From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Full Force Gale
Full Force Gale
"Full Force Gale" Recording and composition
"Full Force Gale" was recorded in spring, 1979 at the
Record Plant Studios, Sausalito, California for the album
Into the Music.[1]
The song has a moderately fast 4/4 tempo. It is in the
key of D major. The song’s introduction uses the chords
D-A-G-A-D-G-D-A, while the verses use the chord pro-
gression D-A-G-D-A-G-D-A-G-A-D-A. The bridge uses the
progression Bm-G-A.[2] The song features a slide guitar
solo by Ry Cooder.[3]
In the lyrics Morrison describes the feeling of en-
counters with "the Lord". Biographer Peter Mills said
that "It is a physical effect - he is "lifted up again" as if
by a natural force, the full-force gale being a simile for
Single by Van Morrison this: ’Like a full force gale’". Because of this Mills conclud-
ed that Into the Music has religious elements to it: "Into the
from the album Into the Music
Music is New Testament, dealing with forgiveness, love
A-side "Full Force Gale" and kindness."[3]
When biographer Steve Turner asked the singer
B-side "Bright Side of the Road"
about the theme of rebirth that occurs quite often in his
Released 1979 songs, Morrison answered, "I wrote a song called ’Full
Recorded Spring 1979 at the Record Plant Studios, Force Gale’ in which I said ’No matter where I roam/I will
Sausalito, California find my way back home/I will always return to the Lord’.
That answers it for me. No matter what I might say at the
Length 3:14
present, that’s my feeling about that."[4]
Label Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Van Morrison Response
Producer Van Morrison Allmusic’s reviewer, P.G. Ward, calls it: "Essentially a
brisk pop tune, Morrison sings it with great fervour and
Van Morrison singles chronology
commitment, delivering simple couplets such as ’In the
"Bright Side of "Full Force "You Make Me Feel gentle evening breeze/In the whispering shady trees/I
the Road" Gale" So Free" will find my sanctuary in the Lord’ with immense skill.
(1979) (1979) (1980) The arrangement is also magnificent, with the fiddle part
a particular joy..." He goes on to say: "Into the Music is one
Into the Music track listing of Van Morrison’s finest albums, and ’Full Force Gale’ is
arguably its finest track."[5]
"Bright Side of the "Full Force "Steppin’ Out As described by Brian Hinton, "’Full Force Gale’ has
Road" Gale" Queen"
the cheerful punch of the best gospel singing, and sees
(1) (2) (3)
Van ’lifted up by the Lord’ ... as with Wordsworth, the
divine is perceived not through religious teachings but
Full Gale"
"Full Force Gale is a song written by Northern Irish through nature ... "[6]
singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was included on his
1979 album Into the Music.
Appearance on other albums
• "Full Force Gale" is also featured on the 1990
compilation album The Best of Van Morrison.
• A live version appeared on the 1984 CD Live at the
Grand Opera House Belfast.
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Full Force Gale
• This song is one of the hits re-mastered in 2007 and [4] Turner. Too Late to Stop Now, p.142
included on the compilation album, Still on Top - The [5] Ward, P.G.. "Full Force Gale at allmusic".
Greatest Hits. allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/song/
t890197. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
Personnel [6]
[7]
Hinton. Celtic Crossroads, p.220
Handelman, David. "Elvis Costello’s 21-artist
• Van Morrison: vocal, guitar salute". salon.com. http://www.salon.com/ent/
• Herbie Armstrong: guitar music/feature/1998/05/13feature.html. Retrieved
• Ry Cooder: slide guitar 2009-10-07.
• Pee Wee Ellis: tenor saxophone
• David Hayes: bass
• Mark Isham: trumpet
References
• Mark Jordan: piano • Hinton, Brian (1997). Celtic Crossroads: The Art of Van
• Toni Marcus: violin Morrison, Sanctuary, ISBN 1-86074169X
• Katie Kissoon: backing vocals • Heylin, Clinton (2003), Can You Feel the Silence? Van
• Peter Van Hooke: drums Morrison: A New Biography, London: Viking, ISBN
0-670-89321-8
Covers • Mills, Peter (2010), Hymns to the Silence: Inside the
Words and Music of Van Morrison, London: Continuum,
• Elvis Costello - his version appears on the 1994 ISBN 978-08264-2976-6
tribute album, No Prima Donna: The Songs of Van • Turner, Steve (1993). Van Morrison: Too Late to Stop
Morrison and also on Costello’s own 1995 album, Kojak Now, Viking Penguin, ISBN 0-670-85147-7
Variety.[7] • Van Morrison Anthology, London: Wise Publications,
ISBN 0-7119-2592-5
Notes
[1] Heylin. Can You Feel the Silence?, p.523 External links
[2] Van Morrison Anthology, p.74-77 • "Full Force Gale" allmusic review
[3] ^ Mills. Hymns to the Silence, p.325
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Full_Force_Gale&oldid=457027591"
Categories:
• Van Morrison songs
• 1979 singles
• Songs written by Van Morrison
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