top of page
Writer's pictureCharles Cherney

146: It's Too Late to Stop Now

As Wikipedia notes, It's Too Late to Stop Now is a 1974 live double album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It features performances that were recorded in concerts at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, California, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and the Rainbow in London, during Morrison's three-month tour with his eleven-piece band, the Caledonia Soul Orchestra, from May to July 1973. Frequently named as one of the best live albums ever, It's Too Late to Stop Now was recorded during what has often been said to be the singer's greatest phase as a live performer. Volumes II, III and IV of the album were released as a box-set in 2016, also including a DVD. You can find the music online on Apple Music and other places.


Fortunately, quite a few of the live performances at the Rainbow in London in 1973 are to be found on YouTube. And the film version from 2016 is now available on Amazon. The film includes "Moondance" - not something you can find on YouTube.


I am pretty sure I have watched + listened to the live recording of "Caravan" a hundred times. And I can't wait to turn it up again:


Unlike most live rock albums, there was no studio overdubbing allowed by Morrison. "People cut live albums and they take it to the studio and play with it for about a year, but this one's just as it happened", said Morrison. Morrison strictly adhered to his concept of authenticity in presenting the live performance. "It's common practice to go back and fix things, but not with Van", bass player David Hayes said, "I think that's what makes it one of the best ever."


Speaking of best ever, can anything touch this performance of "Cyprus Avenue" ?!?

Cyprus Avenue


And I'm caught one more time Up on Cyprus Avenue I'm caught one more time Up on Cyprus Avenue And I'm conquered in a car seat Not a thing that I can do

I may go crazy Before that mansion on the hill I may go crazy Before that mansion on the hill But my heart keeps beating faster And my feet can't keep still And all the little girls rhyme something On way back home from school And all the little girls rhyme something On the way back home from school And the leaves fall one by one And call the autumn time a fool Yeah, my t-tongue gets tied Every, every, every time I try to speak My tongue gets tied Every time I try to speak And my inside shakes just like a leaf on a tree I think I'll go walking by the railroad with my cherry, cherry wine I believe I'll go walking by the railroad with my cherry, cherry wine If I pass the rumbling station where the lonesome engine drivers pine Wait a minute, yonder come my lady Rainbow ribbons in her hair Yonder come my lady Rainbow ribbons in her hair Six white horses and a carriage She's returning from the fair Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, baby

Well, I'm caught one more time Up on Cyprus Avenue Oh yes, I am I'm caught one more time Up on Cyprus Avenue, oh And I'm conquered in a car seat And I'm looking straight at you

Way up on, way up on Way up on, way up on, way up on Way up on, way up on, way up on Way up on, way up on, way up on Way up on To the avenue of trees Keep walking down In the wind and the rain, darling You keep walking down when the sun shone through the trees Nobody, no, no, no, no, nobody stops me from loving you baby So young and bold, 14 year old Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Baby, baby, baby Ooh, yeah




'

Comments


Commenting has been turned off.
bottom of page