Moving On Skiffle


Moving On Skiffle is the 44th studio album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison, released on 10 March 2023 by Exile Productions through Virgin [Music Label & Artist Services|Virgin Music]. The album is Van Morrison's second in the Skiffle genre after his 2000 live album The Skiffle Sessions – [Live in Belfast 1998], which saw Morrison collaborate with Lonnie Donegan and Chris Barber. Another skiffle pioneer, Chas McDevitt, was present during the recording sessions for Moving On Skiffle.

Critical reception

found Moving On Skiffle "relaxed and unhurried" and an "easy record to enjoy." The Financial Times welcomed Morrison's return to the music of his youth and found that "the music has a richer quality than the spindly tenacity of 1950s skiffle." Uncut likewise welcomed Morrison's "back to basics" approach following "two exhausting albums of political ranting", finding the album "richer and more sophisticated" than The Skiffle Sessions but with "a lightness of touch that recalls Bruce Springsteen's delightful 2006 album of Pete Seeger reinterpretations, We Shall Overcome." The Irish Times praised Dave Keary's guitar and Morrison's voice, concluding "It's good to hear him happy."

Track listing

All songs traditional except as indicated.

Personnel

Performance
  • Crawford Bell – backing vocals
  • Chantelle Duncan – backing vocals
  • Richard Dunn – organ, backing vocals
  • Colin Griffin – drums, backing vocals, percussion
  • Pete Hurley – bass
  • Dave Keary – electric guitar, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, classical guitar, lap steel guitar, mandolin
  • Seth Lakeman – fiddle
  • Teena Lyle – castanets, backing vocals
  • Dana Masters – backing vocals
  • Stuart McIlroy – piano
  • Van Morrison – acoustic rhythm guitar, electric guitar, harmonica, saxophone, vocals
  • Jolene O'Hara – backing vocals
  • Sticky Wicket – washboard
Production
  • Tony Cousins – mastering
  • Katie May – assistant engineer
  • Ben McAuley – recording, mixing
  • Oli Middleton – assistant engineer
  • Van Morrison – production
Other personnel