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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