Synopsis
Using a variety of sources to construct a composite portrait of the reclusive and irascible Celtic singer-songwriter and to critique his extensive oeuvre, the poet Brian Hinton examines Van Morrison's life and career in CELTIC CROSSROADS, an informative and often illuminating study. Tracing Morrison's roots in postwar working-class Belfast, Hinton follows the performer's early life with the aid of the recollections of friends, relatives, and colleagues, and recounts his early successes as a solo artist after leaving the popular R&B group Them with albums like the spectacular ASTRAL WEEKS. Though both Morrison and his music defy easy description, Hinton does a sterling job of collating and examining the wealth of journalistic criticism published about the artist over the almost five decades of his career. The author never shies away from harsh assessments when he feels they're justified, and also points up Morrison's unqualified musical successes, like the country and folk-influenced TUPELO HONEY and the enigmatic and pastoral VEEDON FLEECE. A rich source of critical analysis of the mercurial star, CELTIC CROSSROADS provides a comprehensive overview of both Van Morrison's musical output and his complex personality.
| Details | | Publication Date: | 2003-10-01 | | Edition Description: | Subsequent |
| Size | | Length: | 400 pages | | Height: | 8.0 in | | Width: | 5.0 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 13.4 oz |
Industry Reviews
"At nearly 400 pages it is a very thorough read, I hoped the book would give me more of an idea as to what kind of person Van is like, after reading it I am more eager to learn more about him. The author aims to prove that 'Van Morrison is one of the major musical, cultural and poetic artists of our time.' To us Vanatics I don't think that point has to be proven, we know that already, however this enjoyable book may help those who aren't already converted."
www.harbour.sfu.ca - Richard Perry (01/01/2000)
"This book is a meaty little tome, 392 pages of entertaining text with a small, [black-and-white] picture section in the middle. I got my copy two days ago and have found it hard to put down since. Despite his PhD in poetry and myth, Hinton doesn't go for academic jargon at all. The writing is brisk and down-to-earth. Hinton is confident not only in his literary knowledge but also in his encyclopedic knowledge of popular music, which enables him to put Van in interesting contexts at times."
www.harbour.sfu.ca - David Walker
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