Too Long in Exile is a 1993 album by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison. It was one of Morrison's most commercially successful albums in years, due in part to a cover of "Gloria", one of his own songs originally recorded by Them. This newer version with guest vocals and guitar from blues legend John Lee Hooker was released as a single as a successful single charting at #31 in the U.K..

Critical reception

Most critics responded well to the album. Peter Paphides said "never has one man's regression therapy sounded this exhilarating." Gavin Martin remarked that "Van has rediscovered his 'earthy, elemental fire'. He is still the foremost blues auteur.

Reissue and remastered album

In January 2009, Exile/Polydor will release this album as part of Series four of four catalogue reissues of Morrison's albums dated from 1971 through 2002.

Track listing

All written songs by Van Morrison except as indicated.

1. "Too Long in Exile" – 6:18
2. "Big Time Operators" – 6:03
3. "Lonely Avenue/You Give Me Nothing but the Blues" (Doc Pomus, Morrison) – 6:24
4. "Ball & Chain" – 5:36
5. "In the Forest" – 4:38
6. "Till We Get the Healing Done" – 8:29
7. "Gloria" – 5:19
8. "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" (Sonny Boy Williamson) – 4:07
9. "Wasted Years" – 3:57
10. "The Lonesome Road" (Nathaniel Shilkret, Gene Austin) – 3:16
11. "Moody's Mood for Love" (James Moody, Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh) – 2:32
12. "Close Enough for Jazz" – 2:39
13. "Before the World Was Made" (text by William Butler Yeats, adapted by Morrison, music by Kenny Craddock) – 4:24
14. "I'll Take Care of You" (Brook Benton) – 5:19
15. "Instrumental/Tell Me What You Want" – 8:08

Personnel

• Van Morrison – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, alto saxophone, harmonica
• John Lee Hooker – vocals, electric guitar on "Gloria" and "Wasted Years"
• Georgie Fame – hammond organ, backing vocals
• Ronnie Johnson – electric guitar
• Nicky Scott – bass guitar
• Candy Dulfer – alto saxophone
• Kate St John – tenor saxophone, cor anglais
• Teena Lyle – backing vocals, hammond organ, percussion, vibraphone
• Jonn Savannah – backing vocals, hammond organ
• Geoff Dunn – drums
• Howard Francis – hammond organ, piano
• Paul Robinson – drums
• John Allair – hammond organ
• Richard Cousins – bass
• Kevin Hayes – drums

Charts

Album - UK Album Chart

Year	Chart	Position
1993	UK Album Chart	4

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1993	The Billboard 200	29

Notes

References

• Hinton, Brian (1997). Celtic Crossroads: The Art of Van Morrison, Sanctuary, ISBN 1-86074169X

External links

• Lyrics and Audio Samples 1990s, Too Long in Exile