Record Reviews

VAN MORRISON ~ KEEP ME SINGING EXILE 602557035742 (Barcode: 602557035742) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 Released: 2016 It is absolutely wonderful to feel that some sanity is left in this world and this new (as of the time of writing) album by the iconic Northern Irish bard Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist proves that the good old values are still very much intact. The album, his 36th studio release, presents twelve new songs and one instrumental piece, eleven of which were written by Morrison, one which was co-written by him and one which is his interpretation of a beautiful classic song by Alfred BraggsFind albums by this artist. Morrison is accompanied by a set of superb musicians, including Irish pianist Fiachra TrenchFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the string arrangements which appear on some songs, multi-instrumentalist Paul MoranFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dave KearyFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul MooreFind albums by this artist and others. The music is everything one might expect from Morrison: a set of sublime songs, delivered with great sensitivity and taste, with Morrison still being in top form and singing as if the clock did not tick for him at all. There is the same deep melancholy, echoes of Blues and Celtic roots, gentle Jazzy accompaniment, in short the same golden formula that Morrison uses for years and which still delivers the goods. In many ways this album is a nostalgic trip to the early era of his career, as stylistically it is very much a closing of a circle. Morrison has always been completely free of the mannerisms that destroyed so many musicians over time. He never tried to prove anything and was always himself, not trying to be anybody else. With fads and fashions swapping the entertainment world, Morrison was always an observer rather than a player, distancing himself by choice for the phony imagery surrounding the scene. It is somewhat sad to think that saying someone did not change almost at all in the last fifty years it the biggest compliment one can pay that person. Listing to this album brings fond memories of "Astral WeeksFind albums with this title", "MoondanceFind albums with this title" and "His Band And The Street ChoirFind albums with this title", with these iconic albums sharing many of the same elements with this album. Fame and success, all well deserved, did not, thank God, take a heavy toll on Morrison, and we, the fans, have all the reasons to feel ecstatically happy about it. If you are a member of the Generation Z, it is probably way too late for you to save your sanity, but this album might just about do it…We the Baby Boomers were simply born into it, which makes thing really easy. Life ain´t fair…

Updated: 11/11/2023Posted: 15/10/2016

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VAN MORRISON ~ LIVE AT ORANGEFIELD: BE JUST AND FEAR NOT ORANGEFIELD 5061030860472 (Barcode: 5061030860472) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2014 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, recorded in 2014 during his performance at his alma mater Orangefield Secondary School in Belfast, Northern Ireland, just before it was about to close its doors, fifty-five years after he performed there for the first time in 1959. He is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes keyboardist Paul MoranFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dave KearyFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul MooreFind albums by this artist, drummer Bobby RuggieroFind albums by this artist, a brass section comprising of saxophonist Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist and trombonist Alistair WhiteFind albums by this artist and backing singers. The album presents sixteen tracks, all but two original songs by Morrison. The sound quality of the live recording is brilliant and Morrison and his band are in absolute top form. Morrison performs some of his favorite songs he wrote over the years, and considering the quality and quantity of the material he managed to accumulate, it is no wonder that the music is absolutely delightful and moving, as obviously the concert could be seen as a retrospective journey, which touches all his admirers, even if these songs were already performed many times. He is simply unbeatable as far as writing great songs and singing them, which go directly to the heart. Overall, this is an obvious must have for all Morrison fans the world over, especially since this album offers a wonderful flow and festive atmosphere, which can be felt for the entire duration. If you love Morrison, there is no need to think twice as it does not get any better. This album was released on a new record label owned by Morrison, called OrangefieldFind albums on this label Records, which is not widely distributed and can be a bit more difficult to find, so buying directly from the label seems to be the best option. Enjoy!

Updated: 08/02/2025Posted: 08/02/2025

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VAN MORRISON ~ NEW ARRANGEMENTS AND DUETS EXILE 044003379664 (Barcode: 044003379664) ~ IRELAND ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2014 - 2019 Released: 2024 This is the 46th studio album by the legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen tracks, which are a selected from the vault of previously unreleased recordings, and others were newly re-arranged for a Big Band sound. They include duets with Kurt EllingFind albums by this artist, Willie NelsonFind albums by this artist, Curtis StigersFind albums by this artist and Joss StoneFind albums by this artist, and the new Big Band arrangements were done by Chris WhiteFind albums by this artist or Paul MoranFind albums by this artist. The album emphasizes more explicitly than usual Morrison’s affinity to Jazz and the material is all carefully selected and offers the usual level of excellence, which he never ceases to deliver. Despite his advanced age, Morrison is still in great shape and hopefully will still continue to record new material. Although this album offers archival material, it is still a great piece of music, which for his many fans, myself included, delivers in full. Overall, this is a collection of material from the vault, but the usual level of excellence is absolutely still here and it is a great pleasure to be able to listen to this music. Although the album was savagely criticized by “music critics”, for me it as good as anything Morrison released before. Keep it coming!

Updated: 11/11/2024Posted: 11/11/2024

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