Van Morrison – “Tupelo Honey” (1971) Review | Just Like Honey from the Bee

Kronomyth 5.2: It’s tupelo that counts.

An edited version of Tupelo Honey, now shaved down to just under four minutes, became the second single from the album of the same name. The first single, “Wild Night,” was one of those rousing Van Morrison songs that got your feet tapping, like “Domino” and “Brown-Eyed Girl.” “Tupelo Honey” is quiet soul music, which is to say music for quiet souls. “Come Running” was like that too, but “Tupelo Honey” cuts sweeter and deeper. Every time I hear it, it grows on me a little more. The B side is Starting a New Life, which is a light country number that reminds me of Bob Dylan’s version of “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” with The Band. It’s interesting to me that both Nashville Skyline and Tupelo Honey are rarely ranked among their authors’ best work. I find both to be nearly perfect records whose country sensibilities are a breath of fresh air. Then again, picking the best Bob Dylan or Van Morrison record, the chooser is simply faced with too many choices. For now, Tupelo Honey would handily make my top ten from Van Morrison, and probably my top five while I’m listening to it.

The Product

A1. Tupelo Honey (Van Morrison) (3:59)
B1. Starting a New Life (Van Morrison) (2:06)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single in December 1971 in the US (Warner Bros., 7543). Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1971 in the US (Warner Bros., 7543) feat. A stereo and mono versions. Reached #47 on the US charts.