Van Morrison - ..It's Too Late to Stop Now...Volume I (Remastered) (2020) [Hi-Res]

Given his early roots in Irish show bands steeped in American R&B, Van Morrison's power as a live performer is as riveting in his "on" nights as it can be frustrating when he's not in the mood. But his sheer power as a singer, and his long tradition of crack bands, has translated to an awful lot of good nights--enough to spawn three compelling live albums, of which this is the first and best. Recorded during his San Franciscan residency of the early '70s, with his ambitious Caledonia Soul Orchestra, this double album documents Morrison at an early vocal peak and benefits from a set list culled from his early solo masterpieces, including Moondance and Astral Weeks. As such, It's Too Late to Stop Now clicks as both anthology and coherent concert document--a classic live album.

Best performances from eight 1973 concerts at the Troubadour, Los Angeles, Santa Monica Civic Center & Rainbow Theatre, London.

"While Van Morrison is, to be kind, an erratic and temperamental live performer, he's in stellar form throughout the double album It's Too Late to Stop Now, a superb concert set that neatly summarizes his career from his days with Them (represented by scorching renditions of "Gloria" and "Here Comes the Night") through 1973's Hard Nose the Highway ("Warm Love," "Wild Children"). In addition to the hits, including "Caravan," "Domino," and "Into the Mystic" (the final line of which gives the album its title), Morrison even pulls out a handful of R&B chestnuts ("Bring It on Home to Me," "Ain't Nothin' You Can Do") before capping off the collection with a show-stopping rendition of Astral Weeks' "Cyprus Avenue." An engaging, warm portrait of the man at the peak of his powers." (Jason Ankeny, AMG)

Van Morrison, vocals
Nathan Rubin, first violin
Tom Halpin or Tim Kovatch, violin
Nancy Ellis, viola
Teressa Adams, cello
Bill Atwood, trumpet, backing vocals
Jack Schroer, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, tambourine, backing vocals
Jef Labes, piano, organ
John Platania, guitar, backing vocals
David Hayes, bass, backing vocals
Dahaud Shaar (David Shaw), drums, backing vocals

Produced by Van Morrison, Ted Templeman

Digitally remastered