Hymns to the Silence: Inside the Words and Music of Van Morrison (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780826429766)

This is a groundbreaking study of every aspect of Van Morrison's artistic career - his influences, lyrical themes, vocal performances, his relationship with America, and more. In 1991 Van Morrison said, 'Music is spiritual, the music business isn't'. Peter Mills' groundbreaking book investigates the oppositions and harmonies within the work of Van Morrison, proceeding from this identified starting point. "Hymns to the Silence" is a detailed investigative study of Van Morrison's remarkable career. The book takes several intriguing angles. It looks at Morrison as a writer: specifically as an Irish writer, who has recorded musical settings of Yeats poems, collaborated with Seamus Heaney, Paul Durcan and Gerald Dawe, and who regularly drops quotes from James Joyce and Samuel Beckett into his live performances. It looks at him as a singer, at how he uses his voice as an interpretive instrument. And there are in-depth chapters on his use of mythology, on his stage performances, and on his continuing fascination with America and its musical forms. "Hymns to the Silence" is a passionate, eloquent study of the complex and influential art of one of the giants of popular music.

Author: Peter Mills
ISBN-10: 0826429769
ISBN-13: 9780826429766
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Language: English
Published: 04/08/2010
Pages: 448
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.80lbs
Size: 8.90h x 6.00w x 1.10d

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 08/01/2010 pg. 219