Carrying a Torch

"Carrying a Torch"
Song by Van Morrison
from the album Hymns to the Silence
Released1991
Recorded1991
GenreFolk-rock
Length4:26
LabelPolydor Records
Songwriter(s)Van Morrison
Producer(s)Van Morrison
"Carrying a Torch"
Single by Tom Jones and Van Morrison
from the album Carrying a Torch
A-side"Carrying a Torch"
B-side"Walk Tall (Valley of the Shadows)"
ReleasedMarch 1991[1]
GenreCeltic, Folk-rock
Length3:50
LabelDover
Songwriter(s)Van Morrison
Producer(s)Van Morrison
Tom Jones singles chronology
"Couldn't Say Goodbye"
(1991) 		"Carrying a Torch"
(1991) 		"I'm Not Feeling It Anymore"
(1991)

"Carrying a Torch" is a popular song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and released on his 1991 double album, Hymns to the Silence. It was also included on his 2015 album "Duets: Re-working the Catalogue" with Clare Teal.

Rolling Stone magazine reviewer Elysa Gardner praised the song, saying that it "has the makings of a classic, with a stately chorus and shining verses that tie the flesh to the spirit: 'You're the keeper of the flame/And you burn so bright/Baby why don't we re-connect/Move into the light'."[2]

Cover versions

Tom Jones also recorded the song, together with Van Morrison, on his album Carrying a Torch (released the same year, in March). Their version of the song was released as a single and charted at No. 57 in 1991 in the UK. This collaboration came about when Morrison showed his newly written song "Carrying a Torch" to Jones, who was "so impressed that he invited Morrison to play on his new record" (Johnny Rogan). Morrison wrote, played on and produced four tracks that appeared on Jones' album.[3]

Bob Dylan has also performed the song occasionally at his concerts.[4]

Personnel on original release

  • Van Morrison – vocals
  • Paul Robinson – drums
  • Nicky Scott – bass
  • Neil Drinkwater – piano, synthesizer
  • Carol Kenyon and Katie Kissoon – backing vocals
  • Fiachra Trench – string arrangements
  • Gavyn Wright – string section leader

Notes

  1. ^ "BBC Wales – Music – Tom Jones – Tom Jones discography". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. ^ Gardner, Elysa (1 October 1991). "Van Morrison: Hymns to the Silence : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". rollingstone.com. Retrieved 16 October 2009.[dead link‍]
  3. ^ Rogan, No Surrender, p.401
  4. ^ "Bob Dylan-Bob Links-Reviews-11/09/02". boblinks.com. Retrieved 16 October 2009.

References