- Music
- 06 Sep 20
As part of our nightly YouTube series celebrating Van Morrison's 75th birthday, Kaz Hawkins performs 'Full Force Gale', and shares her reflections on Van's music.
Belfast-born singer-songwriter Kaz Hawkins has crafted a unique soul and blues-influenced sound over the course of her career – wowing audiences around the world with her deeply emotional, honest performances.
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"I identify with the message of ‘Full Force Gale’. We've all been tempted down the wrong roads but fight to get back home. I left Belfast last year for a new life in France so it was the perfect song to pay tribute to him and Belfast. When I sang the lyric "I'll always find my way home" I got a little emotional thinking of everyone back there. I'll always be a Belfast Girl no matter where I am. Therefore I wanted my band and I to bring some fun to Van's 75th birthday party – just some good ole Belfast craic as best we could during a pandemic. It's all about the music, his music! I am only an interpreter, a watcher of the man's wonderment."
Watch Kaz Hawkins perform 'Full Force Gale' below:
Each 'Rave On, Van Morrison' performance premieres every night on theHot Press YouTube channel. To make sure you don't miss out on any of our upcoming videos, subscribe to our YouTube here!
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Hot Press is also publishing a Van Morrison Special Issue, to coincide with ‘Rave On, Van Morrison’, featuring written contributions from the legendary likes of Hozier, Sinéad O’Connor, Gary Lightbody, Damien Rice, Imelda May and Damien Rice, as well as special homages from international artists Brandon Flowers, Steve Van Zandt and Matt Berninger. In addition, you'll find the highlights of our recent exclusive interview with Van – who discusses the Belfast he grew up in, ‘Gloria’, Jim Morrison, Lenny Bruce, the real inspiration for Astral Weeks and his extraordinary work as a songwriter.
This historic publication is a must-have for Van Morrison fans all over the world, and is available to order now.