It's Too Late to Stop Now
Given his early roots in Irish show bands steeped in American R&B;, Van Morrison's power as a live performer is as riveting in his "on" nights as it can be frustrating when he's not in the mood. But his sheer power as a singer, and his long tradition of crack bands, has translated to an awful lot of good nights--enough to spawn three compelling live albums, of which this is the first and best. Recorded during his San Franciscan residency of the early '70s, with his ambitious Caledonia Soul Orchestra, this double album documents Morrison at an early vocal peak and benefits from a set list culled from his early solo masterpieces, includingMoondanceandAstral Weeks. As such,It's Too Late to Stop Nowclicks as both anthology and coherent concert document--a classic live album.--Sam Sutherland