Van Morrison Examines Roots Through Present Lens on ‘Remembering Now’

“Remembering Now” is the latest album by Van Morrison, released in June 2025.

The album represents Morrison’s first collection of original music since 2022. And follows the covers albums “Moving On Skiffle” and “Accentuate The Positive.” The new album’s launch was accompanied by the long-awaited single “Down To Joy.” Which received its first official release after featuring in Kenneth Branagh’s 2021 Oscar and BAFTA winning film “Belfast.”

“Remembering Now” sees Morrison returning to the transcendent, uncategorizable rhapsodies that make him unique, according to the album’s press release. The music is in conversation with soul, jazz, blues, folk and country while being limited by none of them.

“Down To Joy,” the single, suggests Morrison has gone back to his soul and gospel roots, with a strong emphasis on an uplifting big band arrangement and evocative strings.

Morrison’s band on the album includes Richard Dunn (Hammond organ), Stuart McIlroy (piano), Pete Hurley (bass) and Colin Griffin (drums and percussion). Who have worked with Morrison since the album “Three Chords and the Truth” in 2019.

Beyond his key band members, the album also features an array of accomplished collaborators. The strings were arranged and directed by Fiachra Trench (Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello). Whose association with Morrison goes back to “Avalon Sunset” in 1989. Strings performances are by the Fews Ensemble, led by Joanne Quigley.

Other contributions come from Michael Beckwith, the founder of the Agape International Spiritual Center. As well as the renowned lyricist Don Black (Ennio Morricone, John Barry, Quincy Jones), and the acclaimed folk artist Seth Lakeman.

According to Thom Jurek at AllMusic, “Remembering Now” embraces the musical rearview, but refracted through the lens of the present. Morrison revels in the brands of Irish R&B, Celtic blues, country, soul and balladry that made him. But that he pursued so intimately on questing albums like 1979’s “Into the Music” and 1991’s “Hymns to the Silence.” At the same time, the album’s lyrics also reveal what Morrison has learned in 80 years.

“Remembering Now” is thus aptly titled in its manner of observing personal history through the lens of life in the process of being lived in the moment.