Saint Dominic's Flashback - available now

I am delighted to say that my book Saint Dominic's Flashback: Van Morrison's Classic Album, Forty Years On is now available.

The idea was to take an intensive look at Saint Dominic's Preview - both how it came to be made and how it sounds today - and to tell the story in a way that could say something interesting more generally about Van Morrison's art and the music scene of the early 70s.

You can find it on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions: in the UK, US and even Japan (though sadly the book hasn't been translated just yet...)

I've posted a press release on the Work section of the site, which I hope will whet your appetite.

It has been a fascinating process getting to this point, digging into the history, talking and corresponding with many of the talented folk who made the record, and re-immersing myself in some wonderful music.

I'm sure there is an audience out there for it: the trick now is to connect with that audience. Watch this space.

Saint Dominic's Preview, etc.

The bad news is that 33 1/3 don't want to publish my projected slim volume on Saint Dominic's... Tant pis; their loss.

The good news is that I'm going to press on with the writing and get it out myself as close as possible to the fortieth anniversary of the album's release next month.

As a taster, I've posted the introductory chapter which formed part of my pitch to 33 1/3 here. If that whets your appetite, watch this space for news of more.

I'm off to Lewes tonight to see the fine Two Wings, whose album I'm really enjoying. It's having to fight for listening space with a whole slew of other fine releases, including new stuff from Patti Smith (in wonderful voice, and great to hear Tom Verlaine's guitar again, chiming alongside Lenny Kaye's), Dexys (bonkers but lovely), Neil Young (patchy, but a lot of fun and the good tracks are great), Alejandro Escovedo (only heard it once so far - no obvious surprises) and a whole lot more...