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In Another World: Van Morrison & Belfast
'In Another World' is a unique trip through Belfast, mapped into the mystic through the timeless music of Van ‘the Man’ Morrison. The aptly soulful and inventive prose stems from the electric wit of acclaimed poet and fellow Belfast man, Gerald Dawe.
Struck by the extraordinary brand of rhythm and blues that was Morrison’s brainchild, Dawe’s book is a celebration of the inspirations that underlie Morrison’s music. Silhouetted in the work is a vibrant and moody Belfast; the formative influence of the pre-Troubles northern capital.
Dawe’s writing transmutes the tender and unforgettable strains of Morrison’s work, from the release in 1968 of 'Astral Weeks' to the publication in 2014 of 'Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics'. A powerful tribute to mark Van Morrison’s accomplishments, 'In Another World' taps into his legacy’s eclectic soul and is kin to its enchantments.
Struck by the extraordinary brand of rhythm and blues that was Morrison’s brainchild, Dawe’s book is a celebration of the inspirations that underlie Morrison’s music. Silhouetted in the work is a vibrant and moody Belfast; the formative influence of the pre-Troubles northern capital.
Dawe’s writing transmutes the tender and unforgettable strains of Morrison’s work, from the release in 1968 of 'Astral Weeks' to the publication in 2014 of 'Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics'. A powerful tribute to mark Van Morrison’s accomplishments, 'In Another World' taps into his legacy’s eclectic soul and is kin to its enchantments.
132 pages, Hardcover
Published December 20, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 27, 2017
This volume includes seven essays by Dawes about Van Morrison. Some have been previously published in various places. Dawes is a Belfast-born poet who teaches at Trinity College, Dublin. In person, he is reserved and somewhat dour. But his love of his city, and of Van Morrison and his music, make this book shine.
The influence of American jazz and Blues are obvious in Morrison's music. I knew that American troops had been stationed in Northern Ireland during World War II (even before the PBS series My Mother and Other Strangers http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/s...), but I didn't know the impact they had on the music scene in Belfast. Morrison's father, a shipyard worker, had (one of) the best record collections of jazz and other American musical genres in the city. Morrison's songs are full of references to these musical influences, as well as some of the venues: the Spanish Room on the Falls Rd., and the Maritime.
Being a poet, Dawes pays due attention to Morrison's lyrics. He notes the impact of certain lyrics on someone like himself, who was from Belfast. The one that struck me was his reaction to Morrison's lyric "On a train from Dublin up to Sandy Row" in the song "Madame George". Sandy Row is a staunch working class Protestant neighborhood tucked into the center of Belfast, with strong ties to Loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defense Association (UDA). http://www.historicsandyrow.co.uk/
The contrast between the cities could not be better captured and the "foreignness" of Sandy Row is a stark image to those who know what it represented.
Perhaps the weakest chapter is the interview of Morrison by Dawe. Morrison is famously taciturn and he is at his best in this back and forth. Morrison disdains the commercial side of the music business, and recognizes that it is not about promoting and preserving the genuine, but rather marketing personalities to make money. His second album Astral Weeks, now on many lists as the best album of all times, was not widely noticed on its release. It has long been my favorite album ever, though I had no idea how popular it was until a few years ago.
I have seen Van Morrison twice. In 2009 I saw his Astral Weeks tour in Washington DC. The tickets were pricey and another friend who is a fan ( and with a bigger income than mine) said it was too expensive and didn't go. My son convinced me I had to go, and it was memorable. The second time I saw him was at a dinner in 2014 in Belfast City Hall for attendees at a conference commemorating the late poet Seamus Heaney. He was at a table with the poet Michael Longley, and other dignitaries. The Irish leave celebrities in peace, and that was the case that evening.
Belfast is a city I have visited many times, including during the Troubles. It was one of the industrial centers of the UK, famous for shipbuilding (the Titanic was built here), as well as linen production. Shipbuilding no longer takes place and the linen factories are gone. Since the 1998 Peace Process, Belfast is being rebuilt. There are many lovely neighborhoods, and great restaurants. The Linen Hall Library is a favorite after my visit there in 2016. I refuse to participate in "Trouble tourism" with their sensationalist tours of former paramilitary strongholds. There is a downside to this development as gentrification pushes out long time residents who are priced out of their city. This is no longer the Belfast of small terraced houses (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Terra...) with 2 up-2 down and toilets in the backyard. Catholic families with loads of children somehow managed in these tiny spaces. Working class people used public baths into the 1980's and possibly later.
This is a must read for lovers of Van Morrison, and the city of Belfast. For those unfamiliar with the city, it is an opportunity to learn more of its history beyond the Troubles. I am currently reading Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics of Van Morrison, the perfect companion to this book.
The influence of American jazz and Blues are obvious in Morrison's music. I knew that American troops had been stationed in Northern Ireland during World War II (even before the PBS series My Mother and Other Strangers http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/s...), but I didn't know the impact they had on the music scene in Belfast. Morrison's father, a shipyard worker, had (one of) the best record collections of jazz and other American musical genres in the city. Morrison's songs are full of references to these musical influences, as well as some of the venues: the Spanish Room on the Falls Rd., and the Maritime.
Being a poet, Dawes pays due attention to Morrison's lyrics. He notes the impact of certain lyrics on someone like himself, who was from Belfast. The one that struck me was his reaction to Morrison's lyric "On a train from Dublin up to Sandy Row" in the song "Madame George". Sandy Row is a staunch working class Protestant neighborhood tucked into the center of Belfast, with strong ties to Loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defense Association (UDA). http://www.historicsandyrow.co.uk/
The contrast between the cities could not be better captured and the "foreignness" of Sandy Row is a stark image to those who know what it represented.
Perhaps the weakest chapter is the interview of Morrison by Dawe. Morrison is famously taciturn and he is at his best in this back and forth. Morrison disdains the commercial side of the music business, and recognizes that it is not about promoting and preserving the genuine, but rather marketing personalities to make money. His second album Astral Weeks, now on many lists as the best album of all times, was not widely noticed on its release. It has long been my favorite album ever, though I had no idea how popular it was until a few years ago.
I have seen Van Morrison twice. In 2009 I saw his Astral Weeks tour in Washington DC. The tickets were pricey and another friend who is a fan ( and with a bigger income than mine) said it was too expensive and didn't go. My son convinced me I had to go, and it was memorable. The second time I saw him was at a dinner in 2014 in Belfast City Hall for attendees at a conference commemorating the late poet Seamus Heaney. He was at a table with the poet Michael Longley, and other dignitaries. The Irish leave celebrities in peace, and that was the case that evening.
Belfast is a city I have visited many times, including during the Troubles. It was one of the industrial centers of the UK, famous for shipbuilding (the Titanic was built here), as well as linen production. Shipbuilding no longer takes place and the linen factories are gone. Since the 1998 Peace Process, Belfast is being rebuilt. There are many lovely neighborhoods, and great restaurants. The Linen Hall Library is a favorite after my visit there in 2016. I refuse to participate in "Trouble tourism" with their sensationalist tours of former paramilitary strongholds. There is a downside to this development as gentrification pushes out long time residents who are priced out of their city. This is no longer the Belfast of small terraced houses (http://ukhousing.wikia.com/wiki/Terra...) with 2 up-2 down and toilets in the backyard. Catholic families with loads of children somehow managed in these tiny spaces. Working class people used public baths into the 1980's and possibly later.
This is a must read for lovers of Van Morrison, and the city of Belfast. For those unfamiliar with the city, it is an opportunity to learn more of its history beyond the Troubles. I am currently reading Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics of Van Morrison, the perfect companion to this book.
August 26, 2018
Took this book home and read it with a Van the Man soundtrack. It made me almost wish I was 20 years older and had experienced the same times as the author and subject! Loved all of the chapters and will read them again with the same soundtrack. Will also have to make a visit to Belfast...that is what this book did to me 😀.
March 2, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Gerald Dawe's descriptions of the Belfast music scene as he was growing up and the way he paints the city that was very open to musical influences from faraway shores. These influences run through Van Morrison's music and lyrics and Gerald's astute observations and revealing interview has given me a better understanding and deeper appreciation of Morrison as an artist too.
July 28, 2024
Starts really interesting and engaging with a description of the music scene in pre-troubles post wwii belfast. Then it gets boring cus I don’t really like van Morrison and he is singing his praises till the cows come home. He includes other people’s reviews and a transcription of someone else interviewing van Morrison which goes on for about 10 pages, and that wasn’t great.
July 27, 2019
For hard-core fans only.
You've read it all before, but better expressed elsewhere.
At its best describing Belfast in the 60's, it was a different place to be young in, than the one it became as the decade closed.
But why ignore the time spent in London? So much missing.
You've read it all before, but better expressed elsewhere.
At its best describing Belfast in the 60's, it was a different place to be young in, than the one it became as the decade closed.
But why ignore the time spent in London? So much missing.
February 27, 2018
Good overview of Belfast at a time before the Troubles just when Van the Man was breaking through
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
Enjoyed reading this short book of writings about Van Morrison and Belfast. For an autobiography look elsewhere as certainly not the whole story but nicely written and framed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews