Cul de Sac (Van Morrison song)
Encyclopedia
"Cul de Sac" is the name of a song written by Irish
singer-songwriter
Van Morrison
. It first appeared as the seventh track on Morrison's 1974 album Veedon Fleece
, and was released as the B-side to the single "Bulbs
".
"Oh, I traveled far
The nearest star
And Mount Palomar, Palomar, Palomar, Palomar
[…]
And when they all,
All go home
Down the cobblestones
You will double back
To a cul de sac"
The lyrics are sparse and added lightly, accenting the melody of the song. "Cul de Sac" is performed in 3/4 time.
, bassist Joe Macho and drummer Allen Schwarzberg. It contrasted slightly with the rest of the album as it was given more of a rock music
treatment.
In his book Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, John Collis writes:
An alternate version of “Cul de Sac” was released in 2008 on CD.
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Van Morrison
Van Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
. It first appeared as the seventh track on Morrison's 1974 album Veedon Fleece
Veedon Fleece
Veedon Fleece is the eighth studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released in October, 1974 . Morrison recorded the album shortly after his divorce from wife Janet Rigsbee...
, and was released as the B-side to the single "Bulbs
Bulbs (song)
"Bulbs" is a song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and included on his 1974 album, Veedon Fleece.It was chosen as the 'A' side single from the album.-Recording and composition:...
".
Lyrics and instrumentation
The song roughly describes traveling on the road, emigration and homecoming.:"Oh, I traveled far
The nearest star
And Mount Palomar, Palomar, Palomar, Palomar
[…]
And when they all,
All go home
Down the cobblestones
You will double back
To a cul de sac"
The lyrics are sparse and added lightly, accenting the melody of the song. "Cul de Sac" is performed in 3/4 time.
Background and recording
"Cul de Sac" was recorded with a separate lineup of musicians than the rest of Veedon Fleece. "Cul de Sac" along with "Bulbs" was recut at Mercury Studios in New York a few months after the main recording for the album took place. It was made with musicians with whom Morrison had never worked before: guitarist John TropeaJohn Tropea
John Tropea is a guitarist with extensive experience in the rock, pop, and jazz genres. Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world...
, bassist Joe Macho and drummer Allen Schwarzberg. It contrasted slightly with the rest of the album as it was given more of a rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
treatment.
Release and reception
"Cul de Sac" was chosen as the B-side to the single “Bulbs”, which was released in 1974 as the lead single for Veedon Fleece. In the UK, it was replaced by “Who Was That Masked Man”.In his book Van Morrison: Inarticulate Speech of the Heart, John Collis writes:
An alternate version of “Cul de Sac” was released in 2008 on CD.
Personnel
- Van MorrisonVan MorrisonVan Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - John TropeaJohn TropeaJohn Tropea is a guitarist with extensive experience in the rock, pop, and jazz genres. Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Jef Labes - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Joe Macho - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Allen Schwarzberg - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....