New Music: Van Morrison, BC Camplight featuring Abigail Morris & another track from Young Gun Silver Fox

Down to Joy – Van Morrison

It’s been decades since anything new from Morrison caught my ear. Brown-Eyed Girl and Moondance are two of my all-time favorite songs from the late 1960s/early 70s. It is only as I write this that I discover that his first release from his new album Remembering Now was nominated for a Best Original Song Oscar in 2022. Down to Joy is from the film Belfast which won Kenneth Branagh the Best Original Screenplay Oscar. When I heard it a few weeks ago, I had no memory of hearing it in the film but was pleasantly surprised by how faithful the record sounded to Morrison’s early style (perhaps, duh(!), that is because the film took place during that era.) His voice and the production still sound great. Morrison has had some questionable political stances in recent years but, on the verge of his 80^th birthday, I’m just glad to hear him using his craft to create something so positive.

Two-Legged Dog – BC Camplight featuring Abigail Morris

I’ve not been familiar with Brian James Christinzio, known as BC Camplight, before this song. He was born in New Jersey but is now based in Manchester, England. He’s worked with other bands and musicians such as The War on Drugs and Sharon Van Etten but has also reportedly struggled with mental health issues, drugs, and alcohol. He’s got a new album coming out, A Sober Conversation, which I’m really excited about based on the first three songs I’ve heard from it. Two-Legged Dog features vocals from Abigail Morris of the band The Last Dinner Party and has an interesting structure and arrangement. I love the piano and the arrival of Morris after an extended bridge. Something about this reminds me of Gotye’s duet with Kimbra, the less upbeat smash Somebody That I Used to Know. I doubt that this song will break through in the same way that record did but it’s a pretty original piece of engaging pop music.

Stealing Time – Young Gun Silver Fox

This is the fourth song from YGSF’s current album, Pleasure I’m highlighting this year. I love discovering deeper and deeper cuts as I delve further into a great album. Stealing Time continues in the yacht rock tradition of the previous tunes. It’s SO well produced with R & B elements, some great brass, and of course the beautiful vocals of Andy Platts. This is the kind of pop many us from the Boomer and Gen X age range can still appreciate and long for today. I’m super excited to be seeing these guys again in October here in Chicago.

2025 Playlist is here!

What do you think? Are you a fan of Morrison’s? Were you familiar with BC Camplight? Are you digging into the Young Gun Silver Fox album? What are YOU into right now?!