Van Morrison - Caledonia Soul Music

In 1973 Van Morrison and the Caledonia Soul Orchestra went on a three-month tour of the United States and Europe, the result of which was the live double album It's Too Late to Stop Now. The title is taken from the last line in the lyrics of one of Morrison's songs, "Into the Mystic" from the 1970 Moondance album. In live performances with the Caledonia Soul Orchestra, he would close the concert with a lengthened version of the Astral Weeks song "Cyprus Avenue" and then shout out "It's too late to stop now!" as he exited the stage.

The tour began with warm up shows at the Lions Share in Marin County, California, and an appearance on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert in April 1973 culminating with two nights at London's Rainbow Theatre in July 1973 (voted by Q Magazine readers as one of the top 100 live performances of all time).The tour was originated to promote the 1973 album, Hard Nose the Highway. By tour's end it featured forty songs with twelve of them covers such as Sam Cooke's "Bring it on Home to Me" and Sonny Boy Williamson's "Help Me". Morrison was going through a divorce at the time and the selection of material and the impassioned performances were evidence of his inner turmoil, combined with a newfound joy of performing. "I would say that that tour represented the height of his confidence as a performer," band member John Platania remarked.

Morrison disbanded the group, saving only a few musicians for his follow up album, Veedon Fleece in 1974. A few of the original Caledonia Soul Orchestra musicians would remain in Morrison's band over the years.

Van Morrison: vocals, acoustic guitar, alto saxophone
John Platania: guitar, backing vocals
Jeff Labes: organ, piano (8 May 1973 onwards)
James Trumbo: piano (15 February 1973 to 19 April 1973)[6]
David Hayes: bass, backing vocals
Jack Schroer: alto, tenor, baritone and soprano saxophones, tambourine, backing vocals
Dahaud Shaar: drums, backing vocals
Bill Atwood: trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals
Nathan Rubin: first violin
Terry Adams: cello[7]
Nancy Ellis: viola
Tom Halpin: violin (replaced by Tim Kovatch, uncertain date)
Tim Kovatch: violin

Yeah
This one's called
Caledonia
Soul Music

Yeah
Starts out like this
It gets
gets low

Do a little
little pick

Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah alright
alright

It gets low
Make it mellow
Get some horn
You got it

Yeah

And we get down
John, play a taste of mandolin
Yeah
Play it!
Yeah, alright

Hey
Hey hey alright
Whoa whoa Caledonia Soul
Caledonia Soul Music
Tell me what it is
Caledonia Soul Music
Caledonia Soul Music
Tell me what it is
Caledonia Soul Music
Caledonia Soul Music
Tell me what it is
Caledonia Soul
Caledonia Soul
Hey, alright
alright alright
Make me feel so good
Make me feel alright
Make me feel so good
Make me feel alright
[mumbled]
Hey
Make me feel so good
Keep on sailin'

Yeah

Boats go by
Boats go by
Boats go by

Caledonia Soul Music
Caledonia Soul Music