Van Morrison to launch new rock ‘n’ roll album ‘Accentuate the Positive’ with intimate Limelight gigs

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Van Morrison is to play two intimate, all-seated gigs in Belfast’s Limelight next month as he launches his 45th studio album, ‘Accentuate the Positive’.

The new record is being billed as an ‘electrifying homage to rock ‘n’ roll’ and features classics from the canon including covers of Johnny Kidd’s ‘Shakin’ All Over’, Little Richard’s ‘Lucille’, Big Joe Turner’s ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’, Everly Brothers’ ‘When Will I Be Loved’ and Fats Domino’s ‘Blueberry Hill’.

Like this year’s acclaimed ‘Moving On Skiffle’, ‘Accentuate The Positive’ sees Van Morrison returning to one of his childhood passions: this time rock ‘n’ roll.

Growing up in Belfast shortly after World War II, he was immensely inspired by the heady sounds of 20th century blues and rock ‘n’ roll.

Listening to artists such as Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and The Everly Brothers, it wasn’t long until Van was intuitively reinterpreting these sounds with his own band in local hometown venues.

Several decades later, Van Morrison now revisits the genre by reimagining some of his personal favourites for ‘Accentuate The Positive’, and infusing those timeless songs with an energy that constantly challenges and expands upon its traditions.

Van’s inimitable voice combined with superb arrangements and highly accomplished brings a fresh zeal to such great songs as The Johnny Burnette Trio’s, ‘Lonesome Train’, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’, ‘Shakin’ All Over’ and Big Joe Turner’s pioneering rock ‘n’ roll hit, ‘Flip, Flop and Fly’.

Contributors to the album include electric guitar from the late Jeff Beck and vocals from Chris Farlowe on, ‘Lonesome Train’, plus guitar from Taj Mahal on, ‘Lucille’ and, ‘Shake, Rattle and Roll’.

Van Morrison says: “Rock ‘n’ roll is about simplicity, sincerity and expressive power and there’s no way you can get away from that. That’s why it’s good and that’s why it’s lasted. It’s spirit music.”

‘Accentuate The Positive’ will be released on digital/streaming formats, double-CD, black double-vinyl and blue double- vinyl.

The two gigs will take place on Saturday, November 4, and Sunday, November 5. Tickets go on sale on Friday, October 13, at 10am and are available from the www.ticketmaster.ie website.