Van Morrison releases his new album, Born to Sing: No Plan B, this Friday and RTÉ Ten has ten copies to give away
"No Plan B means this is not a rehearsal. That’s the main thing—it’s not a hobby, it’s real, happening now, in real time."
That’s Van Morrison’s characteristically gruff summation of his new album, Born to Sing: No Plan B. It’s his 35th studio album and his first in four years.
"They’re not all one thing," Morrison says of these ten new songs. "Some are about the world crisis, others are more mystical. Whatever ideas come in, there's no set ABC of it. Really, it wouldn’t be interesting if everything was set—there would be no surprises."
However, there is one song about a ventriloquist's dummy, famous from a television show of Morrison’s youth and TV’s working class anti-hero, Archie Bunker. That’s called Educating Archie but Van also dwells a lot on the vexed subject of money on this new album.
Van: back on Blue Note; back on top
"I'm not protesting, I'm just observing what's happening—like Lenny Bruce said, 'Observation, baby!,'" he says. "Starting about two years ago, everybody was talking about money, money, money, and that's the way songs come about. Whatever people are talking about, the ideas around you, that’s what you pick up."
Born to Sing: No Plan B was recorded live in studio in Morrison's native Belfast with a six-piece band (plus Morrison on piano, guitar, and alto saxophone) and marks Van’s return to the fabled Blue Note label, home to many of his jazz idols.
The album is released this Friday and RTÉ Ten has ten copies to give away. Simply answer this question and send an e mail to entertainmentonline@rte.ie with "Van Morrison" in the subject line for a chance to win one - Where is Van Morrison from?
