Days Like This

Sunday, June 25, 2023:…I worked on the IPRC Library entry-way area. (International Peace Resource Center) When this area is cleared and accessible, the computers on that desk can be updated and activated. There is space for both computer access and a manual (or electric) typewriter. This typing area will be separated from the primary library archives and the front door, with a partition.

https://youtu.be/3UUWkr4FUlo?list=RD3UUWkr4FUlo
Van Morrison – Days Like This “Days Like This” is a song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and the title song of his 1995 album. This song has become one of his most popular songs. Despite peaking at #65 in the UK, it reached positions #17 and #12 on the Billboard US. In Ireland, “Days Like This” peaked at #1 on the radio airplay chart in 2022. Recording and composition “Days Like This” was recorded during the 1993–1994 sessions at Wool Hall Studios, Beckington and theReal World in Bath, Somerset. The song was inspired by the 1961 Shirelles hit “Mama Said”, written by Luther Dixon and Willie Denson.

https://youtu.be/L842mz-tNBQ?list=RDEMfjt9wmytN4KIjWzsqrut3A
The Shirelles were an American girl group formed in Passaic, New Jersey in 1957. They consisted of schoolmates Shirley Owens (later Shirley Alston Reeves), Doris Coley (later Doris Kenner-Jackson), Addie “Micki” Harris (later Addie Harris McFadden), and Beverly Lee. (The Beatles were large admirers of the Shirelles, according to George Harrison, “We always loved those American girl groups, like the Shirelles and the Ronettes, so yeah we developed our harmonies from trying to come up with an English, male version of their vocal feel.” The Beatles’ debut album, Please Please Me included cover versions of two songs by the Shirelles, “Baby It’s You”, and “Boys”, and a third song from the album, “P.S. I Love You” was according to John Lennon, Paul’s attempt at “trying to write a “Soldier Boy” like the Shirelles.”)

The Shirelles in 1962; clockwise from top: Addie Harris, Shirley Owens, Beverly Lee, and Doris Coley

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Before making his big break as a solo artist, Irish singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy performed backing vocals for this song, as well as others throughout the album, and features heavily in the music video.*

Legacy

“Days like This” became the official anthem of the peace movement in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office used it along with “Brown Eyed Girl” as theme music for a television advertisement promoting the ceasefire. Morrison performed it for an audience of 60–80,000 people when President Bill Clinton visited Belfast, Northern Ireland on 30 November 1995. Clinton, himself a saxophonist, had shown an appreciation for Morrison’s music and had wanted to perform but was advised against it by security officers.

In the media Van Morrison Set to Launch New Album and Concert Tour

In 1997 “Days Like This” was featured on the soundtrack of the film As Good as It Gets. It was played several times in the 2007 film Because I Said So. It has also been used in a Channel 7 Australia ad campaign.

Van Morrison – vocals, alto saxophone Ronnie Johnson – electric guitar Nicky Scott – bass Geoff Dunn – drums Teena Lyle – piano, backing vocals Kate St John – alto saxophone Pee Wee Ellis – tenor saxophone Leo Green – tenor saxophone Matthew Holland – trumpet Brian Kennedy – backing vocals
Horns arranged by Pee Wee Ellis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Days_Like_This_(Van_Morrison_song)#Recording_and_compositionEarlier I watered gardens front and back and did some gardening and raking out front. Had to fix two holes created by the demon dog named “Star.” She’s an Anatolian Shepherd who came with baggage. She digs, chews up stuff and likes to get loose and run gleefully for miles. Ignoring my saner impulses, we have decided to keep Star and attempt to train her proud demonic self.

9:07pm and light is beginning to fade. “9:35 PM: Sunday, June 25, 2023 (MDT); Sunset in Missoula, MT.”

https://youtu.be/AtBH1TlehZw
Tony & Jackie Lamie – Sunset Blues with the Swing Kings: 1958 Hillbilly Bop/Rockabilly
Bucky Pizzarelli – guitar Ray Kennedy – piano Ken Peplowski – clarinet Martin Pizzarelli – double bass Chuck Redd – vibraphone Tony Tedesco – drums

*Sir George Ivan Morrison OBE, known professionally as Van Morrison, is a Northern Irish singer, undefined