Enlightenment (Van Morrison album)

Recording

The album was recorded in London, England, and Real World in Box. The arrangements were by Fiachra Trench and Micheal O'Suilleabhain played piano with a brass section made up of British jazz musicians from the late sixties: Frank Ricotti, Henry Lowther and Malcolm Griffiths. One of the songs "So Quiet in Here" was recorded at the Kirk, Rode, Somerset, a setting which served as both church or studio.

Composition

Contrary to the meaning of the title, the theme of the album is actually full of doubt and the songs seem to be saying that everything is what you make of it — heaven or hell. The song "Enlightenment" contains the words: "I'm in the here and now and I'm meditating/ And still I'm suffering but that's my problem/ Enlightenment, don't know what it is". "So Quiet in Here" is a continuation of the song "Into the Mystic" from the Moondance album. The single released from the album, "Real Real Gone", was originally written and meant for the 1980 album Common One. The song "In the Days Before Rock 'N' Roll" was a collaboration between Morrison and the Irish poet Paul Durcan.

Track listing

All songs by Morrison unless noted otherwise.

1. "Real Real Gone" – 3:43
2. "Enlightenment" – 4:04
3. "So Quiet in Here" – 6:09
4. "Avalon of the Heart" – 4:45
5. "See Me Through" – 6:13
6. "Youth of 1,000 Summers" – 3:45
7. "In the Days Before Rock 'N' Roll" (Durcan, Morrison) – 8:13
8. "Start All Over Again" – 4:10
9. "She's My Baby" – 5:14
10. "Memories" – 4:14

Bonus tracks (2008 CD reissue)

1. "Enlightenment" – 3:29 (alternative take)
2. "So Quiet in Here" – 4:03 (alternative take)

Musicians

Production

Recorded mainly at Wool Hall Studios, Beckington
Townhouse, London, Real World, Box and Pavilion Studios, London.
("So Quiet in Here" recorded at The Kirk, Rode, Somerset)

Album

UK Album Chart

Billboard (North America)

Singles

Billboard