Latest Record Project Volume I

This is soulful. This is rhythm and blues. Musically, it exemplifies those styles, played with precision and feeling on acoustic and electric instruments (no digital samplers there). As this is Blues, you can expect it explores the troubles of the day. Why would the Financial Times (becoming a music critique) feel it needs to criticize Van Morrison for having the Blues? Van forewarns: "it is only a Song", "it's just a Poem". The listener can only praise Van Morrison for having the Blues and in quite some Rhythm! Yes, it's a "Deadbeat Saturday Night" for an artist to stay at home, as non-essential (as if there was such a thing, especially for Music). At the same time, Van grants us a nice shuffle beat to those lyrics. Of course, "They own the media". Van is only reinforced by the fact we only hear one angle about everything, including about his album. Yes, there is no end in sight and everyday new things we didn't ask for: the "Diabolic Pressure" is still on. Van certainly knows from his experience (he was cheated earlier in his career) how to spot inconsistencies and lies. In the "Duper's delight" he mentions a telling sign. It takes being hurt personally to grow. This is life experience and Blues again we're talking about! Some people will never have this experience. Some even feel reinsurance ganging up and even treating Van as a scapegoat. "Why are you on [that social network]?", he asks them. As differing views and even artistic licenses are suppressed, few artists dare to speak up. Van wonders "Where have all the rebel's gone?" ... And it goes on and on. There's 2 CDs / 3 LPs worth. Lots of terrific songs there.About the packaging: Usually drawn by the music, I can say I bought this album twice (on deluxe CD first) and then on vinyl from this site, as the lyrics are laid out in a nice book in both versions. This album is a gem. I wish it's on its way to be amongst the best selling records published that year. Hopefully, it will go there with time anyway, when people reconsider the insight offered here.Soundwise, it would be even more perfect for posterity if the mastering engineer had reversed the trend and lowered the average volume on the CD. This way we could enjoy even more peaks of the lively sound. The CD already has 3 variants, so I'd then suggest a 4th "unlimited" variant with all the peaks and transients (like on the vinyl). I'd buy it.

The previous, Three Chords album hinted that Van had hit a creative vein. The three albums that preceded that were IMO frustrating affairs and combined with the reticence (shared by Eric Clapton) to sing his most popular songs live was just disappointing. I wasn't sure what to expect from a double album, but this really takes the promise of Three Chords and flies! If you're a fan of classic Van you will love this record. It has all the Van trademarks and there is enough scope for VM to indulge his crooner leanings across over two hours of tracks. But you will play this album as much as you play Moondance or Avalon Sunset etc. If Van were to combine some of these songs live and mix in a good dose of his classics we will all be singing his praises once again.

I was looking forward to this but sadly found it repetitive and uninspired. I’m a fan but can’t find anything to praise about it other than that incredible voice.

Great bunch of tunes from Van

I have enjoyed Van Morrison's music for many years. He has always had a great voice and soulful songs. But in recent years I have overlooked his album releases and only dipped in now and again.Having heard a couple of his recent releases and hearing his opinions on the negative affects of social media and the intrusiveness of governments on society, I was intrigued and pulled back in to his music.Morrissey clearly has a lot to get off his chest. There is a lot of music here on this double album and you would be forgiven for thinking there's too much. After several listens, I found myself saying the album could be shorter. Going as far as choose ten or twelve of the better songs and imagining this to be the album. A tighter neater package. But this is art after all and it's what 'the man' wanted I suppose.

While this album has received a high number of "unfavourable" reviews in the mainstream press, these can be attributed entirely to the perceived offence caused. Over the 28 tracks, there is a wide array of styles, all underpinned by Van's impeccable voice, and by a sincerity almost non-existent among mainstream musicians nowadays. They have the familiar Van Morrison sound, but every song is distinctive and well-crafted. The sheer number of tracks mean that it does take a little longer than usual for the individual tracks, and the album as a whole, to embed itself. As long as listener neurosis doesn't get in the way, that is.Some tunes are out-and-out catchy (Why Are You On Facebook, Love Should Come With A Warning, Western Man) and make a great first impression, whole others may take several listenings before making their mark. This is the sign of a great album.Many have desperately tried to "interpret" this album as "mad ravings", "bigotry", or whatever. This is not the case, and simply reflects their psychology (see the track "Psychoanalyst's Ball"). He hits the lyrical mark with most of these tracks, and the hysterical reactions simply demonstrate this.A highly enjoyable, and moreover a valuable record for times like ours.

To be honest, 28 tracks is a bit too many for one album. But what is there is smooth, slick, lyrical and wonderfully performed. Familiar territory for Van the Man. Not too r&b, catchy in places, plenty of lyrics to reflect on and a good slice of mature cynicism.I am really enjoying the music on this recording - try to ignore any silly preconceptions, if you have heard anything, and simply get to enjoying another great and entertaining set from an artist still trying to keep it real. You don't have to agree with all the sentiments to appreciate a decent album.A few zingers exist here as well such as "You kiss the girls and run away/ And then you won't come out to play". Love it!