The Lost Brothers' Oisin Leech on Van Morrison: "I find his records mysteriously comforting and healing"

Oisin Leech is a Meath-based songwriter, and has released six albums with Irish duo The Lost Brothers, most recently After The Fire After The Rain (2020). He also runs Joey Procida’s Folk Club.

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I don’t think anyone can imagine what Van Morrison has gone through to become the great artist he is today – the work he has done, and the experiences he has had to endure. He’s been through so much since his time with Them, his early New York days and right across his astonishing career. His songs are like beautiful works of steel that have been through unimaginable heat and come out forged with alchemy.

People rightly rave about Astral Weeks but I’ve come to cherish his more contemporary albums. There’s a recent song from 2018 entitled 'Spirit Will Provide' in which he sings “Let go ...let go ...then spirit will provide”. This song is as powerful as any of Van’s work. It sheds light on his consistent pursuit of some higher frequency and he reaffirms the notion that often what one is looking for is not far away in the distance but is right there within – like an internal flame. I find his records mysteriously comforting and healing in that way – like old friends you can depend on a cold and lonesome day.

His vocals too are completely unique. Sometimes it feels like Van is singing like a saxophone - with an endless range of tone and colour. It’s a voice that has the power of Mahalia Jackson but can also fall to the quiet intimacy of Chet Baker.

The recent publications of his lyrics (Lit Up Inside and Keep ‘Er Lit) are testament to the fact that his words stand alone on the printed page as beautiful verse – up there with Coleridge, Cohen and Dylan. They evoke a magic that is rare. 'Linden Arden Stole The Highlights' from the truly wonderful album Veedon Fleece leaves the door of meaning open just wide enough for the listener to fill that imaginative space. I’ve absolutely no clue what it means – but the adventure feels right.

Nowadays Van’s gigs are spontaneous and communal events. Recently I traveled to watch Van perform in Belfast at the Botanic Gardens and scribbled out a few lines on the way to the show. As ever. it was a spellbinding inspirational performance from an artist still very much on top of his game. Happy Birthday, Van The Man.

Driving to Belfast...

The hills of Belfast,

The bard of County Down.

The rain hits hard.

Veedon Fleece playing loud.

Has anyone seen Van the man?

He’s on the juke box.

Once again.

This time

It’s Them-

Singing “It’s All Over Now Baby Blue”

The fog rolls down off the Holywood Hills,

And the ghost of the Maritime still walks these streets.

Mezz Mezzrow and Really The Blues.

Only the poet knows.

He must be made of a beautiful steel

To come through so many fires

And to still give the songs out

So generous of spirit

An artist in flux.

Seen him once feeding the ducks.

Now night falls on the city streets-

Echoes of American dreams across the docks in the city of steel.

Lonnie Donnegan started it all after Huddie Ledbetter showed the way.

Your fathers record collection- an education.

Put another coin in the juke box.

How about “Spirit Will Provide”?

Or “Broken Record”?

There’s “Soul” and there’s “Van”

and there’s “the Mystic“...

Maybe it’s all the one.

Some say the music he makes comes from a spiritual place...

Others say he just earned it.

Magma rose then cooled and left a well-hewn jewel.

Smooth as aged old whiskey.

Sing it Van.

Sing it loud.

It’s too late to stop now.

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The Hot Press 'Rave On, Van Morrison' Special Issue is out now. Pick up your copy in shops now – or order online below:

Our celebrations for Van Morrison's 75th birthday also include a special YouTube event, 'Rave On Van Morrison', with renditions of Van's songs from some of the most iconic names in the country – with upcoming performances from President Michael D. Higgins with Bill Whelan, Hozier, Sinéad O'Connor, Bob Geldof, and Glen Hansard, to name just a few.

You can find all the 'Rave On, Van Morrison' performances on the Hot Press YouTube channel.