Van Morrison and Liam Neeson fans thrilled at new version of ‘On Hyndford Street’ by David Lyttle

Fans of Van Morrison and Liam Neeson will be thrilled at an exciting new collaboration with NI musician David Lyttle on the iconic song ‘On Hyndford Street’.
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David, who has been nominated for a MOBO, hooked up with fellow Northern Irishman Liam to celebrate Van’s 75th birthday.

The Waringstown man’s reimagined version of ‘On Hyndford Street’ which echoes back to Van’s youth in Belfast, is hauntingly recanted by Liam Neeson.

The Holywood actor’s deep northern Irish accent adds a new definition to Van’s lyrics with a backdrop of creative music composed by David Lyttle.

Liam joins a host of Irish celebrities to pay tribute to Belfast-born singer songwriter, including Sinead O’Connor, Hozier and President Micheal D. Higgins in an online series curated by Hot Press magazing.

David Lyttle is regarded as one of the world’s great drummers and Ireland’s leading jazz musician.

For a decade Lyttle has maintained a jaw-dropping tour schedule that over the past year alone has included shows in Russia, Finland, Spain, Vietnam, Thailand, Jamaica, Israel, Lebanon, Malyasia and Singapore.

He has been nominated in both the MOBO Awards and the Urban Music Awards and is the only artist from the island to receive either accolade.

Liam Neeson.Liam Neeson.
Liam Neeson.

“When Hot Press asked me to contribute to their celebration of Van I was interested but I wanted to do something different with one of his pieces, more of a reimagined approach than a cover. I instantly thought of his spoken word pieces and the first person I thought of to read was Liam. I was very excited when he agreed work with me ‘On Hyndford Street’, Van’s homage to his childhood in Belfast, with me writing new music.”

Liam Neeson, who is promoting his latest films ‘Made In Italy’ and ‘The Honest Thief’, is best known for his lead roles in ‘Schindler’s List’, ‘Taken’ and ‘Star Wars: Episode 1: The Phantom Menace’.

Born in Ballymena, he is one of the highest grossing actors of all time, with Academy Award, Golden Globe and Bafta wins throughout his career.

Lyttle plays a Fender Rhodes electric piano, organ, cello and bass guitar on the track but surprisingly not drums.

“Since the word got out, everyone wants to know about the process. I think it’s better for people not to know too much or anything about the process of creating music or any kind of art but it was a very inspiring time.

“It was very much a collaboration and it developed over a few weeks. I often get asked if I give direction when I initiate a project but I always pick people who I want to work with because of what they do. There’s very little direction you would need or want to give to some like Liam. He’s a classically trained actor who has worked with some of the biggest directors in the industry — Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Scorsese.”

‘On Hyndford Street’ is now on the Hot Press YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVAyRAHiCz0

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