London.

Now, with his legion of North American fans relishing the thought of upcoming tour dates (including Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens June 25, 1995), Van Morrison has given us his 25th solo album (not including collections or reissues) -- Days Like This. With songs like "Perfect Fit", "No Religion", "Ancient Highway", and the title track, Van is ready to prove that his songwriting and voice continue to be as fresh and as strong as any of his classics ("Gloria", "Have I Told You Lately", "Brown Eyed Girl").

Also lending a special character to Days Like This is the charming duet Van turns in with his daughter Shana on their unforgettable rendition of the standard made famous by Ray Charles -- "You Don't Know Me" -- one of two covers that appear. The album was recorded in Bath, England, and produced by Van himself with the engineering talents of Mick Glossop and Walter Samuel. Phil Coulter shares production duties on three tracks, including the aforementioned duet, while Georgie Fame, Kate St. John, Ronnie Johnson, Nicky Scott and Teena Lyle are a few more of the old and new musical friends who join in.

Van Morrison grew up in Belfast, learning to love the blues of legends like Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters. Already an accomplished saxophonist at 13, Van picked up the guitar and never looked back. By the early '60s, his band Them were knocking out high-powered originals like "Gloria" alongside driving covers ("Baby Please Don't Go"). Van turned to a solo career shortly thereafter, and by 1968 was one of the most acclaimed R&B performers around thanks to his heartfelt mixture of respectful nods to the past and a pioneering attitudes toward making fresh, vibrant music.

When the album Astral Weeks was released, the music press were quick to heap praise on the young artist. Van's star had been rising for the last decade, and was only getting brighter. However, by 1974 Van had become frustrated by the internal workings of the industry that he presented his art to, and stepped away from his involvement in popular music. He began educating himself in spirituality, which rekindled his creative fires at the start of the '80s.

By 1982, Van was making music again, now for PolyGram. The next six years saw a string of solid albums released, such as Poetic Champions Compose, Avalon Sunset and A Sense Of Wonder. With close to twenty albums to his credit in 1989, The Best Of Van Morrison was released to compile the man's career highlights. This served a wonderful dual purpose: old fans were treated to a fine retrospective, while the younger generation had an opportunity to catch a piece of history they may have missed first time 'round. The Best Of... was a triple platinum record here in Canada, not including sales of that long-lost configuration, vinyl!

As Van Morrison's career moved into the 1990's, the Belfast Bard found himself making music for more people than ever. Enlightenment (platinum), Hymns To The Silence (gold) and the near-gold Greatest Hits Volume II laid the groundwork for Too Long In Exile. This last solo album produced a nice piece of closure for Van's past, due largely to the re-recording of his signature tune, "Gloria". John Lee Hooker guested on the track, providing guitar and vocal trade-offs with Van the Man.

After A Night In San Francisco and the No Prima Donna collection, Days Like This is poised to carry on the tradition Canada has established as Van Morrison's best-selling per capita territory worldwide. With the first single (title track) and video hitting all major outlets starting June 5th, and the album in stores that same week, as The Man himself once said, "it's too late to stop now."