Carrying a Torch
| "Carrying a Torch" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
| "Carrying a Torch" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:Van Morrison Carrying A Torch single cover.jpg | ||||
| 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)" | |||
| Released | March 1991[1] | |||
| Genre | Celtic, Folk-rock | |||
| Length | 3:50 | |||
| Label | Dover | |||
| Writer(s) | Van Morrison | |||
| Producer(s) | Van Morrison | |||
| Tom Jones chronology | ||||
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"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 #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
References
- Rogan, Johnny (2006). Van Morrison: No Surrender, London:Vintage Books ISBN 978-0-09-943183-1
