Articles with Soul

A Tribute to the Film “The Commitments” and the Music of Van Morrison

The Soul Commitments were born in 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of the Alan Parker film ‘The Commitments’. The highly-celebrated cult film depicted the struggles of urban life in Dublin Ireland and how American Soul music lifted the spirits of the young men and women of this gritty city. Their rapid rise to the precipice of stardom – and their consequent breakup – is a story known too well.

As a small child in Belfast, future superstar Van Morrison used to love listening to his father’s Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Muddy Waters, Mahalia Jackson and Leadbelly records. He became a travelling musician at age 13 and formed “Them” in 1964 at 19. From then on, it was simply impossible to categorize him in any traditional musical category. You want pop? Gloria. Top 40? Domino. Iconic song played at every social function known to man? Brown-Eyed Girl. But that merely scratches the surface. Van Morrison’s complete understanding of the gospel, jazz & R&B idioms makes the prospect of forging a tribute show to the Belfast Cowboy a wonderful challenge.

And Soundtracks Of A Generation’s producer Doug James has done just that, forming a crack 13-piece outfit featuring singer/harp player Derrick Procell. Come hear all the iconic hits of legendary rocker Van Morrison and the very best of “The Commitments” (“The Saviors of Dublin Soul”) in one, fast-paced 2-hour show!